Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I marked nine months of residing in London. While it may not seem like a long time, I have garnered several observations. London is an energetic metropolis, presenting a broad spectrum of housing alternatives and varied communities. Students have a plethora of choices available, encompassing student accommodations and private rentals with features like ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and single rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Home students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, whereas platforms such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to explore prospective accommodations online, along with their facilities and accessibility to public transport.
In my pursuit of a living arrangement, my goal was to rent a room in Central London to remain near key attractions, social hotspots, and Imperial’s campus. The city is segmented into six zones, with the first two being the most central. London’s transit system, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, simplifies travel and transit across zones. To keep travel expenses down, as inter-zonal journeys can amount to £5.25 daily, I chose to walk shorter distances instead of relying on buses or the tube. The options for Oyster cards have made commuting to university more budget-friendly. Moreover, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground system, reaching areas outside the central zone. Fares for inter-zone travel fluctuate based on distance and the pricing structure of each train service. The principal attractions in Central London contribute to elevated living expenses. Luckily, attending university with a friend enabled us to share accommodation, which greatly lowered our rent. I preferred intercollegiate student housing to connect with peers from varied backgrounds and similar age groups, a blend that’s more challenging to encounter in private rentals.
Living adjacent to grocery stores was vital for me. Common supermarkets consist of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside budget-friendly options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being close to essential outlets, such as grocery shops and pharmacies, conserves time on errands, especially during exam phases.
Selecting a neighborhood poses its own difficulty. The ethnic communities in London are pivotal to its cultural richness, presenting a vibrant mosaic of neighborhoods. Numerous international students look for a sense of familiarity with their home countries in this city. Southall in West London is home to a sizable South Asian community, featuring Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional apparel boutiques. Brixton in South London is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. Chinatown, located in the center of London’s West End, is a bustling area filled with various Chinese dining establishments, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few instances of community-focused neighborhoods.
The ideal places to reside in London hinge on personal preferences and requirements. When looking for a new place to call home in London, embrace the diversity and abundance of living options, explore cultural hubs, and savor the convenience and vibrancy of this extraordinary city.