Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. While nine months may seem brief, I have accumulated various insights during this timeframe. London is an energetic metropolis, not only for its varied living arrangements but also for its dynamic communities. Students have an array of options readily accessible. Both student accommodations and private rentals offer choices such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private bedrooms, studio flats, and shared houses. Local students can easily arrange viewings of apartments, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to preview potential lodgings online, along with available amenities and closeness to public transport.
In my search for a place to live, I aimed to secure a room in Central London to access major landmarks, social hotspots, and Imperial’s campus. The city comprises six concentric zones, with the first two being the most central. London features a superb transportation system, including the tube, buses, and trains, facilitating ease of movement across zones. Personally, I intended to minimize travel expenses, as inter-zonal journeys can amount to as much as £5.25 per day. I chose to walk shorter distances rather than take a bus or tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Besides, London Overground and National Rail services connect to areas beyond the Underground network, reaching zones outside central London. Fares for inter-zone journeys on these services differ according to distance and the fare structure established by each operating train company. Central London is home to prominent attractions, resulting in elevated living costs. Luckily, enrolling at the university with a friend allowed us to split the cost of a room, significantly lessening our rent. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations, hoping to engage with peers from various backgrounds and similar age groups—a composition less frequently found in private rentals.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarket options include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside budget-friendly alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to vital stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies eases errand running, particularly during exam times.
Selecting a neighborhood presents its own challenges. London’s ethnic communities play a vital role in its cultural landscape, presenting a rich variety of neighborhoods. Many international students in London desire the familiarity of their home cultures. Southall in West London boasts a significant South Asian community with Indian restaurants, grocery outlets, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton in South London is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean populace and lively music scene. Chinatown, nestled in the center of London’s West End, offers a bustling hub with numerous Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These represent just a handful of community-rich neighborhoods.
The most suitable regions to reside in London vary based on personal preferences and requirements. When on the hunt for a new home in London, appreciate the diversity and depth of available accommodation options, delve into cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and thrill of this remarkable city.