Student Days - Leeds

Leeds, UK - Andrew Smith - Sunday, May 6th, 2007 : goo

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Leeds is a city in the North of England (West Yorkshire) which, like many Northern cities, such as Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, has undergone regeneration and, possibly even more than the three mentioned, has become 'sexy'- with trendy bars, city-centre apartments, posh shops, etc.

The glossy new centres are still only part of the story of these cities, though, and all still have large areas of traditional terraced housing.

I was at Leeds University in the mid-90's and recently went back for a purely nostalgic visit to Hyde Park which, along with Headingley, is the main area students tend to live in their second and third years and is also one of the areas of traditional housing.

It is probably more run down than it should be, with student houses not being a high priority for maintainance by landlords, but it was a great place to live for a few years. I don't know what locals think of the area. I know that there can sometimes be resentment about student areas with a feeling that they don't look after it as they are only there for a few years, but landlords should take responsibility too.

There was, and still is, a strong Asian community and, as I remember, everyone seemed to get along just fine.

It was pretty much as I remember it - very vibrant, being just 10-15 mins walk to Uni(though somehow everyone looked 10 years younger!).

Anyway, here's a few pics for the non-UK people to see an area of traditional terraced housing (+ one of the Uni for good luck). Notice also the one of the Hyde Park cinema - a great survivor of traditional picture houses and where I first saw Reservoir Dogs!

Brudenell Grove

Back Brudenell Grove

Brudenell Mount

Hyde Park cinema

Brudenell Road

Leeds Uni coming from city centre (Woodhouse Lane)

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