Graham Flaherty

London is a large city with many varying neighbourhoods. Where you live will impact your university experience to an extent, as you will want to choose an area you feel comfortable in. Beginning your studies in London can be overwhelming. The city is made up of 32 boroughs covering 607 square miles and home to almost 9 million people. There are 40 higher education institutions (excluding London branches of foreign universities) educating over 400,000 students. It goes without saying that there will be a lot of choice when it comes to choosing your university institution and accommodation. Universities in London tend to have their campuses in the city centre, with London School of Economics, Queen Mary and King’s College being situated around Aldwych and Holborn, and Imperial being in South Kensington. UCL is around Russell Square and Euston. Many students decide to live near their university site and in central London as they will be close to all that London has to offer in terms of places to eat, museums, transport hubs and other attractions. They will also be less reliant on public transport and will have the ability to explore most of London on foot. Here are our suggestions on areas to consider living if you are a student in London. Shoreditch and Spitalfields Located along the outskirts of the City of London and close to Liverpool Street, Spitalfields and Shoreditch are popular areas for Chinese students. East London is often considered “trendy” and “arty” and will really resonate with students who are undertaking more creative degrees. Shoreditch is famed for its nightlife and Spitalfields is home to a large market which is open daily. Both areas have plenty of restaurants and cafes for students to spend their free time refuelling and studying. Universities in the immediate vicinity include London Metropolitan University (Aldgate campus), and London campuses of Northumbria University and Coventry University. The University of Law and City University are also close by. South Kensington South Kensington is in west London and is considered leafy and upmarket with tree-lined streets and Georgian housing. Here you will find many of London’s world-famous museums such as the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert and the Natural History Museum. Imperial College London have a site near to the Science Museum, so students can spend their days in lectures and expanding their minds attending the many exhibitions the Science Museum hosts each year. King’s College and London School of Economics are a short underground ride away. King’s Cross Recently regenerated King’s Cross is a great area for students who like industrial-style housing and having everything on their doorstep. One such industrial-style development is Coal Drops Yard, which won a RIBA architecture award as the judges appreciated the sensitive refurbishment of the original structures and the ‘kissing roofs’. The name Coal Drops Yard was chosen to pay homage to the gas manufacturing works in the area. King’s Cross is one of the best-connected areas of London, with 6 lines running through its underground station, an overground train station that has services to various cities to the north east of London and Scotland, and nearby St. Pancras where holidaymakers can catch the Eurostar to other cities in Europe such as Amsterdam, Bruges and Paris. Not only is King’s Cross one of the most coveted areas in London with the best-connected transport hubs, it is also close to some of London’s top universities, including UCL and SOAS. The Plimsoll Building King’s Cross overlooks Regent’s Canal and Gasholder Park. The Plimsoll development was built when the regeneration of King’s X was underway, and investors can use the increased attractiveness of the area to their advantage. The ground and first floors are dedicated to its two schools, so there is a strong sense of community and longer-term tenants with families living in the immediate area. One Touch Property on offer a 10th floor apartment which boasts spectacular views, two double bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, open plan living area, fully fitted kitchen and balcony. Available furnished, the apartment is 69 square metres, including the balcony. Residents will benefit from the use of a 24-hour concierge, residents’ lounge, rooftop conservatory, courtyard garden and fitness suite. The apartment’s layout is ideal if it were to be let as a rental property. It boasts two bedrooms and two bathrooms, allowing each occupant maximum privacy and independence. Investors do not have to worry about immediately finding a tenant as the property is already occupied and the tenant intends to stay. Find out more about this property investment in King’s Cross today. In conclusion, different neighbourhoods will appeal to different students. Those who are into the arts scene with pop-up shops and fusion restaurants will enjoy the Shoreditch / Spitalfields area. Those who want leafier surroundings close to museums and concert halls will be attracted to areas such as South Kensington, and those who wish to shop in curated boutique stores, be close to the action and navigate the city with ease will appreciate the convenience of the King’s Cross area. Speak to One Touch Property to learn more about buy to let investments, property investments in London and student property investments in hotspots across the UK.

Often overlooked for property investment, towns and cities in the midlands provides some of the best returns in the country. The rest of the UK is easily accessible from the midlands which makes it attractive to people who need to commute across the country for work or to visit relatives. With the arrival of HS2 it will be even easier, Nottingham will be connected to the HS2 via Toton which will cut travel times to London to just 52 minutes and it will take just 33 minutes to travel to Birmingham. Alongside its convenient location, the midlands is home to many historic towns, some of which have been voted as some of the most desirable places to live such as Shipston-on-Stour and Ludlow. It also boats vast expanses of varied countryside and landscapes such as the Peak District and the Lincolnshire Wolds area of outstanding natural beauty. The housing market in Nottingham In terms of house price growth, Nottingham registers the fastest growth of any city in the UK at 7.5% year-on-year. As prices rise from a low base there is still scope for investors to take advantage of any capital growth. There are approximately 43,300 students studying in the city of Nottingham, and the University of Nottingham is well ranked across the UK and worldwide. Upon graduating, many stay in the city and this provides opportunities to investors to achieve good yields and capital growth once the graduates have the savings to purchase a house. Regeneration sparking the economy and rejuvenating recreational facilities Nottingham’s economy is growing faster than most other cities in the UK, so people are choosing to work in the city rather than commute elsewhere. Nottingham regeneration projects including the £250m scheme to improve the accessibility of Nottingham from the south have inspired enthusiasm in the city. Nottingham also leads the way with regards to technology contributions in the UK, and the new £30 million BioScience building at BioCity cements its position and brings more jobs and professionals to the city. Not only has Nottingham experienced regeneration with regards to its infrastructure and economy, facilities such as the Broadmarsh Centre are due to be refurbished to improve its shopping and dining options which will make Nottingham an enviable retail location. With all the regeneration underway, it has made property in Nottingham more attractive as people want to live close to work and recreational facilities. Shifting down the east midlands line to Luton Although not technically in the midlands (although sometimes classed as being in the south east midlands), the east midlands line does connect Luton with London, and by train it takes as little as 25 minutes to commute between the two places. According to LendInvest’s Buy-to-Let annual index, Luton is the fourth best area to invest in the country. Luton offers itself as a viable alternative for those finding themselves priced out of the London housing market or for those who need to travel across Europe as London Luton Airport is conveniently on their doorstep. Property prices in Luton Luton has an overall average house price of £261,124 making it one of the most affordable commuter towns for London, the affordability has increased its appeal as house prices have increased by 13% since 2016. Comparing that to London where the average is £727,767 and prices have only increased by 5% since 2016 and you can understand why people are choosing to invest in Luton where prices are lower but rising at a more rapid pace. Luton’s population is also increasing at a faster rate than they are building houses in the town; with approximately 430 houses being built a year yet needs 1417 houses to be built to meet demand. Luton’s improving economy Although its history of hat making (Luton produced 70 million per year, and Luton Town are often nicknamed The Hatters) is almost forgotten, there have been efforts to stimulate employment opportunities in the town. The Luton Airport Enterprise Zone is just one example of this. The Enterprise Zone will consist of three linked sites over 395 acres of land. The total number of jobs created by the Enterprise Zone is expected to exceed 10,000, and this will add to the housing demand in the city. At present the train station for Luton airport is not situated conveniently for the airport, however plans are in place for a new £200m Luton Airport Parkway station that will connect the airport terminal to London from 2020. Improved transport links will further put Luton on the map. Luton LU1 is a completed buy-to-let investment opportunity consisting of 66 studios, one-and-two-bedroom apartments starting from £139,995. Just a 10% deposit is needed and there is a rental yield of 6% guaranteed for 12 months. The apartments are suitable for people working in the centre of Luton as the development is located on the fringe of the city centre. Being just a ten-minute walk from the station, Luton LU1 is also ideal for those working in London as they can get into the city in as little as 40 minutes. From Nottingham in the midlands down the east midlands line towards Luton, there are still pockets of the UK where buy to let is profitable and the ability to achieve good levels of capital growth is possible. Nottingham has one of the fastest growing housing markets and Luton is the fourth best area to invest in buy to let property in the UK and we think investing in property in either location would be a prudent move. Contact One Touch Property today to find out more about investment options in Luton and Nottingham, and how other property sectors can withstand Brexit and provide attractive returns for investors.

Whilst Birmingham and Manchester compete over the UK’s “second city” status. They also compete on which place is more lucrative for investment The birthplace of The Smiths vs the birthplace of Duran Duran; Manchester and Birmingham both contribute massive amounts to the UK in terms of culture. Manchester boasts two world class football teams and the infamous Eccles cake; Birmingham has the Balti Triangle and the most Michelin star restaurants outside of London. The recent regeneration of the cities, and influx of new companies means that they have become increasingly attractive to young professionals looking to kick-start their career. These two cities go head-to-head as we compare them to see which place is better for buy to let property investments. Businesses moving to Birmingham and Manchester from London Both Birmingham and Manchester are enticing professionals out of London. 7,620 people left London for Birmingham and 10,200 people left London for greater Manchester according to figures from the Office for National Statistics and Reach PLC respectively. Both cities have experienced a large amount of investment and some companies have been moving their headquarters from London to Birmingham and Manchester due to cheaper rents. Amazon are setting up their first building in Manchester later this year and the transformation of MediaCityUK has attracted brands such as ITV and Kellogg’s. Similarly, companies are finding Birmingham increasingly attractive, PwC has announced it will take up all the commercial space at One Chamberlain Square and BBC Three have moved part of their business to the city. Young professionals leaving London for Birmingham and Manchester chasing jobs and a cheaper way of life One reason why people are moving out of London in such numbers could be the cost of living, including rent and house prices. According to Rightmove, the average house price in Birmingham is £202,721 and in Manchester it is £203,203. This is compared to London which has an overall average house price of £618,065. Rent is also considerably cheaper in Birmingham and Manchester compared to London, which stands at a whopping £1,473 per month on average. With more affordable rents and job opportunities like what is available in London, it is understandable that young professionals have been moving to Manchester and Birmingham. In fact, Birmingham has one of the youngest populations in Europe, with 40% of the city’s inhabitants being under the age of 25. Manchester’s city centre population has grown by 149% between 2002 – 2015 and job growth has been 84% between 1998 and 2015. Areas such as Digbeth in Birmingham are attracting a young, artistic crowd and this is reflected in the number of creative working spaces and craft breweries that are popping up – mirroring the popularity of Shoreditch in London. One particular investment option in Digbeth is Moseley Gardens, a new development comprising 67 one and two-bedroom apartments. Due for completion in Q2 2020, one-bedroom flats in Moseley Gardens start from £185,000. These could be an ideal option for someone looking to live in the area, or the astute investor who knows Digbeth will soon be one of the most coveted areas in Birmingham. Similarly, Salford Quays is an area in Manchester which has been propelled into popularity due to the creation of MediaCityUK and the relocation of broadcasting companies such as the BBC and ITV to the area. A waterside location with polished high-rise flats, it is like the Canary Wharf of Manchester. Manchester’s city centre has experienced a lot of regeneration, from Spinningfields and Deansgate to Ancoats and New Islington. Local Blackfriars is a new development on Blackfriars Street close to the Northern Quarter and Manchester’s shopping district. Residents will be spoilt for choice in terms of eateries, bars and shops to explore. Local Blackfriars boasts impressive communal spaces and amenities such as a 24/7 concierge service, bistro, bar, a gymnasium, cinema room and fully equipped laundry room. Birmingham v Manchester head to head in investment terms With regards to population growth, Cushman & Wakefield estimate that Manchester’s population will swell by 56,000 by 2034. Between 2018 and 2028 Birmingham’s population is estimated to increase by 7.2% (81,400) according to Birmingham city council. Although Birmingham’s population is predicted to increase more than Manchester’s, Manchester has a higher average house price indicating that property is more in demand in the northern city. Not only that, it got named as the best place to live in 2018 in the UK by The Economist’s ‘Global Livability Index”. Birmingham holds no such accolades, which may swing things in favour of Manchester in terms of how much people are willing to pay for homes in the area. Graduate retention Manchester and Birmingham are relatively evenly matched when it comes to graduate retention and attraction, probably due to the multi-national companies moving to the cities. These young professionals will obviously contribute to rental yield and eventually capital growth, as they will rent whilst getting settled in their career and will eventually buy. Manchester retains 51% of the city’s graduates and Birmingham retains 49% of all its graduates. Birmingham saw the third largest inflow of graduates who had no prior links to the city – just behind Manchester. 53% of those who grew up in Birmingham returned to the city after graduation, and it was 58% for Manchester. There is no great disparity between graduate figures and we do not think the difference will be enough to swing investment fundamentals in either city’s favour. Rental yield and capital growth prospects in Birmingham and Manchester Manchester performs slightly better than Birmingham in terms of rental yields, offering an average of 5.55% compared to Birmingham’s 4.61%. In Birmingham, the average weekly wage is £527, this is compared to an average weekly wage of £512 in Manchester. Although not a massive disparity, the higher wages coupled with lower property prices could mean that in future residents in Birmingham are in a better position to buy property compared to residents in Manchester. A larger proportion of wealthy young professionals looking to buy property will obviously have a positive effect on capital growth. This is reflected in house price growth, with Birmingham edging Manchester slightly at 16% compared to 15% since June 2016. Birmingham also has the advantage of more rapidly improving transport infrastructure. HS2 will shorten travel times to London from 82 minutes to 45 minutes. Being in the midlands, it is also easier to access other parts of the United Kingdom. Manchester’s transport infrastructure is also improving as part of the Great North Rail Project. All of Manchester’s train stations have been connected by a 300m long bridge called the Ordsall Chord which helped people travel across Manchester more easily, as well as making Manchester Airport more accessible. So, where is the UK’s second city in terms of investment? Manchester certainly commands higher rental yields, and more people have left London for Manchester compared to Birmingham. However, the transport infrastructure improvements in Birmingham will make it increasingly attractive and this is reflected in the fact that its population is due to increase at a higher rate than Manchester’s. If investors are looking for a more short-term investment, we would recommend investing in property in Manchester as it is already attractive to tenants and buyers. Manchester has already enticed global companies and young professionals to the city. Longer term, is there scope for much more growth and regeneration? It appears Birmingham has more regeneration in the pipeline and room for property prices to increase more, whilst still allowing investors to buy into the market at a lower price. Contact a property investment company such as One Touch Property Investment today, as we have ideal investments in each city and we can provide guidance to help you achieve your financial goals. Which is the UK’s second city for you?

Applications to universities rise as students still find studying in the UK attractive – despite Brexit Applications to universities rose for the first time in three years. A total of 561,420 people applied to start a course in 2019, almost 2,500 more than at the same time last year. This was mainly fueled by the increase in applications from international students. According to UCAS figures released in February, a record number of international students have applied to study at university in the UK. There has been a huge rise in the number of applicants from China, and along with Hong Kong these now make up almost a third of all non-EU applications. Despite Brexit, studying at a university in the UK remains attractive to many from overseas due to the international reputation of the country’s educational institutions. A survey carried out by Study Portals in 2019 ranks the UK as the top study destination for students within the EU / EE (37%) and international students (18%). According to a recent survey conducted by Knight Frank in partnership with UCAS, 83% of international students are happy with studio apartments, making them a good investment choice for individuals looking to cater for the international market. Students currently outweigh available PBSA spaces by 3:1, and with the increased reliance on the private sector, now is the ideal time to consider student property investments. The Met – property development in Newcastle-Under-Lyme The Met is a new property development in Newcastle Under Lyme which has a growing student population of 25,000. The student property market has been very popular amongst investment funds due to the low vacancy rate. The market is seen as Brexit proof because if the pound falls it becomes cheaper for overseas students to study in the UK. Situated in the very heart of the town, The Met is near lots of amenities and in a convenient location for the growing student population of Keele and Staffordshire universities. The Met Investment Features: Returns over 5 years at 7.5% per annum Fully managed Student Property Close to Keele and Staffordshire universities Studios and Premium Studios available Purchase price from £73,500 One Touch Investment has found the studios easy to resell on the open market and we could do the same for you. We have recently helped one of clients sell their student property in Leicester and they reinvested the money into a higher yielding property in Liverpool. The developer has a 100% occupancy rate track record across the UK for their student properties ensuring stable rental returns. Contact One Touch Investment today to find out more about this student accommodation investment in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.