Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I celebrated nine months of living in London. While this may not seem like a lengthy period, I’ve acquired several insights during this time. London is a vibrant city, not only for its wide variety of housing options but also for its multicultural communities. Students have an abundance of choices available to them. Both student accommodations and private rentals offer options such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can easily schedule apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore potential housing online, including details on amenities and accessibility to public transport.
In my quest for a place to stay, my goal was to find a room in Central London, keeping me close to key landmarks, social hotspots, and the campus of Imperial. The city is organized into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London features an outstanding public transportation network, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, which simplifies navigation and travel between different zones. I aimed to minimize travel expenses, as inter-zonal fares can amount to £5.25 daily. I chose to walk short distances rather than rely on buses or the tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options have made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside central London. Fares for these services depend on distance and the pricing structure of each train operator. Major attractions in central London contribute to elevated living costs. Thankfully, I attended university with a friend, and we teamed up to share a room, which significantly lowered our rent. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations to connect with students from varied backgrounds and similar ages, which is often more challenging to find in private rentals.
Being close to grocery stores was vital for me. Common supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with budget-friendly options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near essential stores like supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, especially during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood can be complicated. London’s rich ethnic communities form a significant part of its cultural identity, providing a diverse array of neighborhoods. Many international students look for the comfort of their home country while in London. Southall in West London is home to a substantial South Asian community, featuring Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional clothing boutiques. Brixton in South London is famous for its Afro-Caribbean culture and lively music scene. Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling area filled with Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few illustrations of community-rich neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London hinge on personal preferences and requirements. When scouting for a new place in London, embrace the city’s diversity and the wealth of accommodation choices, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.