Leicester

[Pothole]

I'm starting a job there on Monday and, as my sister has rudely sold her house out from under me I'm going to have to rent somewhere. What areas should I avoid? Is Hinckley ok? (I know it's not Leicester)

I am happy to drive up to 30 minutes but the closer to Aylestone Road the better.

So as above where should I avoid?

[JulianHJ]

I lived there for three years in the late 90's. The only 'nice' bit I can recall was around the university halls around Oadby.

[Pothole]

Well, that's a start.

I should probably add that I lived in a council tower block in the heart of the East End of London for 15 years, just off Roman Road, so I don't mind a bit of 'character' but I don't want to live in drugs and wes central.

Edited by Pothole on Friday 8th October 21:34

[2 Wycked]

You can't go too far wrong with Hinckley. It's a relatively peaceful area in my experience - which, admittedly, is only the odd day here and there - and the nightlife is reasonable for a relatively small town, if that's of interest to you, although there are a few undesirables about.

I'd certainly sooner live in Hinckley than Leicester, which is horrid.

[Pothole]

2 Wycked said:

You can't go too far wrong with Hinckley. It's a relatively peaceful area in my experience - which, admittedly, is only the odd day here and there - and the nightlife is reasonable for a relatively small town, if that's of interest to you, although there are a few undesirables about.

I'd certainly sooner live in Hinckley than Leicester, which is horrid.

It looks ok on street view, not too many boarded up shops. Thanks, 2 W

[550Hep]

I am a local and have been for some years when not flitting here there and everywhere...

If you slide out towards the Loughborough direction you have a pick of lovely villages, Quorn, Rothley, Cossington, Swithland, Newtown Linford, Barrow-on-Soar..

If village life is not your thing then maybe towards Oadby, Market Harborough they IMHO are nicer than Hinkley, as is Loughborough I think.

I have a few friends/associates who do lettings and rental in the area so PM me if you want.

Cheers...

[williamp]

Well, I live just off Aylestone road and I kept my Aston garaged there for many years without any problems whatsoever.

Like any place Leicester has its bad places and its good places, and its very good places- one of the most expensive postcodes in the UK is just north of Leicester in the countryside.

Hinckelys is Ok, not great but close to Triumph, Noble, Ultima and MIRA so you'll often see interetsing cars around. The area around J21 can get very busy in the mornings, but part from that there isnt really traffic problems. I would suggest one of the outlying areas- Blaby, Countesthorpe, Aylestone itself as they are easy to get into/out from. In the morning commute I can drive from my House to the centre of town in...about 5 minutes. From this side of J21 I can do it in under 10. People are really surprised how well it works.

PM me for more info/a chat on the phone/a beer sometime

Oh, this weekend we have the very unhappy scenario of the English defence leagure marhcing in leicester, with the Unite Against Facism counter-marching. Never had this in leicester before, and both sides are shipping in a lot of...football hooligans..er...thugs...on both sides. There's going to be trouble, and its not what Leicester is about.

[Road Pest]

Hi,

I'm in stoughton, 15 minutes from city centre and have a spare room you can rent, it's free from the 19th but could be earlier if needed. I do short lets so if you're interested in a short term base while you look around, PM me if you're interested.

[Pothole]

wow! I'm overwhelmed by the generosity on here...I'll be pinging some PMs off for sure.

[Pothole]

550Hep said:

I am a local and have been for some years when not flitting here there and everywhere...

If you slide out towards the Loughborough direction you have a pick of lovely villages, Quorn, Rothley, Cossington, Swithland, Newtown Linford, Barrow-on-Soar..

If village life is not your thing then maybe towards Oadby, Market Harborough they IMHO are nicer than Hinkley, as is Loughborough I think.

I have a few friends/associates who do lettings and rental in the area so PM me if you want.

Cheers...

I'm in Kettering atm and was thinking about Market Harborough...not sure if I'd survive the A6 scameras for long though!

[550Hep]

Pothole said:

550Hep said:

I am a local and have been for some years when not flitting here there and everywhere...

If you slide out towards the Loughborough direction you have a pick of lovely villages, Quorn, Rothley, Cossington, Swithland, Newtown Linford, Barrow-on-Soar..

If village life is not your thing then maybe towards Oadby, Market Harborough they IMHO are nicer than Hinkley, as is Loughborough I think.

I have a few friends/associates who do lettings and rental in the area so PM me if you want.

Cheers...

I'm in Kettering atm and was thinking about Market Harborough...not sure if I'd survive the A6 scameras for long though!

TBH they are not that bad and if you were Central Harb and working in Central Leicester I really would get the train as un-PH as that sounds!

My wifes cousin has a lovely flat in a nice development at the top end of Victoria Park in central Leicester he rents out if that is your thing! If nothing else you could gawp at student totty all day! Plus Queens Road these days is pretty "trendy" if that is your thing.

Best...

[Who me ?]

Oh, BTW - the A47 MIGHT look a nice way in - till you get stuck in Earl Shilton . So it might be a way worth avoiding if you decide on Hinckley .

[williamp]

Queens road is far too trendy for the like of me these days, but a very nice place to live, and the drive to Aylestone road will be easy via the back streets. There was another thread on here about some new-to-leicester DMU students moaning about their housemates not wanting to party....

I feel some sort of night out in order!

Oh, the train from Harborough to Leiceter is OK, but from the train station you'll have to walk to a bus stop to go to Aylestone. Do-able, but not straightforward. As a City, leicester has been designed in the hub-and-spoke system, like an old cart wheel. So to get to the middle, go along the spokes. Easy and quick. But there isnt really any good ways of getting accross the spokes. Make sense??

[Pothole]

tbh, if I'm within 5 miles of the office I'll cycle mostly...it's British Gas on Aylestone Road in case anyone's wondering. Back to basics for me but after 6 months I was seriously contemplating a change of career to rent boy (although not sure there's that much work for fat 45 year-olds!)

[550Hep]

Pothole said:

tbh, if I'm within 5 miles of the office I'll cycle mostly...it's British Gas on Aylestone Road in case anyone's wondering. Back to basics for me but after 6 months I was seriously contemplating a change of career to rent boy (although not sure there's that much work for fat 45 year-olds!)

Well blow me down.. My little brother started a contract there on Monday!!

Wills... Night out, curry, beer, frivolity... I should fking coco!!

Cheers..

[williamp]

Ahhh, by the Gas museum...(no, really!)

An easy, flat cycle ride past the Tigers ground and college (watch for the health and beauticians). 5 mins bike ride from the station.

So, how about a Tigers game, pie and pint afterwards? The friday games are usually quieter, and the 5th November we could watch Tigers v Harlequins. 19h30 kick-off.

[JimexPL]

Drop the tramp a PM. He's just finished doing up his house on Duncan Road (just off the Aylestone Road) and has a spare room to rent.

[Pothole]

I'd be up for a bit of that, lads.

[550Hep]

williamp said:

So, how about a Tigers game, pie and pint afterwards? The friday games are usually quieter, and the 5th November we could watch Tigers v Harlequins. 19h30 kick-off.

Oddly enough seems to be a free Friday for me so why the fk not!

[Dab of oppo]

Avoid Hinckley its a dump apart from the outer areas, as already said, depending on what you want from where you live.
Years ago I lived in Broughton Astley and the bus goes straight down Aylestone road - Takes around 35 mins if i remember rightly, similar for Countesthorpe, Cosby, Whetstone, Glen Parva.
My grand parents live in Newtown Linford (already mentioned - but not in name) however you could be talking 7 figures for a house and transport links aren't as good!
Oadby, Stoughton, Great Glen and surrounding areas are nice as are the villages beyond there but again your talikng bigger money / worse transport links.
I'd avoid Parts of the following areas, South Wigston, Eyres Monsell, Saffron lane, Braunstone, New Parks, Beaumont Leys, St Matthews, Highfields, Northfields, Stocking Farm, Evington, now I'm not saying the areas on the whole are bad BUT they certainly have more than their fair share of problem parts so if you are drawn to them go in with your eyes open.
If you are single and looking for an area close to work, nightlife and has plenty to offer I'd go for Queens road as already said, its proberbly 10-15 mins walk from your workplace.

If you want to know anymore drop me a PM.