Travel Guide : London

[stelouche]

Hello !

I'll get to London the 25th June for one year ( I wish ) and I would know if its easy to find a job there , If someone has any experience tell me

 

[Fabulyss]

No offense taken! I was making a more general point, probably a sore point for me. I'd just say that, as I'm sure you know, these crime statistics may not paint an accurate picture of what it is like to live there. Obviously if you can afford to avoid such areas, you will. But it's not all doom and gloom. I think it's hard to make decisions like this from a distance, and work out whether an area could work for you or not.

Such is my dilemma It's frustrating. I think I'm honing in on the Richmond/Kingston suburbs. Is it practical to live in the suburbs without a car though? Can anyone give me a rough estimate of an average monthly electric bill? Grocery bill?

 

[loverunway]

Fabulyss- Yep, there's also a mainline train from Richmond which goes to places such as Camden, which is near the centre. It shouldn't be too much of a problem because there is always available transport but it will obviously take you longer so you have to leave longer for your journey into central london. Also, Richmond is a gorgeous area. It's near the countryside and is also on the Thames. It's near Kew Gardens too.
No idea about electricity bills because i'm a teenager so don't pay my own bills. Groceries shouldn't be too much of a problem. Food in London isn't that expensive and there are SO MANY giant supermarkets. Shop around though because one thing in Tescos might be a different price in Sainsburys [for the same item].

 

[Fabulyss]

^I cannot tell you how thankful I am for your response. It's very reassuring as we've been honing in on the prospect of Richmond. I adore the city but I also adore the countryside so being in the middle seems like a right fit. I guess the trick now is to ensure I get a flat within walkable distance of the train station. I really should visit beforehand though.

 

[loverunway]

Fabulyss- If you know what street it's on I suggest going to Google Street View. You can explore the road and the surrounding area by typing in the postcode. You might know about it already but it's really good

 

[nita-karoliina]

i am in London for this summer and my boyfriend is coming to visit me, so i would like to take him to some place.., can you suggest me some clubs where to go?and streets/areas? thanks

 

[Fabulyss]

Fabulyss- If you know what street it's on I suggest going to Google Street View. You can explore the road and the surrounding area by typing in the postcode. You might know about it already but it's really good

Fantastic idea! Thanks!

 

[Meg]

Richmond is really nice, as is Wimbledon, but as you said, you have to be really aware of where it is on the map because it can definitely be somewhat more difficult living in the suburbs without a car. Kingston, is, in my opinion too far out. A good rule of thumb is to stay within the London postcodes, if you are looking in that area. Teddington for example is also nice, but it's too far out (for me).

 

[after__eight]

For shopping I recommend
Harrods
Harvey Nichols
Browns
Sloane Street
Oxford Circus
Covent Garden

Also go see a play on the west end.
Piano bar in kensington, Pasha restaurant in knightsbridge, Tate Modern museum, Ladurée for some pink champange and amazing desserts, Paul for fabulous sandwiches and pastries.
Kensington high street is okay, there's not really much there IMO.

 

[june gloom]

Any recommended cheap hotels/hostels for students?

 

[Fixyfantastica]

^ er.. I work on Kensington High Street and there is lots there actually - its got your usual fare of high street shops - everything from Topshop to Mango, Aldo, Monsoon, a Whole Foods, etc. And additionally if you visit Ken High St, make a little time to visit the rooftop gardens - amazing! They have real flamingos!

Everything that after eight has mentioned is predominately the crappy sloaney type of london - get out of that side, and get yourself down to Portobello, Camden Market or South London (there is a really good comedy club in Balham where all the big names play called The Bedford).

If you want to see a west end show go to the TCKTS hut in Leicester Sq for cheaper tickets last minute. Tate Modern is fantastic, but have a wander around Hyde Park near to the Serpentine and have a go on the boats there, its fab!

 

[Fixyfantastica]

^Thanks a million! After much research I actually came upon the idea of living in the Richmond or Kingston areas as they have relatively little crime...does anyone know how far away these areas are from central London?

Would it be practical to live in the 'suburbs' like this without a car and simply commute in each day?

Both of these are only serviced by buses or mainline rail so no, it won't be easy getting around. Plus they are both outside of London. Good south areas are Clapham and Balham etc, more nothern are places like Islington (Angel tube/ Highbury Islington tube)

Edit - sorry, should have said that in Zone 1, practically ANYWHERE, due to its proximity to central london, you will expect to pay a premium of about £300+ a month more for the same space that in on the border of zone 2-3 or in Zone 3 will cost you. Beware dodgy landlords in zone 1 -2 as well, well in fact, be careful of them full stop, but in these zones, especially through ads like gumtree, there are a lot of fake landlords that ask for your deposit before you have seen a property. Do not ever ever pay this even if it seems convenient, you will never be asked to do this in a legitimate rental. If you are at all concerned, go through a reputable estate agent, although beware as they do charge more for their administration services.

PM me if you need any advise.

 

[Mindbear]

I wish Camden would burn down, I absolutely hate it. However, I agree with everything else you say. High St Kensington used to be incredible when it had the market there. It was this brilliant shabby building full of hairdressers and clothes and crap...but great crap if you were a teenager in 1992 going to clubs and gigs and wanting to look cool. I got my nose pierced there about ten times...I'd got to school next day, get it taken out, get it done again two days later!

There was also this amazing building opposite the market where there would be incredible designers, but that got shut too.

Still, it's very posh!

If you're into music, go to east london, I hate it there because everyone is slightly too pleased with themselves, but if you're not from london you have to see Shoreditch, Hoxton, all those places. It's bubbling with life and stuff to do. And posh, spoilt trust fund scenesters. SPIT!

 

[Mindbear]

Both of these are only serviced by buses or mainline rail so no, it won't be easy getting around. Plus they are both outside of London. Good south areas are Clapham and Balham etc, more nothern are places like Islington (Angel tube/ Highbury Islington tube)

PM me if you need any advise.

I live just next to Clapham. I love it round here. Leafy but not in the middle of nowhere...

 

[Fixyfantastica]

i'm going to london this summer and i wanted to know if there is a nice restaurant or bar where you have a great view. you know, somewhere on the top floor, a terrace overlooking london's skyline.
any tips?

Oxo tower, or Tower42 for this!

 

[Fixyfantastica]

^That would be be completely practical I'm sure, people commute much further than that.

I definately think there are differences in prices i.e generally, the closer you are to central, the more expensive it will be. I guess you have to make sure you are comparing like with like when it comes to prices/rent and this may only be possible in person.

I also have to say, from my experience, there are no 'uninhabitable ghettos'. As a student, I have lived in both nicer and 'not so nice' areas and have had absolutely no problems with the latter. To be honest, I have more of a problem with the snobbery from some people towards such 'ghettos'. Obvously there are far from 'uninhabitable' for the people who make there home there.

I completely agree with this sentiment - and in fact sometimes living in the supposedly 'unihabitable' areas, which most outsiders would probably think the majority of east london is actually - can often be the areas where the 'real' london can be found, instead of the touristy, moneyed migrational areas that cost a bomb just to have a coffee in and people walk practically through you as they appear to be too high and mighty to be polite. I have lived and worked in both and i would go to the ghetto any day of the week. Remember people in hte supposed 'ghettos' watch out for each other miles more than people in the posher 'habitable' areas.

 

[Fixyfantastica]

I live just next to Clapham. I love it round here. Leafy but not in the middle of nowhere...

mindbear - I live in Balham! i love it too, its a really lovely area.. and you are right about the music stuff in East London but also check out gig venues in north london ie. Roundhouse etc. You are spot on though about the scenesters in camden and east london and I steer clear as much as possible as well.. especially those trust fund/hedge fund twits!

 

[Meg]

I don't get why people think East London is somehow more authentic. If you can find some sort of magical one bed room flat in hoxton/shoreditch for under 900 pounds a month then please send me the info! All areas have their moneyed bits, and their shabbier bits. And it depends your view of ghetto - because you could not pay me to live in New Cross Gate. Yet there are a lot of "wealthier" kids around there because the uni is right there. So like I said, every area has its good and bad bits.

Re: restaurants. My boyfriend and I eat out in London quite a bit, both cheap and pricey, (or we did when we lived there full time) and I really wouldn't recommend OXO Tower. Yes, it's alright but I think your money would be better spent going to a GREAT restaurant and then taking the London Eye, wandering the South bank, or something along those lines. If you insist on a skyline view, my recommendation would be Galvin at Windows or Theo Randall at the InterContinental. I think there are great meals to be had at lesser prices, but these two are the best for skyline views

 

[Mindbear]

mindbear - I live in Balham! i love it too, its a really lovely area.. and you are right about the music stuff in East London but also check out gig venues in north london ie. Roundhouse etc. You are spot on though about the scenesters in camden and east london and I steer clear as much as possible as well.. especially those trust fund/hedge fund twits!

I got sick of camden after running a club there for a few years. I just hate it, it's disgusting, I've been going to venues there since 93, when Koko was the Camden Palace (so much better!). I did venture to the roundhouse to see My Bloody Valentine though, and that was a great experience, it's definitely a great venue.

I think we've made the best choice with our south west london ways. Balham is great, it's cheap, close to london yet not where the twats live. When I stop work etc, I want to walk away from the scene, if you live in east london, the scene is there, up to your t*ts! I don't want to drown in scene!

 

[BritGirlUK]

I'm another advocate for South West London. Have been living in Wimbledon for a couple of years now and it's perfect for all my needs. Great transport links with the Northern and District Lines, overground out to Surrey etc or 7 mins to Clapham Junction and then on to Waterloo, tram to Croydon if you must.

The area is popular with South Africans and Australians which came as a bit of a shock to me at first but you get used to it. I now live with 2 Saffas and 2 Norwegians so there's a real cultural mix.

In terms of price, it's a real mixed bag but there's something to suit every budget. Wimbledon Village (near the tennis club) is fairly expensive but lovely, Wimbledon itself varies and easily accessible place nearby like Colliers Wood and Southfields are more moderately priced.