Composed by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I celebrated nine months of residing in London. Although nine months might not seem like a long period, I have made some observations during this time. London is a vibrant metropolis, presenting an extensive range of housing choices and varied communities. Students have an abundance of alternatives available to them. Both student accommodations and private rentals feature different options such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, while platforms such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to investigate potential housing online, including amenities and accessibility to public transport.
In my quest for housing, I aimed to rent a room in Central London to stay near key attractions, social centers, and the Imperial campus. The city is organized into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London’s robust transportation system, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, makes traveling and navigating between zones straightforward. I sought to lower travel expenses, as inter-zonal travel can amount to £5.25 daily. I chose to walk shorter distances rather than relying on buses or the tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Moreover, London Overground and National Rail services go beyond the Underground network, connecting to areas outside central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services fluctuate depending on distance and the fare policy of each train operator. The presence of significant landmarks in Central London leads to elevated living costs. Luckily, I attended university alongside a friend, and we opted to share a room, which significantly decreased our rental costs. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations to encounter peers from various backgrounds and similar ages, a combination more challenging to find in private rentals.
For me, residing near grocery stores was essential. Common supermarket options include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with more affordable choices like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being close to essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, especially during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood poses its challenges. London’s ethnic communities play a vital role in its cultural fabric, showcasing a rich variety of neighborhoods. Many international students yearn for the familiarity of their home cultures in London. Southall, located in West London, is home to a substantial South Asian community featuring Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. In South London, Brixton is famed for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling enclave filled with numerous Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural events. These are just a handful of examples of community neighborhoods.
The optimal areas to reside in London are contingent on personal interests and preferences. When on the lookout for a new residence in London, embrace the city’s diversity and wealth of accommodation options, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.