1. Heslington

The heart of University of York - on-campus location

Why Live Here:

• On University of York campus - Walk to lectures
• 500-acre beautiful campus with lake
• Excellent social amenities - Shops, pubs, entertainment
• Strong student community
• Semi-rural feel with city access

Transport to City Centre:

• Walking: 30 minutes
• Cycling: 15 minutes
• Bus: 10 minutes (frequent C1/C2 intercampus shuttles - FREE for students/staff)

Average Rent: £122-£285/week depending on property type

2. Fulford

Quiet, semi-rural area southwest of Heslington

Why Live Here:

• Most affordable house prices in York
• Strongest transport connections to University of York
• 25-minute walk or 10-minute bus to city centre
• Similar semi-rural vibe to Heslington
• Excellent value for money

3. Hull Road

Lively area close to campus

Why Live Here:

• 10 minutes walking to University of York
• More lively atmosphere than Heslington
• Hull Road high street - Shops, cafes, restaurants
• Quick bus connections to city centre
• Good balance of convenience and amenities

4. York City Centre

Historic heart of York - premium location

Why Live Here:

• Living in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Modern student residences with full amenities
• Easy access to York's attractions, restaurants, nightlife
• Historic streets and medieval architecture
• York St John University students benefit most

Average Rent: £150-£300/week (premium pricing)

University of York

• Russell Group research university
• Top 20 UK ranking (consistently)
• 500-acre campus in Heslington with beautiful lake
• 15,000+ students
• Collegiate system - Strong community feel
• Renowned for: Psychology, Archaeology, English, Computer Science

York St John University

• City centre campus - Historic Lord Mayor's Walk
• 7,000+ students
• Excellent for: Education, Sports, Business, Performing Arts
• Modern facilities in historic setting

Intercampus Shuttle (University of York)

• C1 and C2 buses - FREE for students and staff
• Connect East and West campus
• Frequent services during term time

City Bus Services

• Excellent network connecting all areas
• Frequent services to Heslington, Fulford, Hull Road
• Student bus passes offer good value
• First, Transdev operate main routes

Cycling

York is one of the UK's best cycling cities:

• Flat terrain - Easy cycling
• Cycle-friendly infrastructure
• 15-20 minutes from Heslington to city centre
• Safer than many UK cities

Train Station

York Station - Major railway hub:

• London: 2 hours (LNER)
• Edinburgh: 2.5 hours
• Manchester: 1.5 hours
• Leeds: 25 minutes
• Excellent for travel home and weekend trips

York's UNESCO Heritage

• York Minster - Magnificent medieval cathedral
• City Walls - Walk the 3.4km circuit
• The Shambles - Medieval shopping street (Harry Potter inspiration)
• Clifford's Tower - Norman castle remains
• National Railway Museum - World's largest railway museum (FREE)
• JORVIK Viking Centre - Interactive Viking experience

Student Life in History

Living in York means:

• Studying in libraries overlooking medieval walls
• Coffee shops in 15th-century buildings
• Pubs dating back centuries
• Ghost walks and historical tours
• Beautiful photography opportunities

City Centre Shopping

• Coppergate Centre - Modern shopping mall
• Designer Outlet York - Discount designer brands
• High street brands - Full range available
• Independent shops - Unique boutiques in The Shambles and Fossgate
• Markets - Shambles Market (daily), Farmers Market (regular)

Supermarkets

• City Centre: Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's Local
• Heslington: On-campus convenience stores
• Larger stores: Asda, Morrisons on outskirts (bus accessible)

Cost of Living

York is more expensive than Leeds/Sheffield:

• Rent: 15-30% higher
• Food & drink: Slightly higher (tourist city)
• Entertainment: Comparable

However: Compact city saves transport costs, world-class setting worth the premium

Student Nights

• Kuda - York's biggest student night venue
• Fibbers - Live music and student events
• University of York Students' Union - Multiple bars, events
• Mansion - Student-popular nightclub
• The Courtyard - Live music venue

Pubs & Bars

York has hundreds of pubs (more per square mile than anywhere in UK):

• Traditional: Ye Olde Starre Inne (oldest in York - 1644)
• Student-Popular: House of Trembling Madness, Pivni
• Riverside: King's Arms (famously floods!)
• Craft Beer: Brew York Tap Room, York Tap

Cultural Activities

• York Theatre Royal - Professional productions
• York Barbican - Concerts and events
• Cinema: Vue in city centre
• Museums: Many free or discounted for students
• Ghost Walks - York is England's most haunted city

Campus Spaces

• University of York Campus Lake - Beautiful central feature
• Campus woodland and green spaces
• Perfect for studying outdoors, jogging

York Parks

• Rowntree Park - Victorian park with cafe
• Museum Gardens - Historic ruins in landscaped gardens
• West Bank Park - Riverside walks
• Homestead Park - Local green space

River Ouse

• Riverside walks throughout the city
• Boat trips and rowing
• Beautiful at all seasons

Typical Rental Range: £122-£285/week

Bills

• Often bills-inclusive packages available
• Heating costs can be significant in winter
• Look for energy-efficient properties

Honest Assessment:

• ❌ More expensive than Leeds, Sheffield, most northern cities
• ✅ Cheaper than London, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton
• ✅ Better value than you'd expect for a UNESCO World Heritage city
• ✅ Compact size saves transport costs
• ✅ Campus location means many students don't need city accommodation

Money-Saving Tips:

• Live in Heslington or Fulford (cheaper than city centre)
• Cook at home (city centre food pricey)
• Use student discounts widely available
• 16-25 Railcard for travel savings
• Cycling saves bus fares

Haus Properties is expanding services to York and can help you find quality student accommodation:

• ✅ Local Expertise - Knowledge of all York student areas
• ✅ Quality Properties - Well-maintained homes
• ✅ Bills-Inclusive Options - Transparent pricing
• ✅ Multi-Language Support - 8 languages available
• ✅ Responsive Service - Quick maintenance and support

Contact Our Team:

Phone: 0113 887 7259

Email: hydepark@haus-properties.com

Website: www.haus-properties.com

We serve: York, Leeds, Sheffield, and South Yorkshire

Is York too expensive for students?

York is pricier than some northern cities, but the compact size, beautiful setting, and campus accommodation (Heslington) offer good value. Many students find it worthwhile.

Should I live on campus or in the city?

On campus (Heslington): Best for University of York students wanting convenience and community.
City centre: Better for York St John students and those prioritizing city experience.

How far is University of York from the city?

20 minutes by bus/cycle, 30 minutes walking. The campus is semi-rural but very well-connected.

Is York safe for students?

Very safe. York has low crime rates and is one of England's safest cities. The compact size adds to security.

Can I live without a car?

Absolutely! York is compact, cycle-friendly, and has good buses. Most students don't need cars. The railway station provides excellent travel connections.

What makes York special for students?

Living in a UNESCO World Heritage Site while studying at a Top 20 university. You'll study surrounded by 2,000 years of history in a beautiful, compact city.

When should I start looking for York accommodation?

November-February for the following academic year. York is a smaller city, so properties go quickly, especially in Heslington.

Leeds:

• Hyde Park Leeds →
• Headingley Leeds →

South Yorkshire:

• Sheffield Student Guide →