In which of these UK cities would you want to live?

I can remove some from your list straight away. Surrey, Essex and Staffordshire are counties, not cities. Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool are big cities. City status in UK is not based on size. Many towns are bigger than many cities in USA. However, I assume you are talking about universities. It would be better to find a degree course that suits you, rather than pick a location.

Manny's pretty cool.

I live in Exeter it's good their I've spent time in Lancaster it's nice but not verry big cardiff if really good Manchester is verry scabby in parts and Birmingham Is really nice but really industrial coventry is really good I love the vibe their I hope that's good feedback on the places I've been

Plymouth ticks those boxes and is a nice clean city next to the sea and Dartmoor. I love visiting there and enjoyed living there when I was younger, I only moved 15 miles away out into the country when I was a bit older.

Leeds it's our City and it's friendly

The one that I have lived all my 84 years,London,could not live anywhere else

Surrey is a county not a city. I already live in the rural part of it, but there is a lot of nightlife in the town of Guildford about 12 miles away

They were towns when I lived or closeby, but they would probably fit your criteria by now. Colchester (Essex) has a good run into London, with lots of history attached. Ipswich (Suffolk) is close to some remarkable countryside. Both of these counties are in East Anglia. Stafford (Staffordshire) Very central place, easy to get to Wolverhampton and Birmingham. You have not mentioned Chester, which is in Cheshire with close access to both Birkenhead and Liverpool. Unless things have changed considerably, the best shopping is in the larger cities, but in England, even the mediocre shopping is pretty darned good. If only they could get the hang of decent coffee and cafes. Of course, it was all a long time ago .. and the coffee may have improved a bit since then.

Surrey is NOT a city...Is a COUNTY.....Neither is Staffordshire, nor Essex,nor Teeside.......I am biased and will say Manchester where I live...Is THE best place in the UK....Nearby Liverpool is also great......Fits the bill...Is a BIG city on the up with a growing population and great shopping, concerts, theatre.....THE LOT and more affordable than some southern locations.......