I am applying to the University of York for post-graduate studies in medieval history. I have visited the city once, but it was a short visit and focused solely on the tourist sites. Despite the tourist hordes, I thought it was beautiful and charming.

Can anyone tell me about living in York, or about the university? I am in my thirties (a so-called mature student). What sort of nightlife and arts scene does York have? I am from a mid-sized midwestern US city, but I also lived in London for a few months. How expensive is York? Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Erica

York is a good place to live and a good one to visit. I lived in Leeds suburbs and would visit often. In the few years since I have not been in Leeds, I have visited York a couple of times and it seems more gentrified and pleasant. There is a new arthouse cinema on the riverbank, complete with new bar, and there seemed to be a wider choice of shops and restaurants. It is not as cheap as it used to be, but is definitely better value than London. Try bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire

Erica there's a website that's been mentioned here for Americans living in England (maybe expats.co.uk) My search function isn't working this morning. Anyway, you might try a search & see if you "speak" to some Americans living in York for their perspective.

"Nightlife" in any English medium-size town will be understood by most people to refer to the alcohol-fuelled, youth-oriented pubs and clubs that York is as rich in as its peers elsewhere. This "culture" takes up a slug of the city centre (often spilling over into its streets) at night. But you've doubtless grown past that. And my experience walking through it is that it seems less threatening than in many parts of Britain.

The city has denser Culture with a capital C than most towns its size: see www.thisisyork.co.uk, though right now there's more theatre on this site than there is most of the year, and the site doesn't cover the voluntary side of things (choral societies etc), which have a high importance in England's more civilsed towns (of which York is one, though it IS a bit of a favourite for visiting stag and hen parties)

I think the expat site mclaurie's referring to is www.americanexpats.co.uk

Hi Erica,

I've visited York many times but never lived there. Lucky you! However, an excellent site I've found for what's on in and around the city is http://www.thisisyork.co.uk. This is the website for the York Evening Press.

Thanks so much for the replies. I am looking forward to perusing those websites.

I still enjoy a few pints at the pub, but I am probably too old for most student pubs, and definitely too old for clubbing. I've never found the British drunks I have encountered very threatening. Probably because in my city if the drunk isn't packing a gun he's considered pretty safe. It's all relative, I guess.

York has a population of about 100,000, right? Does this mean people are pretty friendly and open to new people? I've heard that northerners are perhaps a little more friendly than southerners? Is this true? Or is this an insulting stereotype?! I'm a little concerned about spending a year or more someplace where I won't know anyone.

Don't get me wrong, I love London. But people there seemed awfully closed to newcomers. It was probably just me, or maybe the constant influx of pushy Americans has made Londoners sick to death of us. I wonder if York might be a bit more open?

Thanks again,
Erica

Hi Erica, I'm a scot, living near York. I've had mixed responses from local people. Some I found a bit snooty, but most really friendly. Worst you'll find is a bit of impatience with tourists - it is a working city and people have to go about their business ( similar to some New York posts about tourists there! )York has a brilliant night life, not all geared to students and/or lager lout types. There is a great restaurant and theatre scene. Don't just stick to the city though, there is fantastic countryside within a stones throw.

Congratulations on finding the fine city that lies hidden in the tourist wrappings. When I worked in Leeds thirty years ago I used to drive over to York to enjoy the beauty of the place, and the life of theatre and music. These centre upon the Theatre Royal, York Minster, and the University, each of which has a web site. The university from the start has had the policy of buying or renting the empty spaces above shops, to placed students to live there, so the city has action at night (but of course much less than in London)

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Hi Erica,

I graduated from york university a couple of years ago. York is a great place to be a student, not least becuase the city is relatively small and you can walk/cycle everywhere. Accommodation is still relatively cheap, especially when compared to the South of England.

I liked the univeristy because it is divided into several smaller colleges. This makes it alot easier to get to know people. The graduate college I believe is relatively new with a good standard of accommodation. There is an overseas students union, which allows all students not from the UK to get together and socialise. On my course (social policy) half of the students were mature students - we all got on and mixed well.

The nightlife - loads of great yorkshire pubs, college bars and four clubs which all do student nights. There is always Leeds if you get bored.
The Barbican centre gets loads of acts like comedians and plays.

Hope this helps