Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I completed nine months of residing in London. While it may not seem lengthy, I have gained considerable insights. London is an energetic city, renowned not only for its variety of housing options but also for its dynamic communities. Students have numerous selections right at their feet. Both university accommodation and private residences present choices such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can conveniently arrange apartment viewings, and platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore prospective lodgings online, complete with amenities and accessibility to public transport.
In my housing search, I prioritized renting a room in Central London to stay close to major sights, social centers, and Imperial’s campus. The city encompasses six concentric zones, where zones one and two represent the heart. London boasts an outstanding transport system, inclusive of the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making it easy to navigate and travel across zones. I aimed to lessen travel expenses as inter-zonal transit could reach up to £5.25 daily. Therefore, I chose to walk short distances rather than rely on buses or the tube. However, oyster card options have made commuting to university more affordable. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services connect areas beyond the Underground network, reaching into zones outside the central part of London. Fares for inter-zone journeys on these services fluctuate based on distance and the pricing structure of each train operator. The central area of London is home to significant attractions, resulting in higher living expenses. Fortunately, I had a friend attending the same university, and we shared accommodations, which greatly reduced our rent expenses. I opted for intercollegiate student housing to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds and similar age groups—a combination that is more challenging to find in private residences.
Living near grocery outlets was essential for me. Popular supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while budget-friendly options are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being close to necessary stores, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, saves valuable time on errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities are pivotal to its cultural essence, presenting a variety of neighborhoods. Numerous international students look for connections to their homeland within London. Southall, located in West London, has a significant South Asian community featuring Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. Brixton in South London is celebrated for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Chinatown, situated in London’s West End, is a bustling area filled with Chinese dining options, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few examples of community-centric neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London ultimately depend on your preferences and requirements. When looking for a new place to call home in London, embrace the diversity and richness of its accommodation alternatives, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and thrill of this extraordinary city.