Dec
Manchester is one of the most popular cities in Britain for students, with over 75,000 people studying across the city’s two main universities. Both university campuses are located on the Oxford Road corridor, a two-mile stretch of road running from the southern-edge of the city centre to Rusholme, and with 40,000 students at the University of Manchester and 33,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University, there is always plenty of competition forstudent accommodation.
Because of the Oxford Road’s close proximity to the main campuses and the city centre, it is the most popular and sought-after place to live for students. For first-year students there are 14 individual halls of residence and for 2nd, 3rd year and PHD students there is a wide-range of private apartment blocks, many of which are surprisingly affordable.
Halls of Residence
If you’re fortunate enough to be offered a room in hall of residence when you first come to Manchester you’ll be in good company – there are over 9,200 rooms within three miles of the University campus. The are 14 individual halls located within 1/2 mile of the main campus , from older-style blocks around Whitworth Street to newer purpose-built blocks on the northern-fringes of Rusholme;
1. Lambert Hall
2. Fairfield Hall
3. Weston Hall
4. Chandos Hall
5. Wright Robinson Hall
6. Brian Redhead Court
7. Opal Hall
8. Grosvenor Group of Halls
9. Bowden Court
10. Ronson Hall
11. George Kenyon Hall
12. Vaughan House
13. Horniman House
14. Whitworth Park
The Best-Value Private Blocks
When you leave halls of residence you’ll be looking for private rented accommodation and this is where Philip James come in handy. If you’re happy living around Oxford Road and don’t want to move out to Fallowfield or Didsbury, there are plenty of places to choose from. Many of the private blocks in Manchester city centre are popular with both students and young professionals, whilst being handy for campus and just a few minutes’ walk from all the best bars, cafes and shops. Here are our five best-value private blocks;
1. East Side Valley
This is one of the best-value private blocks in the city centre. Located within 10-minutes walk of Piccadilly Station these modern 1 and 2-bed apartments all have large living spaces and quiet views across communal courtyards and gardens – great for parties and BBQs in summer. The 2-bed apartments have two large double bedrooms and are perfect for sharers. Prices from £650pcm
2. The Cube
Located next-door to East Side Valley, The Cube is one of the newest private blocks in the city centre. There is a wide variety of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments and from summer 2011 there will be 3-bedroom townhouses available – great if you want to move in with the people you’re currently in halls with. Prices from £650pcm
3. Quantum
Located a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Station and less than 20-mins walk from the main University campus, this large canal-side development has a range of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with large living spaces and terraces. All 3-bed apartments have three full-size doubles and a great for students and sharers. Prices start from £745pcm for a 2-bed and £950 for a 3-bed
4. Hulme
If you can’t quite afford city centre prices but want to stay within easy walking distance of campus and the Oxford Road Corridor, this is the place for you. There is a wide variety of styles and sizes from 1-bed apartments to large 4-bedroom terraced houses. All of the developments are clean and modern and prices start from just £550 for a 2-bed
5. Fusion
One of the best-value private apartment blocks in Manchester, Fusion is incredibly popular with 2nd and 3rd year students. You can walk to campus in 20-minutes and most apartments have a parking space. Prices start from just £550pcm for a 2-bed
Philip James has a wide-range of great-value 1, 2 and 3-bed apartments to rent in East Side Valley, The Cube, Quantum, Hulme and Fusion. Call Rob Cuffe in our Deansgate office on (0161) 828 8200
Philip James Manchester, 293 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EW
Tel: 0161 828 8200
Fax: 0161 828 8202
Email: CityCentre@philipjames.co.uk
Eating & Drinking
Oxford Road has the busiest bus route in Europe, which is handy if you live in Fallowfield, Withington or Didsbury and are planning a night out in this busy student area. And if you like a good pub crawl you’ll be spoilt for choice – there are over 50 bars, cafes and pubs within 1/4mile of Oxford Road Station. Here are our five favourites:
1. Joshua Brooks, 106 Princes St, Manchester, M1 6NG
2. Cornerhouse 70 Oxford Road, Manchester M1 5NH
3. Kro Bar 325 Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PG
4. Font 7-9 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP
5. Pure Space Cafe Bar 11-13 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP