Site Navigation Site Navigation

Where to live in Leeds

Students live all over Leeds, in some cases choosing to live close to their institution and in other cases choosing the location of the property for its amenities and favourable location rather than its proximity to their place of study.  Although recent research has shown that students are moving closer to the city centre, Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse remain the most popular areas and clearly have the largest student populations.

Find out below about the various areas of Leeds.  The description will give you information on travel times to the city centre, amenities and the £ sign will indicate typical rental costs ranging from £ to ££ to £££. If you see a (+) this indicates that prices in the area are above average for its banding.

This map is intended to give you an overview of where there is rented property and young people living so that you can make an informed decision about where to live.

Property Search

Armley £

LS12

Armley is an inner urban area with a mix of older terraced housing and newer properties. There is a mixed community with growing numbers of Asian households and students moving in.

It has a shopping centre on Town Street, a range of pubs and open spaces and parks. The Aviary’s area of Armley is accessible to the Vue entertainment centre on Kirkstall Road.

Travel to the city centre

bus routes: 12 - 20 minutes. Frequency: every 10 - 20 minutes. Frequent buses from Town Street and Stanningley Road.

Beeston  £

LS11

Beeston is situated in the South of the city and is in two parts known locally as Beeston Hill and Beeston.

Beeston Hill is characterised by dense back-to-back housing and a large Asian population and is subject to an extensive regeneration programme. Younger people and students have been moving into the area attracted by low housing costs and its proximity to Leeds city centre.

Beeston is located on the other side of Cross Flatts Park and contains larger and more mature terraced and semi-detached housing. Both areas are close to the South Leeds Stadium and the White Rose Centre. Both are on the ‘No 1’ bus service to the universities and Beeston Hill also offers easy access to the M621.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 25-35 minutes. Frequency Every 10 minutes

Burley ££

LS4

Burley is the hidden gem with supermarkets, restaurants, gyms, a multiplex cinema and the other entertainment
facilities of Cardigan Fields on your doorstep. If you decide against the 20 minute walk to the city, students living here benefit from Burley Park train station and excellent bus routes into the city centre and Headingley, so your morning commute has never been easier.
 
Situated just a little bit away from the city centre, you will find that rent levels in the Burley area are a bargain, especially considering the high amenity level of the area. This explainswhy the area is extremely popular with recent graduates and young professionals.  Burley is separated from Hyde Park by Cardigan Road. 

There are quite a few green spaces in Burley as well as allotments that can be rented (subject to availability).

Travel to the city centre

bus route 30 minutes

Walking 10-15 minutes

Railway Station

Burley Park to City Station: frequency of trains every 15 minutes

Chapel Allerton £££

LS7

Chapel Allerton is adjacent to Chapeltown heading north out of the city centre and is becoming a very popular place to live. It has a diverse population drawn from professionals, African Caribbean households moving on from Chapeltown and first time buyers. It has a range of terraced, back-to-back and residential family housing which is becoming very expensive.

There is a vibrant ’village centre’ with designer shops, bars and restaurants. This area has become popular with mature students and postgraduates.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 20-25 minutes.  Frequency: every 10 minutes

Chapeltown £/££

LS7

Chapeltown is in inner north east Leeds and is home to a large African Caribbean community. There is a mix of older terraced housing of varying sizes and social housing. Most of the housing for students is situated on streets on either side of Harrogate Road that runs through the centre of the area. In the main the rental costs are lower than in other typical student areas.

It hosts the Chapeltown West Indian Carnival each year and has a diverse range of shopping, eating, drinking and cultural facilities.  There is also a library.  To find out more about the local area srr the Chapeltown Development Trust.  The Northern School of Contemporary Dance and the HOST Media Centre are based in the area and many dance students become resident in the area during their studies. 

Travel to the city centre

bus route 15-20 minutes. Frequency: Every 20 minutes

City Centre  £££

LS1

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this ever lively student city, accommodation in Leeds city centre could be just what you are looking for. Predominantly
made up of purpose built student accommodation, the city centre is extremely popular with first year students who are looking to be close to the action and their place of study,
yet also attracts returning students and professionals too who have a flexible budget.
 
In the city centre you can find everything from studios and one
bedroom flats to larger shared flats, with options for both standard and en-suite rooms. City centre accommodation attracts students from all of the universities in Leeds.
 
The convenience of living in the city centre appeals to many students with the array of local amenities just outside your front door and none of those pricey taxis home after a night out. however if you are wanting to live in a shared student house this area may not be for you as these can be quite scarce and looking in the university area or Little Woodhouse would give you more choice.  

Travel to universities

buses operate out of the city centre to the university every 5-10 minutes but most accommodation will be within easy walking distance.

Railway Station

Trains to other parts of Leeds and beyond operate regularly from this busy station.

Clarence Dock £££

LS10

Clarence Dock is also known as Leeds Dock.  It is a mixed development with shared flats, self-contained apartments, retail, office and leisure units.  It is situated on the edge of the city centre and is a popular place to live, offering waterside apartments along the river Aire.  There is a purpose built student accommodation presence that is mostly housing University of Leeds students.  Students are very close to the city centre and the many amenities it offers.

Leeds Dock plays host to an annual Waterfront Festival each June with Dragon Boat Racing centred on Armouries Square. It is also home to the Royal Armouries Museum

The cost of housing is on the higher side.

Travel to the city centre

bus route: 5 minutes (10-15 minutes to the universities)

Walking: 10 minutes (20 - 25 minutes to the universities)

Harehills £

LS7

Harehills is in inner north east Leeds and is home to a large South Asian population, more recent residents have come from Eastern Europe.  The community is diverse and vibrant with many local amenities available on a bustling high street.  These range from a medical centre, pharmacies, takeaways, small supermarkets and small electricals. 

With excellent transport routes in to the city centre this area has become popular with those students on a tighter budget as the rents are considerably lower.  Harehills is also popular with students and professionals who are working at St. James' Hospital,  a large teaching hospital situated in the area.

Harehills housing stock consists mainly of old, through terraced and back-to-back housing.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 12-15 minutes (can be longer in rushhour)

within 20 - 35 minute walking time

 

 

Headingley  ££+

LS6 3

Headingley has been the favourite location for generations of students and benefits from a great variety of independent shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and transport facilities.
It is clear to see why Headingley’s urban village feel appeals to students studying at institutions across the city. Leeds Trinity students enjoy a one-stop train journey to Horsforth.
Whether you’re a sports fan looking to be living on the doorstep of Headingley’s famous cricket and rugby stadiums, or you’re looking for a property with plenty of garden space or
larger rooms, Headingley could be the ideal choice for you.
 
Transport links are excellent if you don’t fancy the 30 minute walk in to university.

Housing costs are higher than some areas.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 12-15 minutes (can be longer in rushhour)

within 20 - 35 minute walking time

Railway Station

frequency: every 12-15 minutes to City Station and Horsforth (for Leeds Trinity University)

Horsforth  ££

LS18

Horsforth is a popular, residential suburb to the north west of Headingley. It consists of a mix of mature residential semi-detached and detached housing, older terraced housing and small amounts of social housing. It has a mixed community but is becoming increasingly popular with young professionals sharing houses as well as students attending Leeds Trinity University..

Leeds Trinity University + Park Lane College are located in the area and there is an excellent range of shopping facilities, pubs and restaurants on and around Town Street. It is on the main train route to Leeds and Harrogate and is served by a number of regular bus routes.

Housing costs are higher than average.

Travel to the city centre

Leeds Trinity University operates a free shuttle bus (term time only) to and from their campus to Horsforth centre and train station.

bus route to the city centre: 35 minutes

Railway Station

Frequency: trains every 20 minutes to City Station

Hyde Park ££+

LS6 1

Hyde Park is one of the most popular choices for students to live; a short walk from the universities and offering easy
access to the city centre. It is a lively place to live with students from all over Leeds calling it home. It has a range of
independent shops, takeaways, local supermarkets and popular pubs and music venues.
 
There is an excellent range of student houses and flats to choose from. Hyde Park contains the famous Hyde Park Picture House that shows many independent films as well as the usual blockbusters. To the west of Hyde Park is the Burley Lodge area with much older terraced housing for rent that tends to be a few pounds cheaper per week.

Hyde Park contains the famous Hyde Park Picture House which offers a wide range of films. To the west of Hyde Park is the Burley Lodge area with much older terraced housing for rent and Little Woodhouse where substantial amounts of new purpose built housing for students has been built. Housing costs are significantly higher than average in this area.

Travel to city centre

bus route 5-6 minutes. Frequency: Every 5-6 minutes

within 5 - 15 minute walking time (most areas)

Kirkstall  ££

LS5

Kirkstall adjoins Headingley and hosts the Kirkstall Brewery student accommodation complex where many Leeds Beckett University students are housed. A number of students have moved into Kirkstall and some live in the areas surrounding Kirkstall Brewery. It has a mix of mature residential family housing, older terraced housing and pockets of social housing. Kirkstall has seen a fall in student residents as more students choose to live closer to the city centre. 

It has some excellent local amenities that includes a sports centre and swimming pool, a large supermarket and shopping centre and is close to the Vue entertainment centre and a variety of pubs and eating places along Kirkstall Road.

Kirkstall is also home to Kirkstall Abbey, a fabulous example of Medieval Cistercian abbey ruins set on the banks of the River Aire, set in pleasant parkland.  

Most areas are only a short walk away from Headingley.  It is accessible by bus and train to Leeds.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 20-25 minutes (10 minutes outside of rush hour). Frequency: Every 15 minutes

Railway Station (Headingley)

train frequency: Every 12-15 minutes to City Station

Little London  ££

LS7

Little London is located on the northern edge of Leeds city centre and adjoins the University of Leeds campus to the South. It consists predominantly of social rented housing but increasingly private lets are available. The area is subject to a large housing improvement and regeneration plan.

There is a very diverse and mixed but close community on the estate. The city centre and Universities are both within a short walking distance.

This area has become popular with international students looking to rent in properties close to the universities and the city centre.

Travel to the city centre and universities

5-6 minutes walk

picture: Leodis.net

Little Woodhouse ££/£££

LS3

Little Woodhouse is a mainly residential area which just dips in to the city centre from the east. To the south there are a number of purpose built student accommodations flanking the Kirkstall Road corridor, while to the east is the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett university and various hospital buildings.

Little Woodhouse, although relatively small has some very nice features, including a few lovely squares offering green spaces (woodhouse square is shown above).  It includes three conservation areas with eighteenth century mansions and nineteenth century villas and terraces.

The housing stock is varied from through terraces to Georgian period shared properties.  This little known area is popular with some students due to its proximity to the universities, the city centre and Hyde Park. 

Local amenities consist of a number of takeaways, bars and cafes on Burley road and the numerous amenities on offer in the city centre, a short walk away.

Travel to the city centre

The two university city campuses are less than 5 minutes walk

The city centre is less than 7 minutes walk

Meanwood  £££

LS6 4 or LS7

Meanwood is located on the fringes of the inner city to the north east of the city centre. It is adjacent to Headingley and close to Chapel Allerton. There is a mix of housing including small terraced and back to back housing for rent along with more mature residential family housing and social housing estates.

Meanwood has excellent local amenities for shopping and leisure.  There are two shopping centres with pubs, bars, restaurants and other facilities of Headingley are from most parts only a 10 minute walk away. Meanwood hosts a sizable Waitrose supermarket.  The Meanwood Valley Trail cuts through the area.  Meanwood is also home to the Meanwood Valley Urban Farm.  It is accessible to Leeds city centre by bus.

Housing costs are higher than average and can reflect those in Headingley

Travel to the city centre

bus route 16-18 minutes. Frequency: every 10 minutes

Roundhay  ££/£££

LS8

Roundhay is a traditional and popular suburb of north Leeds close to Roundhay Park. Housing is mainly mature residential family semi detached and detached housing and housing costs to buy or rent are high but the area is becoming popular with young professionals wishing to rent and share houses or flats.  There are a number of small apartment developments in this area.

Postgraduate students and some students choose to live in this area for its 'village' feel and access to one of the biggest city parks in Europe.  It has more than 700 acres (2.8 km2) of parkland, lakes, woodland and garden. Housing costs are on the higher side.

It is close to the Street Lane area with its range of shops, pubs and restaurants and Oakwood to the south with small independant shops and a supermarket.

Travel to the city centre

bus route 35 minutes. Frequency: every 10 minutes

University Area £££

LS2 9

The university area is not an official area but is roughly classed as the collection of streets that fall in to the LS2 9 postcode.  This postcode skirts the University of Leeds campus from Blenheim Terrace round to the North of the campus on Clarendon Road. 

Students living in the University district benefit from the best of both worlds, living only minutes away from the City Centre, yet close to the buzz of Hyde Park. Woodhouse Moor park is
on the doorstep, offering that welcome green space and the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.
 
The large Victorian terraces and purpose built student blocks are all very close to the city centre universities and therefore very popular with students. As such, these properties are
subject to very high demand year on year. Also check out Little Woodhouse, popular with medical and dentistry students who study nearby.

Local amenities consist of a number of takeaways, small cafes and the numerous services offered on the adjacent university campuses.  Hyde Park is a lovely green space, popular with students in the summer time and is next to this area in the North.

Travel to the city centre

The two university city campuses are less than 5 minutes walk

The city centre is less than 10 minutes walk

Woodhouse  ££

LS6 2

Woodhouse is situated adjacent to Hyde Park, Little London and the University of Leeds campus. It is separated from Hyde Park by Woodhouse Moor. Woodhouse and Woodhouse Ridge are long-standing areas of housing for students. Woodhouse has grown in popularity as its proximity to city campuses and the city centre is as good as Hyde Park but the housing costs are lower.

It has a mix of mainly older terraced and back-to-back housing and some social housing bordering Little London. Woodhouse has a number of pubs and eating places and is close to the cafes, shops and pubs on Hyde Park Corner.

Woodhouse Ridge offers an attractive green route to Headingley (10 - 15 minute walking time). It forms part of the Meanwood Valley Trail that winds it way through pleasant countryside for a distance of 7 miles ending in Golden Acre Park. The universities and the city centre are in easy walking distance.

There are plenty of bargains to be found, so the area is ideal for students with any budget,

Travel to city centre

walking 10 minutes

bus route 5-10 minutes, frequent bus service

Living in Leeds

Leeds is now by population the third largest city in the United kingdom with an estimated population of 757,700 with approximately 37,000 resident full-time students attending the four Universities -  University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Arts University and Leeds Trinity University.  There are also a further significant core of students attending the various Colleges situated in Leeds including Leeds City College, Leeds College of Music and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Although many students choose to live in the traditional 'studenty' areas some students have ventured out to other areas too and these include Little Woodhouse, Kirkstall, Burley, Horsforth, Chapeltown, Harehills, Holbeck and Armley. Other students have moved to areas of Leeds that have normally let to young professionals and keyworkers such as Chapel Allerton, Oakwood and Roundhay.

All in all, most areas of Leeds with accommodation to rent have many young people with thriving communities, shops, supermarkets, pubs, parks and sports centres. Public transport in Leeds is regular and widespread so getting around is easy.

Think lifestyle

When choosing a place to live, the decision is not just about a roof over your head it is as much about deciding on the type of lifestyle you want.  You are lucky to be studying and living in Leeds as there is so much choice in the type of accommodation available so whatever you are looking for Leeds will be able to deliver.

Once you’ve decided on your budget and who you want to live with try thinking about what else is important to you, everyone is different but some of the most important to consider are:

  • location
  • the local amenities on offer
  • the social environment you want

Most of the areas mentioned have local shopping parades, pubs and even sports centres, with a larger supermarket within walking distance.  Leeds has a lot of independant shops, which add character and variety to local shopping areas. 

For example, Headingley has a local farmers' market and a great variety of local shops from health food to grocers to cake shops to jewelry and craft centres such as Heart and Craft. 

Decide what you want from an area and check to see if the local amenities meet your needs or you may prefer to live in a quieter area and then shop and socialise in the city centre.

Visit areas by day and by night to make sure you feel comfortable as each area will have a different feel at different times.

Until properties have been let, rent levels cannot be accurately predicted. The price code used here is an indication of the difference found between areas with £ being the cheapest and £££ being the most expensive. Check the Unipol website for average rent levels for a shared student house.

Remember there is a surplus of accommodation for students so this is a good time to negotiate.

This is a difficult issue to discuss and statistics can often be misleading e.g. a high incidence of burglaries may be cause by a single ‘gang’ over a short period who have been apprehended and are no longer active. The other factor is that in one street there can be some crime and the street adjacent to it can be peaceful and crime free and this information is not accessible. It is worth visiting the Police UK website for up-to-date crime statistics by postcode and www.knowledge-leeds.co.uk the latter a local project run by the Police, universities, student unions and council to provide students with practical advice on safety and crime prevention.   

Remember - the important thing to consider is how you feel in an area.  Visit the area you are considering during the day and at night.  If you do not feel safe then do not rent there.

Leeds has a good bus transport network and frequent buses. It also has a number of inner city railway stations so traveling in and around Leeds is easy.

If you choose to not live within walking distance of your place of study make sure you build transport costs into your budget and look at this together with rent levels. Visit the metro website for information about student travel cards. When looking at travel times by public transport compare this to how long it would take you to walk the distance – it can often be the same as a bus journey from a property further away from the University. You can even plan your journey online.