**Exploring London: My Journey with Housing and Urban Living**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I celebrated nine months of residing in London. Although this duration might not seem extensive, I’ve gained considerable insights throughout this time. London is an ever-evolving metropolis, renowned not only for its diverse accommodation options but also for the eclectic communities that inhabit it. Students, in particular, have a plethora of choices right at hand. Whether you seek student accommodation or private lodgings, you’ll discover a range of living arrangements from ensuite and shared bathrooms to private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. For local students, scheduling apartment viewings is fairly easy. On the other hand, international students can utilize websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom to investigate potential housing online, examine facilities, and evaluate closeness to public transport.
In my search for a living space, I concentrated on renting a room in Central London. I aimed to be near the city’s significant attractions, social hotspots, and, naturally, Imperial College’s campus. London is segmented into six concentric zones, with the first two zones being the most central. The city features a superb transport network, including the Tube, buses, and trains, facilitating seamless travel between different zones. Personally, I intended to minimize my travel expenses, as inter-zonal fares can reach £5.25 daily. I frequently chose to walk shorter distances instead of taking the bus or Tube. Nevertheless, utilizing an Oyster card has considerably lowered my commuting expenses to university. Besides the Underground, London Overground and National Rail services extend to areas outside central London, with prices varying based on distance and the specific train service.
Residing in Central London offers the advantage of proximity to key attractions, but it also entails elevated living costs. Thankfully, I was able to share a room with a friend, which significantly reduced our rent. I opted for intercollegiate student accommodation, hoping to connect with students from varied backgrounds and similar age brackets—an opportunity that would have been more challenging to find in private rentals.
One of my main priorities was proximity to grocery stores. Some of London’s most familiar supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, along with more economical choices like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near essential shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies is a tremendous time-saver, especially during hectic periods like exam time.
Selecting the appropriate neighbourhood can be a daunting task. London’s ethnic communities are an integral aspect of the city’s cultural fabric, presenting a vibrant mix of diverse locales. Many international students gravitate towards areas that evoke sentiments of home. For example, Southall in West London has a significant South Asian community, complete with numerous Indian restaurants, grocery stores, and traditional attire shops. In South London, Brixton is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean population and lively music scene. At the same time, Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, thrums with energy, teeming with Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few instances of the myriad culturally rich neighbourhoods in London.
Ultimately, the most suitable area to reside in London hinges on your personal preferences and requirements. When embarking on your quest for a new home in this city, embrace the variety of its accommodation choices, delve into the cultural districts, and relish the convenience and vibrancy that London 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/)