Wavertree vs Kensington: Battle of the Liverpool Student Areas

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About the authors: Hi! My name is Evie, and I’m the UniHomes’ Liverpool Content Ambassador. I’m currently studying Communication and Media at the University of Liverpool. Alongside my studies, I’m Social Media Officer for the uni’s LGBT+ Society and News Editor for The Liverpool Tab. Outside of uni, I love live music and gigs, as well as being a part-time barista - I love a coffee shop!

Hi! My name is Harriet, and I’m a UniHomes Brand Ambassador, currently living in Kensington, Liverpool. Alongside creating content, I’m completing my Master’s in Acting at LMA. I love performing on stage, being on film sets and going to concerts!

Fancy Liverpool as your new student town? You’re definitely not the only one. Liverpool is often cited as a fabulous student city for its nightlife, live music venues, shops, restaurants - the list goes on. In fact, Liverpool was ranked as the most in-demand UK student city of 2026-27. If that doesn’t say anything, we don’t know what does!

Around 60-70,000 students call Liverpool home. But with so many students here, there are also plenty of student suburbs to live in, with some of the most popular being Wavertree and Kensington. Both offer fantastic opportunities in terms of uni life, but which should you choose? Let the battle of the Liverpool student areas commence!

Liverpool student areas: Wavertree vs Kensington

Why choose to live in Wavertree, Liverpool?

​It may feel daunting to scroll through continuous different road names, trying to hunt them out on a map and plan all the details at the same time, so for ease, I’ve condensed the highlights of Wavertree, one of the most popular student areas in the city, and summarised all the details needed to choose L15 to live in during uni.

Value

Whether it’s a tight-knit trio of course mates looking for a final-year house to make the most of studying together in a cosy setting, or a large group of friends looking for somewhere to set their sights for parties in their second year of freedom, Wavertree has a range of houses of many sizes, all at an affordable price.

With student housing ranging from studios to larger Wavertree properties, there are plenty available. Plus, you can often find lower rent costs here than in the city centre, with the average UniHomes price sitting at £167 PPPW (including bills).

Alongside these cheaper rent costs, the savings don’t stop there, with a range of student discounts and affordable amenities across the pubs and shops in the town. Student favourite pubs boast student deals all week, from The Brookhouse’s £1.75 drinks on a Thursday to Black Cat’s happy hour featuring two for £10 on cocktails and £3.50 house lager. These pubs on Smithdown Road are a rite of passage for students, and everyone will be talking about them come second year.

If that’s not convincing enough, even the corner shops often have 10% off for students to get your night out cravings and pre-lecture energy drinks at a discounted price.

Location

When researching housing and looking at locations, one immediate concern about living in Wavertree may be its location outside of the city centre, especially if you’ve stayed in student accommodation on campus in your first year. However, there is no need to panic, as the 86a, 86, 86c and 699 buses all run from Smithdown Road into campus in around 15 minutes, as well as the 79 running down the northern end of Wavertree directly past Crown Place. They’re capped at £2 for a single.

It is even walkable, with often large groups congregating to walk up the road, around half an hour before their first lectures of the day. So, you would never be walking alone amongst the (aptly named by students) “Smithdown pilgrimage”.

Even though it may not be directly in the city centre, the location further out has its individual benefits. There are some incredible surrounding areas that could only be discovered when living locally, from Penny Lane tourist sights for fans of The Beatles to Lark Lane’s stunning independent scene. Areas around Wavertree are perfect for trips with your housemates to explore the local culture.

When deciding on locations, it’s also key to keep in mind that there is a huge student scene in Wavertree. From the months of September to May of the academic year, students are inescapable in Smithdown and Wavertree areas. The majority of coursemates, friends, and people you meet will be living in the surrounding areas.

Green spaces

Furthermore, the abundance of green space here is like no other in Liverpool. Student areas in Wavertree are only a moment away from Liverpool’s biggest public park, Sefton Park, a beautifully aesthetic park featuring a range of local, independent cafés, perfect for an autumnal day trip.

Conveniences

One of the biggest selling points of Wavertree is the locality and walkability of everything you could ever need as a university student.

There is a range of places to get food and drink catering for every need, from incredible local cafés such as Cafe Oro and Nomad on Smithdown Road, to Italian street food at Fritto, and the majority of takeaway options you could possibly think of. Additionally, the large Aldi and Asda nearby provide a comfortable food shopping option for student budgets, and the large Asda is open 24/7, satisfying those late-night cravings.

Final plea

Every year, students across Liverpool have the same questions that spark endless debates with their friends - where actually is the best place to stay in student housing in Liverpool? But hopefully, after you’ve read this, you’ll see everything that Wavertree has to offer!

Why choose to live in Kensington, Liverpool?

Kensington, or ‘Kenny’ as locals like to call it, is a very popular area in Liverpool when it comes to student living, and it’s easy to see why. The area has become increasingly popular for students, especially those who are moving out of halls and looking for shared housing. With there being a mix of students and families, Kensington has a residential feel to it, which makes my house feel more like a home. It’s also nice knowing that you’re surrounded by other students who are sharing the same experience as you!

Affordability

One of the key factors in house hunting is the price. Kensington student housing is known for its student-friendly pricing and is perfect for those on a tight budget (AKA, me). The majority of shared houses in the area are advertised at around £100-£170 per person per week, with bills included in most properties. The UniHomes’ average here is £155 PPPW (including bills).

The prices do vary depending on where you’re living in Kensington, as houses closer to the city centre are understandably on the pricier side.

Location

Something to consider is that living closer to campus means you’re more likely to walk rather than take the bus, which will of course save costs. Walking into the city centre takes around 30-40 minutes, but if you’d rather take the 15-minute bus ride, they run approximately every 10 minutes or so.

Below is the approximate distance between Kensington and some of Liverpool’s universities. Remember, these will vary slightly depending on where you live in Kensington and which area of campus you study in (as well as how bad the traffic is). It’s important that you plan how long your commute is in advance, so you can make sure you arrive at your lectures on time!

• LMA - 20-minute bus/40-minute walk/12-minute drive
• Liverpool Hope University - 30-minute bus/1 hour 20 minute walk/16-minute drive
• Liverpool John Moores - 20-minute bus/30-minute walk/10-minute drive
• LIPA - 30-minute bus/30-minute walk/12-minute drive
• University of Liverpool - 15-minute bus/20-minute walk/6-minute drive

Kensington may be slightly far out from the city centre, but don’t worry, you won’t need to travel far for your local food shop! Living here means your local supermarket is Lidl, which luckily is one of the most affordable options. For other essentials, there is a Home Bargains located directly opposite. I’d recommend this for your toiletries, as they’re super cheap (which is ideally what you need).

Cheeky takeaways

Wondering where to grab some cheap takeaway food? Whether you're overdue a food shop, or you're looking for some post night-out scran, there are plenty of nearby options to choose from. Next to Lidl is a 24-hour McDonald’s, which is perfect for your hangover breakfast. If a Maccies isn’t for you, there’s a bunch of other tasty takeaways nearby, including Chinese, Indian, and Sri Lankan! You really are spoilt for choice, without having to venture into the city centre.

The great outdoors

Living in a city can be exciting, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle. Just a short walk away from the Kensington area is Newsham Park, a 121-acre public park. Whether you enjoy a morning run, a walk in the park, or even a picnic in the warmer months, this green space is perfect for students to relax and unwind. Various events take place here throughout the year, including cultural gatherings and Newsham Scream Park, an award-winning Halloween attraction! Bring your housemates along (if you dare).

Final plea

Overall, Kensington has plenty to offer, from affordable housing and local shops to good transport links and green spaces. Living here means you’re within reach of the city centre, while living in a residential area that provides a homely vibe. If you’re starting your house-hunting journey, Kenny is definitely worth checking out!

Sort your Liverpool student accommodation

We hope that’s settled the Kensington vs Wavertree student living debate. Wherever you choose to live in Liverpool, there’s plenty to do and see. Don’t believe us? Check out the Liverpool student guide.

And if you’re still looking for accommodation, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of student houses in Liverpool still to be snapped up - all with bills included at UniHomes. Take a look today, and don’t forget to weigh up the pros and cons of the different areas.

So, what’s your favourite Liverpool student area?

This post is part of the UniHomes Content Ambassador programme, where current students across the UK share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. Like these guides? Add UniHomes as a preferred source in Google with just one click by checking the box to see more expert content from our student writers!

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.