Lancaster Area..

[Chescadence]

Now then..

I've recently been offered a place for further study in the faculty of Bio-medical Science at Lancaster University; I'm really pleased to be offered a place, it's one of the top universities in for BioMeds in the country with pretty tough entry criteria.

Of course I must consider all aspects of the prospect of living in Lancaster; but I'd like to hear from locals to the area on two things:

A) A nice place to be a cyclist?

B) On a more general note, what's it like to live in Lancaster? Expensive or cheap? Nice for socializing(Pubs etc)?

And on an even more general note; I've been offered places at the College of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Lancaster as stated, The Faculty of Medical Science at Bangor University and the Faculty of Bio-medical science at Bangor University.

Where would you go? and why?; pros and cons from locals etc would be really helpful. Riding is a big part of who am so input as to the quality of the riding around these areas would be great. (You can exclude Bangor as I only live 20 minutes from it)

Thanks for any thoughts,
C

 

[Spinney]

Congrats on getting the offer!

Cycling - Lancaster is great. I used to live about 6 miles north, in Carnforth. You can do a day ride that takes you into the Lake District or around the Howgills, or through the Yorkshire Dales, or do the Trough of Bowland. And some nice, more gentle rides close to Lancaster as well. If you are into MTB, not far to take your car to the Lake/Dales etc (and only 3 hours to get you back to Bangor!).

Can't say much about the socialising, as I was a boring stick-at-home (well, still am!). But a younger friend who is into music, pubs etc has just bought a house in the outskirts of Lancaster and likes it there.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes - the area around Lancaster is fabulous for cycling!

Correction - fabulous for cycling to the north, south and east. There isn't much decent cycling to be had to the west, unless you own a pedalo!

 

[Get In The Van]

Edinburgh, awesome place to live, go out and have a blast.......however its expensive to stay in the city and i mean expensive!
cycling is also very awesome in and around Edinburgh, plenty of clubs to join and if you fancy some cobblestone racing, you can do that as well!

 

[Chescadence]

Thanks guys,

Some great comments on Lancaster- I must say I'm very tempted by the offer!

Edinburgh has it's draw backs; it's absolutely miles from all my family, it's very expensive to live in the city and it's a big intimidating city to move to. On the plus side, the college of medicine is fantastic.

Lancaster seems to suit more of my requirements at the minute.

C

 

[Chescadence]

P.s thanks for the congratulations, Spinney. Chuffed!

 

[Trail Child]

Congratulations on all the offers!

 

[Globalti]

From Lancaster you have a choice between the flatlands of the coast or the hills of the Bowland Fells and all the bit in between. I couldn't think of a better location for a cyclist.

 

[Chescadence]

Thanks, Trail Child

Globalti, thanks- that's very encouraging; all the signs look great for the move and it's a really tempting offer that seems to work in many ways. The riding does like brilliant like you say!

C

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I was at uni in Preston (and before anyone says the obvious, I went to it because it was a poly and then changed it after my 1st year to a uni) and loved the area. you have the Lake District, the Pennies & Yorkshire Dales very easily available. It is not that far to get into Scotland (my prefered area) and then you have the flatter areas to the south. If you don't love hills & mountains you soon will in Lancaster, though!

Edinburgh - wrong side of the country for me, I am a west coast person - if the choice was Lancaster or Glasgow....

 

[Chescadence]

Thanks, SatNavSaysStraightOn.

I love the hills and the mountains; living in North Wales it tends to be a big part of cycling. So Lancaster is nicely situated for that as well as the flatter areas like you say. Not only is the area good; the Univeristy campus is supposed to be excellent, additionally it's consistently rated in the top 8 for my subject area in the country.

Actually moving to Scotland just seems too far away; lovely area around Edinburgh and a lovely city but expensive and a long long way from family. The College of Medicine is brilliant, though; thus, I haven't ruled it out completely yet.

Bangor is close to me, I already study in the city so know it well. A nice area for cycling of course, but it's the same area I've been cycling up to now. Relatively cheap; good facilities. Bangor is rated 68th for my subject area so nowhere near as highly regarded.

As you can see, I'm leaning towards Lancaster but it's making the final decision that's the tough part.

C

 

[yello]

IF I was moving back to the UK, the Lancaster region would be where I'd head - a decision based purely on cycling. Otherwise, I reckon anywhere can be as good as you make it.

I flatted with a girl who went to Bangor University and she was not particularly flattering about the place (we are talking 70s though)

 

[Chescadence]

I flatted with a girl who went to Bangor University and she was not particularly flattering about the place (we are talking 70s though)

Thanks yello, the cycling is a definite plus point to Lancaster!

As for Bangor University, it has improved a lot in the last sort-of 10/15 years; that said, it's not a fantastic university- it has it's strong points, the business school is excellent and Marine Biology is excellent as well. For most subjects though, it's pretty mediocre; certainly not a Lancaster or Edinburgh. Like I said above, it does have it's advantages as far as cheapish living, great area etc etc but I'm only considering it because it's local; i'd not relocate for Bangor University.

C

 

[MontyVeda]

...
I'd like to hear from locals to the area on two things:

A) A nice place to be a cyclist?

Yes, it's great (as others have mentioned), there's a decent infrastructure of cycle tracks/lanes in Lancaster and Morecambe. you can head east on any of number of nice quiet roads into the Trough of Bowland, or if you're feeling hill shy, head south and west towards Blackpool and Fleetwood for miles of pancake flat riding, and the Lancaster canal goes between Preston and Kendal if you fancy another flat option. North and east and you're heading towards the Yorkshire Dales or just north to Arnside and Silverdale, which is bloody lovely to cycle around.

B) On a more general note, what's it like to live in Lancaster? Expensive or cheap? Nice for socializing(Pubs etc)?

Lancaster is full of students so lots of pubs and clubs are geared towards them, as are the many kebab/burger shops which all sell the same thing. There's a couple of 'rock' pubs if you like that sort of thing (The Pub & The Bobbin). The Yorkshire House and Stonewell Tavern has some good live bands but nobody 'big'. The Grand Theatre has some good comedians on once in a while, and the Dukes has a good 'indie' cinema. If you want to see a half decent gig, then it's a trip to Preston or Manchester as Lancaster just ain't on that circuit any more. (although The Platform in Morecambe has the odd surprise)

The more 'social' pubs IMO are outside the one way system (Robert Gillow, Golden Lion, Ring o' Bells, Yorkshire house), those in town are a bit 'casual' or 'student' oriented.

cost of living is around 500pcm for half decent flat or 2up2down.

hope that helps.

 

[yello]

cost of living is around 500pcm for half decent flat or 2up2down.

That's a bit of info worth me storing away, thanks.

Also, and I know it's a bit of a sore point with you at the mo (and best of luck with the job search) what do you think the job market's like in that region? Not in any particular industry, just the general 'wage slave' sector.