Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
Not long ago, I celebrated nine months of residing in London. While it may not seem like an extensive period, I’ve acquired considerable knowledge. London is a vibrant metropolis, notable not just for its varied living arrangements but also for its multicultural communities. Students have a plethora of options available to them. Both university housing and private rentals provide choices such as ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared and private rooms, studio apartments, and house shares. Home students can easily set up apartment viewings, while platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom enable international students to examine prospective accommodations online, detailing their amenities and proximity to public transport.
In my quest for a place to stay, my objective was to secure a room in Central London, aiming to be near key attractions, social areas, and Imperial’s campus. The city is organized into six concentric zones, with the first and second zones being the most central. London features a superb transport system, which includes the underground (tube), buses, and trains, making navigation and transit between zones quite effortless. Personally, I aimed to minimize travel expenses, as traveling between zones can cost up to £5.25 per day. I chose to walk short distances rather than use a bus or tube. Nonetheless, oyster card options have rendered university commutes more economical. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground domain, reaching areas outside central London. Fares for inter-zone travel on these services vary based on distance and each train company’s fare policies. Major attractions in Central London contribute to high living costs. Luckily, attending university alongside a friend allowed us to share a room, greatly reducing our rental expenses. I preferred intercollegiate student accommodations to interact with students from various backgrounds and similar ages, a combination harder to find in private residences.
Being close to grocery stores was essential for me. Common supermarkets feature Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, along with more economical options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to essential shops such as supermarkets and pharmacies saves time on errands, especially during the exam period.
Selecting a neighborhood in London can be daunting. The city’s ethnic communities are pivotal to its cultural mosaic, providing a rich array of neighborhoods. Many international students prefer to find familiarity with their home countries within London. Southall in West London is home to a large South Asian community, 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, nestled in London’s West End, is a bustling area with a plethora of Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These are merely a few illustrations of community neighborhoods.
The most suitable areas to reside in London vary based on personal interests and requirements. When looking for a new home in London, embrace the city’s diversity and wealth of accommodation choices, discover cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement this extraordinary city has to offer.