OKEY, to both of you then:
To answer your last question first, obviously you are going to get a mixture of people who like different things, BUT provided the accomodation forms haven't changed this year, there is a question which asks what sort of time you are likely to go to bed, 10 PM, Midnight, Early Morning - and it is assumed they try to group people together somewhat to prevent disturbance.
Food in catered halls, I can only assess based on hear-say as I am in self-catered, but I have heard that the food isn't too good in terms of quality, however you can get enough food to satisfy using your meal allowance.
Ranmoor Hall is by far the nicest in terms of new facilities, and has a very popular bar for those people based on Fulwood Road, but works out to be a 40 minute walk to the Union and Academic Buildings. 25 to Goodwin Sports.
Stephenson is a beautiful old building, done up quite nicely inside, has its own snooker hall, and is based on around the lovely Endcliffe area, set just one side.
Halifax is in a nice area around Endcliffe Vale Road, and looks nice (haven't had much experience there)
With Stephenson you are 25 minutes, and Halifax around 35 minutes, to the main campus, and the Goodwin Sports Centre being achieveable in around 20.
Both these and Ranmoor make use of the shopping facilities in Broomhill, which is hugely student orientated.
Tapton Hall is out on its own over in Crookes, which is great if you are doing Law, as this is the closest place to it, but there is a little bit of isolation. Access to the Sports Centre, 15 minute walk away, main campus 25.
Broad Lane Court, is a neat looking, self catered, and is down off West Street, the road which leads to the heart of the city. BLC is convienient for students geered towards Engineering, Management and Economics. About 7 minutes to the Union building/Chem/Maths, 10 minutes to Physc, 15 to Goodwin and 35 to Law.
The top end of West Street, after you get past City Hall tram stop is where a lot of pre-club activities will take place, (there and the Union bars of course), the amount of night venues, are by far enough to keep you occupied for all the 3 or 4 years, and you aren't just limited to Union nights, with venues like Gatecrasher down near the Hallam end of the city.
Don't eliminate Self Catered from your options, there is alot more freedom in when, how much, and what you eat. And yes there is life after stables such as pastas and rice.