**Exploring London: My Journey with Housing and Urban Living**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Just a few days back, I reached the nine-month milestone of my stay in London. Although it may not appear to be an extensive period, I have gained considerable insight into the city and its distinct personality. London is an energetic metropolis, showcasing not only a spectrum of housing choices but also an array of communities that inhabit it. Specifically, students benefit from a wealth of lodging options available to them. Be it student accommodations or private living spaces, there’s a multitude of choices available, such as ensuite or communal bathrooms, private or shared rooms, studio flats, and house shares. For domestically based students, arranging apartment viewings is relatively simple, while international students can utilize platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to examine prospective living arrangements online, review amenities, and consider proximity to public transport.
During my search for accommodation, I concentrated on securing a room in Central London. My aim was to be near the city’s primary attractions, social hotspots, and importantly, the campus of Imperial College. London is organized into six concentric zones, with the first and second zones being the most central. The city boasts an excellent public transportation system, which encompasses the Underground (the Tube), buses, and trains, providing ease of movement and travel between zones. Nevertheless, I was intentional about minimizing travel expenses, as crossing zones can incur costs up to £5.25 daily. To economize, I chose to walk shorter journeys rather than opt for the bus or Tube. Nevertheless, the Oyster card system has made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend past the Underground network, serving areas outside of central London. The fares for these services are contingent on the distance traveled and the specific fare framework of each operator.
Residing in Central London presents the advantage of proximity to major attractions, but it also entails higher living expenses. Thankfully, I was at university alongside a friend, and we opted to share a room, significantly reducing our rental costs. I chose intercollegiate student accommodation, aiming to connect with peers from varied backgrounds and similar age ranges—something that would have been more challenging with private rentals.
A crucial priority for me was residing near grocery stores. Prominent supermarkets in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while affordable alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are also plentiful. Living close to essential shops, like supermarkets and pharmacies, saves a tremendous amount of time, especially in hectic periods such as exam season.
Selecting the right neighborhood in London can be a daunting task. The city’s ethnic communities form a vital component of its cultural mosaic, presenting a rich variety of neighborhoods. Many international students look for a sense of familiarity from their home countries in London. For instance, Southall in West London boasts a sizable South Asian community, featuring numerous Indian restaurants, grocery boutiques, and traditional clothing stores. In South London, Brixton is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and vibrant music culture. Simultaneously, Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, is a lively district brimming with Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few instances of the many lively community neighborhoods found throughout the city.
Ultimately, the ideal neighborhood to reside in London hinges on your personal preferences and necessities. As you embark on a search for new accommodation in this dynamic city, embrace the diversity and richness of its housing alternatives, delve into its cultural enclaves, and savor the convenience and excitement that London offers.
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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/)