Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I hit the nine-month milestone of residing in London. While this may not seem lengthy, I’ve acquired valuable experiences. London is a bustling metropolis, presenting an extensive range of housing possibilities and dynamic communities. Students have a plethora of options available to them. Both student accommodation and private housing feature choices such as ensuite and suite baths, shared and individual rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can promptly arrange apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore their prospective living spaces online, check available facilities, and evaluate closeness to public transport.
In my quest for accommodation, I targeted renting a room in Central London to remain near key sights, social settings, and the Imperial campus. The city is organized into six concentric areas, with the first two zones being the most central. London boasts an outstanding transit system, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making it easy to navigate and travel across zones. Personally, I aimed to minimize travel expenses since moving between zones can amount to as much as £5.25 daily. I chose to walk short journeys instead of relying on a bus or tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have rendered university commutes more reasonably priced. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching regions outside of central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services differ depending on distance and the fare structure of each train operating company. Central London hosts major attractions, leading to elevated living costs. Luckily, I attended university alongside a friend, and we decided to share a room, greatly reducing our rent expenses. I preferred intercollegiate student accommodations to interact with peers from various backgrounds and the same age group, a combination that’s more difficult to encounter in private residences.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarket chains encompass Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside budget-friendly options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to vital stores like supermarkets and pharmacies streamlines errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood presents its challenges. London’s diverse ethnic communities are vital to its cultural landscape, offering a rich assortment of varied neighborhoods. Numerous international students seek a semblance of their home culture in London. Southall, located in West London, hosts a substantial South Asian community, featuring Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. In South London, Brixton is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music environment. Situated in the core of London’s West End, Chinatown is a bustling area filled with numerous Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These examples portray a few of the community neighborhoods.
The ideal places to reside in London hinge on your preferences and requirements. When on the lookout for a new home in London, embrace the myriad of diversity and richness in its housing choices, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.