**Experiencing Life and Housing in London: A Personal Journey**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Not long ago, I reached the milestone of nine months residing in London. Although this may appear to be a brief period, I have already gained substantial insights into living in this lively metropolis. London boasts a plethora of accommodation choices and is home to a variety of communities. Students, in particular, find themselves with numerous living options. These range from student housing to private rentals, offering choices such as ensuite and shared bathrooms, private and shared rooms, studio apartments, and house shares. Local students can easily organize apartment viewings, whereas international students can utilize resources like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom to explore possible accommodations online, evaluate available amenities, and assess the distance to public transport.
During my apartment hunt, my primary focus was securing a room in Central London. Proximity to key attractions, social venues, and notably, the campus of Imperial College, was essential to me. The city is segmented into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London’s outstanding transport network, which includes the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains, facilitates easy travel across zones. Nevertheless, I aimed to keep my travel expenses minimal, as moving between zones can amount to £5.25 daily. To economize, I chose to walk short distances rather than rely on public transport. That being said, using an Oyster card has helped lower my commuting costs to the university. Furthermore, the London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside of central London, with inter-zone travel costs varying according to distance and the fare policies of each train company.
Residing in Central London comes with advantages but also entails elevated living expenses. Luckily, I was able to share accommodations with a friend, significantly decreasing our rent. I decided to opt for intercollegiate student accommodations, hoping to engage with fellow students from various backgrounds and similar age ranges—an experience that might have been more challenging in private housing.
Having access to grocery stores was crucial for me. Among the most prevalent supermarkets in London are Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while budget-friendly options like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are also present. Proximity to essential retailers, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, saves invaluable time, particularly during hectic times like exam periods.
Selecting the ideal neighborhood can prove daunting. London’s ethnic communities are a vital element of the city’s cultural landscape, providing a rich assortment of diverse neighborhoods. Many international students gravitate toward areas reminiscent of home. For instance, Southall in West London features a significant South Asian community, replete with Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional attire boutiques. In South London, Brixton is famous for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music atmosphere. Conversely, Chinatown, located in the center of London’s West End, is a bustling enclave filled with Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural festivities. These represent just a few of the many community-centric neighborhoods across the city.
In the end, the most suitable area to reside in London is a matter of your personal preferences and requirements. When on the hunt for a new home, embrace the diversity and richness of London’s accommodation possibilities, delve into its cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and thrill that this extraordinary city presents.
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*By [Guest Blogger](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/author/bloggers/)*
*Categorised under [Uncategorized](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/category/uncategorized/)*
*Tagged [accommodation](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/accommodation/), [Housing](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/housing/), [London Life](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/london-life/), [master’s](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/tag/masters/)*