Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. in Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. While this period isn’t particularly extensive, I’ve gathered various insights along the way. London is a vibrant city, known not only for its varied housing options but also for its communities. Students have a wealth of choices available right outside their doors. Both student residences and private accommodations offer a range of options such as ensuite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Home students can conveniently arrange apartment viewings, whereas platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore their future homes online, inclusive of amenities and access to public transportation.
In my quest for housing, my goal was to rent a room in Central London to remain near key attractions, social centers, and Imperial’s campus. The city comprises six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London boasts a superb transport system featuring the underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitating easy navigation and inter-zone travel. I aimed to minimize my travel expenses, as commuting between zones can cost as much as £5.25 daily. Consequently, I opted to walk shorter distances rather than take a bus or tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made university journeys more economical. Additionally, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these routes vary according to distance and the fare policies of each train operating company. Central London houses major attractions, leading to elevated living costs. Luckily, I was studying with a friend, and we opted to share a room, which helped us save significantly on rent. I favored intercollegiate student housing, hoping to connect with students from various backgrounds and similar age groups—a combination that’s harder to find in private accommodations.
Living in proximity to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarket options include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside more budget-friendly alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies saves valuable time on errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood to reside in proves to be a tough task. London’s ethnic communities play a vital role in its cultural landscape, presenting a rich variety of neighborhoods. Numerous international students in London look for a sense of familiarity with their homeland. Southall, located in West London, features a large South Asian community with Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. Brixton, situated in South London, is famous for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. In the core of London’s West End, Chinatown is an animated area filled with various Chinese dining options, shops, and cultural happenings. These represent only a few community-oriented neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London are contingent on your preferences and requirements. To discover a new home in London, embrace its diversity and richness in accommodation options, dive into cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.