8 Areas to Avoid in UK for Students in 2026

8 Areas to Avoid in UK for Students in 2026

8 Areas to Avoid in UK for Students in 2026

When you are in a new country, safety is an important factor to consider. While you are not aware of areas, you will find both kinds of areas. Speaking of which, there are certain areas to avoid when you are in UK.

Yes, you might find affordable student accommodation there, but safety should be your first priority. To be safe in a foreign country it is important to know which areas should be avoided and the places that are not worth visiting.

In this blog, we have compiled a list of areas to avoid in UK for students, especially international students. These areas have a bad reputation and are not worthy of visiting. So, from areas to student life, we at Uninist covers every aspect. So, let’s begin to find a safe area in UK!

How to Know about the Areas in UK?

Selecting an area to live in UK comes with many factors, from rent to safety. Here is how you should judge an area in UK:

  • Check Crime Records: The first thing you should know about the crime records of a specific area. To find these records, you can check out government websites, talk to local police, and get in touch with councils.
  • Read Student Reviews: Either explore websites like Uninist to get reviews from other students about the area or get in touch with older students. You can connect with them on social media to find more about specific areas.
  • Check Area Records: Every area has councils that regularly update about damps, buildings, and more. These records give a clear idea about how old buildings are or what all problems are available.
  • Explore Nearby Amenities: Before you finalise an area, explore what all amenities are available. It is important to explore the area before shifting in a space as a student. So, check for nearby affordable grocery stores, cafes, public transportation, and more.

Top 8 Areas in UK to Avoid as Students

Here are the top 8 citywise areas to avoid in UK for students:

  1. Newtown in Birmingham
  2. Harpurhey in Manchester
  3. Everton in Liverpool
  4. Lincoln Green in Leeds
  5. Easton in Bristol
  6. Springburn in Glasgow
  7. Blackbird Lays in Oxford
  8. Adamsdown in Cardiff

Newtown in Birmingham

Newtown is primarily located close to the city centre in Birmingham. Despite being close to the city centre, students should be cautious in Newtown, especially during nights. Here is why you should avoid Newtown in Birmingham:

  • Despite affordable student accommodation in Birmingham in this area, there has been occasional increase in reporting of antisocial behaviour.
  • During the day you will find a busy lifestyle just like other areas in Birmingham. However, at night, you will find patchy lights that make it hard to walk around.
  • It lacks a student-friendly atmosphere like other areas.
  • Not ideal for late night campus visits, parties, or part-time working.

Harpurhey in Manchester

Harpurhey has been famous for a strong local community, but it is not the right area for students. Some streets are lively while some are isolated. Some of the top reasons to avoid Harpurhey in Manchester as students include:

  • Harpurhey holds a mixed safety reputation, especially after daytime.
  • There are some streets very isolated and only a few people are available at night.
  • Doesn’t have budget-friendly cafes in Manchester for students.
  • Not the best choices for freshers students who are still learning of the areas.

Everton in Liverpool

Just like Newtown, Everton is also located near the city centre in Liverpool. There are certain streets that might feel isolated. Here are the other reasons to avoid Everton in Liverpool:

  • Limited lighting is available that makes many streets isolated and empty.
  • The crime records state higher levels compared to other areas in Liverpool.
  • There are no student activities and less presence of universities.
  • Students have also reported lack of consistent foot traffic.

Lincoln Green in Leeds

Lincoln Green is one of the most affordable areas with respect to student accommodation in Leeds, groceries, etc. This is quite the reason why students do prefer to live here, but eventually it is not the right fit. Here is why you should avoid this area in Leeds:

  • The area is famous for unsafe roads and quiet internal streets.
  • People have reported occasional antisocial behaviour.
  • Not as comfortable as other areas for student life. Plus, less activities are available for the student crowd.

Easton in Bristol

Easton is a culturally rich area for students, but sometimes the place is unusual. Besides unpredictable environment, here is why you should avoid living in Easton in Bristol:

  • Some streets and inner streets have an unusual atmosphere.
  • Less foot traffic once the cafes and shops are closed.
  • No public transportation is available after a certain time.
  • This area has limited choices of student accommodation in Bristol.

Springburn in Glasgow

Springburn has been a famous spot as both a residential and industrial area. With less appealing buildings and activities, one should be very careful in Springburn. Some of the reasons to avoid Springburn includes:

  • Very quiet during the night time, which can feel unsafe for students.
  • There have been reports of crime making first-time residents cautious.
  • You will find no good crowd, night activities, or cultural spots of Leeds in this area.
  • Not very good as student presence is quite less.

Blackbird Lays in Oxford

Blackbird Leys is one of the largest estates in Oxford, making it famous among people. However, it is not usually recommended for students who are new to the city. Here is why you should avoid:

  • Some streets feel uneasy after dark.
  • There has been a history of petty crime.
  • This area is not close to any student hubs and university campuses.
  • No student life is available like other areas.
  • Evening travelling is difficult due to limited public transportation.

Adamsdown in Cardiff

Adamsdown sits close to Cardiff’s city centre. Despite being close to the center, it is suggested to be careful, especially for students. Here are the top reasons to avoid Adamsdown in Cardiff:

  • There are no lights available in inner streets, making it hard for students to walk around.
  • Students have reported safety issues because of petty crimes and antisocial behaviour.
  • Feels really quiet and isolated.
  • No student community or activities are available for students.

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Conclusion

In the end, we can say it is important to choose the right place to live as students in UK. With our list of areas to avoid in UK, we hope you know where not to live. Every city has certain areas to avoid, but that doesn’t mean the city is not safe. There are many areas that offer great student accommodation in UK, amenities, and much more. So, explore everything about the area before you decide to live there.

FAQ

Are all the areas mentioned are not safe in UK?

No, the areas mentioned are not dangerous but better to avoid due to less lighting, antisocial behaviour, petty crimes, and more.

Can I visit the areas to avoid during the day?

Definitely yes! Most of the areas are fine during the day time. During the day time, you will find the following:
1. Heavy Foot Traffic
2. Easy Public Transportation
3. Multiple cafes and shops with people around.

Are there student accommodation available in the areas to avoid?

Yes, you can find student accommodation in UK in such areas. However, with affordability, you might experience issues like no public transportation, less amenities, etc.

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