Is Reading Really a Dive? Please help me!

Shouldn't you be applying to universities that are good for your actual subject rather than how likely you are to get stabbed?

Reading's nice. I've been here for a month, and whilst, yes, it's not the most exciting place, it has everything you need in one place, close to the uni and a bit of everything.

To be fair, I come from a tiny little village, so anything is an improvement to me.

Having finished History at Reading last year, I can recommend it. The nightlife is a bit slow, and the town hasn't got a great 'character' (however you define that), but the Uni is lovely, and the course is challenging but accessible.

I would also recommend (while we're on the subject) that if you do end up there, you take all the options with Jonathan Bell and Matthew Worley- both fantastic! Dr. Bell can be a little too intelligent, but his lessons are fascinating, while Dr. Worley is just incredibly easy to chat to about anything- he doesn't come across as a lecturer (in a good way).

Good luck

If you book in advance it's a fiver for a ticket to reading with a railcard, so will cost you a tenner to go there for the day. Ideally, I'd say look round before you put it down. Reading is okay though, great shopping, nightlife is good, but I wouldn't walk around by myself at night, thats for sure!

I'm at the University of Reading, and I have to say I love it here. The parts directly around where I live and the University are lovely (lots of foilage, looks absolutely lovely at the moment) but I have seen parts further away and they reminded me of Brixton- so crap really.

It depends what part of Reading you are staying in, the same with any place. No city is going to be a fairytale with golden walkways wherever you go.

I've been to Reading a few times and I wouldn't say it's a dive but it's hardly the most happening town.

I'm at Sussex and whilst some of the buildings are hideous, most of them are nice inside and they're building some sexy new ones. All of my lectures except one are in a new one and the surrounding countryside is really pretty. Besides, it's Brighton. Brighton is awesome.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, that's what I liked about it, that everything seems to be accessible and easy.

I haven't sent off my UCAS application yet, so there is room for some change. I'm predicted AAB, and want to apply for History. (And am expecting an A in History.)

So I'm thinking across the lines of Cardiff, Lancaster, Swansea, (for safety), possibly Sussex and Reading. The thing is, I haven't got a job yet and situations at home (divorce of parents, mother losing job) means I really can't ask for money for expensive train tickets to view open days. I'm from Cardiff, have been to Swansea and know what to expect. I'm not too worried about Lancaster, again I know what to expect, and apparently Sussex is ugly but in a good area.


Reading is my only worry, I'd like to have made it my insurance. I assumed it was generally a typical large town, the buildings seem far greater than Sussex and while Reading's no Cardiff, there's probably more going on than in Lancaster.

However.

After doing some reading, it's very obvious that it has extremely high crime rates, that it is culturally deficient, there's a lot of deprived areas and no sense of Community. I think it came up in polls as the worst place to live. Apparently it's just full of chain shops, chain restaurants and has no character.

Is this true? Those who study at Reading; does this fit in with your perception of the place? Is it really this grim?!

What alternatives do you suggest, TSR? I'd like to steer away from the North as it's too far from home. I'm also not too sure about Sussex, any similar ranked alternatives?

So which first year acommodation would you recommend? Yes, I'm aware that no city will be some kind of Eden or paradise, yet when a town comes top in some polls of worst place to live, asking if the area is as bad as they say is justified.

It's not that bad at all to be honest. There are many many worse places in the country, and plenty close to Reading. If you like the course then apply, if you don't then don't.

Well I went on the open day a couple of weeks ago, and I totally adored it! It seems to have a very nice community feel, for a University can't say I know much about the town, but it seemed quite nice to me don't let the overexaggerating British media put you off!
Hope this helps

Spoken like a true Bass. And you have a good taste in poetry. And music.

I think I'm going to apply, thanks everyone for replying!




No you're very right, I'm going to apply despite my concers. When I read the prospectus a while ago, I feel in love with it and I've thought of it ever since. This morning I came across some bad press and I panicked a bit. I'm one for making spontaneous decisions but this is such an important one I feel I need to be thorough.