Student houses aren’t always the most luxurious spots on the market, but there’s something so bittersweet about saying goodbye to your own little uni room, your beloved housemates, and a year’s worth of memories, even if they are a bit clouded by the old hangover haze. It’s alright to get in your feels towards the end of the semester, but just you wait until move out day. The combination of carrying a hundred bags and boxes down the stairs, discovering furry patches of black mould behind your bed, and scrubbing the kitchen floor for hours on end, is enough to snap you out of it all. Trust me.
Living in Costa del Smithdown, or however you’d like to fondly refer to it, becomes a key part of most Liverpool students’ lore as they hit the dreaded second year slump. From late night runs to ASDA, to accidentally spending a whole afternoon in the Willow Bank pub garden, and all the visits to Chester’s inbetween, living along Smithdown Road has certainly treated us all well.
So, whether you’ve just graduated, are heading home for your final summer as a uni student, or you’ve somehow been convinced to move to Kensington next year, you’ve finally reached the end of a special era. Here are all things we think you’ll only relate to if you’re saying goodbye to your Smithdown house this year – maybe grab a tissue, because it’s a bit emotional.
Experiencing the mixed emotions of bin day one last time
Ah, bin day, the weekly ritual of watching a sea of overflowing black bags, missing lids, and random bits of furniture appear on the street overnight. You might have cursed it every week, but suddenly you’re weirdly sentimental about that one last wheelie bin drag down the alley. That’s if you were the housemate that actually remembered to nip the bins out on an evening, even if it was after the club at 6am with a Gourmet Grill in one hand, and a bin in the other.
Trying to give away everything you own in a state of pure panic
We’re surprised that everyone is yet to uncover the science behind being able to fit everything in your car on your way to uni, but somehow never squishing all your stuff in for the return journey. Suddenly, everyone’s flogging mismatched chairs, “nearly new” air fryers, and a suspiciously stained sofa for free (as long as you collect it right this second).
The local Facebook groups have never seen so much attention before, and you can barely walk down the street because there’s a full length mirror, a microwave, and a selection of stolen road signs on every corner. You know the vibe: First come, first served, and good luck.
Realising you might actually miss that weird mould patch
Okay, hear us out. It was ugly. It probably knocked a year off your life, but that oddly shaped spot of ceiling damp in the bathroom? It’s kind of a rite of passage of living in your student house. You’ll never forget it, and you definitely won’t forget the arguments with your landlord about it. You’ve even got an email chain of complaints about the mould to commemorate the experience. How sentimental.
Saying goodbye to the corner shop guy who’s basically family
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Greet Vapes, Wag1Offy or Pound Island kind of person, because your local became a bit of a holy spot from the second you moved in. You’ve never exchanged full names, but the bossman knows your favourite meal deal combo, and has sold you a pack of Rizla in every shade. Saying goodbye to the 24 hour off licence on Smithdown Road might result in tears on move out day.
Finally leaving the Lawrence Road bandits behind
We can’t forget to mention this weirdly memorable experience in our goodbye to Smithdown. Although this goodbye may not be a sad one, it goes out to anyone who has been egged by, shouted at, or almost got in a fight with the Lawrence Road bandits. We also won’t miss the constant fear of being robbed. If you’re staying in Smithdown, remember always lock your door: They WILL try the handle.
Seeing everyone you know, everywhere
Speaking of sweet treat runs and late night corner shop trips, we’re pretty sure sure we can all relate to bumping into anyone and everyone, anytime you leave the house. Whether it’s bumping into your ex in The Brookie, or catching eyes with that one girl that thinks she’s too cool to remember your name, these interactions are rarely pleasant. It might feel like the end of an era to bid farewell to your house on one of the many dales, but this is definitely something that won’t be missed.
Doing the final Aldi or ASDA shop
You swear you just went in for milk. Next thing you know, your trolley is stacked with cheap booze, crisps, and a multipack of custard creams. It’s giving last supper. The group chat’s buzzing. You all know this shop ends in a house “cleaning” party that’s 20 per cent bleach, and 80 per cent cider but hey, how else would you have a house send off?
Crumbling under the stress of deposits
“Don’t worry, we’ll get the full deposit back.” Famous last words.
Suddenly you’re on your hands and knees, scrubbing baseboards with a toothbrush and printing off screenshots of that dent that absolutely was already there when you moved in. Your landlord will arrive and starts making notes like they’re judging an episode of Bake Off, and snapping photos of crumbling paintwork to add to their collection. Bless.
The unshakeable feeling that nothing will ever hit quite like this again
Yes, you’ll probably have a nicer flat next year; maybe even double-glazed windows and a dryer that actually works. But there’s something about the chaos, the closeness, and the late night walk to Chester’s that you’ll really miss. Smithdown might be a little rough around the edges, but it’s ours at the end of the day, and we love it.
Moving out of Smithdown means saying goodbye to more than just dodgy electrics and shared bathrooms; it’s leaving behind a whole era of uni life. So pour a drink and raise a toast to the mouldy walls, midnight offy runs, and unforgettable memories. You’ve survived it, and you’ll never forget it.
