not my cup of tea
On 1st July 20
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not my cup of tea
On 1st July 20
Living in Coventry
Two universities are based here: Coventry University has halls and facilities spread throughout the centre while the University of Warwick is on the edge of town. It’s the second largest city in the Midlands (with Birmingham being the biggest) so it’s got a lot to offer its students.
Coventry used to have a bit of a reputation for its 1960s and ‘70s architecture - not its fault as most of the place got flattened during World War Two and had to be rebuilt. However thanks to the 2012 Olympics parts of it have been getting a facelift. Besides, we can appreciate ‘60s architecture! We like... boxy, and... concrete. St Michael’s cathedral, however, still has some of it’s former glory. The new cathedral was built next to the bombed ruins of the old one, and the massive spire and hollow shell are still an impressive sight. Put it on your To Do list.
Shopping-wise, the list is pretty long, but we’ll keep it simple for you. There’s an indoor market, a high street area, the independant Greyfriars Walk, and three big shopping centres. In ascending order of awesome, they are Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, Lower Precinct and finally West Orchards. The nightlife on Coventry probably isn’t going to blow your mind, but there’s definitely enough here to keep you busy, with big student favourites being Kasbah, Jumpin Jaks and the smaller but atmospheric Careys. Priory Place has some stylish bars and restaurants - a good place to take your mum when she visits, or that hot coursemate you finally asked out, and of course there’s a good range of pubs.
There’s a couple of cinemas in the city, including an Odeon in the Skydome. If you’ve not heard of this then it’s an all-purpose entertainment venue. As well as the cinema there’s an ice rink where the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team play, some places to eat, and an arena for concert gigs. In Conventry you’ll also find a big emphasis on sport, with the Ricoh Arena housing the citys football cllub (plus any international music acts who visit). There’s an Olympic-sized swimming pool only five minutes from campus and a speedway, home of the successful Coventry Bees.
But I have no money
- Herbert Art Gallery and Museum: From fossilised sea critters through to weird modern art that nobody really understands, the Herbert has all your bases covered. Free to enter (but a charge for parking, so take the bus)
- Airbase Museum and Coventry Transport Museum: One for the gearheads. Both museums have free entry and rooms packed with planes, trains, and automobiles.
- War Memorial Park: This is the biggest park close to the town centre, and a great place to kick back for an afternoon with your mates. If you need a bit more space and can get some friends and a car together, Coombe Country Park is a breath of fresh air 10mins away from the city. There’s a big manor with huge grounds to explore, and you only have to pay for the parking.
Good to know
- Taxi: Metro Taxi
- Birmingham: 30mins by train. Sorted.
- Famous for: Coventry’s most famous local is probably Lady Godiva who, legend claims, famously rode through Coventry completely naked to protest the high taxes levied against the town. Student protestors are a common sight in the UK, but we’ve not yet heard of any that have gone quite as far she she did!
Read Coventry Reviews
Coventry is not the best city to live in the UK in terms of having fun. For me as a muslim, I found a lot of Muslims here who helped me in finding a place for my prayers and for my Islamic diet (Halal). So, I found a lot of support.
it really depends on what you plan to do.
City center has all the necessary stores within a walkable distance.
Coventry hasnt got much life compared to london or birmingham but its quiet and isolated but still central
good place to visit but too dangerous to live.
Boring boring boring boring boring.
Cheap but super boring and the city centre is dull concrete mess.
good for the city
Everything is cheap but boring
A warm city, if there is a chance, I am willing to work and live here forever. It is a pity that I must continue to fight in other cities for my future, and wish me and Coventry better and better.
looking forward to what they do with the city next year for city of culture 2021 if i'm still here
Not the most lively student city, but I love that it is not overwhelmingly big yet has every shop you could need within walking distance of most accomodation.
quite convenient transportation around city centre, but not quite convenient while travelling to suburb area
City centre is very close to the university, so can always pop in if need too. Loads of places out to eat and bus services are everywhere. And if you ever want to go else where, Birmingham is only a 20 minute journey on a train or can get bus!
In terms of transportation, bus station was nearby my accommodation and from university campus making it convenient for me to go home. The clubs are useful nearby. Decent selection of food places in Coventry and shopping centre is within walking distance.
Coventry is full with international students , from different backgrounds. However, there is a lack of entertainment and shopping centers. Sometimes it feels dull as well ,but this is more subjective.
Cannon lark shopping centre is good also the retail park with Sainsbury
Nice place to live, peaceful area with a many options for nightlife
everything good, i like here
i live far from the city centre so it is not that convenient to shop. but the train station nearby is a plus.
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Bus routes are great to campus from Tile Hill
i've lived here my whole life and it's the same as always haha
An upcoming student city it is nice to live here and as a whole I feel safe most of the time
there's a reason for the saying 'sent to coventry'
Boring boring boring boringgg.
it’s boring. really boring
Handy for travel. Plenty of shops to shop in. Cheap enough city overall.
Coventry is an awful city, sorry. Hardly any big stores eg tescos or asda. Sainburys is very expensive and low quality. Coventry is unsafe and if you explore outside of campus, please take someone with you as there are many people on drugs wondering the streets
Coventry has a lot of history, plenty of restaurants.
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Am really enjoying my stay
The location is good.
great great great great
Transport is convenient, food is good and global, not very safe to go out at night
Better off in Leamington Spa
I used to live in a massive city so in a way i had higher expectations for coventry, but it does the job and has everything you need.
If only the accomodation was cheap
No problems with the city. It’s like small Birmingham.
I’ve lived in and around Coventry my whole life, and whilst it may have its imperfections, it is a city with rich history and a great atmosphere
Not allowing to go out
It's a nice experience
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Dear Coventry University, Firstly, After I've visited (Bridge international for academic services) educational exhibition at Kempinski hotel last Thursday (02/06/2016) in Amman - Jordan, I Introduced myself to your University representative in that exhibition (Mrs. Amy Loybs) and I asked her to help me to deliver my hand-written request to Coventry University President in personal or at least to his office (about three times), I was shocked by her response that " I can't and I won't " she replied , she refused neither in any way to do so in this simple request that is to deliver this paper that weights about five grams. After I've told her that I've sent many emails to Coventry to assist and support me but without any real assistance, I asked her on how you can help or support me then, sadly I heard an explicit response from her saying “I’m not student in Coventry university “even though I had Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter, I replied to her then what's the bene
Great public transport link s
has bus leave from the campus, but still far from everywhere, though you could still find everything you need in those small shops, or just order a truck of Tesco with your friends
Area was pretty cheap overall but transport is still bad as the Uks transport usually is.
Good location and good reception services.
Good reception services. And a good location that only 3 minutes to the train station.
We have a nandos. what more do you even need
Although a much quieter place compared to London, Coventry provides enough for a comfortable student life!
Good shopping area. Easy to get to from Warwick Uni.
Slightly rough in some areas, high variety of takeaways,
Great place to be but public transport really brings it down, hard to get use to eerily closing times if you are from london
Coventry is grim. its dark, depressing, and unfortunately the nearest town to Warwick University meaning we have no choice but to go there, unless we make the longer trek to Leamington Spa. Which is beautiful.
Great area, super close to the uni-so you're able to get them 10 mins extra in bed everyone needs ;) great people, really good nights out, music taste to suit everyone and cheap drinks-great for us students :)
The cost of living in Coventry is alright, it is expensive a times but cheap as well, the shopping centre here is good but not as good compare to Birmingham shopping centre. The night out not really sure because I don't go out the public transport the same thing because I use taxi to most places and the uni is really close to me so yeah that's all about Coventry.
Very student orientated city, food shopping a bit expensive if you don't want to do it online as only sainsburys is close by without a car but I love it here! Plenty of shops in west orchards and good night life, something going on most days of the week!
Being a student at Coventry
Everything is in walking distance so it's easy to get around without a car. Loads of shops. Cathedral grounds are really pretty. Lots of good places to eat out independent and chain. There is a lot of good Chinese restaurants, and quite a few Italian restaurants too.
Cons?
The city isn't all that exciting. There is not always something going on, but the city is what you make of it. The city could have more cultural events and festivals. There are not many clubs or bars. The clubs they have are quite good depending on what nights you go out, but after you have been to them a lot they do get a bit boring.
Grey City in the Midlands
Coventry has a city centre with all the high street shops you can imagine and also lots of independent businesses. There are loads of kebab, chicken and pizza takeaways available but if you're looking for more classy eating out, you'll struggle to find it
Cons?
Theres only two real popular night clubs, these are Kasbah and JJ's but Birmingham is only £3 and 30 minutes away with hundreds of different options.