Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I celebrated nine months of residing in London. While this timeframe may seem brief, I’ve gathered several observations. London is a vibrant city, characterized not only by its range of housing choices but also by its communities. Students have a plethora of options available to them. Both student accommodations and private rentals come with various features, including ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore potential living spaces online, along with the available amenities and accessibility to public transport.
In my quest for housing, I aimed to secure a room in Central London to remain close to key landmarks, social venues, and Imperial’s campus. The city is segmented into six concentric zones, where zones one and two are the most central. London has an outstanding transportation network, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, which makes it easy to navigate and travel across zones. Personally, I wanted to minimize travel expenses, as moving between zones can cost as much as £5.25 per day. I decided to walk shorter distances rather than relying on buses or the tube. Nevertheless, the oyster card options have made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Moreover, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground into regions outside of central London. Fares for inter-zone journeys on these services depend on distance and each train company’s specific fare structure. The high living costs in Central London stem from its major attractions. Thankfully, attending university with a companion enabled us to share a room, which considerably lowered our rent expenses. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations to connect with students from various backgrounds and the same age demographic, as this mix is tougher to find in private rentals.
Being near grocery stores was essential for me. Well-known supermarket chains include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op; more affordable alternatives are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being close to necessary shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies conserves time spent on errands, especially during examination seasons.
Selecting a neighborhood can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities play a vital role in its cultural landscape, providing a rich array of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students look for a sense of familiarity with their native country within London. Southall, located in West London, features a large South Asian population with Indian dining options, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton in South London is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. Chinatown, situated in the midst of London’s West End, is a bustling area filled with Chinese eateries, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few illustrations of community-centric neighborhoods.
The most suitable areas to reside in London depend on your personal interests and requirements. When on the hunt for a new residence in London, embrace the variety and richness of its housing alternatives, delve into cultural enclaves, and savor the ease and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.