What's life in a university town like?

The number of school leavers heading for higher education is greater than ever, so the permanent residents of Britain's university towns and cities can expect the annual population boom that each September brings to be even greater this year. And that may - or may not - be a good thing.

HelenMackay,56, TV chaperone, Newcastle: Newcastle is a fantastic place to live, but there are drawbacks. Property was once cheap here, so many students' parents bought houses as buy-to-let ventures and have pushed prices up. It's awful that locals can't afford to buy homes in their area and have been pushed out. But having two universities has advantages' people tend to stay in the place where they studied, so there are lots of good doctors living here who trained at the hospital, and many artists and academics, which brings business to the area.

Florence Hughes, chartered surveyor, 34, Bristol: On weekends there's a mass influx of students into the town centre. The younger ones get drunk and congregate in swarms. Some residents complain of feeling threatened, but I blame this more on drinking culture than students per se. Locals who are not studying cause similar problems when they get together for a night out. My concern is that we need trades and skiled workers, but many people are doing airy-fairy degrees rather than carving out careers. How many sociologists and anthropologists do we need in Bristol?

David Williams, 48, framer, Glasgow: Last year, I rented a flat below a group of students in the West End of Glasgow, the heart of student territory. They were the ultimate neighbours from hel, playing loud music at al hours, punctuated only by vigorous sex and moving heavy furniture at 2am. Two of the three universities are in that area, and outside the local shops they can be seen arguing over what flavour Pot Noodle they should buy, or standing three deep leering at the cards for rentable flats. There are advantages, such as interesting record-shops and vegetarian grocers, but on the whole the students are a pain.

Steven Lewis, 29, graphic designer, Brighton: Brighton wouldn't be the same without students. It's never stagnant as there are always live events, and they generate local revenue, even if it is mainly through the bars. I can't understand how they spend so much' they seem to shop and eat out constantly, and are far better off than when I was studying. In their favour, most of them slave away for a pitiful wage in the restaurants and bars. I do get annoyed at the noise and over-enthusiasm, though maybe I'm just getting older and more cynical. Students are an easy target, but really they are just young people coming into their own.

Ian Parry, 45, astronomer, Cambridge: I have always lived in university areas. It's great living in a cosmopolitan place with people congregating from around the world' it keeps me young and is a great source of culture. Cambridge is interesting and lively. I'm always amazed when I go to places like Bedford and Luton, they seem so dull compared with university centres. People get annoyed by students cycling around aimlessly, getting in the way, but I like that. The problem is that I've ended up with friends from al over the place and many eventually leave, but that provides an excuse to go traveling.

James Diaz, 26, bar manager, Falmouth: Students in Fall-mouth don't do much to dispel the stereotypes. Many of them have dreadlocks, don't wash enough and can't even make toast. It is very boring after a while. As I get older they get younger and I have less time for their habits. Working in a bar, I meet loads of them and they are friendly and invite me to parties, which I used to enjoy. After a while, though, one gets fed up with seeing variations of the same people, al trying too hard to be cool and boasting about who can drink the most and who does the least work.

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