Best overall
Old Tiverton RoadPennsylvania
8 available for 2027/28 • From £225 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Best student roads in Exeter (quick picks)
Our top picks based on current availability, walk times, typical prices, and student suitability.
Best for Streatham
Hillsborough AvenuePennsylvania
2 available for 2027/28 • From £246 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Best for St Luke's
Howell RoadPennsylvania
1 available for 2027/28 • From £236 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Best for big groups (7-10)
Springfield RoadPennsylvania
1 available for 2027/28 • From £246 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Best value
Longbrook TerracePennsylvania
1 available for 2027/28 • From £237 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Best for social/nightlife
Hillside AvenueExeter
1 available for 2027/28 • From £247 pppw (recorded bills-inclusive rent)
Find your best road (5-question quiz)
Rankings table (updated for 2027/28)
Top 12 roads scored and ranked by campus proximity, value, group size, and local amenities. Click any road to see detailed information and available properties. See all Exeter student roads for the full directory.
| Road | Area | Group sizes | Walk to Streatham* | Walk to St Luke's* | Price (inc. bills) | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Tiverton Road | Pennsylvania | 3-4, 5-6, 7-10 | 14 min | 15 min | £225-271 pppw | 8 | View |
| Hillsborough Avenue | Pennsylvania | 5-6, 7-10 | 9-13 min | 20 min | £246 pppw | 2 | View |
| Howell Road | Pennsylvania | 3-4, 5-6, 7-10 | 9-15 min | 22-24 min | £236 pppw | 1 | View |
| Longbrook Terrace | Pennsylvania | 5-6, 7-10 | 12-16 min | 22 min | £237 pppw | 1 | View |
| Hillside Avenue | Exeter | 6 | 9 min | Insufficient data | £247 pppw | 1 | View |
| Springfield Road | Pennsylvania | 7 | 9 min | Insufficient data | £246 pppw | 1 | View |
| New North Road | City Centre | 3-4 | 16 min | 25-26 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
| Hoopern Mews | Pennsylvania | 3-4, 5-6 | 11 min | 26 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
| Archibald Road | City Centre | 3-4, 5-6, 7-10 | 22 min | 19 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
| North Street | City Centre | 3-4 | 22 min | 27 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
| Hoopern Street | Pennsylvania | 4 | 13 min | 25 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
| Mowbray Avenue | Pennsylvania | 5-6 | 15 min | 21 min | Insufficient data | 0 | View |
*Estimated range based on property locations along each road. Actual walk times vary by exact house location and walking pace. See individual listings for specific property times.
How we rank roads (Gillams methodology)
Our approach
- Availability + demand: Roads with more current listings and historically high search interest rank higher.
- Walk times: We calculate walking times to both Streatham and St Luke's campuses based on actual property locations.
- Price bands: All-inclusive prices (rent + bills) give you a realistic budget comparison.
- Student suitability: We factor in amenities, parking, vibe, and typical house sizes for each road.
This guide uses first-party data from Gillams inventory. Rankings update automatically as availability changes.
What to check before you choose a road
Bills included vs rent-only
All Gillams student properties offer a bills-included option (gas, electricity, water, broadband, TV licence). Both rent-only and all-inclusive pricing are available, making budgeting flexible. See bills-included properties.
Parking and permits
Many popular student roads in Exeter operate residents' parking schemes. Check with us about parking availability for specific properties before signing.
HMO licensing
Properties rented by 5+ unrelated people require HMO licensing. All Gillams properties meet legal requirements including fire safety, room sizes, and amenities.
FAQs about best student roads exeter 2027/28
How do you rank the best student roads?
We rank roads based on: current availability, walk times to both campuses, price ranges, typical group sizes, parking availability, local amenities, and student feedback. Rankings update automatically as inventory changes.
What makes a road "best" for students?
The best road depends on your priorities. We categorise by: best for Streatham Campus, best for St Luke's, best for big groups, best value, best for nightlife/social, and best transport links.
Is Pennsylvania Road really the best?
Pennsylvania Road is often considered best for proximity to Streatham and has a strong student community. However, it can be pricier and parking is limited. The "best" road depends on your group's priorities.
Which roads are best for groups of 7-10?
Roads with larger Victorian houses like Old Tiverton Road and areas in St Davids have more 7-10 bed properties. These areas tend to have better parking and garden space for big groups.
How often are road rankings updated?
Rankings update automatically based on live availability data. Prices and availability can change daily, so check individual listings for the most current information.
Which roads offer the best value for money?
Value depends on the homes currently available, their location and what each tenancy includes. Compare the live listing prices and inclusions rather than relying on a fixed price threshold. Our "Best Value" award uses the current road data.
What is the best road for medical students?
For St Luke's Campus (Medicine, Nursing, Sport Science), roads in Mount Pleasant and Heavitree offer short walks. These areas are quieter than Streatham-adjacent roads, suiting early clinical starts.
Which roads are best for nightlife and social life?
Roads close to King Street, High Street, and the city centre offer easy access to bars, restaurants and clubs. Our "Best for Social" award highlights roads with the best nightlife access.
How do I use the road quiz?
Answer 5 quick questions about your priorities (campus, group size, budget, vibe, walking preference) and we'll recommend your top 3 matching roads. It takes under 2 minutes and uses live availability data.
Can I compare multiple roads at once?
Yes! Our rankings table shows all scored roads side-by-side. Sort by any column to compare walk times, prices, or availability. Click any road for detailed information and available properties.
What if my preferred road has no availability?
Popular roads fill quickly. If your top choice has no availability, check similar roads in the same area. You can also register for alerts to be notified when properties become available.
Do rankings change during the year?
Yes, rankings reflect current reality. As properties let, availability drops and some roads may move down. Checking in November-January gives the widest selection. After February, choice narrows significantly.