What’s Your Ideal Study Location - City Or Small Town?

Choosing the right study course is very important and directly affects one's future in a big way. After a prospective student has already researched and chosen several universities to apply for, it often turns out that some of them are located in cosmopolitan cities, while others are hidden in small university towns. And in the end, getting the right location and the right city can be even more crucial than choosing the right university. As a high school graduate, choosing a potential study destination can be a daunting task. But getting the wrong setting can affect everything – one’s social life, personal growth, as well as the career path one will follow.

So, what should a prospective student be looking for when it comes to his or her future “home” for the next several years in order to be sure that it will really be the right decision and university years will really turn into that amazing and unique experience of a lifetime? There are several things to be considered.

Costs Of Living

When students or prospective students are choosing their home for the next several years, price definitely matters. Living costs are maybe the main factor students should take into account when choosing their study destination. From accommodation costs to food and other general expenses, prices may considerably differ in big and small cities. In general, being a student is considered a big investment, hence prospective students usually try to find some balance between price and quality.

However, some of the more expensive cities (such as Berlin, Munich or Vienna) offer some great, free activities as well as student discounts on many different things like eating out, cinema tickets, shopping and many more. But at the same time, rental prices there can be extremely high. It is really advisable for every student-to-be to be aware of the budget he or she will have to stick to and consider what will be the best fit – the big city or the small college town.

Social Life

University life is not only about receiving a top education, but also making lifelong friendships and important, valuable connections. Meeting new people is a huge part of a student’s life. However, every single student is different and therefore has different preferences in terms of what kind of social life he or she would like to have. Some cities are inhabited with people from many different nationalities, while others are not so much. And just like some students would like to connect with more local people in their new home, there are also those who would really appreciate diversity and consider it a bonus.

Culture & Lifestyle

Many students actually choose their study destination based on their interests and what the city has to offer them. Because aside from everything else, student life is supposed to be a unique and fun experience. Considering that, it is very important for prospective students to choose to study in a city that really matches their interests so they will actually feel like home. Depending on one’s preferences, what matters the most may be the buzzing nightlife, or the countless green spaces and beautiful sightseeing in the city, the cultural events there and many more. Some students want to live in a place where there is always something happening while others prefer their next home to be a more relaxed place and the quality of the nightlife in the city does not matter to them at all. The difference between the lifestyle one will have in a big city and the one in a small town is big, whether it be in terms of infrastructure, restaurants, nightlife, sightseeing opportunities or cultural events,.

Safety

Even though these considerations may not immediately spring to mind when deciding on where to go to study, finding a city that combines academic excellence with a safe environment is crucial to getting the best of the whole student experience. While students have fun in their new home and exploit plenty of opportunities, it is important for them to feel safe and they do not put themselves at risk or every time they go out. Hence, a city’s crime rates and the overall reputation the city are important factors to be considered as well.

Job Opportunities

The same applies to the employment opportunities[1] a city has to offer. Whether it is about gaining more work experience, financing one’s studies, or finding the dream job after graduation: the job market in the chosen destination is something with a high priority for students in their 20s. The developed sectors and the variety of job offers in every city vary and therefore, in-depth research should be done in advance.  

In general, when it comes to location, there are two types of people – those who believe that big city life offers the best life and more opportunities, and the other ones who feel more complete, comfortable and secure in a small town. So which one is it going to be for you: a metropolitan city that never sleeps or a small, cozy place where everybody knows everybody?

Today, large cities like Berlin or Vienna, for example, are becoming more and more inhabited and a big percentage of the people living there is actually shaped by students. The majority of students would actually prefer living in a big city mainly because of the great advantages it has compared to living in the countryside. However, everything has both its advantages and disadvantages. Now, what are the real bonuses, and what are the drawbacks of going to study in the "big city"?

Pros

Plenty of things to do so you never get bored

When students choose to study in a big city, it is almost impossible that they will be stuck in their dormitory. There is always something going on out there. A wide set of cultural activities will keep them pretty busy in a good way. During the night, the buzzing nightlife with all its parties will take care of the rest. Moreover, exploring a big city with all its hidden but amazing spots, romantic restaurants, cozy cafés, huge libraries and everything else will definitely take a lot of time. In some way, big cities and everything they can offer makes it easier for young people to actually get to know themselves and understand what brings them joy, whether it be going to a theater once a week, attending yoga classes or maybe joining a solo travel society.

One can experience every kind of diversity

People who decide to study and live in a big city will surely at some point run into the famous cultural diversity everyone is talking about. Usually, on the streets of a large city, one will spot far more international people coming from all around the world than local people. Sometimes, even speaking the official language of the country is not a necessary thing when living in a big city. People who live in such cities speak English. However, knowing some basic phrases will be always useful. If a student is more open-minded and wants to get to know many different cultures countries, a big city is definitely the right choice for a study destination.

Public transportation at its best

Owning a car is expensive – one must consider registration fees, fuel costs, insurance contributions and many other expenses related to the car. It definitely puts additional pressure on students’ budget which is limited anyways. Fortunately, when living in a big city, students have plenty of different transportation options, including a subway, buses, trams etc. The subway can quickly become the best friend of a student who lives in a big city because it travels very fast and all the traffic can be easily avoided.

A higher concentration of jobs

Big places such as Berlin and Zurich have a large population, which usually means that there are also more companies and businesses in general that offer employment opportunities. There will be many job positions available for students who want to find a part-time job during their studies, as well as for graduates who are looking for their place in the career world. Additionally, big cities usually have more resources and a stronger economy, and therefore can offer higher salaries to the employees.

Cons

Life in a big city can be a pretty exciting experience for students. However, with everything good, there also comes something not so good. What are the disadvantages of being a student in a big city?

Too many people and little personal space

Although diversity is a good thing, the number of people living in a big city can be a bit overwhelming if one is not used to it or simply does not like it. No matter if it is on the street or in the subway, there will always be crowds and many people around. Sometimes, when traveling with the metro, one is not even able to get something out of his or her pocket, simply because it is so full of people that no one can actually move.

Big cities are more expensive

The cost of living is typically higher in bigger cities, especially in terms of prices for rent. No matter if it is about a dormitory room, a room in a shared flat or a single studio[2], it will be always more expensive to live in a big city than in a small town. In some cases, it can cost one an arm for just a tiny room or an apartment simply because of its location in a decent area of the city. And even if a student still manages to find an affordable place to live, most typically it will be in the not so great part of the city.

There is bigger competition

Although a big city offers far more opportunities for working students and graduates in terms of jobs, there are also more people competing for a one and the same job. This can make the whole process of job searching and application very frustrating. It can happen that there will be announced thousands of jobs available each week or even every day, but still one remains unemployed for a long period of time. For instance, a particular student might be qualified for a part-time job, but five or ten other students from the city who are also applying for the same position will be a little more qualified (perhaps because of some additional experience or the study course they are pursuing). Big cities mean more opportunities but bigger competition.

Higher level of crime

There is always a higher level of crime existing in big cities compared to small towns, which means that it is more likely for one to become a victim of a certain crime when living and studying in a big city. Different statistics show that crimes, including drug and weapon trafficking, are mostly present in bigger German cities. Moreover, according to the 2013 national crime figures in Germany, the top five most dangerous German cities are Frankfurt am Main, Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Hannover – all considered metropolitan places.

Some people love the idea of studying and living in a small town and feel the sense of community there. However, others feel a serious lack of diversity and easily feel bored in small cities. It really depends on one’s personality and interests but still there are some common perks and downsides of being a student in a small university town.

Pros

Low cost of living

This is may be the biggest advantage of studying in a small town. Everything is cheaper in the small city – prices in restaurants and bars, transportation costs, and most importantly, prices for student accommodation. In fact, student accommodation is maybe the biggest investment every student has to make and it is a huge plus if one does not have to pay a fortune just to have a roof over one’s head. In bigger cities, finding accommodation is very difficult, but finding affordable accommodation is sometimes impossible. In a small town, one will get much more quality for the price of a student housing. Eating out in a small town is not considered a luxury because prices are very fair and even with a student budget it is still affordable, so students can visit a good restaurant or café from time to time.

Bonding

It is way easier in small towns to build strong and real relationships and bond with other students, both local and international ones. The way one quickly becomes familiar with every street, building, grocery store and the coziest coffee shop in town, one becomes familiar and close with people, too. In small university towns, there are some interesting community events organized so that everyone can get involved at any time and have a chance to get to know each other. Also, classes at universities are also smaller, allowing a closer relationship between the teaching staff and students. Small-town universities therefore tend to provide better student support and do their best in making their students feel at home. Soon, everyone knows each other and they quickly become close friends.

Small cities are less overwhelming

Big cities tend to be overcrowded and therefore overwhelming but that is definitely not the case with small cities. No hustle, no bustle! In fact, small-town life can be very relaxed and pleasant. The atmosphere feels like traveling back in time to where life was less stressed and complicated. Walking on the street is a quiet and peaceful experience and one will not be surrounded by thousands of people all rushing and trying to get from one place to another.

No need for public transportation – everything is close to you

In a small town, one can fast and easily reach every part of the city. To go to university, there is no need for using any type of public transportation, they just need a bicycle. And while in big cities a one-way ticket for a subway or tram costs between 1 and 3 EUR, students living in a small university town can just buy a decent second-hand bicycle for approximately 30 EUR and use it for the next three or four years. Bikes quickly become small-town students’ best friends.

Cons

There are many perks of living in a small town. Those places offer students a safe environment, friendliness, and affordability. However, there are still some disadvantages of being a small-town student.

Missing out on the cultural events and entertainment

Students who choose to go to a small town may also miss out on the rich cultural life and entertainment opportunities offered by large or metropolitan places. They will typically not be able to go to a different theater play every night, and the number of museums to visit will be pretty limited. Most of the time, students living in small cities do not have access to interesting events, such as annual IT conferences, TEDx Talks etc., simply because they tend to take place in bigger cities.

Limited career opportunities

The limitation with respect to employment opportunities is maybe the biggest downfall of being a student in a small town. Usually, businesses try to avoid regions with a low population due to the potentially small customer base. Because of the lack of new businesses and companies operating, there will not be many job openings for either students or graduates looking for entry-level positions. Developed industries are pretty limited in small cities and even if some students are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time to practice their major, others will be completely disappointed.

Almost no social diversity

The typical “everyone knows everyone” in the small-town life can be a good thing, but also very tricky depending on the situation. While big cities are pretty overcrowded with students from all around the globe, small towns are quite the opposite. Mostly, small cities are inhabited by local people, which is why the chances for one to build a friendship with a person who comes from the other part of the world are not high. One can be very lucky to find oneself studying in one and the same town with the right people, meaning they are sharing some hobbies and interests. But what if this is not the case? Being a student in a small town with no real friends can be a pretty bad experience. In big cities, one can always go somewhere and easily meet new people but in small towns, students do not have this opportunity.