Are you planning on studying abroad and going to university in the UK soon? Not sure where to go for your studies? It can be a tough decision, and there’s such a wide range of cities to consider.
Going to university in the UK is especially tough when deciding where to go. It’s a country packed with everything from huge cities to tiny towns and villages, all with a university in or nearby. Choosing between the two can prove to be a difficult decision. Both small towns and big cities have their own pros and cons.
To help make the decision a little easier, we’ve condensed the pros and cons of going to university in a small town vs a big city, so read on.
Small Town - Pros
There are a number of great reasons to study in a small town instead of a big city.
Friendly People – You may find that in a small town, the people will seem friendlier and you’ll get to know people better. In a big city, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle that can lead to some rudeness or dismissiveness. But going to university in a small town, everyone may seem much more relaxed and excited to welcome someone new.
Peaceful – Small towns also don’t have nearly as much traffic or people to make as much noise as you’ll find in a big city. This means you’ll get to enjoy a much more peaceful and relaxed way of life.
Cheaper Living Costs – Living in a small town often means you’ll pay much lower prices than you would in a big city. Everything from rental prices to food shopping is much cheaper so you can save a lot more money.
Experience the Local Culture – In big cities, there are people from all around the country and even the world. So you might not get to experience the local culture so much. But in a small town, it will be much more authentic and you’ll get to experience a lot more of the local culture.
Small Town - Cons
But as with anywhere else, there are also a number of drawbacks for living in a small town.
Not So Much to Do – In a small town, there aren’t nearly as many bars, restaurants, shops or general venues for fun social events. You could easily get tired of going to the same few places and seeing the same few people.
Worse Job Opportunities – When going to university in the UK, this is something you should consider if you’re wanting to stay in the UK. Looking to get a job at university or after you graduate will be harder to do so in a small town. There are already fewer people and fewer businesses, so the chances of getting hired are much lower.
Not As Much Variety – Back home, you might be used to shopping at certain shops or brands to get your things, but they won’t have them in a small town. There will only be a small number of places you can shop and you might not find what you’re looking for.
Big City - Pros
More to Do – Big cities are packed with an endless stream of venues, bars, restaurants, museums, galleries and so much more. No matter what you like to do, you’ll be able to find somewhere for it in the big city. Your social life will be much more active and you’ll always be entertained.
Great Job Opportunities – Big cities have a lot more businesses and places to work than in a small town, so you’ll have a much better chance of getting a job there. When you graduate, there will also be some great opportunities for you to kick start your career.
Better Accessibility – In a big city, there are much better facilities and much more accessibility. If you use mobility aids, big cities will be more likely to accommodate your needs. In a small town, you might find that they aren’t as accommodating when it comes to ease of access.
Escape the Hustle – When you want to get away from it all, big cities have much better transport links so you can take trips and explore more parts of the country or even the world. Airports are easier to get to and there are more regular train routes around the country.
Big City - Cons
Big city living isn’t perfect either, there are also a few drawbacks to it.
More Expensive – When going to university in the UK, this is something you really need to consider. The cost of living in some the UK biggest cities like London, Edinburgh and Bristol can be quite staggering. Especially compared to small towns. You could end up spending a lot more money on something that would be a fraction of the price in a small town. This can be stressful if you’re on a tight budget.
Can Become Overwhelming – If you’re not used to living in them, big cities can make you feel very overwhelmed at times. With so much hustle and bustle, you might find that it all gets too much. The constant noise can become irritating and you might not enjoy it.
You Spend a Lot of Time Commuting – Since big cities are so vast and spread out, you’ll spend a lot of time on transport. This can become quite taxing. If you lived in a smaller town, you’d save a lot of time (and money!) not having to commute so much.
Small Town vs Big City: Which Will You Choose?
These are just a few of the most prominent pros and cons of living in a small town vs big city. They both have good reasons for and against and everyone’s preferences will be different. Either way you should consider which one you feel will suite you more when going to university in the UK.
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