**Residing in London: A Nine-Month Overview**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I hit the nine-month milestone of my time in London. Though nine months may appear to be a brief period, it has granted me ample opportunity to acquire a few important insights regarding life in this dynamic city. London boasts not just a variety of housing options, but also a rich tapestry of communities that inhabit it. For students, a wide range of accommodation choices are available right in their vicinity. Whether you seek student residences or private housing, options vary from ensuite and suite bathrooms to shared and individual rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Domestic students can conveniently schedule apartment viewings, whereas international students can utilize websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to find potential places online, review amenities, and evaluate closeness to public transport.
In my quest for living arrangements, I focused on securing a room in Central London. My intention was to remain within reach of the city’s primary attractions, social centers, and, most crucially, the campus of Imperial College. London is segmented into six concentric zones, with zones one and two representing the core. The city’s superb transport system, which features the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains, facilitates easy travel among these zones. Nonetheless, I aimed to minimize travel expenses, given that inter-zonal travel could amount to £5.25 daily. To economize, I often opted to walk short distances instead of taking the bus or Tube. Fortunately, having an Oyster card has rendered my commuting to university significantly more economical. Additionally, the London Overground and National Rail services reach areas beyond the Underground, covering regions outside central London, with fares depending on distance and the fare structure of each train company.
Residing in Central London comes with its advantages, but it also entails elevated living costs due to proximity to major attractions. Luckily, I was at university with a friend, and we chose to share a room, which greatly cut down our rent expenses. I selected intercollegiate student accommodation to connect with students from various backgrounds and similar age demographics—a combination that may have been tougher to achieve in private housing.
One of my key priorities was being near grocery stores. Some of the most prevalent supermarkets in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more budget-friendly options include Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Living in close proximity to essential outlets like supermarkets and pharmacies is tremendously convenient, particularly during hectic times like exams.
Determining the ideal neighborhood to reside in can be challenging. London’s ethnic communities form an essential part of the city’s cultural landscape, offering a diverse array of neighborhoods. Numerous international students search for areas that evoke a sense of home. For instance, Southall in West London hosts a significant South Asian population, teeming with Indian restaurants, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. In South London, Brixton is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Meanwhile, Chinatown, situated in the heart of London’s West End, provides a plethora of Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural activities. These are merely a few illustrations of the many culturally vibrant neighborhoods in London.
In the end, the most suitable area to reside in London hinges on your personal preferences and requirements. As you embark on your search for a new residence in this city, celebrate the diversity and richness of its housing options, delve into the cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and excitement that London 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/)