Area Guide in Highfields Leicester

Highfields, Leicester: The Complete Guide to Living, Culture, and Community

Highfields is a historic and culturally rich neighbourhood located just a short distance from Leicester city centre. Known for its diversity, vibrant community, and affordable housing options, Highfields offers a unique living experience. Whether you’re a student, young professional, or a family looking Thinking of settling down? Highfields has much to offer. Here’s an in-depth guide to this dynamic part of Leicester.

Where is Highfields, Leicester?

Highfields is situated to the east of Leicester city centre, bordering areas like Spinney Hills, Stoneygate, and Evington. Its proximity to both the University of Leicester and Leicester Railway Station makes it a convenient location for commuters, students, and professionals.

Why Live in Highfields, Leicester?

Diverse and Multicultural Community Highfields is renowned for its rich cultural diversity. The area has a long history of welcoming residents from various backgrounds, making it one of Leicester’s most multicultural neighbourhoods. This diversity is reflected in the area's vibrant food scene, festivals, and community events, contributing to a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.

Affordable Housing Compared to other areas like Clarendon Park or Stoneygate, Highfields offers more affordable housing options. Whether you're looking for rental properties, shared accommodation, or homes for purchase, Highfields provides a range of choices to suit different budgets.

Excellent Amenities Highfields is home to a variety of local shops, restaurants, places of worship, and schools, making it an attractive option for families, professionals, and students. The area’s central location means you're never far from Leicester’s top attractions and essential services.

Things to Do in Highfields, Leicester

Local Markets and Shops

Highfields is known for its bustling markets and independent shops, offering everything from fresh produce to clothing and household goods. The area has a strong sense of community, and you'll find many family-owned businesses that have been operating for generations.

Food and Dining

Highfields is a hotspot for authentic global cuisine. From Indian and Pakistani restaurants to Middle Eastern eateries, the area is a food lover's paradise. Popular dining spots in and around Highfields include:

Chaiiwala: A famous ‘chill-out’ spot renowned for its traditional Indian street food

Jimmys Killer Prawns: Known for its secret spice mixes, the restaurant offers a variety of seafood dishes

The Loaded Dog: A popular spot for university students to drink and socialise

Cultural and Religious Diversity

Highfields is home to several places of worship, reflecting the area’s rich cultural and religious diversity. You’ll find mosques, churches, temples, and community centres that play a central role in the lives of local residents. 

Living in Highfields: Renting and Property

Highfields is known for its affordable housing, making it a popular choice for those looking for cost-effective living close to the city centre. The housing market consists mainly of terraced homes, some of which have been converted into flats, offering options for both renters and buyers.

Students attending the University of Leicester or De Montfort University often choose Highfields for its reasonably priced accommodation and proximity to their campuses

Education in Highfields, Leicester

Highfields is home to several well-regarded schools, making it an appealing choice for families. Notable schools in the area include:

  • Medway Community Primary School
  • Madani Schools Federation
  • Moat Community College

For higher education, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University are both within easy reach, making Highfields a great place for students looking to live off-campus.

Transport Links in Highfields

Highfields boasts excellent transport links. The area is well-served by local buses, and Leicester Railway Station is within walking distance, offering direct services to London, Birmingham, and other major cities. For those commuting by car, the A6 and A47 roads provide easy access to surrounding areas

Fees

PERMITTED PAYMENTS

As well as paying the rent, you may also be required to make the following permitted payments:

1) Holding Deposit: Up to one week’s rental

2) Deposit: One month’s rental (5 weeks rental dependent on individual’s circumstances)

3) Payments for utilities (gas, electricity & water), communication services (telephone & broadband), Installation/Subscription of cable/satellite, TV licence and council tax

4) Default Fee (late payment of rent): If full Rent is not paid within 14 days or more of the Rent Due Date there will be a charge 3% plus the Bank of England base interest rate of the full rental amount until full payment is received

5) Default Fee (breach of tenancy agreement, any other permitted payments, under relevant legislation including contractual damages): For any breach of the tenancy agreement based on the reasonably incurred costs of the agent or landlord

6) Replacement of keys, fobs or other security devices

7) Default Fee (changes to the tenancy): An administrative charge of £50.00 or greater for any assignment, variation or novation of the tenancy agreement made at the tenant’s request (only if agreed by The Landlord and/or The Landlord’s Agent)

8) Payments in respect of early termination of a tenancy agreement at the tenant’s request


TENANT PROTECTION

First 4 Lettings is a member of Client Money Protect which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of PRS (Property Redress Scheme), which is a redress scheme.