Has anyone lived in London for an extended period of time? I'd really appreciate knowing if you liked it or not, or the parts you liked and the parts you didn't
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I've lived here for two years just gone, and I couldn't recommend it more! It's dirty and sometimes bleak but there's always something magical to see and basically always something to do.
Of course it's quite expensive, but it's manageable if you're smart about it. As you're going to be a student, you'll probably have access to some fairly reasonable student accommodation - they have special purpose built blocks for students that are just basic studio apartments with all the fittings and such. I've never had to live in one so I don't know what they're like, but from the pictures I've seen they look quite nice! Or if you'd rather live in a sharehouse there are heaps advertised on places like Gumtree, you just have to make sure you're careful about scams and meet the people you'll be living with BEFORE you part with even a cent of your money. I've been stung before and it's not fun :-/
The area you live in would depend on what sort of thing you like - from reading your journal and loosely knowing what type of girl you are, I would recommend avoiding anywhere in the south or east (Brixton/Hackney for example). Areas you might like would be around Kensington/Notting Hill/Bayswater, although they are notoriously expensive so probably wouldn't be an option. Camden is a lot of fun (and my personal favourite) but living in the heart of Camden is not only expensive but can be a bit smothering because it's just go go go all the time. I would recommend living north within about a 10 minute radius of Camden. Although if you like living in a busy place then you can probably find a room in a sharehouse in Camden for a reasonable amount!
I first lived in Fulham (south west) in a 2 bed apartment that cost £230 a week, but that was without bills (water/electric/gas/council tax - the tax is the killer!). My current flat is £275 a week in Golders Green (about 10 mins from Camden) but that includes utilities apart from Council Tax. Even though the weekly price is higher, it's worth it in the long run because the cost of the bills is split up over time instead of a big lump sum to pay every three months. Plus it means you have one less thing to worry about and just one payment to make per month (plus you can have longer showers without worrying about it making your bill higher :P). I'd also recommend places like Golders Green because it is a more family-oriented suburban type of area (there is a high orthodox jewish population) so it's much safer and I feel a lot safer walking down the street at night. The peace of mind is worth the extra 10 mins travelling time, in my opinion. Plus it's literally walking distance from Hampstead Heath, which is a lovely green escape from the city :)
You can live quite cheaply if you have to when it comes to food. I've managed to live on a pound or two a day when I've been strapped for cash. It's surprising how much stuff you can get for such a little price at places like Sainsburys (which is better than Tescos I think). Their Basics range has like 500 items for under a pound so you can stock up on essentials to get you by when times are tight. As long as you know some basic easy recipes to cook you can save a lot of money on not buying ready meals or takeaways.
Tube travel is reasonable, bus is cheaper but of course slower, and not a good idea in peak hour if you're in a hurry. I've found that travelling on the tubes gives you a warped sense of distance, and places that you think are far from each other actually aren't in reality - walking is a lot of fun if you know where you're going! And can obviously save you money if you're a bit skint (provided you have enough time to do so).
People are generally friendly and you won't get much trouble if you're smart (as in don't go walking down dark alleys on your own, or openly staring at gangs of chavs haha and that sort of thing) which I'm sure you are! It's basically the same as any city like Melbourne, just a hell of a lot bigger!
I've rambled a lot, sorry for what is probably the longest comment in the world - I hope some of it was helpful! :)
This is the most amazing advice-post ever created. Thanks so much! I don't know why I didn't immediately think to ask you; obviously you've been a similar situation to me etc. Did you generally find a notable difference between NSW(?) and London culture? As in, adjustment wasn't too difficult, was it?
Fantastic accommodation advice - I will look into gumtree. Just curious as to what in Brixton/Hackney conflicts with my journal style! :p I'm totally edgy. Totally...
Sainsburys! Makes me think of Boosh, can't help it.
Ha, I will try not to stare at gangs of chavs! What a terrifying concept.
No problem, I'm glad it was of some help! :) It's hard to say, really, because it wasn't just the difference in country, it was the difference in living situation. I'd never lived out of home, and I'd never lived in another country, and I did both at once. All the same, I didn't find it very difficult to adjust. That being said, I already had some friends before I got here, so I wasn't completely alone. Even if you come alone though, I don't think you will have any trouble with that if you are going to school - the uni friends you make will become your support system.
Hahaha nothing conflicts as such, but they are areas I myself avoid and I feel unsafe there. That might just be me being a wimp though haha. Because you're from Melbourne I can't think of a comparison for it... If it was Sydney I would liken it to Mt Druitt or Blacktown. Just a bit rough is all, and not entirely pleasant for the most part. Not to say that there aren't good parts too, as I'm sure there are, but if you're brand new in the country it's probably a better idea to be somewhere a bit more welcoming to start with.
Hahaha I realise it sounds like they're just standing about on the street, waiting to start a fight haha. It's not like a gangland or anything, but you can generally tell the 'rough' groups fairly easily. Although it's not like you'd go round staring at regular people either, so I don't know why I thought you'd do that to chavs haha. I think it just seems a bit scarier here because when they do get violent the consequences just seem more severe (like a stabbing rather than a bashing you might get in Australia). I'm not particularly selling it very well am I hahaha... basically my point is don't join a gang. Not that I thought you would. Okay I'm going to stop rambling about gangs now because I'm not even making sense.
If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask :) I'm happy to impart the little wisdom I have upon you :P
Don't join a gang? But - but - Well, when I finally get to London, you can take me on a visual learning tour of chav-gangs and how to avoid a stabbing. :)
Of course it's quite expensive, but it's manageable if you're smart about it. As you're going to be a student, you'll probably have access to some fairly reasonable student accommodation - they have special purpose built blocks for students that are just basic studio apartments with all the fittings and such. I've never had to live in one so I don't know what they're like, but from the pictures I've seen they look quite nice! Or if you'd rather live in a sharehouse there are heaps advertised on places like Gumtree, you just have to make sure you're careful about scams and meet the people you'll be living with BEFORE you part with even a cent of your money. I've been stung before and it's not fun :-/
The area you live in would depend on what sort of thing you like - from reading your journal and loosely knowing what type of girl you are, I would recommend avoiding anywhere in the south or east (Brixton/Hackney for example). Areas you might like would be around Kensington/Notting Hill/Bayswater, although they are notoriously expensive so probably wouldn't be an option. Camden is a lot of fun (and my personal favourite) but living in the heart of Camden is not only expensive but can be a bit smothering because it's just go go go all the time. I would recommend living north within about a 10 minute radius of Camden. Although if you like living in a busy place then you can probably find a room in a sharehouse in Camden for a reasonable amount!
I first lived in Fulham (south west) in a 2 bed apartment that cost £230 a week, but that was without bills (water/electric/gas/council tax - the tax is the killer!). My current flat is £275 a week in Golders Green (about 10 mins from Camden) but that includes utilities apart from Council Tax. Even though the weekly price is higher, it's worth it in the long run because the cost of the bills is split up over time instead of a big lump sum to pay every three months. Plus it means you have one less thing to worry about and just one payment to make per month (plus you can have longer showers without worrying about it making your bill higher :P). I'd also recommend places like Golders Green because it is a more family-oriented suburban type of area (there is a high orthodox jewish population) so it's much safer and I feel a lot safer walking down the street at night. The peace of mind is worth the extra 10 mins travelling time, in my opinion. Plus it's literally walking distance from Hampstead Heath, which is a lovely green escape from the city :)
You can live quite cheaply if you have to when it comes to food. I've managed to live on a pound or two a day when I've been strapped for cash. It's surprising how much stuff you can get for such a little price at places like Sainsburys (which is better than Tescos I think). Their Basics range has like 500 items for under a pound so you can stock up on essentials to get you by when times are tight. As long as you know some basic easy recipes to cook you can save a lot of money on not buying ready meals or takeaways.
Tube travel is reasonable, bus is cheaper but of course slower, and not a good idea in peak hour if you're in a hurry. I've found that travelling on the tubes gives you a warped sense of distance, and places that you think are far from each other actually aren't in reality - walking is a lot of fun if you know where you're going! And can obviously save you money if you're a bit skint (provided you have enough time to do so).
People are generally friendly and you won't get much trouble if you're smart (as in don't go walking down dark alleys on your own, or openly staring at gangs of chavs haha and that sort of thing) which I'm sure you are! It's basically the same as any city like Melbourne, just a hell of a lot bigger!
I've rambled a lot, sorry for what is probably the longest comment in the world - I hope some of it was helpful! :)
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Fantastic accommodation advice - I will look into gumtree. Just curious as to what in Brixton/Hackney conflicts with my journal style! :p I'm totally edgy. Totally...
Sainsburys! Makes me think of Boosh, can't help it.
Ha, I will try not to stare at gangs of chavs! What a terrifying concept.
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It's hard to say, really, because it wasn't just the difference in country, it was the difference in living situation. I'd never lived out of home, and I'd never lived in another country, and I did both at once. All the same, I didn't find it very difficult to adjust. That being said, I already had some friends before I got here, so I wasn't completely alone. Even if you come alone though, I don't think you will have any trouble with that if you are going to school - the uni friends you make will become your support system.
Hahaha nothing conflicts as such, but they are areas I myself avoid and I feel unsafe there. That might just be me being a wimp though haha. Because you're from Melbourne I can't think of a comparison for it... If it was Sydney I would liken it to Mt Druitt or Blacktown. Just a bit rough is all, and not entirely pleasant for the most part. Not to say that there aren't good parts too, as I'm sure there are, but if you're brand new in the country it's probably a better idea to be somewhere a bit more welcoming to start with.
Hahaha I realise it sounds like they're just standing about on the street, waiting to start a fight haha. It's not like a gangland or anything, but you can generally tell the 'rough' groups fairly easily. Although it's not like you'd go round staring at regular people either, so I don't know why I thought you'd do that to chavs haha. I think it just seems a bit scarier here because when they do get violent the consequences just seem more severe (like a stabbing rather than a bashing you might get in Australia). I'm not particularly selling it very well am I hahaha... basically my point is don't join a gang. Not that I thought you would. Okay I'm going to stop rambling about gangs now because I'm not even making sense.
If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask :) I'm happy to impart the little wisdom I have upon you :P
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Well, when I finally get to London, you can take me on a visual learning tour of chav-gangs and how to avoid a stabbing. :)
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