Planning your stay in Elephant and Castle, London? Wondering if it's a student-friendly neighborhood?
This comprehensive article aims to address the question of whether Elephant and Castle is truly student-friendly. We'll provide you with multiple reasons why many students are currently living in the neighborhood and/or are planning to do so in the future.
Get ready to uncover the secrets of Elephant and Castle and find your perfect student sanctuary.
Is Elephant and Castle Student Friendly?
Elephant and Castle is a student-friendly neighborhood that offers an array of amenities and attractions to cater to the needs of students. The area has gained popularity among the student community due to its convenient location, affordable housing options, and proximity to several universities
Here are various reasons why many students call Elephant and Castle home:
1) Affordable Accommodation Options
One of the main reasons Elephant and Castle is a hub of students is that the neighborhood provides cost-effective living arrangements, especially compared to other parts of London.
That is mainly because of the availability of purpose-built student residences in the area. As the name implies, these residents are designed to cater to the needs of students, offering study areas, laundry facilities, communal spaces and (in some cases) 24-hour security.
Provided you cannot afford to live on your own, Elephant and Castle lures you with a variety of houses and flats where other students are already living. If you choose to live in these spaces, you'd be able to share the cost of living with your peers and ease the burden on your pocket.
2) Excellent Transport Links
Elephant and Castle is well-served by multiple transportation options, including underground tube stations, bus routes, and national rail connections.
Its tube station is a major transportation hub, conveniently located on the Bakerloo and Northern lines. The tube station ensures that the students living in the area have direct access to several prominent university campuses, including those in central London and beyond.
In addition to the tube, the area benefits from a comprehensive bus network that connects it to various parts of London. This bus network ensures that students residing in Elephant and Castle have multiple transportation options, providing flexibility and ease of travel.
Finally, it has excellent national rail connections, with its own railway station linking to various destinations outside London. This makes it a convenient for staying place for students who regularly travel to other cities or towns for academic or personal reasons.
3) Has Several World-Renowned Universities
Did you know that Elephant and Castle is home to several world-class educational institutions?
One of which is the London South Bank University, ranked 601 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education. LSBU is ranked as the fifth-best university nationally and was rated as the best for graduate employment for two years running by The Sunday Times.
Additionally, Elephant and Castle is located close to other world-renowned universities, including King's College London (which is just 2 miles from the E&C Tube Station) and University College London, a 20-minute subway or train ride from the neighborhood.
Many students from these universities and others choose to reside in Elephant and Castle due to proximity to their respective campuses and affordable accommodation.
4) Vibrant Multicultural Atmosphere
Although investments over the past decade have increased housing prices in the area, Elephant and Castle is still home to a diverse community.
As one resident puts it, the area's demographics cannot be more diverse, with loads of people from different nationalities and ethnicities living here. Regardless of your street address, you won't have to walk too far to meet people from all over the world.
This diversity won't only put you at ease, especially if you're coming to live here from overseas. It will also foster a sense of belonging, allow you to participate in different cultural events, and explore festivals belonging to various cultures.
5) Amenities and Services within Close Proximity
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast who cannot stay anywhere without a gym nearby or a bookworm who can't get enough of libraries, Elephant and Castle has you sorted.
Additionally, there are plenty of supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, and other essential shops within the neighborhood or in close proximity. You also have the famous Borough Market (wholesale market with a history spanning over a millennium) at your doorstep.
6) Boasts a Lively Social Scene
Apart from the reasons given above, its lively social scene is another factor that makes Elephant and Castle a student-friendly neighborhood.
If you want a place to study or catch up with peers, a range of cafes with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi (provided you order), and a welcoming atmosphere will spoil you. Examples include Electric Elephant Café, The Gentleman Baristas, Love Walk Café, and The Lido Café.
Provided you're from abroad and missing your country's cuisine, Elephant and Castle's dining options won't let you feel nostalgic for long. That is because the area has a variety of international cuisines, including Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican, American, and everything in between.
Want to recharge after a grueling week of studying? Elephant and Castle's vibrant nightlife will take your mind off academic pursuits. The neighborhood has plenty of several bars and pubs to cater to diverse needs, regardless of whether you're looking for a lively or laid-back atmosphere.
Conclusion
Although it might not be the most student-friendly place on the planet, Elephant and Castle has to be one of the most welcoming neighborhoods for students in London. Its affordable accommodation, lively social scene, and multiple transportation links make it an enticing spot for students to live.
Moreover, if the bad press the area has received over the years has you worried about whether you'd be safe there, there's no reason to panic. As we've explained elsewhere, Elephant and Castle is much safer now than it has ever been and has everything to convince students to call it home.
Author: Brenda
Brenda Moreno is the owner of Brenda's Apartment Hotel London and has been living in Elephant & Castle, London, for over a decade. In her spare time, she loves baking, exploring London, seeing her family, and watching good films.