The House Hunt

Mid-November, it’s that time again.. The house hunt. Chances are if you’re a second year you’ll have already sourced out next year’s perfect five-double-bed-en-suite-plasma screen-hot tub palace before any smug freshers beat you to it…

And if you are one of those freshers, you’ll probably have had several hushed discussions on your corridors about who [not] to sign up with, and clandestine huddles over the JW Wood website debating whether living in Gilesgate would really be that bad, if you’re all together. It would.

Places here tend to be pricier, but the building might well be listed and it’s ideal for lazy types, especially if you’re from a Bailey college and work at Elvet Riverside, limited walking required. Ideal for making the most of Bailey College bars, but on the downside expect endless hordes of pissed socials every night, and being woken up at 7am to vans backing up with the catchy jingle “This vehicle is reversing”, as well as the Cathedral bells.

Living near bars is noisy and it’s not just socials that will drive you mad- one student living in the same building as Jimmy A’s said the couples arguments she hears make her want to be single for life. “Drunk rah comments easily travel and you start to see why the locals hate students: ‘I don’t know why she’s talking to me like that, I could buy her family six times over, if you know what I mean'”, she commented.

Sign-up if: you want to run a Durham version of Gossip Girl.

A classic choice, this is really a second-year haven. Houses vary in quality and price, but you can’t really go wrong socially if you live here. Close to North Road, and its Tesco Express, big cash is saved on taxis (with the exception of lazy girls in heels who feel that Hawthorne Terrace is just a bit too far after a Studio/Stantons combo). Noisier than other areas but if you want an extension of college life, this is it- right down to the very public walks of shame you’ll undoubtedly have to endure.

Sign-up if: you’re a socialite second-year who can’t do without an aga and sees walks of shame more as strolls of fame.

A food lover’s paradise, Claypath is Durham’s true cultural melting pot. Pizza, falafel, and Chinese takeaways all coexist in harmony here making it the number one place to go if you just hate cooking! Going to Tesco will require a slog up the hill with your bags but with these culinary delights on your doorstep, you don’t even need to! Short walk into town, bit of a trek to Hill colleges.

Sign-up if: you can’t cook to save your life and relish the opportunity to mix with locals in the Durham City Snooker and Pool Centre.

WHINNEY HILL The Hallgarth area’s close proximity to the main library is a massive draw, especially for finalists. It’s a short walk into town and right in the middle of Elvet Riverside and the Science site, and close to Maiden Castle. Added bonus of lots of nice old people around to make you feel like you’re in the real world. Depending on house location you can probably nick the library’s Wifi too.

Sign-up if: the library is your second home.

NEVILLE’S CROSS Bigger houses are cheaper here, it’s a bit further out but ideal for frugal types who know how to nab a meal in a Hill college. Few decent pubs around, and a long way from town and Maiden Castle, there will be houses available here well into the summer.

Sign-up if: you own a car.

Great if you like Sainsbury’s, exercise, and low rent. Not great if you like college, going out, going to lectures at the Science site, and spending time with anyone who doesn’t live in Gilesgate.. On the plus side, you’ll make lots of new friends to replace the ones having fun in the Viaduct- the Nightbus drivers.

Sign-up if: all else fails.

It’s hard to get it right, especially with the conflicting advice from older years- “Don’t sign up too fast- except do, or you’ll get a crap house”- but don’t rush into it. Heed our words and remember, the most important thing is probably who you live with, rather than where you live.