Revealed: The best places to live after uni that aren’t London
Grad life is no longer all about the big smoke
There’s literally nothing more overhyped than London, and once you’ve spent a week struggling for an elbow free space on the tube and listening to miserable person after miserable person complaining about their rent, you’ll know how true that is.
It might seem like everyone’s flocking to the capital now, hungry for unpaid internships and £12 cocktails, but they are guaranteed to be crying in the corner of their mouldy flat, huddled in the foetal position in a desperate attempt to stave off the cold by Christmas.
Avoid the misplaced London hype and find somewhere that you can actually enjoy your life.
We’ve picked some of the top places to live other than London so check them out.
Join the graduates having the time of their lives outside of London with the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
Bristol
120 miles from London
1hr 45min by train
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Everyone knows Bristol.
It’s London’s cooler, more attractive sibling that finds the best gigs and can afford a two bedroom flat all to themselves.
It’s also where Ribena was invented. What’s not to love?
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Best places to grab a bite
Souk Kitchen does great middle eastern cuisine served in small tapas style dishes or larger sharing platters, all equally delicious and perfect for a first date.
For a fresh twist on a carby staple try Bagel Boy which offers bagels with virtually ever filling in existence for as little as £4.
If you’ve still got space, you can treat yourself to an ice cream from Swoon Gelato – try their Mystery Gelato for an extra sweet surprise.
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Bars and pubs you have to try
Milk Thistle boasts four floors of impressive fireplaces, brilliant stain glass windows and of course fancy cocktails priced at a pretty reasonable £8.50.
If you want spectacular views with your G&T, then look no further than The White Lion Bar. Its terrace looks out across Clifton Suspension Bridge, offering gorgeous views of the river.
Bristol’s Be At One is a stylish, student friendly cocktail bar with some great deals. You can even ask the barmen to do a trick – they love a bit of attention.
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Things you have to do before you leave
There is so much to do in Bristol it almost hurts. And unlike London it doesn’t have to cost you your pay cheque.
The Tobacco Factory is a creative space that puts on exhibitions, classes, live music and events. It has a cafe that serves delicious food, a fantastic bar and to to top it all of there’s a theatre that puts on a variety of plays throughout the year.
Bristol’s nightlife is next level, with countless clubs ranging from the massive Motion to the more intimate Attic Bar. There’s even a club called Thekla on a boat that hosts live gigs with bands such a the XX and Poliça.
There’s also the Bag of Nails pub, where you can have a pint and a cuddle with one of the fifteen cats that live there. It puts London’s cat cafes to shame.
Obviously stop over at the Clifton Suspension Bridge for that picture perfect view.
On top of all that, Bristol has some of the best vintage shops, cool street art, underground gigs, loads of comedians, and Airhop – the world’s biggest trampoline park.
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Ipswich
66 miles from London
1hr 15 min by train
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Ipswich is a charming Suffolk town only a few hours away from London with a stunning waterfront and plenty of cute cafes and bars.
Renting there is ridiculously cheap, averaging at just £350 per calendar month compared to London’s extortionate £800.
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Best places to grab a bite
If you find yourself on the quay, there’s a great range of dinner spots like the sophisticated pan-Asian cuisine of Aqua Eight that is presented so beautifully it would be a crime not to Instagram it.
Trongs is known for doing some of the best Chinese food in town, and is rated number one on Tripadvisor as a result.
For those wanting a more traditional but still chic dining experience, try Bistro on the Quay which looks out over the water.
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Bars and pubs you have to try
Isaac’s is one of the best places to enjoy a few drinks in Suffolk with a gorgeous outdoor seating area and four bars surrounding its old school courtyard.
If you want to up your draught game, then head to Arcade Tavern which specialises in craft beer, boasting over 100 types.
Things you have to do before you leave
Unit 17 is Ipswich’s main nightclub, and the good music means it’s always packed. Entry is pretty reasonable so you’ve got no excuse.
If you’re into your history, then there are endless gorgeous old buildings to wander round, starting with the aptly named Ancient House and moving along to Christchurch Mansion, Fore Street Baths, and the stunning Town Hall.
Christchurch park is great in the summer with 70 acres of open spaces and shade to relax in, and it occasionally hosts music festivals.
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Norwich
118 miles from London
1hr 55 min by train
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Over 40 per cent of graduates from UEA live and work locally, so it must be doing something right.
In the 19th century it had more pubs than there are days in the year, and although those halcyon times are gone, it still has a hell of a lot of pubs to suit your needs every day of the week.
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Best places to grab bite
Grosvenor’s Fish Bar serves an unbeatable fish and chips that will make you proud to be British. They’re so confident in their deep frying skills they’ve invented some exciting specials, like their shark bites and the wako taco cod wrap which are both only £5 each.
Namaste India does some of the best vegan and vegetarian food in Indian cuisine. Their chilli mushrooms are an especially delicious treat. It’s BYOB too. You’re welcome.
The Workshop is an artsy cafe/bar that does small dishes to perfection for a very reasonable price. The quirky decor and comfy sofas make this the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
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Bars and pubs you have to try
The Fat Cat Brewery Tap has sought out some of the best beer and wine in the world and throws loads of really fun events throughout the week.
Hawthorn Bar has a great atmosphere and even better cocktails. We’d recommend their Cinema City cocktail for a sweet take on the classic Old Fashioned, infused with popcorn and Coca Cola flavours.
Alternatively, Frank’s Bar offers a tasty mix of Mediterranean style food, fab cocktails, and the best playlists in all of Norfolk.
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Things you have to do before you leave
Getting round Norwich is super cheap, but if it’s a sunny day there’s no better way to spend your time than with a stroll along the river to the awe-inspiring Cathedral.
However, there are other things to do in Norwich besides history – check out Sainsbury Centre for Visual arts, which puts on art and culture exhibitions, sometimes in partnership with UEA.
For a novel cinematic experience go to Cinema City, the grade I listed cultural cinema that screens new releases and hosts vintage Sundays.
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Bath
97 miles from London
1hr 30min by train
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The city was first established as a spa resort by the Romans in 43 AD due to the River Avon’s naturally occurring hot springs and it’s never lost its buzzy urban feel. It’s got everything a big city needs, without any of the grime.
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Best places to grab a bite
The Acorn Vegetarian Kitchen is the perfect combination of rustic and urban chic, housed in the one of Bath’s oldest buildings, and has won awards for being the best vegan and best vegetarian restaurant.
The flamboyantly decorated Indian restaurant The Eastern Eye is a popular choice, blending delicious Bengali cuisine with Bath’s Georgian architecture, all for under £10.
Bath Pizza and Co. is an adorable outdoor restaurant with freshly made pizza and a pint for £10, great for visiting in the evening when all the fairy lights are turned on.
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Bars and pubs you have to try
There are endless places to grab a drink in Bath, and the Coeur de Lion is a good place to start. It’s Bath’s smallest pub and is tucked away in the side streets, but it’s worth the adventure of finding it.
Turtle Bay has a pretty riverside terrace and 2-for-1 drinks past 10pm, so it’s the perfect spot for a girl’s night out.
For a slightly more mysterious experience, head down to the smoke and mirrors of the Opium Bar, described by itself as ‘Bath’s best known secret.’ They even have a hidden room that you can hire out for only £50 per hour.
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Things you have to do before you leave
There are loads of clubs in Bath thanks to all the unis nearby. The Nest specialises in underground gigs, Moles has a chilled out party vibe with occasional live music, but don’t forget your heels if you’re hitting up Zero Zero.
Komedia is a comedy club in the day that turns into its alter ego nightclub when the sun goes down. It hosts a rang of different music but Saturdays are especially good for a dance with Motown rock and jazz tunes.
There are also plenty of shops to entertain you, but for a slightly different shopping experience there’s also the weekly farmers market which is held on Saturdays and is the oldest of its kind, so it counts as a cultural experience too.
The stunning Roman Baths are a must-see, especially when they’re lit up at nights for events.
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Salford
165 miles from London
2hr 32min by train
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The metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, Salford is an up and coming town that combines the benefits of suburban life with the excitement of a big city.
Its unique blend of lifestyles has produced some famous names, with actor Ben Kingsley, Dr. Who Christopher Eccleston and footballer Ryan Giggs all having grown up in Salford.
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Best places to grab a bite
The Blind Pig is a cafe/bar inspired by the prohibition style. It’s open all day from breakfast to cocktails and has super friendly staff, so you might find yourself moving in there.
Smith’s does traditional, reasonably priced food and puts on live theatre and jazz nights throughout the week, making it a great place to relax with your mates.
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Bars and pubs you have to try
Great beer is easily found in Salford, either at one of its many pubs or at craft beer establishments such as The DOCKyard, which has beers from all round the world.
CraftBrew also boasts excellent beers, ciders, and an extensive wine list. For those feeling the cold this winter they also have a delicious Alpine Hot Chocolate, warmed with Baileys and whipped cream.
Cocktails at Terrace Bar are a popular choice, and it’s easy to see why. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the quay has the same cosmopolitan feel as Southbank, but for half the price.
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Things you have to do before you leave
Salford is only 2km from Manchester, the second fastest growing city in England after London, meaning endless entertainment is only minutes away. Manchester has art galleries, theatres, shops, gigs and clubs to rival London, and all for a much more reasonable price. You can get there for just £2.10.
However, if you want to stay townside, you can get your dose of culture at The Lowry, which contains a gallery and a theatre, both of which put on impressive performances throughout the year.