The Viaduct or Whinney Hill: A guide on where to live after college

You’re either looking for somewhere to live in second year or you’ve made the brave move to live outside of college in final year. 

College defined everything for you in freshers, your friends, your activities and your personality.

But second year has come around and you and your friends must make the decision of where to live in town.

The city really isn’t big at all, but you’ve got more than enough options to go for.

From Viaduct to Whinney Hill you need to weigh up what the trek to the library is like, how close to Klute you will be and what kind of incline are you looking at to get to and from lectures.

We’ve put together all the facts you’ll need for choosing where to live outside of college.

Once you move into a house it’s compulsory you host at least one dinner party

Once you make the bold move to step away from college you’ve got several options – all with their pros and cons. You could live in:

• The Viaduct
• Claypath
• Crossgate
• Elvet
• Neville’s Cross
• Hallgarth
• Gilesgate
• Whinney Hill

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WHERE SHOULD YOU LIVE AFTER COLLEGE?

Jack, 3rd year, Natural Sciences, North Road before the Viaduct

Where’s the best place to live in the city? 

Viaduct is probably the best place because it’s got the most students.

Where would you live if you could?

I’d love a flat on the Bailey.

Where are you living now?

I knew who lived in our house before, it’s a nice place and we have the whole block, but it’s far away from the library.

Isabella, 4th year, French and History, Whinney Hill near the prison

What’s Whinney Hill like? 

It’s OK, it’s very quiet compared to the Viaduct when I lived there in second year.

We’re pretty close to Elvet Riverside and the library, but far away from Tesco and the train station.

It’s pretty common for Mary’s to live where we did. It doesn’t really fit the stereotype of where people live in second year.

Louis, Masters, Archaeology, apartments in William Hadley

I’m living in downtown Durham at the moment, it’s really near to the shops and pubs. It’s a 10 minute walk to the library.

Dan, second year, Natural Sciences, the Viaduct

Where would you live if you could?

Crossgate looks quality. But I am in the Viaduct for second year.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Claypath

A decent alternative to the Viaduct, this area is often taken up by the more cliquey colleges who like to keep themselves to themselves. There are some absolutely lovely houses in the area and it’s close to both Elvet Riverside or Lloyds.

An added bonus: lots of takeaways mean you’ll never have to cook, and it’s the ideal spot for pre-drinks before Loveshack or Lloyds.

You most likely came from a Bailey college and have lectures at Elvet, or you just never have a reason to go up the hill: for all you know, it may take three years to walk there.

Distance from the library: 16 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 15 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 12 minute walk

The Viaduct

This is the big one. Over on the west side of town, the Viaduct is close to the clubs, the bus station and the train station.

It’s where most fresh faces flock to first when looking for a place after college, largely because it’s the closest thing to college you will find.

You’re a sociable bunch, with numerous options for pres most nights and a not-too horrific walk to both Hill and Bailey.

Distance from the library: 22 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 12 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 4 minute walk

Hallgarth

Right next to the Science Site, this is the ideal location for people who want Viaduct-esque living but also supposedly want to focus on their degrees, being right by the library and all that.

They end up going to Klute anyway.

Distance from the library: 6 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 20 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 12 minute walk

Crossgate

Slightly more expensive, but it’s worth it to be those crucial three minutes closer to town and live in marginally more attractive houses.

Distance from the library: 18 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 11 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 2 minute walk

Elvet

Just outside the very centre of town, this is probably the closest you’re going to get to it without living in college.

Houses are quite expensive but you’re really paying for the ridiculously good location.

Distance from the library: 12 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 15 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 5 minute walk

Gilesgate

If you want a cheap but fantastic house, look here. If you want to be remotely close to town, don’t look here.

Gilesgate is often where people end up if they haven’t sorted out their accommodation in time; it’s by no means a bad place, but it’s just rather inconvenient compared to everywhere else.

Also, no one’s coming to visit you. Sorry.

You’re stuck in the desolate wilderness that is Gilesgate, so far out of town that it’s apparently possible to collapse from exhaustion and dehydration if you attempt to walk.

You’ve had no option but to succumb to a love of Abra-Kebab-Ra take aways and big Tesco, and swap a social life, the opportunity to talk to anyone not from Gilesgate and the ability to get to and from Bill Bry in a day for considerably more money in your pocket.

But where are you going to spend it?

Distance from the library: 17 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 17 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 21 minute walk

Whinney Hill

Mainly  finalists live here or you’re from Jo Butler so you don’t really have much of a Durham life anyway.

The library or Maiden Castle is your second home, and you live with fellow devotees who, like you, talk of nothing but your ‘diss’ or the sport you waste most of your time playing.

Distance from the library: 6 minute walk

Distance from the train station: 25 minute walk

Distance from the city centre: 19 minute walk

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