**Residing in London: My Nine-Month Experience**
*Authored by Harsh Gupta, MSc. Advanced Materials Science and Engineering*
Just a few days ago, I reached the nine-month milestone of my stay in London. While nine months might appear brief, I have gained several important insights during this time. London is an energetic and multicultural metropolis, reflecting not only in its living arrangements but also in the lively communities that inhabit it. Students here are provided with numerous choices regarding housing, ranging from student accommodations to private rentals. These include ensuite and suite bathrooms, shared or private bedrooms, studio flats, and house shares. Local students can effortlessly arrange to view apartments, while international students often turn to platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom to discover potential living spaces online, review amenities, and evaluate accessibility to public transport.
In my own quest for housing, I was particularly eager to find a room to rent in Central London. I sought to be near the city’s main attractions, social centers, and, naturally, the campus of Imperial College. London is segmented into six concentric zones, with zones one and two being the most accessible. The city boasts an impressive transport network, including the Underground (Tube), buses, and trains, making it seamless to navigate and travel across zones. However, I remained cautious of travel expenses, as inter-zonal travel can amount to £5.25 daily. To cut costs, I chose to walk shorter distances instead of relying on public transport. Nonetheless, the Oyster card provides discounted fares for students, enhancing the affordability of commuting. Furthermore, the London Overground and National Rail services extend beyond the Underground network, reaching areas outside the central districts. Fares for these services differ based on the distance and the specific pricing structure of each train operator.
Residing in Central London, while advantageous, comes with a substantial cost due to its closeness to major landmarks. Thankfully, I was attending the university with a friend, and we opted to share a room, which substantially lowered our rental expenses. I also decided to live in intercollegiate student accommodations, as I was keen on interacting with students from various backgrounds and similar age ranges—an experience that would have been more challenging in private rentals.
For me, living near grocery stores was essential. Some of the more prevalent supermarkets in London include Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op, while more economical choices include Aldi, Lidl, and Iceland. Proximity to essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies is a significant time-saver, especially during hectic periods like exam season.
Selecting the ideal neighbourhood can be a daunting choice. London’s diverse ethnic communities play a crucial role in the city’s cultural fabric, offering a plethora of neighbourhoods to discover. Many international students gravitate toward areas that evoke memories of home. For instance, Southall in West London boasts a large South Asian community, featuring numerous Indian restaurants, grocery stores, and traditional clothing boutiques. In South London, Brixton is recognized for its Afro-Caribbean community and lively music atmosphere. Meanwhile, Chinatown, situated in the core of London’s West End, presents a bustling enclave of Chinese dining establishments, shops, and cultural happenings. These are but a few illustrations of the myriad diverse neighbourhoods in London.
In the end, the most suitable area to reside in London relies on your personal preferences and requirements. Whether you are searching for a new dwelling or merely exploring the city, embrace the diversity and richness of London’s housing choices, immerse yourself in its cultural enclaves, and savor the convenience and excitement 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/)