Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Just recently, I completed nine months of residing in London. While this duration may seem brief, I have gained several insights throughout this period. London is a vibrant metropolis, celebrated not only for its varied housing options but also for its communities. Students have myriad choices available at their feet. Both student residences and private housing provide alternatives such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Home students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore potential homes online, check amenities, and discover the closest public transportation links.
In my quest for a place to live, I sought a room to rent in Central London to remain near major attractions, social hotspots, and Imperial’s campus. The city is organized into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London boasts a fantastic transport network, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, rendering it straightforward to traverse and commute between zones. I aimed to minimize travel expenses since inter-zonal travel can cost up to £5.25 daily. I chose to walk shorter distances rather than take a bus or tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options have made traveling to university more economical. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services reach areas beyond the Underground network, expanding to zones outside central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services fluctuate depending on distance and the pricing structure of each train company. Central London features major attractions, which drives up living costs. Luckily, attending university with a friend enabled us to share accommodation and greatly reduce our rent. I favored intercollegiate student lodgings to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and similar age groups, a blend that is more challenging to discover in private rentals.
Living near supermarkets was vital for me. Common grocery chains include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more affordable options are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being close to essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood in London can be daunting. The city’s ethnic communities are fundamental to its cultural identity, providing a rich array of unique neighborhoods. Numerous international students look for the comfort of their home culture in London. Southall, located in West London, is home to a significant South Asian community filled with Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton, situated in South London, is famed for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Chinatown, located 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-centric neighborhoods.
The optimal locations to reside in London hinge on your personal interests and necessities. While searching for a new residence in London, embrace the city’s diversity and wealth of accommodation choices, explore its cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.