Published October 2026
The best areas to live in Exeter as a student: a 2027/28 guide
Choosing where to live is as important as choosing the house. The right area can mean a ten-minute walk to lectures instead of a bus ride, a quiet street to study on, or being five minutes from the Quay on a Friday night. Here's a local guide to the most popular student areas in Exeter for 2027/28, and how to pick the right one for you.
First, which campus are you at?
Exeter has two main campuses, and they're on opposite sides of the city centre:
- Streatham Campus, on the hill to the north of the city, is where most students study. It's about a 15-minute walk from Exeter St David's station.
- St Luke's Campus, to the east in Heavitree, is home to the medical school, sport and health sciences, and education. It's about a 20-minute walk from Exeter Central station.
Most students want to be within walking distance of their campus, so start there and work outwards.
St David's
Best for: Streatham Campus, trains home, the river.
St David's sits between Streatham Campus and the city centre, around Exeter St David's station. It's one of the most popular areas for second and third years because you can walk up to campus, down into town, or along the River Exe, and the mainline station makes trips home easy. Streets range from busy roads near the station to quiet cul-de-sacs and Victorian terraces along Bonhay Road by the river.
Several of our two-bed homes in St David's are here, including Windsor Close, about a minute's walk from the station.
St James
Best for: both campuses, a lively student feel.
St James is the area around St James Park, home of Exeter City FC, with its own small railway station. It's popular because it sits between the city centre and Streatham, and it's also within reach of St Luke's, so it suits mixed households. Expect lots of terraced student houses and a busy, sociable feel during term.
Our Bridge Cottages home in St James is here, about a minute from St James Park station and roughly 15 minutes' walk from Streatham Campus.
The city centre
Best for: shops, nightlife, both campuses.
Living centrally puts you close to the high street, Princesshay, the cathedral, bars and restaurants, with Exeter Central station on the doorstep. You can walk to either campus, though Streatham is uphill. Homes are often flats or townhouses on quieter side streets, and you pay a little more for the location.
Our North Bridge Place townhouse is in the city centre, on a quiet pedestrian street with views across to Exeter Cathedral.
Pennsylvania
Best for: Streatham Campus, quieter streets.
Pennsylvania is the residential area on the hill around and above Streatham Campus. It's very close to lectures and tends to be quieter than St James or the centre, with larger family-style houses. The trade-off is the hill: getting into town is easy, coming back up is a workout.
Mount Pleasant
Best for: both campuses, local shops.
Mount Pleasant, around Blackboy Road and Mount Pleasant Road, sits between the two campuses. It has local shops and takeaways, a mix of terraced houses, and is a sensible middle ground for housemates on different courses.
Heavitree, Newtown and St Leonards
Best for: St Luke's Campus.
If you're studying at St Luke's, these three areas are closest. Heavitree has its own high street with supermarkets and cafés. Newtown is a compact area of terraces close to the city centre. St Leonards is one of Exeter's quieter and more expensive residential areas, popular with postgraduates and final-year students who want peace and quiet.
Further out: St Thomas, Pinhoe, Topsham and Exmouth
If you'd rather live a bit further out, the University of Exeter points to areas with good train links into Exeter St David's, usually every 30 minutes:
- St Thomas: about 1.5 miles from Streatham, with a 4-minute train to St David's.
- Pinhoe: about 3 miles from Streatham, around 25 minutes by bike.
- Topsham: a riverside town about 5 miles from Streatham.
- Exmouth: on the coast, about 11 miles from Streatham and a 30-minute train ride.
These can work well if you have a bike or don't mind the train, but factor travel time and costs into your budget.
How to choose the right area
- Walk it. Before you sign, walk from the house to your campus at the time you'd leave for a 9am. Map estimates don't show hills.
- Think about your year, not just term one. In final year, a quieter street and a shorter walk to the library matter more than being next to the clubs.
- Check the shops. Is there a supermarket you can walk to and carry the shopping back from?
- Visit after dark. See how the walk home feels in the evening, and whether the street is well lit.
- Compare total costs. A cheaper house further out can cost more once you add bus fares or train tickets. Our guide to student accommodation costs in Exeter shows how to compare properly.
For when to start looking, read when to start looking for a student house in Exeter.
Exeter student areas: quick answers
What is the best area to live in Exeter as a student?
It depends on which campus you're at. For Streatham Campus, St David's, Pennsylvania, St James and the city centre are the most popular, all within walking distance. For St Luke's Campus, Heavitree, Newtown and St Leonards are closest. St James and the city centre are handy for both.
How far is St David's station from Streatham Campus?
About a 15-minute walk, according to the University of Exeter. Exeter Central station is about 20 minutes' walk from both Streatham and St Luke's.
Can I live outside Exeter and commute to university?
Yes. St Thomas, Pinhoe, Topsham and Exmouth all have trains, usually every 30 minutes, into Exeter St David's. It can be cheaper, but you'll spend more time and money travelling, and late nights out are harder.
Which areas are best for a quiet place to study?
Quieter residential streets tend to be in Pennsylvania, St Leonards and the cul-de-sacs off the main roads in St David's. Smaller homes help too: a two-bed house or flat is usually much quieter than a six-bed shared house.
Looking for a 2 bed student house in Exeter for 2027/28?
We're an independent, owner-managed landlord with 2 bed student houses and flats to rent in Exeter, in St David's, St James and the city centre, all within walking distance of Streatham Campus. There's no agency, no rent upfront and wifi is included. See our homes or get in touch to arrange a viewing.
Sources: University of Exeter – Local area information; University of Exeter – Accommodation after first year.