Living in london...

[morg_monster]

I'm putting this here because I'm not sure where else it fits.  Hope you can help...

I'm moving to London in september to start my first 'proper' job.  Me and my buddy will start flat hunting soon. We are looking to rent but between us only know a few areas of london well. I just don't know where to start looking - we've got to narrow it down somehow.  Important things to us are public transport links, don't want it to be too far from work (me in Euston, he probably in Westminster), and generally an OK area with plenty to keep us busy.  We are not going to be on huge salaries for London, about 22-23k, so can't afford any expensive areas!

I really appreciate your help and opinions, and also any issues you think I might have forgotten.  Or any websites you think might help - I haven't found any that fit the bill.

[metagirl]

SW - Battersea, Wandsworth, Balham, Clapham areas are good - can maybe still find some rental bargains / great transport links (tube/train) / bars-clubs good and mix of residential areas make it a city within a city, really.

[mystress]

Hi morg_monster,

So you are moving to the Big Wicked City! LOL

I left 9 years ago to live here in Rural East Sussex,but then you are a lot younger than me!(I presume?)

Try this link called"Living in London" it compares London by Postal Areas etc and looks just the ticket for you,Have Fun!

http://www.livinginlondon.net/

[morg_monster]

Thanks mystress - that looks perfect!  Just what I needed.  Now I just need to get a travel card and go visiting!

BTW, I am 24, don't know if that is a lot younger than you..!

[sneezer]

You can also try www.movethat.com which has lots of accommodation ads and other london stuff on. It is where we found our last flatmate.

I live in Shoreditch which is a good place to live as long as you don't mind travelling to get to a bit of greenery but there are loads of bars and clubs and it is very central. Happy hunting!

[mystress]

m_m,

I am now 32,so not that much older,and moved from London when I was 23,so perhaps we get itchy feet then?

[flaming]

Don't forget to take your fares into consideration.  There are price grades by Zone.  A cheaper rent, further out, might mean more expensive travelling  - time consuming, too.  I'm somewhat prejudiced being a NW Londoner, but I think Camden Town NW1 would suit you. The Northern Underground line (black line on coloured tube maps) from CAMDEN TOWN would take you to Euston quickly, and depending on where in Westminster,  your friend could use that line too, and walk from CHARING CROSS tube station.  Bus routes are plentiful too.  Camden Town is famous for Camden Lock market and their are hosts of pubs. and late-night music venues.  It's quite a buzzy place, (Jazz Cafe, MTV) day or night!   SW London would mean greater inconvenience for you.  If you can choose a tube line that doesn't involve a change to another line as some of the changes involve a 10 minute walk underground. Also choose a place that offers bus and tube, so that there's a back-up way of getting to work if there are tube delays.  Take something smaller further in if need be. Most flats are on short-hold tenancies and you can find your feet initially and move further out if you feel you can do better price-wise.  As I say though, fares are quite a consideration to be weighed against paying a bit more rent.  You tend to get more for your money further out.  You had better think in terms of  a flat for �200 per week in these areas I mention.  If  you go out further on the Northern line, GOLDERS GREEN, NW11 or MILL HILL, NW7 or HENDON NW4 are all good but are less buzzy, but you might get a rent at Mill Hill or Hendon at �165-180 per week.

[flaming]

continued.... I hope the recent tragic events haven't dampened your enthusiasm too much.  Living and working here in London should be a marvellous experience, something to look forward to.  I am sure your families are very concerned.  I can't say anything comforting except that we must all keep on keeping on.

About the flats:  It is an international group of people passing through that you are up against.  There's always someone who will pay.  Usually a landlord leaves an agent to find the tenant and do all the formalities, although there are things less formally avvailable in some papers.  Maybe you have some contacts who will put you up for a few weeks?  It takes a time for references  to be obtained or you might have to wait for a changeover date.  A month's rent in advance is usual and a deposit, another month's rent!  Things are quite stringent as owners are on their guard with such a transient population.  Make sure what is included and how furnished or not the place is. I am not very up on SW London but I am sure the rents will be much the same unless you go far out from the centre.  All tenants have their fares in mind and there's little point in coming to London and then having an hour odd journey to far-flung suburbs.  Might as well journey to Hertfordshire or Kent.  Incidentally, if you got something around Camden Town, you could walk to Euston if you felt like it.  There are cycle lanes everywhere now, so you could use a push-bike.  Lots of people do as it's good excercise.  Good luck!