Experience in London, United Kingdom by Kristine

Source

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

I really like living in London, although I can't really say I live in the very middle of it. One of my favourite things about the city, is that there are so many different centers, and that you therefore never stop exploring it. I am also a person who likes having people around me, but not necessarily be social all the time. Just to walk around London on your own, especially in the evening, and being surrounded by so many (often strange) people is quite liberating to me. But then there are other times you just want to find a mountain, or even just a hill top, and spend some time completely alone, which can be difficult both because of all the people and the lack of hill tops.

What is the student lifestyle like in London?

I think my experience of this might be a bit different than many others as I go to a drama school, and not a University. It is a lot of fun, and there are a lot of things to do and other students to do it with. And although the work load varies from course to course, there are always time for exploring London.

How much does it cost to live in London?

As I live a bit outside London, in Sidcup, I pay less than if I lived in the very center, but it is generally very expensive. As mentioned before, are student halls quite common. They are, although sometimes old and cold, a lot cheaper than a flat and can be rented for only 9 months, so you don't have to pay rent over the summer.

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

It depends how picky you are on standard, location and price. The most surprising thing for me was that a lot of landlords won't rent out to students, so there are fewer options for us. I would recommend talking to your school before arriving, as they might have a site or a collection of rooms they know accepts students. I would also recommend looking for a flat with other students from England, both because a bigger number normally makes a cheaper rent and so you are sure to understand the process.

Source

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

I was very frustrated in the beginning about all the deep-fried food, and all the chips. I think the key, at least for me, is to find a supermarket big enough to sell something more than pre-fabricated food so you can actually cook. It is very easy to become lazy when surrounded with such enormous amount of fast food, but it's both expensive and boring at length.

What places would you recommend visiting in London?

My main recommendation would be to really explore, and not get to stuck in certain places. Oxford street, Noting Hill and Camden has a lot to offer, but so does the areas around Brick Lane, Battersea, Angel, King's Cross and Bays water. The same is to be said about the theater. And keep an eye out for the "Friday Late" at Museums like Tate and V&A.

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

I can's say I have the economy to eat out too often, but there are quite a few really good Mediterranean restaurants in the center. There are also a lot of very nice pub meals to be had.

Source

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

It is very good, although quite expensive. Although every day is a "going out day", I was a bit surprised to find Fridays to be more so than Saturdays. Monday's a good day for students as well. Personally I very much enjoy slightly calmer pubs and bars, and as long as you keep your eyes open, they are easy to find, especially in east London. But if I really want to let my hear out, the gay clubs in Soho provides some amazing dance floors!

What advice would you give future students headed to London?

Try an experience as much as possible, as you should wherever you go, but keep an eye on the bank account as well. Also, I would recommend living close to school. Commuting can steal quite a lot of your time and money.