Festive salutations and seasonal felicitations! Which is to say, of course, “Merry Christmas”, or as we say here in Wales, “Nadolig Llawen!”, especially to our landlords and tenants.The Capital Properties office closes today, and we will be back on 2nd January 2013, so have a happy new year too. We hope ...
If you’re going home by train over the Christmas period, prepare to face some disruptions. Indeed, Queen Street station and Cardiff central are going under the knife, or the hammer, should we say.
Since Queen Street station opened in 1840 it has been rebuilt quite regularly. Since the station was last refurbished ...
Up to 9% increase announced in Rail fares leads to protests
We are used to rail fares increasing every year, but when it rises dramatically more than wages then many feel it is time to do something. Rail fares in Wales have increased by 30% since the start of recession, compared to ...
The end of the term is nigh! Especially if you're a fresher at the end of your very first term, you're probably looking forward to going home, chilling out and relaxing at Hotel Mum and Dad. With just a week or so to go, it's time to hand in the last ...
Last week we began out guide to finding student accommodation in Cardiff, asking "when should I start looking for student accommodation?" Despite the hype, there's no need to panic - don't rush. But it's good to think ahead, and this week we turn to that all important issue: who do I ...
If you're a first year student at Cardiff, then you've probably begun to hear the dreaded question... "have you found somewhere to live next year?" And if you're already in a student house, you might soon need to decide whether to stay or go. Over the next few weeks, we'll be ...
Image: Winter Wonderland, Cardiff by joncandy, on Flickr
If you went out recently you must have noticed Cardiff is definitely turning Christmassy. Santa's Grotto is being set up on Queen Street (in Churchill Way to be precise) and some stalls are popping up around St John the Baptist Church.
It will ...
It's that time of year again. The temperatures start to drop, rain becomes more frequent (even by Cardiff standards), but don't worry, it's time for some fireworks to brighten up the November nights! Christmas is coming but before getting all wrapped up in hunting for presents, relax and rejoice for Guy ...
31-year-old Matthew Tvrdon appeared in Newport Crown Court via video link, charged with murder and attempted murder following a series of hit-and-run incidents in Cardiff last week.He stands accused of bringing terror to the streets of Cardiff. Karina Menzies, 32, was killed after being hit by a white van outside Ely ...
Great news for all you music-lovers out there: the Sŵn Festival kicks off tomorrow here in Cardiff. Running from Thursday 18th to Sunday 22nd, it gathers a staggeringly wide and varied number of bands, including many of the best new and upcoming sounds from Wales and by Welsh people.
Whereas many festivals ...
One of the great things about living in Cardiff is that is has all the benefits of a capital city, while still keeping that friendly, small-city feel. Nowhere is this truer than Cardiff's arts scene, which even in the face of cuts, just seems to get better every year.
Made in Roath ...
So Freshers' Week is here! If you're a new student at Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, RWCMD or the Atrium, then welcome! Freshers' Week is a great time to have fun, meet people and settle in to university before getting down to the hard work of study. But how can you make ...
Back in July, the capital’s transport boss, Councillor Ralph Cook, said that council officers had been instructed to consider the issue of a congestion charge. Just weeks after saying this revenue-raising scheme was being considered, the Labour council administration has ‘categorically ruled out’ any such congestion charge.
The decision was announced yesterday, ...
Budgeting! It's not sexy, but it can save you from a lot of stress. It might be tempting to go crazy when that student loan hits your bank
account. But if you plan ahead, you can have a good time at the start of
term without worrying about running out later ...
It's almost September, and so only a few weeks until this year's batch of Freshers will be arriving in Cardiff. Many second and third years will begin returning to the 'Diff over the next few weeks too, arriving back early to catch up with friends, get a head start on reading ...
The Bank Holiday weekend is here, and in typical British fashion, the weather looks rather changeable, with rain forecast in Cardiff for Saturday and Monday. Sunday looks to live up to its name and be sunny though, so let's make the most of it!
Here are a few things you might want ...
Our blogger looks back at getting A-level results and looks ahead at what's in store for this year's freshers...
It's that time of year again, when thousands of A-level students are nervously awaiting their results. For many, the grades they get in their A-levels will be the key that unlock the door ...
Battling Australian Paralympic swimmer Rick Pendleton – triple gold medalist and winner of the 200m individual medley in Beijing 2008 – came to Cardiff Bay’s International Pool this week for final preparations before taking on his world record breaking rival, Canadian, Benoit “The Shark” Huot for the gold medal in the ...
Don't be scared! When it comes to student housing, horror is the dominant genre. Pub conversations and student newspaper articles often report tales of housing woe. But while bad news makes for better stories, that doesn't reflect the real picture.
Most students have good accommodation, with only minor problems that are swiftly ...
Cardiff Carnival takes place this Saturday 4th August 2012, and promises to be a vibrant cacophony of music and a flamboyant procession of costume, art and dance. The event includes a day-long Street Stage 10am-4pm in The Hayes, and that’s a whole day of free family fun. The displays will include ...
The London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony takes place tonight, and Cardiff is lined up to play host to some of the upcoming Olympic sporting events.
Olympic football began on Wednesday in the Millennium Stadium, with the Great Britain women’s football team beating New Zealand 1-0. However, sporting achievements were overshadowed by ...
You'd think that the London 2012 Olympics would begin in, well, London. But by a curious twist, the first sporting events of the games are actually taking place today right here in Cardiff! Olympic rules mean that London can't host any events until after the opening ceremony, which takes place on ...
For those of you who have reached the end of three years (or more!) of studies, well done! You've no doubt worked hard and played hard, and now your effort has been recognised as you graduate.
This week saw Cardiff University students graduating in St David's Hall. Last week, Cardiff Metropolitan University ...
Far from being the stereotypical slackers and slobs of pop culture imagination, many students today work incredibly hard not just at their studies, but also at part time and holiday work. For some, earning over the summer break is the only way to afford to go to university. And even students ...
Cardiff commuters face more affordable fares and less overcrowding than commuters in other UK cities, according to a new report by the Campaign for Better Transport. Manchester commuters face the worst deal, with a combination of delays and higher fares relative to wages. London has much higher fares than the rest ...
Cardiff Metropolitan University and Cardiff University have been branded "the worst in Wales" for student related crime. The Complete University Guide has published student crime statistics showing the rates of student-related crimes at universities in England and Wales. However, crime rates around Welsh universities are lower overall than England, and are ...
It's that time of year again: the exams are over, the term is drawing to a close, and it's time to clean up, clear out, and claim that deposit back!
Everyone wants to claim their accommodation deposit back without hassle or prolonged haggling. Whether you're moving back to your parents for the ...
Today is judgement day for the go-ahead on plans for a new six-storey city centre tower block.
Developers Sydney and Cardiff want to build the tower block on St. Andrew’s Lane, off Dumfries Place, on a site which is currently used as a car park. Cardiff councillors from the town planning ...
This weekend marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and whether you're a flag-waving fan of the monarchy or a republican looking to get away from it all, the extra-long Bank Holiday weekend marks a great chance to relax and enjoy some of the many activities taking place around Cardiff.
Here's a round-up of ...
If you're a student in Cardiff, there's no excuse not to get stuck in to its vibrant city life. There are many great Cardiff blogs and websites to help you discover all that's going on and to venture beyond the student bubble. Here are a few to get you started:
...
Are you a budding Jamie Oliver, or are beans on toast the height of your culinary powers? For many students, university is the first time for being solely responsible for their own food, without mum or dad to lay on meals.It won't work for everyone, but if your housemates are happy ...
With the Easter break a fading memory for students at Cardiff University, UWIC and Atrium (did I miss anyone?), the end of the academic year is hurtling fast towards us. For some, the bulk of essays and coursework may be behind you, with just a few final deadlines meaning that you ...
Welcome to the new Capital Student Life blog! Here at Capital Properties we want to help you make the most of student life in Cardiff. We do that by providing great student accommodation in Cardiff, and now by this new weekly blog covering everything from tips on choosing student accommodation in ...
It’s election day! It is clear that many Cardiff residents have very mixed feelings about how they will vote on today, but it is so important to put some thought in to thinking about this matter and use your vote! We can hardly complain about consequent events on a local, nor ...
Residents have voted against residents-only parking in over half of roads proposed as part of an Olympic-backed scheme.A majority of residents opposed the proposals in 30 out of 56 streets from the Riverside, Canton and Grangetown areas of Cardiff. Only those streets with a majority of respondents in favour will continue ...
Undercover police have been patrolling the back streets of Cardiff in a renewed effort to prevent crime. With students away over the Easter holidays, the quieter streets around Roath and Cathays have offered easy opportunities for thieves.Police are aware of the crime problem which traditionally escalates at this time of year. ...
Get It Out For Cardiff, the annual end of term waste/recycling and
charity collection, is set to expand with a new partnership bringing
re-use banks to student locations across Cardiff.The YMCA has
joined the scheme, and will use the items collected in the re-use banks
and money raised from them to ...
Cardiff Council is asking residents of Plasnewydd and Gabalfa wards if the HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Licensing scheme should be extended to them. If extended, it would apply to many Cardiff student houses in the Roath and Heath areas close to Cathays (see electoral ward map).
HMO licensing is intended to ...
Want to share your experiences of student housing? Gair Rhydd, Cardiff University’s student newspaper, has launched their annual Student Housing survey for 2012.If you are a Cardiff student in your second year or above, you can answer questions about how you found your student house, what you think of the quality ...
Ever wondered what the most popular student degree courses in the UK might be? Apparently, at this point in time favourite subjects include Business Management, Design Studies, Law and Psychology, but Nursing comes in at No.1 spot. Anyone surprised at those findings? Well, demand for Nursing degrees has grown since the ...
January is well under way, and to celebrate, we're pleased to announce the launch of our latest competition - January Madness! We're GIVING AWAY five Abercrombie and Fitch vouchers each with a value of £20 to celebrate the launch of our new Student Accommodation website, the perfect site for all Cardiff ...
Many students will be thinking about having a bit of a clean-up in their student accommodation in Cardiff after the Christmas festivities, and we're here to make it easier for you! We thought a quick reminder about waste and recycling may be helpful. It can be confusing trying to remember which ...