Computer science at Cambridge- how important is location?

I'm considering applying to Cambridge or Oxford for computer science. I went to both open days and loved both. In general i preffered Cambridge but I'm worried about the distance from the centre to the computer science department. I know there are colleges like Churchill that are closer but these didn't rlly appeal to me (I'd apply to St John's if I decided on cambridge). At Oxford I really liked keble college which is conveniently right next to the computer science department but the accommodation is worse than at cambridge (smaller rooms and no kitchens but still decent) and the architecture was slightly less impressive than at cambridge. The extra interview at Oxford is also something I'd rather avoid. I'm wondering how much of a hassle the commute from cambridge centre to west cambridge is as I'm not sure it's worth it just for a slightly nicer building and room compared to Oxford.

I would not worry too much about you college choice at Cambridge, as you live in one place, your supervisions will be all over the place, your department another place, and you will socialise at other places. If you don’t want to walk too far the bus links are good or get a bike. The downside about CS at Cambridge is that it is brutally competitive. I think 12 applicants for every place. Not sure about Oxford.

I'm considering applying to Cambridge or Oxford for computer science. I went to both open days and loved both. In general i preffered Cambridge but I'm worried about the distance from the centre to the computer science department. I know there are colleges like Churchill that are closer but these didn't rlly appeal to me (I'd apply to St John's if I decided on cambridge). At Oxford I really liked keble college which is conveniently right next to the computer science department but the accommodation is worse than at cambridge (smaller rooms and no kitchens but still decent) and the architecture was slightly less impressive than at cambridge. The extra interview at Oxford is also something I'd rather avoid. I'm wondering how much of a hassle the commute from cambridge centre to west cambridge is as I'm not sure it's worth it just for a slightly nicer building and room compared to Oxford.

I'm considering applying to Cambridge or Oxford for computer science. I went to both open days and loved both. In general i preffered Cambridge but I'm worried about the distance from the centre to the computer science department. I know there are colleges like Churchill that are closer but these didn't rlly appeal to me (I'd apply to St John's if I decided on cambridge). At Oxford I really liked keble college which is conveniently right next to the computer science department but the accommodation is worse than at cambridge (smaller rooms and no kitchens but still decent) and the architecture was slightly less impressive than at cambridge. The extra interview at Oxford is also something I'd rather avoid. I'm wondering how much of a hassle the commute from cambridge centre to west cambridge is as I'm not sure it's worth it just for a slightly nicer building and room compared to Oxford.

I believe at least previously several of the 1st year papers at Cambridge were primarily taught in central lecture theatre locations anyway. Besides which, most of it's not that far especially if (or perhaps, when...it seems inevitable for students in Cambridge) you get a bike.

By all accounts the older colleges seem to have worse accommodation in terms of the actual rooms, compared to the newer ones - at both unis. The older colleges are constrained by having old and often listed buildings which were not designed with modern HVAC and electricity in mind which it is expensive (and when listed, complicated) to refurbish. The newer colleges have purpose built modern accommodation. Equally though a lot of the older colleges have newer buildings for this very reason, and it's entirely possible you won't be living in a fancy 500 year old building on the main quad in first year (or even potentially at all, depending on how rooms are allocated). So really no matter which way you slice it, there's no escaping contemporary architecture there, and no reason to try and avoid it.

Bear in mind also you have around a 20% chance most years of being pooled at Cambridge (I think it's similar statistics for ending up at a college other than the one you applied to at Oxford) so I wouldn't recommend getting overly hung up over college choice, since there's a fair chance you'll end up somewhere else anyway.

I think really you're overthinking it. Pick a college you like the general feel of but don't get so attached that you wouldn't want to go just because you ended up at another college - and take consideration of the amenities newer colleges can offer that older ones don't.