Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. Although nine months isn’t an extensive duration, I’ve gathered several reflections throughout this time. London is a bustling metropolis, not just for its various living arrangements but also for its lively neighborhoods. Students have a wide array of options available to them. Both university housing and private rentals offer features such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio apartments, and house shares. Students enrolled at the university can readily schedule apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to explore potential housing online, including the amenities provided and their accessibility to public transportation.
In my quest for accommodation, I aimed to secure a room in Central London to stay close to key attractions, social hotspots, and Imperial’s campus. The city is segmented into six concentric zones, with the first two zones being the most central. London boasts an outstanding transport network, featuring the underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitating easy movement and travel across zones. I sought to minimize my commuting expenses, as inter-zonal travel can reach up to £5.25 each day, so I chose to walk shorter distances instead of utilizing a bus or tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options have rendered university commutes more economical. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services reach beyond the Underground network, serving areas outside of central London. Ticket prices for inter-zone travel on these services fluctuate based on distance and the fare systems of each train provider. The costs of living in central London, influenced by its key attractions, are quite steep. Luckily, I attended university with a companion, and we opted to share a room, leading to considerable savings on rent. I favored residing in intercollegiate student accommodations to connect with peers from various backgrounds and similar age brackets, something that would have been more difficult in private rentals.
Living close to grocery stores was essential for me. Major supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with more affordable options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near necessary shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood to call home presents a challenge. The diverse ethnic communities in London are integral to its cultural identity, providing a rich mix of neighborhoods. Numerous international students in London crave the comfort of their home country. Southall, located in West London, has a significant South Asian population, featuring Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton in South London is famous for its Afro-Caribbean community and vibrant music culture. Chinatown, situated in the center of London’s West End, is a dynamic enclave filled with numerous Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a handful of examples of community-rich neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London vary based on personal preferences and requirements. When hunting for a new place to live in London, appreciate the diversity and richness of its housing selections, delve into cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement that this remarkable city offers.