**Finding Accommodation in London: My Journey**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. Though nine months might not appear extensive, it has afforded me the chance to acquire several important insights regarding life in this dynamic metropolis. London boasts not just a plethora of accommodation choices but also a myriad of communities that make up its fabric. Students, specifically, enjoy a vast array of housing alternatives available to them. From student residences to private rentals, the offerings include ensuite and shared bathrooms, private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. For home students, arranging apartment viewings is fairly simple, while international learners can utilize websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to investigate potential living spaces online, review amenities, and gauge the location’s accessibility to public transport.
In my quest for a residence, I concentrated on securing a room in Central London. Proximity to the city’s key attractions, social hotspots, and, naturally, Imperial College’s campus was a priority. London is structured into six circular zones, with the first two zones being the most central. The city’s transport network, which includes the Underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitates easy movement across these zones. Nonetheless, I aimed to reduce my travel expenses since inter-zonal trips can cost as much as £5.25 daily. To economize, I chose to walk shorter distances instead of relying on public transport. That being said, the Oyster card system has rendered commuting to university more economical. Furthermore, the London Overground and National Rail services reach beyond the Underground network, servicing areas outside Central London. Fares for these services fluctuate based on distance and the specific fare structure of each train operator.
Residing in Central London has its advantages, but it also entails elevated living expenses. Luckily, I managed to share a room with a friend, which greatly reduced our rent costs. I opted for intercollegiate student housing because I wanted to interact with peers from various backgrounds and similar age groups—something trickier to find in private housing.
For me, being close to grocery stores was a significant consideration. Some prevalent supermarket chains in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more economical alternatives are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Accessibility to essential establishments like supermarkets and pharmacies is a genuine time-saver, especially during hectic times such as exam periods.
Selecting the ideal neighborhood can be daunting. London’s diverse ethnic communities form a core part of the city’s cultural landscape, resulting in a vibrant array of neighborhoods. Many international students gravitate towards areas that evoke memories of home. For instance, Southall in West London is renowned for its large South Asian population, featuring numerous Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional apparel stores. Brixton, located in South London, is well-known for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. Chinatown, nestled in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling locale brimming with Chinese eateries, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few illustrations of the multitude of community-oriented neighborhoods in London.
In conclusion, the best locale to call home in London hinges on your individual preferences and requirements. As you embark on your search for a new living space, embrace the diversity and richness of London’s accommodation landscape, explore its cultural neighborhoods, and relish the convenience and thrill that this extraordinary city has to offer.
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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/)