Hi Elena I am from Britain.What are you going to do in the UK ? are you working or a student,because this can influence my answer.There are many lovely places to live in the UK and it really depends on the type of person you are and what you are going to be doing.If you like cities of course London,Manchester,Birmingham,Liverpool are good cities and very exciting.If you like countryside then smaller places like Oxford could be better for you.Without knowing more about you I cannot answer your question.

I'm surprised you live in Leicester and say that there is not a lot of cultural things to do. It's one of the most multicultural cities in the UK. London is great but very expensive. Nottingham and Birmingham offer plenty of activities and are culturally diverse. Otherwise, try Manchester or Liverpool.

I don't know Manchester, Birmingham (or Leicester), but I have to say that there is probably nowhere else in the UK that offers the range of activities,opportunities, and diversity of London. The problem, as you say, is the high cost of finding somewhere to live here. Of course, you don't have to share with Spanish girls! Why don't you look for a flatshare (or house share) with a more mixed group. That would introduce you to a wider social circle. If you focus on south and east London, you will find costs are slightly lower, although some travelling may be necessary - another of the drawbacks of living in London. You will probably have to make a trade off between cost of living and lifestyle. It's not an easy one to call.