Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Recently, I celebrated nine months of living in London. Although it’s not a long duration, I’ve gathered some valuable insights. London is a vibrant metropolis, not only for its varied housing options but also for its multicultural populace. Students have a plethora of choices available to them. Both university-managed accommodations and private rentals offer facilities such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and solo rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can easily arrange viewings for apartments, while websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom allow international students to browse potential rentals online, alongside their amenities and closeness to public transportation.
In my quest for housing, I aimed to secure a room in Central London to remain near key attractions, social centers, and Imperial’s campus. The city is structured into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London features an outstanding transport system, encompassing the underground (tube), buses, and trains, which makes it straightforward to navigate and travel across zones. I sought to minimize travel expenses since inter-zonal fares can soar to £5.25 per day. I chose to walk shorter distances instead of relying on the bus or tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options have rendered university commutes more budget-friendly. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground system, reaching areas outside central London. Fares for travel between zones on these services vary based on distance and the fare policies of each train operator. The city’s major landmarks contribute to high living expenses. Fortunately, attending university with a companion allowed us to share a room, significantly lowering our rent. I preferred intercollegiate student accommodations to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds and similar ages, a blend that’s harder to find in private rentals.
Being near grocery stores was important to me. Common supermarkets in the area include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, alongside more economical options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies saves valuable time on errands, particularly during exam periods.
Selecting a neighborhood poses a challenge. London’s ethnic communities are essential to its cultural landscape, presenting a rich array of diverse neighborhoods. Numerous international students seek a sense of familiarity from their home countries while in London. Southall, in West London, has a large South Asian population featuring Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing shops. Brixton in South London is celebrated for its Afro-Caribbean community and vibrant music culture. Chinatown, located in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling district filled with various Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural happenings. These are merely a few notable community neighborhoods.
The ideal areas to reside in London depend on personal preferences and requirements. When searching for a new residence in London, embrace the city’s diversity and richness in accommodation choices, explore its cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement that this remarkable city has to offer.