Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I completed nine months of residing in London. While this may not be a long duration, I have acquired several observations in this timeframe. London is a vibrant metropolis, providing a diverse range of housing options and dynamic communities. Students are presented with a plethora of choices. Both student accommodations and private rentals offer alternatives like ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and individual rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can easily schedule apartment viewings, whereas platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore potential living spaces online, including their amenities and access to public transport.
In my search for housing, I aimed to rent a room in Central London to stay near main 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 boasts an outstanding transportation network, featuring the underground (tube), buses, and trains, which makes navigating and traveling between zones seamless. I aimed to minimize travel expenses, as inter-zonal fares can escalate to £5.25 per day. I chose to walk short distances instead of utilizing a bus or tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made commuting for university more cost-effective. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services stretch beyond the Underground network, connecting to zones outside central London. Fares for these services differ according to distance and each train company’s pricing structure. The prominent attractions in Central London contribute to elevated living expenses. Luckily, attending university with a friend allowed us to share a room, significantly lowering rent. I preferred intercollegiate student accommodations to interact with peers from varied backgrounds and similar ages, a mix that is less common in private rentals.
Living within close vicinity of grocery stores was essential for me. Frequent supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, along with more economical options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near vital shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, particularly during exam seasons.
Selecting a neighborhood can be daunting. The ethnic communities of London are vital to its cultural identity, providing a rich mosaic of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students seek a sense of familiarity from their home countries in London. Southall in West London accommodates a significant South Asian population with Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton in South London is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. Chinatown in the heart of London’s West End is a bustling area filled with numerous Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few instances of community neighborhoods.
The ideal places to live in London hinge on personal interests and requirements. While on the quest for a new home in London, embrace the diversity and richness of its housing options, delve into cultural enclaves, and appreciate the accessibility and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.