How nice it is in these cities

[mollykins]

Similar but different to my other question. But same rules apply ie, it doesn't matter if you can only compare a couple and say 'well Brighton is a dump but Exeter is beautiful' (you know I don't mean it JJ! xx) but if you do order a few/ all of them say whether it's best to worst or vice versa.

Brighton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton, Exeter, Cardiff, Bangor.

TIA molly

[bednobs]

everyone will have their own ideas based on what they know/experience. I went to uni in portsmouth and really loved living there

[mollykins]

Thanks. I'm from kinda the countryside, so don't know how'd I'd do in a city.

And before anyone asks it is Bangor Wales.

[Prudie]

as bedknobs says we will all have differing views (like some like city life and some like the country). What are your criteria? I know S'oton and Portsmouth are sprawling and built up, Exeter is much smaller and has very nice rural ares near it, my daughter went to Plymouth and loved it (right near Dartmoor). I know Bangor and it's beautiful if you like mountain scenery.
You also want to think how easy they are to travel to (Bangor would be a pain from Suffolk but it's famous for your type of courses).

[boxtops]

I love Brighton, I lived there for seven years and I would go back like a shot if circumstances permitted, loads to do for all ages. I also like Southampton - I nearly got a job there many years back, nice place, cruise liners. My sister lived in Plymouth - big city but a very long way away, naval dockyards, nearly next to Cornwall, lots of nice scenery but a lot of hard-up areas when she was there (Pasta will be more up to date than I am). No experience of the others.

[redman41]

Are you intending to Study at Bangor University molly ?

[starone]

Molly, I suppose you know that cities are only cities if they have a cathedral, otherwise they are towns.

So the best city in the world is Bristol, and we have a cathedral. We are also a county in our own right, how about that! The City and County of Bristol

[Buenchico]

I'm guessing, Molly, that you're considering possible university choices here. Just about everywhere on your list has a fairly large student population, with the life-style that goes with it.

Brighton is lively, vibrant and packed with young people. As well as its two universities (Brighton & Sussex) there are loads of schools teaching English to foreign students, so the city exudes a sense of youthful fun. It's got plenty of good shopping (especially around the North Laine area, where you'll find lots of quirky independent traders) plus loads of pubs, restaurants and nightlife.

I've attended a conference at Exeter University. Even though the campus seems to have far more hills going up than down it's a friendly place, with a city centre which has a 'cosy' feel to it (rather than Brighton's 'brash' aura). It's much quieter there than it is in Brighton, with far fewer off-campus attractions for students.

I don't know the other cities particularly well but I'm aware that Southampton is very much a 'student city' (even though the city centre itself is rather dull).

Cardiff must rank second only to Brussels as the most boring capital city in Europe.

Bangor is dominated by the university, with around 10,000 students and only about 14,000 other residents. Consequently, Bangor doesn't have a great deal to offer outside of university activities.

I don't know enough about Plymouth or Portsmouth to comment on them.

Chris

[boxtops]

Bristol's not on molly's list tho, starbuck - these are the places where she might be able to get into uni.
Love Bristol too though btw, I have relatives there, and down the coast at Portishead.

[mollykins]

I never looked at Bristol U . . . .

[ummmm]

I love Brighton...

I've never been to any of the others...

[pastafreak]

Plymouth is OK....it's a rather small city by my American standards...and not terribly attractive-due to post-war rebuilding. But it has a very good night life and bar/club scene,a huge student population and a pretty good UNI,decent shopping and varied eating....and water to the east,west and south...and Dartmoor to the north....all no more than 20 minutes or so out of the city.
My daughter did her degree in London....but came home to go drinking and clubbing as it was so much cheaper.

[mollykins]

Naaa there's no courses like marine biology or ecology at bristol . . .

[redman41]

Bangor University Marine Sciences Dept is based in Menai Bridge and their research vessel 'Prince Madog' is berthed there. Fancy a job on their Boat molly ?

[Eve]

Brighton would probably be top of my list, love the place, very vibrant and appeals to me as it's a pretty eclectic place (never boring!), near the sea (massive plus for me!) and has a city like buzz though I love the city. Very expensive place though.

I've always liked Cardiff, I think it's a lovely place, nice atmosphere and nightlife and it's a very friendly place.

Bangor may not be thriving but small campus unis can have their benefits. I went to a small seaside campus uni (was great for my course) and had the best time there.

Compared to a city there isn't much there but I never ran out of things to do and with the small town atmosphere and campus culture I made some amazing friends I met so many lovely people and I've always found there's a really nice bond between people who went there as it's so small. I used to stay there in the holidays and work locally. I loved being right by the sea and the stunning scenery.

Saying that, I'm not sure how I'd find it to live there now I'm so used to (and love) city life.

it all depends on what you're looking for.

[LDC134]

Brighton is great fun - beach and quirky shops plus you are close to London, buy very expensive and can be a traffic nightmare. I have lived in Southampton, and found it very 'bland' (no offence to anyone) - it has a shopping centre and a bit of history but nothing to make it special enough.
I now live in Southsea, the 'seaside' part of Portsmouth and love it - there is a massive student population and whilst the bars and nightlife are a bit grotty (the students don't seem to mind) - what wins it for me is the massive common on the seafront - if the summer is good everyone chills there with a disposable bbq and watches the boats go by. You have great links across to the Isle of Wight if you are a festival goer, and Southsea has an excellent road of ecelctic shops and bars called Albert Road.
I can't speak for the others though, sorry. Good luck !

[mollykins]

LDC i don't drive and won't be able to afford to for a while so the traffic won't bother me, I cycle a lot so can weave in and out of stationary traffic.

[LDC134]

If you cycle you will love Portsmouth - its all flat ;) and generally good cycle lanes. Plus 3 train stations so wherever you live in the city you are near enough to one to get 'home'