|
 You can rent directly with a landlord/landlady or through an agency. In some cases, for short-term rentals you may take over someone else's room whilst they are away (therefore dealing directly with the tenants). The best paper to look is the Loot, which publishes daily (except Mondays) and you can find the biggest number of private adverts from landlords. You can look also in the weekend guide of The Guardian on Saturdays.
Advice: If you see anything you are interested in the Loot, call straight away. The nice places get taken very quickly! And, when you call, make sure you find out clearly all details about the place to save you a trip: if bills are included, how many flatmates, transport details, if it is non-smoking, how many bathrooms, etc... not only about your own room. And make sure you buy an A to Z book map to take with you. You can buy them in post offices, most news agents, groceries, bookshops and petrol stations.
The best thing of dealing with a landlord/lady is that they tend to be more flexible.. Also, agencies tend to charge you admin fees and have strict contracts. Although, for demanding things when they break or stop working, agencies can be sometimes more reliable.
How to choose where to live?
Our advice is: if you already know people in London that you want to hang out with.. or if you have got a job, then move close to them. London is a huge city and commuting can bring a lot of misery to your life. There is no point living in a lovely flat in the West when your job is in Canary Wharf.. because many times the transport is unreliable and it will detract quality of life to your daily free time.
London is very mixed in terms of social status and cultures, so each area can congregate various very different types of people, which makes it very rich but also hard to understand, when you want to feel part of a group.
Based on your taste in music, economy, politics, your job, your income, your religion.. you could perhaps try find an area that will suite your tastes and where you can feel "at home". Sometimes money limitations or the place you work can dictate your choice. Usually it also comes defined by the transport system!
Cheaper areas to live are: always in zones 2+ and specially the further East, North and South. Usually they come with higher criminal records, so it is not very recommended if you are a single girl planning to walk around the streets at night… But you can still find ‘decent’ cheap areas if you are prepare to commute for a longer time. Make sure that the rent is very cheap because the transport will be expensive and it could make up for living one zone closer.
Antipodean's areas: For some reason many Australians, Kiwis and South Africans choose to live together and have the UK experience with their closest mates. These guys usually settle around Shepherds Bush, Acton, Ealing Broadway, Wimbledon and Putney. You will of course find them in other areas such as Islington, Bethnal Green or Clapham Junction, but usually those are the ones who choose to live a bit more independently of their ex-pat communities.
Mediterranean: You can find plenty of Spanish, Italians and Greeks in Bayswater. And many posh French and Spanish usually settle around South Kensington too. In Bayswater you can find also an increasing population of Turkish, Russians and Muslim, who are bring their delicious restaurants and cafes with them.
Muslim: There is a vast concentration of the Muslim population around Marble Arch, Edgeware Road and its surroundings. Also around Finsbury Park. There are two big mosques, one in Regent’s Park and one famous one 4 minutes from Finsbury Park tube station.
Family Orientated: Well, that is a big one.. Most English families move to the outskirts or even out of London in search of a big space for their kids to play, have a healthy life and being able to pay for it. But, if you are definitely settling in London with your family, then is good you choose based on your children’s school and the existence of parks! Obviously it all comes to a price, but if safety is what you are looking for, nothing can beat areas like West: Bayswater, Holland Park, Norh: Baker Street, Hampstead, and South/SW: Turnham Green/Chiswick, Twickenham, Kew Gardens, Richmond, Pimlico, or Fulham.
Jewish: Jewish neighbourhoods are highly concentrated.Two popular areas of Jewish based communities are around Golders Green and Stamford Brook.
You can read more about the Jewish population in London here, with a list of statistics
Polish: The Polish population is mainly concentrated around Hammersmith.
Working class: Traditionally the East contained the poorer districts in the capital. A long time ago it was where most immigrants settled and where you can see the Industrial Revolution type of houses, lots of brick, small streets and where prostitution and danger resided during Jack the Ripper times. Nowadays some areas in the East are becoming increasingly popular and desired, so the land price there is raising rapidly. Also with the coming Olympics placed in that area of the city, there is a lot of investment in improving its facilities, access and quality of living. You can find what is popularly names as working class areas all around town really but, if what you have in mind is to find real Cockney neighbourhoods, head towards the East definitely! Mile End, Bethnal Green, Old Street, Liverpool Street, Hackney… and NE: Arsenal,
Creative, trendy: Well.. if you want to be part of the crowd that works in advertising, design, fashion, art or music industries.. the areas you want to hang out are again, the East (Bethnal Green, Old Street, Liverpool Street, Hackney), the south: towards Brixton or Camberwell, and in the west Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove.
Upmarket: If your company is paying for your rent or you simply belong to the class of the privileged.. then nothing will beat Chelsea (Sloan Square, Knightsbridge, Kings Road, parts of Pimlico and St Jame’s Park, South Kensington…), parts of Fulham, Maida Vale,St John’s Wood, parts of West Hampstead, Marylebone, Mayfair and in the South: Kew Gardens, Richmond and Wimbledon.
Afro-Caribbean: If you want great restaurants and a good vibe head for Kingston area. In the 70s the Afro Caribbean community concentrated also around Notting Hill and Ladbroke grove and that becomes clear during the Notting Hill carnival. The warmth of this community has reached many areas in town so is hard to define and pinpoint!
Modern: Well, if you are used to modern flats, with efficient plumbing.. then head East towards Canary Wharf area. Modern developments raised there from a couple of decades ago and you can find modern complexes with onsite gyms, indoor pools and all around security. Usually these areas are cheap as there isn’t much around in terms of shopping or night life, but they are very convenient for people who work in the city. West India Quays, Heron Quays, Limehouse, Canada Water.. all around the DLR you will find fantastic places from the 21st century!
Some areas are redeveloping, like around the Paddington Wharf for example.. or St Katherine’s or Chelsea’s wharf.. where you can find also nice modern flats to get your hands on. As well as further a field areas like Richmond or Putney!
Quiet or friendlier residential areas: Ealing Broadway, Acton, Holland Park, Hampstead, Richmond.. – with less crime rate, more leafy and an abundancy of young families who want to stay inside of London.
Well communicated areas: Anywhere near various tube lines and a train station will do in zone 1. Bayswater, Paddington, Marble Arch, Edgeware Road, Baker Street, Victoria, Finsbury Park, Angel… they are all great to get to and from.
Bit dangerous: Well, you are never too far from danger in a big city but.. perhaps reconsider when you look for a place around Brixton, Hackney, Peckham.. of course it doesn’t refer to the entire district but certain areas are known for its danger.
Want to be in the middle of it all: nothing like SOHO!
|
