Buying a home in your university city
Whether pursuing further education as a postgraduate or making steps on your chosen career path, putting down permanent roots in your university city makes a lot of sense. After all, if you’ve made a life for yourself there, it’s only natural that you’d want to maintain what you’ve created in a flat or house you can call your own. With several initiatives to help you get on the property ladder as a first time buyer, purchasing a home in your university city may be more attainable than you think as you could be eligible for alternative housing options, such as Shared Ownership or the government’s First Homes scheme.
Some of the UK’s top university cities have everything you could want from a living location. Incredible job opportunities, great transport links and, most importantly, lots of housing options for first time buyers. Here are some of the most popular university cities in England with Shared Ownership houses and apartments available:
Birmingham
Did you fall in love with Birmingham’s vibrant culture while studying there? That’s easily done. The city thrives on industry and innovation and has a flourishing creative scene. This hotspot in the West Midlands is well-connected too. The vast road and rail network makes it a great base if you need to travel regularly for work (or leisure). In short, it’s an exciting place to live permanently and buy your first home. Explore Shared Ownership homes in Birmingham, including new-build and resale properties.
Bristol
Bristol has a creative energy and independent spirit, making it a popular location for students and graduates. If you dream of buying a house for the first time in this trendy city, alternative home-buying schemes could make it easier for you to find a home within your budget. Shared Ownership housing in Bristol is vast and varied – you can expect everything from slick one bedroom apartments to cosy three bedroom houses.
Cambridge
Anyone would want to continue living in Cambridge after studying there. Beautiful old buildings to admire, a rich history to uncover and picturesque countryside surrounding it to explore – all things that make this city a coveted place to call home. Plus, its proximity to London puts it within easy commuting distance if your burgeoning career has taken you to the capital. Explore properties in Cambridge that make the ideal first home.
Manchester
With so much to offer, it’s easy to understand why you’d want to stay in Manchester after completing your studies. The unofficial capital of the North is a lively alternative to London with a thriving cultural scene, employment opportunities and government home-buying schemes for first time buyers. A hub for fashion, media and sports, this vibrant city is the ideal location to purchase a home if you’re pursuing a career in any of these industries.
Nottingham
Widely considered one of the most affordable cities to live in as a student, Nottingham is just as budget-friendly for graduates. Boasting a bustling city centre and excellent connectivity, this city in the Midlands is an up-and-coming hub with a growing local economy. If that sounds like where you want to stay for the foreseeable future, check out Shared Ownership properties for first time buyers in Nottingham.
Benefits of buying your first home in your university city
If you moved away from home for university, you’ll know how exciting starting afresh and cultivating a life for yourself somewhere new is. Anything feels possible, but it can also be quite challenging. Now, you may be content with your current location and can see yourself living here long term. In this case, here are some reasons why purchasing a home for the first time in your university city is a good idea:
1. You have an existing social circle.
You may already have close friends, perhaps a romantic partner, or even have family in your university city. Possessing a support circle like that is incomparable and can massively contribute to your overall happiness living in that particular location.
2. You know your way around.
That coffee shop that does the best lattes in town, that restaurant where you’re on first-name terms with the owner or that shop you always find the best gifts in – they’re all part of the fabric of your university city that makes it feel like the ultimate comfort blanket.
3. You’ve established a professional network.
Perhaps you picked your university city for the job opportunities it provides in your field of study or related industries. In that case, staying on allows you to continue cultivating the professional network you established during your student years.
4. It feels like home.
After a few years in your university city, you’ll intuitively know if living there permanently is the right decision for your future. If the location feels like home, that’s the best sign you should buy your first house there.
At Share to Buy, we make your choice easier with a selection of new-build homes across England, available through alternative homeownership schemes such as Shared Ownership. Get your home-buying journey underway using our property portal.