Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I celebrated reaching nine months of living in London. While this timeframe isn’t lengthy, I’ve accumulated some knowledge. London is a dynamic metropolis, offering a diverse range of housing options and lively neighborhoods. Students have a multitude of selections available to them. Both student residences and private lodgings come with various configurations such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and individual rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can conveniently set up apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to explore potential living spaces online, including details about amenities and closeness to public transportation.
During my quest for a place to stay, my goal was to rent a room in Central London to be close to key attractions, bustling areas, and the Imperial campus. London’s layout consists of six concentric zones, where zones one and two are the most central. The city offers an outstanding public transport network, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making navigation and travel across zones straightforward. I opted to walk short distances to minimize travel expenses, as moving between zones can cost as much as £5.25 daily. Oyster card options have made commuting to the university more budget-friendly. Also, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching locations outside central London. The fares for inter-zone travel on these services vary depending on distance and the pricing structure of each railway operator. The main attractions in Central London contribute to elevated living costs. Luckily, having a friend to attend university with allowed us to share a room, which greatly lessened rental costs. I chose intercollegiate student housing, hoping to connect with students from varied backgrounds and similar ages, a combination that’s more challenging to find in private accommodations.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarket chains include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with more affordable options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near vital stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies conserves time on errands, particularly during examination periods.
Selecting a neighborhood in London can be daunting. The ethnic communities are a crucial part of the city’s cultural tapestry, revealing a rich array of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students look for a slice of familiarity from their home countries in London. Southall, located in West London, is home to a significant South Asian population, featuring Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. Brixton, situated in South London, is famous for its Afro-Caribbean community and vibrant music scene. Chinatown, found in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling enclave filled with various Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few examples of community-driven neighborhoods.
The most suitable areas for living in London rely on personal preferences and requirements. While searching for a new residence in London, immerse yourself in the diversity and richness of its housing selections, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and thrill of this extraordinary city.