It’s not all about The Holylands: The best and worst places to live in Belfast

In the sprawling urban metropolis that is Belfast it can be hard to know what areas you should or should not wander into.

Even harder is deciding in which of those areas you should live. We go through the merits of each so you don’t have to  – you can thank us later for sparing you from a year of living somewhere you were always going to hate.

Elms Village

Ah, Elms. A rite of passage for many, the QUB student village bears a slight resemblance to the uniform suburbia seen in Tim Burton classic Edward Scissorhands.

Yet whilst many of the buildings may look outwardly identical, there are several differences inside. But whether you get the bigger TV, the more modern microwave or the live-in RA (Residential Advisor i.e. older student who didn’t want to pay rent and who after a week of forcing your floor to do various bonding activities will disappear from existence) is entirely down to the luck of the draw.

Indeed, signing up for Elms is a little bit like Hunger Games.

You don’t get to choose which building you live in, nor do you know who your flatmates are until you show up. And with 11 people living on each floor dinner time can be a battlefield.

However there are abundant advantages to this bizarre set up. There is the possibility of incredibly fit neighbours across the hall, you get the chance to meet people you never would have come across otherwise and the on-site facilities are unparalleled in other universities.

Moreover it is a great way to live out the student experience in relative safety, is close to the city centre and is a celebrity hotspot. Okay so once Frank Mitchell was spotted at the Spar just beside the entrance. But still.

 PROS – With over 1,000 people living close by it is certainly hard to be bored in Elms. It is modern, there is an on-site shop and bar, and the Treehouse regularly organise the kind of cheesy yet fun activities that first year is all about.

CONS – With over 1,000 people living close by it is certainly hard to study in Elms. And the library is soo far away. Like, fifteen minutes. Also, those fridges are just not big enough to store 5 days’ worth of microwave meals in.

STUDENT RATING: 8/10

Stranmillis            

Not to be confused with Stranmillis halls (which FYI are catered but involve a lot of stairs) this area is immensely popular with second and third year students seeking to leave Elms behind – but not too far behind.

Indeed, the shortcut to Gilgamesh through Chlorine Gardens is a big selling point for many when searching for accommodation here.

 

Infamous for its culinary diversity Stranmillis Road boasts an impressive number of boutique cafes, restaurants and the Mecca of lunch-timers-on-a-budget; Centra (Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Nearly every area in the Queen’s Quarter has a Centra, but this one is really nice).

Commonly referred to simply as ‘Stran’, this area is also close to the main Queens/Stranmillis campuses, the PEC and Library and the city centre.

The houses are nice, spacious and well equipped for throwing some of the best house parties known to student-kind. Indeed, some even have gardens – perfect for late summer soirees.

PROS – Birdcage, Sinnamon, The Sphinx, Conor’s, Got Milkshake, Yum, The House, Big Al’s… Need we go on?

CONS – The original Holylands, this area was once renowned for its wild parties and is still high on the list of areas that receive the most noise complaints.

Also, with such a vast array of places to eat it is not the ideal location for anyone watching their waistline.

STUDENT RATING: 7/10

Lisburn Road

Another favourite amongst students, the Lisburn Road encompasses the area directly down the street from the Lanyon Building the whole way to, well, Lisburn.

Yes it is indeed the longest road in Belfast (probably). And when you live on Fitzwilliam and your best mate lives on Surrey St that walk can seem to take an eternity.

Oh well, at least on your way there you will get to look into various upscale restaurants and boutiques, the likes of which you will probably never be able to afford to set foot in.

Snooty shops aside, this area is popular amongst students for a reason. There is an eclectic melange of cafes, bars and not one but two ice cream shops.

Perfect for those days where it’s just too warm in Belfast and you just really need to go on a thirty minute walk to get you some mint choc chip.

The houses here are also quite nice, mostly, and there is a higher concentration of flats than any other area populated by students. Ideal for those who simply loved the halls experience of being on first name terms with the people upstairs and quietly cursing their existence every time they throw a pre drinks.

PROS – The Lisburn Road is home to two of Belfast’s most outstanding institutionS – Tesco, and Cuckoo. Quite simply, there need be no other advantage to living here. Cocktails and cheap bread are enough.

CONS – The walk home from Tesco, laden down with a tenner’s worth of 5p plastic bags (some day you WILL remember to bring some from home) can be soul crushing. And you really will come to resent your poor student status every time you pass Fran and Jane.

STUDENT RATING: (Students on Fitzwilliam) 9/10 (Students any further down that this) 7/10

Holylands

You probably already know everything there is to know about the Holylands, but here goes anyway.

Named so because of the existence of streets such as Jerusalem St and not because there is anything remotely pious about the area, the Holies are famous for one thing and one thing only; PARTY.

Yes it is the place to live if a perpetual hangover is crucial to your experience as a student. Jam packed with pubs and Wine Flairs the noise emanating from this area just never dies down. A simple walk to a friend’s house can reportedly lead to the best night of your life.

For various reasons, the rent is the cheapest you will find in the city. But if you think this has an impact on the quality of the houses, well, you might be right. But that’s not to say there aren’t some real gems in there. In fact many of the houses are the nicest, cosiest in Belfast! Just make sure to get in early as when house-hunting season comes around those ones go fast.

PROS –There is always something going on in the HLs; between house parties, pub crawls and all out street fiestas this is one exciting place to live.

Moreover St. Patricks Day is a real event to the inhabitants of this micro-culture, and with those minimal rent prices you have plenty of money left for taxis and kebabs.

CONS – If you do decide to live deep in the heart of this mystic land be prepared to give up on sleep, sobriety and possibly your car.

Also please be aware that parking here can be a nightmare.

 

STUDENT RATING – 5/10

Somewhere Off Botanic

Home to Boojum, Maggie Mays the Second, Madison’s and much, much more Botanic Avenue is high on the list of student hot-spots in Belfast. Within close proximity to the McClay and being but a mere stone’s throw from Union and Limelight, living down one of the many side streets here, one can find the perfect balance between studying and having an active social life.

The area is generally quiet and uneventful, but revelers queuing outside Chip Co. at 3am can sometimes disrupt the REM cycle of those living directly off the main street.

PROS – Botanic is close to everything you will need as a student; the library, a bookshop, a chippy and an off license.

CONS – With so many choices, lunch times can induce panic attacks in the indecisive.

STUDENT RATING: 6/10

Your Mum and Dad’s House

Whilst this is not an option for many of us, there are a select few who are faced with the unique choice between moving the short distance to South Belfast or staying within the rent free, well-fed, centrally heated, nice smelling, spacious remit of their parent’s house.

To those who choose this cushy fate we say no shame. But to those who decide to shirk homely comfort for the true student experience of lazy flatmates, dodgy washing machines and just plain unhealthy sleeping and eating habits; bravo.

PROS – Someone to do your cleaning and washing. Not having to face up to the adult responsibility of paying for your own wifi. Reduced risk of food poisoning.

CONS – It is near impossible to hide a hangover from your folks. And you won’t have as many crazy stories to tell the grandkids.

STUDENT RATING: 4/10