Hello all, I guess I'm the old man of the group thus far. I'm Karl, 35 years old. I live in Gateshead and I'm staying put for my studies, a short metro ride away to the cheap side of the tracks. I'm studying Politics and Sociology BA Hons. (Sept 2016). As a local, maybe I can help people, I'm certainly open to sharing what I know, but you may quickly find I've selective knowledge! For example, I've no idea about the much touted Newcastle night life and pub/club scene. I like a nice quiet pub, but even better a comfy restaurant or café!
Anyways, if anyone is considering private rentals, I can certainly weigh in on dodgy / problem areas both in Gateshead and Newcastle. Gateshead is dirt cheap and on the mainline of the metro (the metro has a yellow line and a green line, but between Gosforth and Pelaw they are the same line and within this area, which includes Gateshead and Newcastle , you can use any train turning up). However Gateshead is cheap for a reason.
I'm considering if I want to buy the £60 wrist band for fresher's week. Last year, from the forums on TSR, it sounds like they had a lot of activities, like paint ball and sports. These are not really my thing, I could push myself, just to be sociable though. The big pull is the week long club-night parties. This is definitely NOT my scene. I only like my own loud music! But generally, I'm a lover of quiet calm and witty / clever banter. I am scared of ostracizing myself if I don't go though.