Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I celebrated nine months of residing in London. While this period isn’t extensive, I have discovered a great deal. London is a bustling metropolis, presenting a variety of housing options and energetic communities. Students have multiple possibilities available to them. Options in both student accommodations and private rentals include ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, while platforms such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to browse potential lodgings online, verify available amenities, and evaluate closeness to public transportation.
In my quest for a living space, I sought to rent a room in Central London to remain close to significant attractions, social centers, and the Imperial campus. The city is arranged into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London features an outstanding public transport system, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making navigation and travel between zones effortless. To reduce travel expenses, as inter-zonal travel can amount to £5.25 daily, I chose to walk shorter distances rather than relying on buses or the tube. Nevertheless, options with an oyster card have rendered university commutes more economical. Moreover, the London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground, reaching areas outside central London. Rates for inter-zone travel on these services fluctuate based on distance and each train company’s fare structure. Central London hosts many major attractions, resulting in elevated living costs. Fortunately, I attended university with a friend, and we shared a room, which greatly lessened our rental costs. I favored intercollegiate accommodations to connect with students from various backgrounds and akin age groups, a mix that is harder to encounter in private properties.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarkets consist of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, with budget-friendly alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being near essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies conserves time on errands, especially during examination periods.
Selecting a neighborhood can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities are vital to its cultural landscape, presenting a vibrant array of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students seek echoes of their home countries within London. Southall in West London has a significant South Asian community with Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing boutiques. Brixton in South London is renowned for its Afro-Caribbean community and dynamic music scene. Chinatown at the heart of London’s West End is a bustling area filled with an abundance of Chinese restaurants, stores, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few examples of community neighborhoods.
The ideal neighborhoods to live in London depend on your preferences and requirements. While hunting for a new residence in London, embrace the diversity and richness of its housing options, explore cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement this extraordinary city offers.