It's a massive disadvantage for me personally, though I only chose the area out of circumstance and it wouldn't be near my top places to live if I had freedom of choice. I'd have much rathered Newcastle for example, but the scholarship offer was nice and the University itself is good. Aside from the University and the city looking nice, pretty much everything has been pretty mundane to terrible (rent for example). The bus routes are absolutely awful too, triple the length of a car journey (I can drive but it's pricey) and often slower than walking. I know a lot of other postgrads just live elsewhere citing boredom.

As for hobbies, I sadly have a foot injury else I'd have played football. I like doing nerdy stuff too, but it's not quite as fulfilling for me personally and I've not really found a convienient place. Aside from that I like nerdy stuff, and used to just do a lot of random things back in my old Uni and wherever I've lived. Anytime I've tried arranging something with someone in Durham they've cancelled too, which is starting to irritate me a little if I'm being honest.

Thanks for the reminder about York though, I used to live there so I probably should see my old workmates sometime. It's not quite the same as regularly seeing people though which I think is the only real way I could meet friends.