Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I completed nine months of residing in London. While this duration isn’t extensive, I’ve gained some insights. London is a dynamic city, presenting a wide array of housing alternatives and vibrant communities. Students have a plethora of choices right at their fingertips, ranging from student residences to private lodgings, encompassing ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can effortlessly schedule apartment viewings, whereas platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to explore their future accommodations online, verify amenities, and locate the closest public transport connections.
In my quest for accommodation, I aimed to find a room in Central London to remain near significant attractions, social hotspots, and the Imperial campus. The city is segmented into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London boasts an outstanding transportation network, comprising the underground (tube), buses, and trains, facilitating easy navigation and movement across zones. I intended to lower travel expenses, as inter-zonal journeys can cost as much as £5.25 daily. I opted to walk shorter distances rather than using a bus or tube. Nevertheless, oyster card options have made commuting to university more affordable. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services reach areas beyond the Underground network, extending to zones outside central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services fluctuate based on distance and the fare schemes of each train provider. Central London hosts major attractions, resulting in elevated living costs. Luckily, I was at university with a friend, and we opted to share a room, considerably cutting down on rent. I favored intercollegiate student accommodations to interact with students from various backgrounds and a similar age group, a combination often harder to find in private residences.
Proximity to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside more affordable options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near essential outlets such as supermarkets and pharmacies streamlines errands, especially during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities are vital to its cultural tapestry, presenting diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students in London search for connections to their home countries. Southall, situated in West London, boasts a considerable South Asian community featuring Indian restaurants, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. In South London, Brixton is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. Chinatown, positioned in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling enclave filled with countless Chinese eateries, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few instances of community neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London hinge on your preferences and requirements. When looking for a new home in London, embrace the diversity and richness of its accommodation choices, delve into cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and thrill of this extraordinary city.