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Originally Posted by Olive
Hi Leo,
What is Coventry in general like to live in? I've always been led to believe it's very run down, but I've got be honest and say I've never been to have a look for myself. How big is it too?
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Coventry's classed as a "Medium sized European City." It's population is about 300,000 - about on a part with Leicester, Nottingham, Cardiff, Bradford, etc. (Although I have seen an "economic sub region" mentioned that has a population of 500,000+)
There's no "general" about it - the city cover's an area that's about 8-10 miles wide. The Southern areas, like Earlsdon, Canley Gardens, bits of Canley, Tile Hill village, Westwood, Stivichal, Finham, Green Lane, Cheylesmore are fairly pleasant - typical suburbia, in some cases, with Earlsdon being community with a strong identity and a popular selection of restaurants and pubs (Including the old Watchmaker's quarter in Chapelfields.) None of these areas are run down, and Kenilworth Road is a magnificent entrance into the city. Allesley Village is a wonderful preserved village on the Western fringes side of the city.
The Foleshill->Bedworth->Nuneaton corridor is one of the most deprived areas in the Midlands, though. Foleshill's main centre is a busy area with a lot of ethnic shops (And some great Sweet centres). However, these areas do look a bit run down. Much of Wyken and Walsgrave are huge sprawls of housing with very little character. Ball Hill is a thriving mini-centre in Stoke, which still retains some character. Some of the old post-war estates are pretty run down and not that great. Much of inner-city Hillfields is being redeveloped.
Compared to other cities, there's very little dereliction - a heap of ugly ringroad and a bland shopping precinct seem be the overriding opinion, but then again, the Cathedral Quarter is magnificant, and there are plenty of old medieval buildings dotted around - you just need to find them.
Culturally, there's the Belgrade Theatre and Warwick Uni arts centre, and a handful of city centre pubs that have music. The Herbert Art gallery has regular exhibitions. Pubwise, some very good olde world pubs (Windmill, Whitefriars, Inspire - in an old spire, and a few dotted around) and some newer 'trendy' bars & restaurants. Tin Angel on Spon Street does a regular music slot. Large leisure complex with clubs and cinemas, and the Colosseum in Hillfields features a lot of well known bands. Lacks variety, though, overall.
Shopping wise, it's pitiful really - no decent department stores, very few independent shops, but all the major chains. Not good for fashion or anything unusual.
I suppose it depends what you want - if you want to live in a more city based environment, then you won't get better than some of the southern suburbs - generally clean, friendly, but you'll pay for it. Very expensive in some places. The North East is a lot more built up, and the housing stock is generally tight packed terraced streets.
In many respects, it's no different to any other city. In some areas, it's doing better, especially in terms of unemployment and crime, which is relatively low. Culturally & aesthetically, it has some way to go. However, the new developments we're seeing all over the place should help.
I don't mind it, really.