**Experiencing London: My Journey with Housing and City Living**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I celebrated the nine-month mark of my stay in London. Although nine months may seem brief, it has been a period of substantial learning. London is a vibrant and multicultural metropolis, offering a wide array of housing choices as well as rich community experiences. Students have numerous accommodation options available, from student residences to private rentals. These choices consist of ensuite and communal bathrooms, individual and shared rooms, studio flats, and shared houses. For local students, arranging apartment viewings is relatively simple, while international students can depend on websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to explore potential housing from a distance, assess facilities, and consider transportation links.
In my quest for accommodation, I concentrated on securing a room to rent in Central London. My aim was to be near the city’s main sights, vibrant social spots, and, importantly, Imperial College’s campus. London is structured into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most centralized. The city features an outstanding public transport system, consisting of the Underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitating easy travel across various zones. Personally, I sought to minimize commuting expenses, as traveling between zones can amount to £5.25 per day. I frequently chose to walk shorter distances over taking the bus or tube. Nevertheless, the Oyster card system has made traveling to university more budget-friendly. Moreover, London Overground and National Rail services go beyond the Underground network, encompassing areas outside the city center. Ticket prices for these services fluctuate based on distance and each train company’s fare system.
Residing in Central London offers its advantages, but it also brings higher living expenses due to its closeness to key attractions. Luckily, I was in university alongside a friend, and we chose to share a room, which significantly lessened our rental costs. I leaned towards intercollegiate housing because I wanted to connect with students from various backgrounds, which could have been more difficult in private rentals.
One of my key considerations was being near grocery stores. Among the most well-known supermarkets in London are Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, whereas more economical alternatives include Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to essential stores like supermarkets and pharmacies is a major time-saver, especially during hectic times like exams.
Selecting a neighborhood in London can be quite challenging. The city’s ethnic communities are vital to its cultural tapestry, providing a wide range of neighborhoods to discover. Many international students yearn for the comfort of familiarity from their home countries in London. For instance, Southall in West London features a large South Asian population, hosting Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional attire boutiques. Brixton in South London is celebrated for its Afro-Caribbean culture and lively music scene. Furthermore, Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, is a lively area brimming with Chinese eateries, shops, and cultural festivities. These examples represent just a fraction of the diverse neighborhoods that contribute to London’s cultural richness.
Ultimately, determining the best place to live in London is dictated by your personal preferences and requirements. As you embark on finding your new home in this city, immerse yourself in the variety and richness of London’s housing options, investigate its cultural hubs, and relish the convenience and excitement that this extraordinary city has to provide.
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*By [Guest Blogger](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/author/bloggers/)*
*Categorised under [Uncategorized](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/category/uncategorized/)*
*Tagged [accommodation](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/accommodation/), [Housing](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/housing/), [London Life](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/london-life/), [master’s](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/masters/)*