Still flat-hunting
I haven't settled on a place but there are a few with regards to which I'm in negotiations/considering going back for a second viewing. This weekend has taught me at least that my budget is realistic. I just haven't found the absolutely perfect place yet. I wish I had two or three weeks of doing absolutely nothing (including the internship) just to hunt. But spending three days a week with KHRP and my holiday to Canada coming up on 4 July means the heat is on. *sigh*
What I want --
-A room big enough for, and furnished with, a bed (preferably double -- which with a room big enough for all the rest of the stuff, will probably come as a matter of course), a desk and chair, a wardrobe, a chest of drawers, bookshelves or a bookcase
-If no lounge in the flat, would probably want the room to be slightly bigger
-A kitchen large enough for the number of people sharing the flat
-If more than two flatmates, a toilet separate from the main bathroom
-Tidy flatmates (clean up after themselves) and a cleaner (so I don't have to take time out of studying to deep-clean the bathroom when it is, or I feel it is, "my turn" or when it's just so disgusting I can't take it anymore -- don't want it to get like that anyway)
-Less than an hour's cycle to college; also not much more than an hour by bus; also less than an hour by tube (including the walk to and from the tube station at either end); on a bus journey I'd like not to have to switch buses halfway along and get onto a bus which is halfway along its route, ie, packed -- obviously I don't mind switching and getting onto a bus which will not, generally, be packed
-Preferably in Camden, Hackney, Haringey or Islington, but if it meets the above location description, I'd consider other areas
-An internet connection; ideally TV too, but that's negotiable
-Not dumpy -- doesn't have to be posh, but not run-down or neglected
-A place that will take Daisy and where it will be practical to take her -- she sleeps so much she doesn't really need to go outside, but if she can't there would have to be space for a litter box somewhere
-Location doesn't have to be "posh" or particularly desirable but would need a tube or overland (ie Oyster-card-connected rail) station relatively near (see above on getting into town) and a largish grocery store in cycling distance. Preferably a park too -- there are parks pretty much everywhere in London. I have seriously considered places in ex-council estates (and rejected them for reasons independent of their being in council estates) but wouldn't go for one with rubbish all over the estate or that seemed run-down or depressed (see above on the place not being dumpy!)
-Budget of £500 inclusive of bills
And that's it, really. Don't ask for much, do I?