Experience in London, United Kingdom by Dominika

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

It's very busy (as expected), lots and lots of people; rush hour is a nightmare; often you live far from the centre so you have to travel a lot, as renting near central is virtually impossible if you're not a millionaire. So if you go out, or commute to uni it can take ages on public transport, which is also quite expensive if you go through zone 1. I personally don't like it cause I like smaller cities, but if big cities are your thing then definitely - you will find everything here. And you can fly cheap to a lot of places from London airports, as well as take the Eurostar.

What is the student lifestyle like in London?

I didn't study in London but I know that most aren't campus universities. So, unless you're a first year or international student, you will live far away from uni, meaning you will spend a lot of time and money on travelling. And living really far can discourage you from going to campus for a one hour lecture, for example. So, it depends on you and how you manage your time + finances.

How much does it cost to live in London?

A lot!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in London? Is there any advice you can give?

I haven't looked for accommodation in London, but I know there are student hotels which you can apparently even work at in exchange for working there part time.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There are a variety of takeouts and restaurants, small cafes and big brands. There are a lot of cultural supermarkets - Chinese, Italian, Polish... Basically anything you want you can get here.

What places would you recommend visiting in London?

If you like museums, definitely the Wellcome Collection, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Royal Air Force Museum, and countless others. Kew Gardens for flower and nature fans. Lots of festivals in Hyde Park in the summer months, and the Christmas Market in December. Shepherd's Bush and of course Oxford Street for shopping.

Is it good to eat out in London? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I highly recommend Chinatown buffets- especially if you're indecisive like me, because there you can eat all they've got! Also the Indian version in Euston (Drummond Street), particularly for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Is the nightlife good in London? Where is good to go?

Clubs are very very expensive, so I haven't gone out in London much. I've heard of Ballie Ballerson which is a bar filled with balls, where you can pay just for entry but they also have brunch deals and on drinks. Haven't been though, so can't say more about it.

What advice would you give future students heading to London?

Gather all your savings and then still expect to spend more. Learn to cook so you make eating out a treat, not a necessity. If you're going to order takeout, JustEat have a 20% discount on all orders on Tuesdays. If you plan to travel a lot, get yourself a railcard (which you can get free from Santander if you manage to open a student account with them) which gives you 30% off trains, even those in London if you don't have an Oystercard (not on the underground). But also, get a student oyster card, and work out how much you travel and if loading it with a weekly or monthly travelcard is good for you. Most of the time it is, unless you rarely leave your house or make journeys without much interchange.