Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
As of late, I have hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. Although this duration is not extensive, I’ve accumulated some valuable experiences during my stay. London is an energetic city, characterized not just by its range of living arrangements but also by its multicultural neighborhoods. Students are presented with a multitude of choices. Both student accommodations and private rentals provide various options, including ensuite and suite bathrooms, private and shared rooms, studio flats, and communal living arrangements. Domestic students can effortlessly organize viewings for apartments, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to browse potential living spaces online, along with the amenities available and their closeness to public transportation.
In my quest for housing, my goal was to secure a room in Central London to be near prominent attractions, social hotspots, and the campus of Imperial. The city is structured into six concentric zones, where zones one and two are the most central. London offers an outstanding public transportation system, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitating easy navigation and travel across zones. I aimed to minimize my transportation costs since traveling between zones can amount to as much as £5.25 daily. I chose to walk short distances instead of utilizing a bus or tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made traveling to university more budget-friendly. Moreover, London Overground and National Rail services reach areas outside the Underground network, extending to zones that lie beyond central London. Ticket prices for inter-zone travel on these services differ depending on the distance covered and the pricing system of each train operator. Central London features significant attractions that drive the living expenses upwards. Luckily, I was at university with a friend, and we made the decision to share a room, which greatly lowered our rent. I was inclined towards intercollegiate student accommodations, anticipating the chance to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and similar age groups—a mix that would have been more challenging to encounter in private rentals.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarkets consist of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with more affordable options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Living near essential stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies saves valuable time on errands, particularly during exam seasons.
Selecting a neighborhood in which to reside can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities play a crucial role in its cultural fabric, presenting a rich array of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students in London seek the comfort of their homeland. Southall, situated in West London, is home to a substantial South Asian population, filled with Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. Brixton, located in South London, is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Chinatown, located in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling area showcasing a variety of Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These examples illustrate just a few of the community-oriented neighborhoods.
The best locations to reside in London depend largely on your personal interests and requirements. To discover a new home in London, embrace the diversity and wealth of its housing options, delve into the cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.