Newcastle-under-Lyme has everything that students look for: proximity to world class universities, a strong cultural offering and modern luxury accommodation. Add to that a programme of investment which is improving the town centre, and it is clear to see why more students choose to live here every year.
World class universities
Newcastle-under-Lyme is home to Keele University, Royal Stoke University Hospital and Staffordshire University which have outstanding reputations and growing student bodies.
According to the National Student Survey 2018, Keele University is in the top three universities in England for overall student satisfaction. It is also ranked in the top 50 UK universities overall by both the Guardian University League Table 2020 and the Times Good University Guide 2020.
On top of that, Keele also provides world-class medical teaching facilities through the £370m Royal Stoke University Hospital, which attracts even more students to the area.
Staffordshire University is another superb educational establishment just a short journey from Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre. Its top 40 ranking in the Guardian’s University League Table 2020, as well as a gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), help explain how it has a student body almost 14,500 students strong – higher than the average UK university student population.
With three world-class teaching institutions a short journey from the town, it is easy to see why Newcastle-under-Lyme has become so popular with students in recent years.
Student life in Newcastle-under-Lyme
For a relatively small town, Newcastle-under-Lyme is packed full of bars, restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and everything else that students demand. However, the town also provides a sense of community that can be reassuring for students living away from home for the first time.
The low cost of living is another reason Newcastle-under-Lyme is top of the list for so many students. Data from Numbeo shows that the price of items like clothing and food is 22.5% lower than the national average, meaning locals have 20% higher purchasing power than in other comparable areas of the UK. This makes a big difference to students on a limited budget and increases the town’s appeal.
It was also recently announced that Newcastle-under-Lyme was in line for £25m of government money to redevelop and regenerate the town centre as part of the Future High Streets fund. Furthermore, the local council has invested millions over the past decade and been working closely to encourage more property developers into the area to continue with the student and private residential developments already underway.
A student accommodation investment hotspot
With all of the above in mind, students have been flocking into the town to live and study – and as more people arrive, the availability of student accommodation falls. Even as more is built, the demand is so high that there is still a severe shortage – and given that there is every reason to believe the number of students coming to the town will continue growing, investors have taken note of the opportunity on offer.
A lack of supply and growing demand is the classic formula for increasing rental yields, and those who invest in Newcastle-under-Lyme are in a prime position to make the most of this growth.
The Met, the latest development in our luxury student property portfolio, is located in the heart of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Situated within easy reach of all local teaching institutions and amenities, the building is comprised of 211 luxury apartments along with high quality communal and social spaces.
With fully-furnished apartments available from just £73,500, and assured returns of 7.5% per year for five years, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. Moreover, each apartment is fully-managed, making this an ideal hands-off investment option where you can have all the benefits of being a landlord with none of the hassle.
Availability is limited, so make sure to enquire about The Met today by clicking here.