📍🚍 Next stop, Smithdown Road

Let’s start with getting around when living in Smithdown. If you have lived at Greenbank, you’ll already be a pro at getting the 699 bus to and from campus. If you’ve been living on campus in the likes of  Crown, Vine, Philharmonic then it’s time to think about how you’ll be getting about. Although Smithdown and Wavertree are not far from campus, it's time to wave goodbye to rolling out of bed 5 minutes before your lecture.

As you might already know, Kensington is just on the edge of campus so you're a short walk away. Smithdown Road is around 3 miles from campus meaning that you're far away enough from campus to get that independent living feeling but just a quick bus ride or cycle away. Part of preparing for the move from Halls to your new Home is to consider how you'll be making your way in for lectures and seminars next year. 

Bus 🚎

The bus is the first port of call for most people when it comes to getting to uni, especially if you live in Smithdown. The 699 can halve the time it takes to get to uni and back, and with a discounted bus pass available at the Guild shop, you can see why the bus is so popular.

The bus pass isn’t just for the 699; your discounted bus pass can be used on any Arriva service in the Liverpool City Region, so why not use it for a weekend trip with your housemates?

Cycle 🚲

While buses can get you to uni with little stress, there’s no freedom like riding a bike. With the Guild’s LivCycle bike hire scheme, you can hire a bike for a year for nearly a quarter the price of the bus pass! This is the perfect time to take up cycling, especially if you’ve never ridden in a city before. With plenty of secure bike storage on campus and free support from the LivCycle team throughout your hire period, you’ll have a smooth and speedy commute come rain or shine.

If you’re a student in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences in year 3 or above, the free Medipedal scheme might also be of interest to you. These free bikes are especially handy if you’re out and about on placements!

To access secure storage on campus, you’ll need to send an application form to Campus Support Services. More information about this can be found here.

Don't forget to ask your landlord or letting agency about bike storage that they can offer!

Walk 👟

It might not be the quickest way of getting around, but there’s no better budget-friendly way of getting to uni. Living in Kensington, walking is pretty much a no-brainer, but even out in Smithdown, you can get to uni in less than 40 minutes by walking. For great exercise and low cost during Spring/Summer, walking might just be the way to go every now and then. 

Cars 🚗

Bringing a car is super tempting, we know. You might want to use it to move your belongings in and out, to transport sports equipment, or just for day-to-day activities. However, cars are costly, polluting, and parking in a city is always a headache. Plus, parking on campus is very limited. When considering whether you want to bring your car to university, consider the following:

1.      How often will I use it? If you’ll only be using your car a few times a week, would another method of transport be cheaper?

2.      What do I actually need it for? If you only want it for journeys to the shops, would a trip on the bus, a bike, or even walking be possible?

3.      Can I car share? Speak to your housemates, members of your sports team or society, or even other people you know who will be living nearby. If you can squeeze into one car and share the costs, you’ll save money and keep the roads clearer.

It's always a good idea to be mindful of others living in your street who may have cars too. Say for example, if all 6 of your housemates were to bring their car, it might leave little space for other residents to park up. 

Voi scooters 🛴

You’ve probably seen Voi scooters zipping about in the city, and maybe you’ve even tried one out, but they can be a great way of getting to many destinations. Both electric scooters and bicycles are available to use, and they’re a cheap way of getting around on an ad hoc basis. All you need is a driving license and a Voi account, and you’re good to go!

Even if a voi scooter is something you use every now and then for short trips, it's just as important to take your safety seriously and know the rules of the road. Always wear a helmet, never use a scooter under the influence and only ride one person at a time. 

You can even do a free, online safety mini course before you hop on!

Get ready for your move from Halls to your new Home & check out the rest of the moving into the community series on Halls Life!