University students have packed up and gone home for the summer break. But there's more to the area as we find out when we talk to residents who have worked and lived here for years.

The University area on the east side of Hamilton is unusually quiet.

The students have left, some to pick up summer jobs and others home to Mum's cooking.

The campus is empty. Final exams are done and dusted with summer school just round the corner.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/Fairfax NZ. Beatrice Climo, 84, is a long standing resident of Liston Crescent, near the University.

But there is more to this suburb than just students.

Beatrice Climo, 84, has lived down Liston Crescent close to the university for 30 years.

She and her late husband sold the family farm and decided to move to the city.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/Fairfax NZ. Salon owner Brenda Allinson has owned and operated Hillcrest Hair Design on Knighton Rd for 47 years.

"We knew it would be quite a change, this close proximity, but we have found the neighbourhood very quiet," she said.

"I'm happy that we bought on the crescent. There is a bit of traffic noise but it's pretty quiet here."

Beatrice said she had no trouble with students since living there.

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/Fairfax NZ. L-R Raka Thavaraja (co-owner) and Rakesh Paruchuri (manager) from the popular Royale Indian Restaurant on Cameron Road.

"The students are not far away, but they've never bothered us. They must be all the good students, not the bad ones."

The lunch time rush has begun at the Royale Indian Restaurant on Cameron Road.

A group known as "Curry Fridays" meet up every Friday for lunch at the restaurant and have been doing so for the last three years.

Group member, Craig Armstrong, said they enjoy eating at the restaurant because it's close and only costs $10.

"I challenge you to find a better $10 lunch."

He said the menu was superb and had high praise for the staff.

"The staff are very obliging so if you ask them to surprise you, be creative, - they will oblige, and you will get a curry to match it."

Co-owner Raka Thavaraja has owned the restaurant for eight years and said they get a range of guests from students, families and co-workers.

He said being the only restaurant close to the university has its perks.

"Lunch time is always packed with students, because there is no other restaurant in this area and they're getting everything within their budget."

"The area is very nice, it's a good place, good people, no trouble."

Salon owner, Brenda Allinson is having her usual Friday morning rush.

Her business, Hillcrest Hair Design on Knighton Road has been running for 47 years. In that time she has seen many hairstyles come and go - the perm, mullet and bob, and many people come through the doors.

Allinson said when she first started the salon there was only herself, then as the salon got busier she employed a couple of staff. Over the years staff numbers rose to 15 but now it's back down to a tight group of 6 to 7.

Allinson started hairdressing in her teens in England, and after emigrating to New Zealand decided to find a hairdressing job.

"Back when the shop came up for sale the university was very small, like 500 people and I saw it as an great business opportunity."

From there, she has expanded her business and opened up another salon on campus.

"We've got a strong client-base of regulars because I've been here so long," she said. "But we have to really work hard, we have to keep working to keep our numbers up because the whole area's filled with students now not families."

Allinson loves her job and living in the area that is close to town, with a great bus service and friendly students.

"I love Hillcrest, Hamilton East in general because its proximity to get anywhere around town. We're really lucky to have the Orbiter go past.

"You can walk down the street and everyone talks to you, just to say hello as they go past and yeah, it's really nice place to be."

The area is part of the Hamilton City Council community profiles based on the 2013 census. Hamilton East Area 5 includes University, Hillcrest West, Riverlea and Silverdale.