The Best and Most Popular Areas to Live in Exeter

Choosing where to live at university can have a surprisingly big impact on your overall student experience.

You want somewhere that makes getting to lectures manageable, but you also need access to shops, transport, cafés, nightlife and everything else that makes student life enjoyable.

For students heading to the University of Exeter, there are plenty of neighbourhoods to consider. The university has two main Exeter campuses: Streatham, which is the larger campus on the edge of the city, and St Luke’s, which sits closer to the centre.

The good news is that Exeter is relatively compact and walkable, so living a little further away does not necessarily mean feeling disconnected. Here are some of the most popular areas to consider.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the best-known student areas in Exeter, particularly for those studying at the Streatham Campus.

Situated immediately to the north and east of the university, it is particularly convenient if your priority is keeping the journey to lectures short. The University of Exeter specifically highlights Pennsylvania as one of the areas close to Streatham.

There is a significant student population here, with plenty of shared houses and residential streets. The trade-off is that properties close to Streatham tend to be in higher demand and can therefore cost more than accommodation further from campus.

For students who would happily sacrifice a little city-centre convenience in exchange for being near university, Pennsylvania remains a strong choice.

St James

St James offers a useful compromise between campus and city life.

The area sits between central Exeter and the Streatham Campus, making it popular with students who want relatively straightforward access to lectures while still being able to walk into town.

The University of Exeter identifies St James as one of the neighbourhoods well placed for reaching both Streatham and St Luke’s campuses.

Its location close to Exeter Central and St James Park railway stations is another advantage, particularly if you plan on exploring Devon during your time at university.

Exeter City Centre

For convenience, living right in Exeter city centre is difficult to beat.

Students have restaurants, supermarkets, cafés, shops, pubs and entertainment within walking distance, while both university campuses remain accessible. The city centre sits roughly between Streatham and St Luke’s, making it particularly useful for households containing students studying at different campuses.

Exeter itself has a lively independent food and shopping scene alongside its larger high-street stores, so there is plenty happening without needing to travel far.

City-centre accommodation can include private halls as well as flats and shared houses. For students who would rather be close to social life than roll out of bed and straight into a lecture, it is certainly worth considering.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is another established student neighbourhood and provides a good middle ground between the two campuses.

The university lists it among the areas convenient for both Streatham and St Luke’s.

There is a noticeable student presence without every street feeling completely dominated by university accommodation. Some parts, including streets around Monks Road, have traditionally provided relatively affordable housing while remaining within walking distance of the city and campuses.

Local shops, pubs and nearby Polsloe Bridge railway station also make the area practical for everyday student life.

Heavitree

Students studying primarily at St Luke’s Campus should definitely have Heavitree on their shortlist.

It is particularly convenient for courses based around St Luke’s, which includes a number of health, education and sport programmes.

Heavitree has more of a neighbourhood atmosphere than some of Exeter’s heavily student-focused areas. There are shops, green spaces and easy access to places such as Magdalen Road, which has a collection of independent businesses.

University guidance puts St Luke’s at around a five-minute walk from parts of the Newtown and Heavitree area, while the city centre can be around 15 minutes away on foot.

It can therefore work particularly well for medical and healthcare students who expect to spend much of their university life around St Luke’s.

Newtown

Neighbouring Heavitree, Newtown is another convenient option for St Luke’s students.

It sits close enough to central Exeter that shops, restaurants and nightlife remain easily accessible, while the university campus is only a short journey away.

The area is largely residential, giving students the chance to feel part of the wider Exeter community rather than living in a neighbourhood made up almost entirely of student properties.

It can also appeal to anyone who values being close to the city centre while still having quieter residential streets nearby.

St David’s

St David’s is particularly convenient for students who expect to travel regularly.

Exeter St David’s is the city’s main railway station, offering direct connections to destinations including London, Bristol and other parts of the South West. Exeter is approximately 170 miles from London, with direct trains to London Paddington taking around two hours.

The area is also reasonably well positioned for Streatham Campus and the city centre.

For international students or anyone planning frequent trips home during term time, living near the station can be a major advantage.

So, Where Should You Live in Exeter?

There isn’t one neighbourhood that will suit every student.

If being close to Streatham Campus matters most, Pennsylvania and St James are obvious places to investigate. Students based at St Luke’s may find Heavitree or Newtown more convenient, while Mount Pleasant offers a useful compromise between campuses.

Meanwhile, students who prioritise shops, restaurants and nightlife may prefer living closer to Exeter city centre.

Wherever you choose, remember to consider more than simply the distance to university. Look at rent, transport, supermarkets, nightlife and the type of atmosphere you would actually enjoy living in.

Exeter’s relatively compact size means you can often have the best of both worlds: university facilities within reasonable walking distance and one of Devon’s most attractive cities right on your doorstep.