**Residing in London: My Journey After Nine Months**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Recently, I celebrated my nine-month milestone of residing in London. Although nine months might not appear extensive, I’ve gained invaluable insights into life within this dynamic metropolis. London boasts not only a rich array of accommodation choices but also a myriad of communities that inhabit it. Students, in particular, enjoy a plethora of housing options available to them. From student residences to private rentals, possibilities range from ensuite and shared bathrooms to private rooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can conveniently schedule in-person apartment viewings, whereas international students can utilize platforms such as Rightmove, Zoopla, or SpareRoom to search for properties online, evaluate amenities, and gauge accessibility to public transport.
As I commenced my hunt for a living space, my focus was on securing a room in Central London. I desired proximity to the city’s key attractions, social hotspots, and, of course, the Imperial College campus. London is structured into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most central. The city’s superior public transport system—including the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains—facilitates easy travel across zones. Nonetheless, I was eager to minimize my travel expenses, as inter-zonal journeys can reach up to £5.25 per day. To save money, I preferred walking short distances rather than taking the bus or Tube. Nevertheless, Oyster cards provide discounted fares, rendering university commutes more budget-friendly. Furthermore, London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside central London. The ticket prices for these services vary with distance and train operator.
Residing in Central London has its advantages, but it also entails elevated living expenses. Luckily, I embarked on my university journey alongside a friend, and we opted to share a room, leading to significant savings on rent. I also selected intercollegiate student accommodation in hopes of meeting peers from diverse backgrounds and of similar age—something more challenging in private housing.
Having easy access to grocery stores was crucial for me. Some prevalent supermarkets in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more affordable alternatives are Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Being nearby these stores, along with pharmacies, streamlines errands, which is particularly beneficial during exam periods.
Selecting the appropriate neighborhood in London can be quite a challenge. The city’s ethnic communities play an integral role in its cultural tapestry, presenting a wealth of neighborhoods to discover. Numerous international students tend to gravitate towards areas that evoke a sense of home. For instance, Southall in West London is renowned for its sizable South Asian populace and is home to countless Indian eateries, grocery stores, and traditional clothing outlets. Brixton in South London is celebrated for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music scene. Meanwhile, Chinatown, nestled in the heart of London’s West End, is a bustling locale brimming with Chinese restaurants, shops, and cultural events. These are merely a few illustrations of the vast array of diverse neighborhoods London has to offer.
Ultimately, the ideal area to reside in London hinges on your personal preferences and requirements. Whether you’re on the lookout for a new place to stay or simply delving into the city, relish the diversity and abundance of London’s housing options, uncover its cultural enclaves, and savor the convenience and exhilaration this extraordinary city presents.
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*By [Guest Blogger](https://blogs.imperial.ac.uk/student-blogs/author/bloggers/)*
*Categorized 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/)*