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Posted April 8, 2015

Student City Guide: Plymouth

Even if you've left home long ago, moving cities is always a daunting experience. Everything, from bus routes to socialising to the best places to shop, feels new and unfamiliar. Fortunately there are plenty of tips available to help you adjust.

Travel It's easy to get out and about in Plymouth, with a reliable bus and train service and the city council helping to coordinate options such as car sharing for those who need something a little more flexible. The Green Travel Pass is a multi-operator bus pass available to university employees, so if you're a teaching postgrad be sure to look into it. And if you're heading to Europe for work or leisure, remember that Plymouth's economy still focusses around ferries and ship-building.

Leisure Taking time out from your studies to relax and socialise is incredibly important, and Plymouth is a city with plenty of opportunities.

Mcaulay's Gym - offers membership from £12.99 a month, as well as day passes and short-term membership.

The Gym - open twenty-four hours and offers a range of flexible membership options.

If paying to exercise doesn't appeal, there are plenty of ways to exercise independently , including running routes through Central Park and free sports grounds where you can kick around with friends.

Eating Out A bronze medal winner in the Sustainable Food City awards, Plymouth has a great food scene. It's known for its traditionally English cooking, including cream teas and local game, and, of course, for its fish and chips. Students can't afford to eat out all the time, but the fresh seafood in this coastal town has to be sampled at least once.

The Boathouse Café - a great seafood venue. All its fish and shellfish are caught using sustainable methods by the restaurant's own fishing boat, and the cooking has been recommended by the Sunday Times.

If you're on a budget (and what student isn't?), there are also plenty of options.

Veggie Perrins - a vegetarian Indian restaurant and takeaway with curries from £3.50 River Cottage Canteen - an old brewery right on the waterfront, offering great deals including a three plates for £10 discount.

Nightlife Like most towns with a student presence, Plymouth is full of places for a night out. Head to North Hill or Mutley Plain for a whole string of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Mouse Trap - very popular with students for its free pool and 'pound a pint' nights.

Mutley Crown - here you can catch a live gig, watch sports and enjoy a pub dinner. The Crown is open until 4am on weekends.

Days Out Drinking, partying and late nights aren't for everyone. There's also a wealth of daytime and weekend culture available, particularly at the Barbican, Plymouth's historic harbour area.

The National Marine Aquarium - one of the largest in Britain, this aquarium boasts sharks and jellyfish and offers a discounted ticket price of £11.50 to students.

The Mayflower Steps   - In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in the ship Mayflower. An unmissable piece of this seafaring town's history.

The Robert Lenkiewicz Gallery - this gallery was once the studio of eccentric local artist Robert Lenkiewicz, who drew his inspiration from Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

With its beautiful location, its history and its thriving culture, Plymouth has a great atmosphere for living and studying. There's plenty to do to get stuck in to your new community, meet people and unwind and refresh between bouts of study.

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