Finding Accommodation, Flatsharing, Hostels in London

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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

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.

Update 10/05/2012


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Recommended Partners

Furnished apartments for travellers

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Comments

 cityflatpals

09/03/2013

cityflatpals.com
I suggest this site.
http://www.cityflatpals.com/

Cityflatpals is a roommate finder and roommate search service. It offers an effective way for you to find roommates and rooms for rent, room in london and house share.

 celinenwa

24/04/2012

Logement Londres
Nous pouvons vous aider a trouver un appartement, studio ou une chambre dans un appartement en colocation a Londres.

Nos appartements sont situes principalement dans le "nord" de Londres et dans le centre( Camden Town , Holloway road, St Johns Wood, Marylebone, Swiss cottage...)
Nous avons un pole special pour les etudiants et les stagiaires !

Rendez-vous sur notre site http://www.nwalondon.co.uk/

Nous proposons des contrats de moins de 3 mois.

celine@nwalondon.com

 Accommodation London

26/10/2011

Formules d'hébergement à prix avantageux avec Accommodation London
Dans le domaine depuis plus de 20 ans, Accommodation London est une société privée et indépendante qui possède plus de 300 studios et 150 chambres privées dans différents immeubles, ainsi que 3 auberges de jeunesse. Tous nos logements sont dans le superbe et vibrant quartier de Willesden Green situé au nord-ouest de Londres (Zone 2) et sont tous à proximité des transports en commun, se dirigeant directement au centre de Londres.

Se spécialisant dans le marché international, nous offrons aux voyageurs, étudiants et jeunes travailleurs, à la fois l'hébergement à court terme et à long terme, accommodant tous les types de budgets sans demander aucune lettre de référence.

Pour plus d'information ou pour toutes demandes de logement, veuillez contacter marie@accommodationlondon.net

 Singaporeaninlondon

07/09/2010

Guide to finding London accommodation
Had quite a bit of trouble finding the right rental property in London when I first touched down in Heathrow. The main thing not to do is to pay for something that you have not personally seen it (photos can be really misleading). So it's really important to head down to take a look at the property itself.

Took some time to document down the things that I stumbled on and the London Accommodation Guide is available for download at http://www.singaporeaninlondon.com/2010/08/london-accommodation-tips-f...

Hope this will help.

 london08

28/08/2009

Affordable Rates
You can check this site out for cozy and cheap accomodation in London: http://www.moving2london.com

 Lettingline

24/07/2009

Accommodation in London (zone 2/3)
Very nice room (single or double ) in furnished and well equiped flat: Kitchen, Bathroom washing machine, Internet Wifi, garden etc...
No Agency Fee and you sign a tenancy agreement after you visit the flatshare.

You can contcat us by email: lettingline@hotmail.co.uk
or tel: 0044 79 1043 6482

 kaetja

10/06/2009

Chambre chez l'habitant
Chambres chez L'HABITANT tres propres, bon rapport qualite prix pour les personnes qui partent seules c'est tres tres bien.
CONTACT: kathusia@yahoo.fr

 skywalker

03/12/2008

www.ukfleamarket.com for your attention..
I have recently used www.ukfleamarket.com and this website is really simple and easy to check accommodation adverts and to advertise. it is completely free and it supports adding pictures to adverts as well.

I strongly recommend using this website, especially seeing that many websites are charging for adverts and there has been a few free website left around which needs more support.

hope this helps.

 max92

05/06/2008

London accommodation
short let apartments, self catering accommodation in central London
http://www.london-house.com

 London Removals

23/03/2008

London Removals - free quote
If looking for a removal company in London, Robinsons are worth checking out. You can ask them for free quote online at http://www.robinsons-intl.com/general/find-london.html

 london

05/03/2008

London Guide & Accommodation
A very complete website about your first steps in London:

http://www.londonlettingagency.com

They've got quite a nice selection of accommodation too.

 rockyel

25/10/2007

Never send a Western Union for rent a flat/
Becarreful, Never send cash for a rent if you never seen the flat.
NEVER!!

 London Relocation

07/04/2007

Student or Professional London Relocation
When people come to London to find an apartment, they generally spend hundreds of dollars on a week of searching, and usually come up either empty handed or with an apartment they hate.

http://www.londonrelocationservices.com/uk-relocation-specialists.htm London Relocation can typically find you an apartment in 1-2 days. We will help you set up your utilities, get your paperwork in order with your landlord, and quickly get you moved into the flat of your dreams.

Visit us to find out how we can help you!

 yann76

27/04/2005

http://www.gumtree.com
Un super site pour trouver un logement a Londres: http://www.gumtree.com

 Scotjam

10/12/2004

FlatShare.com
Another useful site, which is free to use. http://www.flatshare.com Hopefully, you'll find it useful.

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