Leicester 2008 GEP where to live...?

[regcupcake]

Hi there everyone!

I am going on the GEP course in Sept and I am having a real struggle finding out where the best places to live are! Could you help me out with areas/street names that are popular?

I really dont fancy living in halls with all the undergrad 18 year olds as I feel a little older than them at the grand old age of 23 :-) I am thinking bout buying as I know I will be in one place for 4 years and from what I can tell, renting and buying are about the same price with the market dropping recently. I know that if the placements are very far away, then the uni contributes towards accomodation, but.. I dont really want to buy a victorian terrace, would prefer something with a garage (compromise for the bf...).

Current students... what do you suggest? Would it be ok to live further out of leicester so that I can get more for my money, or is getting in by bus everyday a complete nightmare (cos im assuming there will be nowhere to park if coming in by car for lectures?) What are the buses like for coming into town at night (and getting back out after 12am!)? Where are the student residential areas, and would I really lose out if i lived out in the suburbs rather than close to university road? If i did live in the suburbs, then where do you suggest is best?

I would really appreciate some guidance from you Leicester-experienced lot!

Thank you very much! :-)