**Exploring London: My Journey with Housing and Life in the City**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I reached my nine-month milestone of residing in London. Although nine months might seem brief, it has provided me ample opportunity to acquire some significant insights about this dynamic city. London boasts not just a variety of accommodation choices but also a multitude of communities that make it their home. Particularly for students, there’s an extensive array of living arrangements available. Whether you seek student residences or private lodgings, there are numerous options, from ensuite and suite bathrooms to shared or private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can effortlessly schedule apartment inspections, while international students can take advantage of online resources like Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to discover possible accommodations, investigate amenities, and evaluate accessibility to public transport.
In my personal quest for housing, I concentrated on securing a room for rent in Central London. My goal was to stay near key attractions, vibrant social scenes, and naturally, the campus of Imperial College. The city is structured into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. London’s superb transport network—featuring the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains—facilitates easy movement across these zones. Nonetheless, I was eager to minimize travel expenses, as traveling between zones can incur costs up to £5.25 daily. To economize, I often chose to walk shorter distances instead of using public transport. Nevertheless, the Oyster card system has made traveling to school more budget-friendly. Moreover, services like London Overground and National Rail extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside the city’s core. The fares for these services fluctuate based on the distance traveled and the fare structuring of each train company.
Residing in Central London offers numerous advantages but also entails higher living expenses due to its closeness to significant landmarks. Luckily, I was in university alongside a friend, and we opted to share a room, which greatly alleviated our rent costs. I also selected intercollegiate student housing, as I desired to engage with students from various backgrounds and similar ages—a mix that can be tougher to find in private accommodations.
For me, proximity to grocery stores was essential. Some of the prevalent supermarket chains in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while economical alternatives like Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland are also accessible. Being near fundamental shops like supermarkets and pharmacies is especially handy during hectic times like exams.
Determining the right neighbourhood can be daunting. London’s ethnic communities enrich its cultural fabric, presenting a myriad of neighbourhoods to discover. Many international students gravitate towards areas that evoke feelings of home. For instance, Southall in West London is characterized by a robust South Asian population, featuring numerous Indian eateries, grocery shops, and traditional clothing stores. Brixton in South London is notable for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music culture. In the same vein, Chinatown in the bustling West End of London showcases a vibrant assortment of Chinese dining options, shops, and cultural happenings. These exemplify just a fraction of the culturally vibrant neighbourhoods found in London.
In the end, the most suitable area to reside in hinges on your individual preferences and requirements. As you embark on a search for a new home in London, embrace the city’s diversity and the extensive accommodation alternatives available. Delve into the cultural enclaves, and relish the convenience and vibrancy that this extraordinary city has to offer.
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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/)*