Experience in London, the United Kingdom by Irene

What is it like to live in London? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in London is fantastic; it's a city with a lot of opportunity and it's a unique experience in such a cosmopolitan environment. It's a huge city you can live in and quickly get to enjoy all that it has to offer.

What is the student lifestyle like in London?

The student life is great; there are so many people of every possible nationality. It's a city where the mix of different races and cultures gives you a much broader outlook on life.

Puente de la Torre de Londres a la izquierda. (Source)

How much does it cost to live in London?

London is a very expensive city. From the tourist attraction to the accommodation to having a drink or even buying basic necessities, everything is more expensive. It's always advisable to take advantage of offers and discounts.

Was it difficult to find acommodation in London? Do you have any advice?

I lived on the outskirts of the city, where the rent is more affordable, but it's very difficult to find somewhere for a decent price in any area. The best thing to do is to rent a room in a shared flat. In the centre, the prices are ridiculous so you're better off looking further out of the city, and see if the distance works for where you have to be in the city for whatever you're doing.

What is the food like?

I can't say that English food is amazing but, fortunately, there are loads of places to try out and leave the traditional "fish and chips" to one side.

The popular "Fish & Chips". (Source)

Personally, I loved Indian food and I got to eat a lot of it there, especially from "takeaway" places; they're usually much lighter and much less spicy than what they serve in the restaurants. In any case, there are restaurants that serve food from every part of the world.

What places would you recommend visiting in London?

Camden Town is probably my favourite place, but you can't not visit places like The British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, the Tower of London, the London Eye, Saint Paul's Cathedral, Hyde Park, Tower Bridge, Kensington Gardens, Brick Lane Market, etc.

Camden Town. (Source)

And to eat in London? What were some of your favourite places?

Restaurants are usually quite expensive but there are other options, like eating at an Italian place or even in some of the chain restaurants like EAT, you can eat there for about €7.

A restaurant from the chain EAT, at Charing Cross. (Source)

Where would you recommend for a night out in London?

Shoreditch is probably the best neighbourhood to lose yourself in and to discover clubs and pubs. I'd also recommend Brixton, it has a lot of atmosphere and pubs with live music. If you like Reggae, don't miss out on the Jamm club, it's a very individual place. You get in for free on Sunday's before teatime (a great time to have a beer or two).

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to London in the future?

My only advice is that they make the most of their time there, making the experience an unforgettable one all depends on how they use it.