**Residing in London: A Nine-Month Overview**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I reached the nine-month milestone of residing in London. Although nine months may not appear to be an extended period, it has provided me with ample opportunity to discover much about this dynamic city. London boasts not only a variety of housing options but also a plethora of communities that make it their home. For students, the city presents an extensive array of housing alternatives, ranging from student accommodations to private lodgings, including ensuite bathrooms, shared or private rooms, studio flats, and shared houses. Domestic students can conveniently arrange in-person apartment tours, while international students can utilize platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to view potential housing options online, examine amenities, and evaluate distances to public transportation.
In my own quest for housing, I aimed to find a room in Central London. I sought to be near the city’s main attractions, social hotspots, and, of course, Imperial College’s campus. London is segmented into six concentric zones, with the first two zones being the most central. The city’s superb transport network—consisting of the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains—facilitates easy travel between these zones. However, I was eager to keep my travel expenses low, as traveling between zones can cost as much as £5.25 per day. To conserve funds, I chose to walk shorter distances rather than depend on public transport. Nevertheless, the Oyster card system has made commuting to university significantly cheaper. Moreover, the London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Tube network, reaching areas outside of central London. Fares for these services depend on the distance traveled and the fare structure set by each train operator.
Residing in Central London offers distinct advantages, but it also entails higher living expenses due to its closeness to significant attractions. Luckily, I managed to share a room with a friend, which helped us markedly lower our rental costs. I opted for intercollegiate student housing, as I was keen to connect with students from varied backgrounds and similar age brackets—a combination that would have been more challenging to find in private accommodations.
For me, being near grocery shops was crucial. Some of the most prevalent supermarkets in London are Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while budget-friendly options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are also present. Proximity to essential stores, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, is a tremendous time-saver, particularly during hectic periods like exam seasons.
Selecting the ideal neighborhood can prove to be a daunting task. London’s ethnic communities form a vital aspect of its cultural milieu, providing a rich array of neighborhoods. Many international students gravitate towards areas that evoke the feel of home. For instance, Southall in West London hosts a significant South Asian community, boasting numerous Indian eateries, grocery outlets, and traditional clothing stores. In South London, Brixton is celebrated for its Afro-Caribbean community and dynamic music scene. Meanwhile, Chinatown, in the midst of London’s West End, is a lively hub teeming with Chinese dining establishments, shops, and cultural events. These are merely a few illustrations of the many culturally vibrant neighborhoods in London.
In the end, the most suitable place to reside in London depends on your own interests and requirements. When looking for a new home in this city, embrace the diversity and richness of its housing options, delve into its cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement that London presents.
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*By [Guest Blogger](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/author/bloggers/)*
*Categorized 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/)*