Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I completed nine months of residing in London. Although it’s not an extensive timeframe, I have gathered various observations. London is a vibrant city, not only due to its range of housing alternatives but also because of its multicultural neighborhoods. Students have a multitude of options available to them. Both student accommodations and private housing feature choices such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Home students can conveniently arrange viewings for apartments, while websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to browse prospective accommodations online, along with amenities and proximity to public transport.
In my hunt for housing, I aimed to rent a room in Central London to remain near prominent attractions, social areas, and Imperial’s campus. The city is organized into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London possesses an outstanding transportation system, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making it easy to navigate and travel across zones. I intended to minimize travel expenses, as inter-zonal fares can amount to as much as £5.25 daily. Instead of utilizing buses or the tube for short trips, I chose to walk. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground system, reaching areas outside of central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services differ based on distance and the fare policies of each train operator. The high living costs in Central London are attributed to its major attractions. Luckily, sharing a room with a friend while attending university helped us significantly lower rent costs. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations to connect with peers from varied backgrounds and similar ages, a combination that is more challenging to find in private rentals.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Popular supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more affordable options are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to essential amenities like supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on chores, particularly during exam times.
Selecting a neighborhood can be a daunting task. London’s ethnic groups are central to its cultural essence, presenting a rich mosaic of diverse areas. Many international students yearn for a taste of familiarity with their home nations while in London. Southall, located in West London, is home to a substantial South Asian population, offering Indian eateries, grocery outlets, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton, situated in South London, is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and dynamic music atmosphere. Chinatown, at the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling area filled with various Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few instances of community neighborhoods.
The ideal locations to reside in London vary based on personal preferences and requirements. When on the lookout for a new place to call home in London, embrace the diversity and richness inherent in its housing selections, explore cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement of this incredible city.