‘Leeds is the coolest city’: freshers reveal their first impressions after moving to Leeds

Thousands of students have descended to Leeds for the start of the academic year, with many experiencing the city as their new home for the first time.

Freshers at Carlton Hill, a University of Leeds accommodation, have been sharing their first impressions of Leeds, from its music scene and opportunities to its friendly atmosphere and accessibility.

Hannah Parsons, 20, moved from Colchester to study BCs Marketing, and said Leeds already feels like a city full of opportunity.

“Unlike other cities I’ve visited, there’s way more going on and it feels very up and coming,” she told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

She also noticed a difference in the way people interact with each other compared to back home.

“It’s true what they say, people are definitely friendlier up North,” she said.

“Everyone says hello and good morning - no one ever does that in Colchester!”

Hannah said she had also been impressed with her new accommodation, which has a gym and a rooftop terrace where they can relax on sunny evenings.

Carlton Hill has been operating for four years, and costs £210 - £221 per week for a self-catered en suite.

“We also have a washing machine and dryer in our kitchen, which is gold dust for university accommodations - and there’s even a free drinks machine!” she added.

Fellow fresher Tilly Coupar, 18, from West Sussex said she has already fallen for Leeds’ music scene.

She told us: “I think Leeds is the coolest city, I like the music scene here a lot - and there’s some great opportunities.

“The people I’ve met here so far are very polite and helpful - probably more friendly than they are down South, so it’s a good positive change to move up here.”

Physics student Maciej Stepien, 18, said the city’s accessibility had already stood out to him.

“I haven’t been around the city yet too much, but from what I’ve seen so far everything is really close and very student friendly,” he shared with the YEP.

Fine Art student Ashlyn Evans, from near Sheffield, said Leeds had already made a strong impression on her.

She said: “Everyone so far in Leeds seems really nice and welcoming so that’s always good to have.”

She added that being a student had allowed her to experience the city differently, having previously only visited on day trips.

Tom Hill, Operations Director for Unipol, which runs in partnership with Carlton Hill, said helping the students settle into a new city was an important part of the accommodation’s approach.

“It's very unsettling sometimes going to a strange city, we’ve got residents literally travelling all around the world,” he told us.

“When they land they want to see a friendly face, someone to show them around Leeds, and tell them about all the activities and events going on to make them feel at home.”

This week, students in Leeds can look forward to a vast amount of nights out and society fairs, from the famous Fruity Friday’s 25th Birthday Party in Stylus to plenty of free Domino’s Pizza slices at the freshers fair.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor James Lewis said: "Thousands of students will be arriving in Leeds over the coming days, and we're delighted to welcome them to our city.

"Students are an important part of what makes Leeds such a vibrant and diverse city, and we're proud to be home to a thriving student community.

Whether arriving here for the first time or returning after the summer, we hope all students enjoy everything Leeds has to offer, including all of the city's big events such as Light Night, the Christmas Market, Carnival and Pride to name a few."