What It's Really Like Living in Nottingham as a Student

About the author: My name is George Okonkwo, and I am a Broadcast Journalist student at Nottingham Trent University. I have a passion for journalistic and literary writing and research. I also love reading, binge watching TV shows, singing with my terrible voice, and going for walks alone or with friends. 

Thinking about choosing Nottingham for uni? You've probably googled the nightlife, the campuses, and the classic “is Nottingham safe?” But what's it actually like to live here as a student?

1. It's basically a giant student village

With two unis (Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham), students are everywhere. You'll see them queuing for buses in matching sports kits, sprinting to lectures with Starbucks in hand, and stumbling out of Ocean on a Wednesday dressed as bananas or minions. It means you never feel out of place and student discounts are basically guaranteed wherever you go.

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2. Choosing where to live is…interesting 

Your area says a lot about you.

• Lenton: mostly UoN students, chaotic houses, and constant Deliveroo scooters flying past.
• City centre: NTU students living their Pinterest aesthetic dreams, with Pret and Zara two minutes away.
• Radford: cheap, close, and sometimes too lively (watch out for fox fights at 3am).
• Beeston: calm, suburban vibes with cute cafés, mostly UoN students.

Wherever you choose, you’ll become deeply attached to your local Tesco Express.

3. The cost of living is manageable 

Compared to London, Nottingham is a dream. Rents are cheaper, and you can survive a full day on meal deals and instant noodles (not that we recommend doing this). But prices are rising everywhere, so budgeting is still a thing, especially when you “accidentally” spend £30 on Shein instead of your weekly shop.

4. The coffee game is strong

Notts has loads of indie cafés. Cartwheel, Fox's Café, The Pudding Pantry… whether you're after aesthetic study spots or a latte that costs more than your bus fare, there’s something for every vibe. And yes, the baristas will judge our order. It's their job.

5. Getting around is easy (mostly)

If you’re an NTU student, you can walk pretty much anywhere in the City Centre. UoN students either live near campus or master the art of Nottingham buses, which are cheap and reliable most of the time (until it’s raining and you’re late to your 9am). Cycling is also popular but just watch out for potholes the size of your overdraft.

6. There's loads of green space

Between The Arboretum and Wollaton Park (where Batman was filmed, no big deal), you're never far from somewhere where you can sit on grass and contemplate your deadlines. Or nap. Mostly nap.

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7. The food scene is underrated 

You've got the classics like Greggs, Maccies, and Wok&Go, but Nottingham’s independent food spots are where it's at. Think Caribbean eats at Back-A-Yard Cuisine, vegan doughnuts at Tough Mary's, and dosas at Dosa Wala. You will spend too much money on takeaway and you will not regret it.

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8. Nights out are iconic (even if you're not a club person) 

Everyone talks about Ocean Wednesdays, Rock City Fridays, and Crisis at UoN but even if clubbing isn't your thing, Nottingham has live music venues, pub quizzes, board game cafés, escape rooms, and open mic nights to fill your evenings without the smell of VKs and regret. Need some inspo on how to make the most of Nottingham sober? Check out our post on the best alcohol-free things to do in Nottingham.

9.The uni workload is… balanced

Like anywhere, some weeks are chill, others are a full-on spiral of deadlines, referencing nightmares, and crying in Boots Library (no judgment, we’ve all been there). But with so many study spaces, societies, and coffee shops, you’ll find your rhythm soon enough.

10. The vibe is just… Nottingham

Friendly, busy, and never boring, Notts has its own energy. People actually talk to you in shops, the City Centre is compact enough to know it well, and there’s always something random happening like a Robin Hood parade or spontaneous protest outside the Victoria Centre.

Living in Nottingham as a student is what you make it. You’ll discover your go-to lunch spot, your favourite bus routes and the best shortcut home. You’ll meet people from everywhere, and by the end of first year, you’ll swear by your preferred Sainsbury’s Local like it’s a personality trait.

In short, it’s lovely, student friendly and full of surprises and you’ll probably end up loving it.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

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.