Tips for Living in London

After creating my Ultimate Guide to Moving to London for Grad School, I figured I would break down life in London a bit. I’m making this for people who may not be going to grad school, but are still interested in moving to London. This can also be for people who want to live in London for a few months and want to make the most of their time. This post is also perfect for those already living in London and need help navigating this sometimes expensive city. No matter where you fit, I’m sure you’ll learn something new from these tips for living in London! 

Finding Accommodation 

When I got to London, I did not have a place to stay so I started flat hunting as soon as I arrived. I used spareroom.com to find my place. There were also a number of Facebook groups for student accommodations in London. You definitely have to be aware of scams and be careful when touring flats on your own. But overall, it was a good experience for me. 

It took me about 2 and a half weeks to find my flat. While flat hunting I stayed in a hostel. Even though I had friends that were living in London that I could stay with, it was more convenient for me to stay in a hostel. Logistically (getting to and from school) and for my independence, I was able to come and go when I pleased. And I did not have to rely on someone else for access to their flat. 

If you are attending a university, look for student accommodations as an option. This does fill up quickly, so pay attention once you get accepted for your housing options. Your school will more than likely have someone to help you look for housing that is within your budget. This is a resource you have if you’re struggling to find a place on your own. 
 
It’s also important to know what your ideal housing situation is. You may not have everything you want, but know what’s important and a ‘must’ for your living arrangements. 

Housing Questions to Consider:

• Would you prefer a longer commute to Central London, but a shorter commute to work/school?  
• Would you prefer a shorter commute to central and a longer commute to school or work? 
• Does the area you want to live in have adequate access to grocery stores? 
  (Tesco, Morrison’s, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Waitrose; Look up areas you’re thinking of moving to and search for these grocery stores for an idea of how accessible groceries are in the area) 
• Do you need a garden (front or back yard) space to live comfortably? 
• Are there transportation links within 10 minutes of walking from your home? 
• Are you comfortable with having flatmates, and if so, how many?

Transportation 

Don’t be intimidated by London’s vast transportation system! Every route you need is easily accessible through your phone via any major map application (Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc.).  Tfl.gov.uk was often helpful for real-time updates on busses.

When it comes to living in London having longer than at 30-minute commute into school, work, or just central London is common place. In London, there are trains, the underground, busses and even uber boats available at your fingertips, so there are a few options for what works best for you and your commute.  

I always recommend having access to both train and bus transport options close to your housing. London is also a very walk able city. Boroughs that may be 25 minutes by bus can occasionally be just a 15 to 20-minute walk when traffic is heavy.  

Also be aware that London has had its fair share of transport strikes that affect rail services nationwide. This includes most of the underground and other transportation options. You can normally prepare for these strikes by looking in the news with a quick Google search for the dates they will occur. 

Fun in Central London 

One of my favorite past times living in London was going to the West End to see shows! You can get most tickets for under £25. I used TodayTix to get all of my show tickets and even enter a few lotteries. Through TodayTix I was able to see over 15 headlining shows for very cheap.  

My most impressive feat was winning the lottery to go see Waitress starring Sara Bareilles for less than £20 and being sat in the second row. So, I highly recommend downloading the app and getting down to the West End! 

Another favorite activity for me was just hanging out around Oxford Street. I could spend hours going in and out of different stores in some cases I’m just looking, and other times I’m spending my last quid.  

I enjoy trying different food shops lined up and down the street. And I definitely enjoy catching a busker (street performer) or two dancing or singing in front of a crowd. Visiting Chinatown was also a favorite past time for me,with delicious food options and yummy boba shops lining the streets.
 
When the weather warms up, the parks of London are lush green oases from all the concrete and sky scrapers. Some of my favorites are Hampstead Heath, Finsbury Park, Regent’s Park, and Hyde Park.  

Though, most of these parks were in the area I lived in, there are plenty of nice parks around London to spend a nice spring afternoon. 

Living in London on a Budget 

Food:

Too Good to Go – This app is available in a few cities around the world and luckily London is one of them. It’s not only a great way to help reduce food waste but also a way to eat great food from all over London at a fraction of the cost.  

Sushi shops, Bakeries, and even grocery stores join this app to sell the items that are would be thrown away at the end of the night and instead will sell them to you for a reduced price. I’ve eaten delicious vegan Indian meals, sushi meals, and even fresh fruits and veggies through the app. I highly recommend it. 

Reduced items – It’s the same concept of the Too Good to Go app, but in person. Many grocery stores in the city have a reduced items section.  

This is where they put products that need to be sold before their expiration date. My favorite thing to do is go to Waitrose about 30 to 40 minutes before they close and get sushi rolls for (in some cases) half price. Most Tesco’s have a great reduced item section be it bread, fruits, cheese, or meat. You can identify the reduced items easily with their bright yellow stickers. 

Fun: 

Student Art Pass – If you’re a student living in London I can’t recommend the student art pass enough! For only £5 for the year, you get access to free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses. And you even receive 50% off major exhibitions in London.  

It’s a low cost and sometimes free way to enjoy the amazing art scene in London. And even if you only go to one or two museums during your time in London, the cost of your art pass would have already paid for itself. 

Shopping:

London has a great shopping scene. Camden Market has a great variety of shops with food, crafts and clothing items. You a find a number of vintage stores in the area as well as shops dedicated to unique upcycled and reworked pieces.

Amazon prime student – Now, I’m not always a fan of Bezos’ business practices, but if you’re a student on a budget, take advantage of having a student email. Sign up for student amazon prime in the UK. You can get a six-month trial of Prime Student for 50% off at £4.49/month. 

Health:

Medications – When it comes to taking care of your health abroad, it can sometimes be intimidating. You don’t have your home doctors, and you may not have access to the same medications that you are accustomed to. But in London there are plenty of options available to you, and often much more affordable than in the US.  

During my time in the UK, I used the Superdrug Online Doctor to get prescriptions for things like asthma inhalers, contraceptive pills, even malaria tablets. With many of these medications costing no more than £35 (often for a 3-month option).  

It’s pretty simple, first you fill out a consultation questionnaire. Once the online doctor approves you are prescribed your medication. You then pay, and choose where you would like to pick up or have your medication discreetly delivered to your doorstep.  

I also recommend opting into the emails, because I frequently received discount codes for 10 – 15% off my next medication order! 
 
I hope this post helps make the transition to living in London a little bit easier. After knowing these tips, it definitely transformed my experience in the UK and I know that you’ll find at least something helpful in here!