After living in university accommodation during your first year, you’ll likely be considering your student accommodation options for year two. One of Liverpool’s most popular locations for student living is Kensington (aka Kenny), located just east of the city centre and bordered by Edge Hill and Everton. But why does this area attract so many students and is it the right option for you?
Find out all you need to know about living in this vibrant area and the available options for private student housing throughout this blog. Plus, with the help of our experienced team, you’ll also discover the best property amenities and facilities that ensure comfortable living after moving out of student halls!
Student living in Kensington
Alongside the likes of Edge Hill and Wavertree, Kenny is one of the most popular student areas this great city has to offer.
Kensington’s streets are lined with hundreds of traditional redbrick Victorian terraced houses, which add plenty of character, and keep you closer to other students who are also experiencing running their own house for the first time.
But aside from quaint architecture, why does a significant amount of Liverpool’s student population flock to Kenny in their second year?
- It’s affordable
If you’re eager to dodge those premium city prices without sacrificing a great location right near your university campus, Kenny should certainly be on your radar.
Many students live in Kensington simply because of how cheap the rent is compared to inner-city centre postcodes. More affordable rent equals comfier student living in Liverpool, as you have much more disposable funds to spend on food and nights out in the city.
Rent in this area typically ranges between £110-130 per week, but this may vary.
- It’s close to nearby amenities
Bustling Kensington offers a whole host of local amenities for life’s essentials, including supermarkets like Tesco, Iceland, and Lidl. If you feel like treating yourself, Prescott Road provides a whole street of restaurants and takeaways if you don’t fancy heading into the city centre.
Also, if you’re in the mood to shop, Kensington is only a short walk away from Liverpool Shopping Park on Edge Lane – here you’ll find a range of shops including River Island, TK Maxx, H&M, and JD. Plus, you could even challenge your housemates to a game at Hollywood Bowl while you’re there!
3. It’s a short commute to the city centre
Kenny is located in L6/L7, just eastwards of the city centre – Everton borders it to the north, Fairfield to the east, and Edge Hill to the south.
Most students opt for Kensington student accommodation due to its convenient location and its closeness to the three main universities – here’s a list of average travel times between your Liverpool student accommodation in Kensington and each of the major campuses:
University of Liverpool – 0.7 miles
3-minutes by car
10 minutes by bus via the 139
16 minutes by foot
5-minute bike ride
Liverpool Hope University – 0.7 miles
3-minutes by car
10 minutes by bus via the 139
16 minutes by foot
5-minute bike ride
Liverpool John Moores University main campus – 2.1 miles
7-minutes by car
16 minutes by bus via the 8, 9, or 10
32 minutes by foot
11-minute bike ride
Liverpool Central Library is also just a 15-minute bus journey if you’re looking to broaden your knowledge and revise somewhere other than your uni facilities.
Kensington’s prime location also makes it easier for students to visit Liverpool’s main attractions and other student areas, such as:
- Bold street – full of independent stores, bohemian bars, and exotic restaurants
- The Baltic Triangle – enjoy indie bars, live music, and party events
- Cavern Quarter – celebrate Liverpool’s music heritage in lively bars with plenty of tribute acts
- Sefton Park – the perfect leafy escape from urban life
- Liverpool’s many museums and art galleries, including the Bluecoat
- Smithdown Road – another lively student area that’s only a 12-minute cycle ride away
4. There are plentiful transport links
Whether you need to travel across the city or the country, you won’t struggle thanks to Kensington’s closeness to various bus stops, cycle routes, and train stations.
Liverpool Lime Street train station is just a 7-minute car journey away, with regular links running to Liverpool John Lennon Airport if you’re travelling further afield!
Benefits of Living in a Student House in Kensington
If Kensington sounds like the area for you, then it’s time to find out more about the type of student accommodation in the area. Unlike city centre living, Kenny features mostly student houses instead of student flats.
A student house differs from a flat in that it’s just you and your flatmates living in the property – although you’ll be living within the Kensington student community, there are a few differences to flat-based student accommodation in Liverpool.
Liverpool student houses, however, offer plenty of advantages, such as:
- A greater feeling of independence
- Cheaper rent
- The freedom to choose your housemates
- More privacy
- Homely communal spaces
- A family feel
For further exploration into the benefits of Liverpool student houses, why not check out our Student Houses vs Student Flats blog?
Choosing the Right Student House in Liverpool
When it comes to selecting the best student house in Liverpool, you and your friends should consider the following when making your decision:
- House size
You’ll need to choose a house that gives everyone their own room, so it’s best to get a rough idea of the number of bedrooms you’ll need before you start to look.
Here at CARO Lettings, we offer 4, 5, and 6-bedroom student houses in Kensington, which feature sizable living spaces and offer deluxe student living in Liverpool.
- Amenities and Facilities
Depending on the student accommodation company, not all student homes have the same facilities and furnishings – here are a few examples of features that many students consider must-have luxuries:
Washing and drying machines – some student houses (like ours) provide washing facilities so you don’t need to lug your washing to and from the laundrette.
Modern furniture – new and contemporary furniture, including double beds, will help you live luxuriously in Liverpool.
Remember, however, some of the furniture you see during house viewings may belong to existing tenants and not the landlord or student accommodations company. So, be sure to confirm with the letting agent exactly what furnishings you can expect to find when you move in!
WiFi – WiFi is essential for all students (we provide superfast broadband over 100 mbps).
- Interior decor
From the kitchen and lounge area to the bedrooms and bathrooms, most students desire a house that feels like a home, decorated stylishly and elegantly. For example, these accommodations will have contemporary living room furnishings, fashionable wallpaper, and state-of-the-art appliances, such as modern showers, ovens, and microwaves.
Houses that are well furnished and decorated will likely cost more per week, but are certainly worth it if you want to feel more than satisfied in your surroundings.
- Rent costs
Finally, the biggest factor that can make or break your decision is weekly rent costs and whether these fees include bills.
Be sure to confirm whether everyone in your group can afford to live comfortably in the property you’re looking at and that they’ll have money left to spend on food and other essentials.
Our affordable Liverpool student homes in Kensington all have bills included, which removes the stress of comparing providers and splitting utility costs between tenants.
Ultimately, Kensington is a brilliant place to live for students in Liverpool, which is why it’s so popular! But, to ensure you land your dream student home, we recommend starting your search early and booking your place for next year as soon as you can.
Choose CARO Lettings for modern student accommodation in Liverpool
Looking for stylish yet affordable private student accommodation in Liverpool?
Here at CARO Lettings, we offer super-modern Liverpool student accommodation across the city. From student houses in Kensington to our flagship Bridewell accommodation, we have student properties for everyone – whatever their needs.
To speak with our experienced team about finding the ideal student property for you or to book a viewing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch using our message form or by calling us on 0151 318 4743.
