Cost of Living
England is quite expensive, with London consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world.
When traveling, expect to pay about £100 per person for mid-range accommodations and meals. Backpackers using hostels and cooking their own meals can get by on as little as 50 GBP a day.
Estimates on cost of living in London (for accommodation it depends a lot on the area/size of course):
- Rent (1 Bedroom/Shared flat): £600-750/month
- Rent (small/medium flat): £280-600/week
- Weekly grocery bill (food, laundry and toiletry for 2 people): £60 per week
- Pub Meal: £8-12
- Restaurant Meal: £15-30
- Pint of Local Beer: £3-5
- Monthly Zone 1-2 Travelcard: £86
- Movie: £7-12
- West End theatre: £30+
- Club Entry: £10-15
Prepare for your Housing Search
Research and introspection should define your pre-accommodation search. Familiarize yourself with the different areas of London and find where you want to live. Read blogs from the area, find official resources, visit the different areas. Ask yourself questions like:
- How big a place do you want? A studio? A three room flat? A family house?
- Where do you want to live? Somewhere close to your work?
- What's your price range? What are you comfortable paying?
With answers to these important questions you can begin to think of a specific place.
Areas
Two of the biggest determiners in finding an apartment are price and location. These two factors are usually in competition as a better location can result in much higher prices. Many people choose to commute into the city for more manageable housing prices. Properties in a fashionable parts of London can reach prices of up to 100 times more than the same kind of property outside the city. Within the city, there are also more desirable areas.
South
Brixton, Clapham, Battersea
Clapham and Battersea (with only the river Thames separating from Chelsea and South Kensington) have become very popular recently. There are bars, restaurants, shops and pubs. Clapham Junction (in Battersea!) proclaims itself as Britain's busiest railway station (with connections to both Victoria and Waterloo stations in 8 minutes) and offers a mix of trendy young professionals and well-to-do families with the famous market and shops of Northcote Road. It shares a huge green land (Clapham Common) with the area of Clapham. There is also a famous park in Battersea (a smaller version of Hyde Park with a lake and a zoo).
Brixton is not as trendy (although improving), but it is multi-cultural and is known for its Caribbean market.
South West
Earl's Court, Fulham, Putney, Southfields and Wimbledon
Once quite scruffy, Earl's Court (home to the huge exhibition centers) houses hostel goers in affordable accommodation and excellent transport links to central London.
Putney or Fulham offer a stronger "neighborhood" feel with shops, pubs, clubs, parks and public libraries. Wimbledon and Southfields also offer unique attraction and more country-like settings, linked to central-London by the District line (and train for Wimbeldon).
West
Shepherd's Bush, Acton, Hammersmith
This area is becoming increasingly popular. Pub culture and accessible transport links, or Hammersmith for a tamer (and slightly more expensive) experience. Location next to the water is quite desirable.
South East
Greenwich, Docklands, Canary Wharf
The Docklands and Canary Wharf areas are growing at an incredible rate. There are new homes and business opening all the time. Transport links are basically adequate with the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) and accommodation is reasonably priced. Nightlife is less lively, with Greenwich's historical buildings and antique markets being the biggest draw.
North
Highgate, Hampstead, Archway
Located in Zone 2, these suburbs have a village atmosphere. There are pubs and fancy restaurants. This area is quite expensive with big properties and quiet residential areas, and the proximity of the huge park of Hampstead Heath
North West
Notting Hill, Willesden Green, Kilburn, Wembley, Camden
Camden and Notting Hill are the trendier "suburbs" with bustling markets (Camden and Portobello Road). Camden is the centre of the capital's underground music scene.
Notting Hill, once populated by Caribbean immigrants, has become among London's most desirable areas (and the home of some high Tory profiles in the government), especially near Holland Park. Within the area, Portobello Road is well known for its antique section, clothing stalls and fruits and veg market... and its movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts.
Short-term Accommodation
Short-term accommodation can help you and your family get situated after moving internationally without having to make any permanent decisions too soon.
Student Housing
Student housing is a popular option for young, single people as a temporary solution. Inexpensive and flexible, student housing usually only requires 1 week notice. Shared rooms are most common with single rooms available for a long wait.
Base Prices:
- Single £100
- Double £75
- Dormitory £50
International Student House
229 Great Portland Street - London W1N 5HD
Tel : 020 7631 8300
Christian Alliance Center
2 Secker Street (Waterloo) - London SE1 8UF
Tel : 020 7450 4601
Flatsharing
FLATSHARING : A NEW WAY OF LIFE
Instead of living in a pokey attic room with huge rent, why not try
shared accommodation? Frequently associated with students, sharing is
spreading nowadays towards older established workers and covers people
from 18 to 49 years old. Without falling into a community style of life
such as in the 70's, you can choose to share an accommodation in London for a
bigger space, less expense.
Flatsharing is a way to meet more and more followers who choose to
break a lonely life, save money or just find an affordable acommodation
in a difficult market. This way of life has numerous advantages in term
of money, practicality or social life. EASYEXPAT
in partnership with EASYROOMMATE
number one for flatsharing, offers this service to its users to present
all the chances to find the ideal flatmate or to join an existing household.
If you've got a room to rent in London, you can put a free ad for house/flatsharing.
If you look for a room or a flatshare in United Kingdom, it's free to search into
the database with thousands of offers.
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A flatshare can be an excellent way to save money on your accommodations. It also offers an opportunity to get to know a new city with a local and a home that is already established.
Average Prices (per month):
- East London £430 - £700
- West London £459 - £790
- South London £350 - £750
- North London £430 - £650
However, an important trait in any roommate situation is having boundaries and a clear understanding of what each roommate requires. To protect yourself against potential problems should the worst happen, try to arrange it so that your roommates co-sign the lease. This makes all the roommates responsible for whatever happens to the property. If the worst was to happen, such as your roommate losing their job and not being able to pay rent, they will be held financially responsible - not only you.
Hostel
Hostels are plentiful across the UK. Most are clustered around the cities, although a few are interspersed in the countryside. Most youth hostels only charge £10 per bed, per night. Within London, prices can be much higher, but there is also greater competition. Expect to pay between £15 - 20 per bed, per night.
The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) has a searchable network of Independent Hostels. The YHA traditionally involved guests performing chores and a ban on alcohol. However, as time marches on many new hostels are abandoning these rules.
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24/04/2012
