ACCOMMODATION
For those of you who weren’t able to access the information on facebook here’s a brief out line of where and how I’d recommend you find a place, but also make sure you check out Arianna’s megauseful guide (http://soasunion.org/welfare-education-2/housing-and-accommodation/).
In terms of FLATSHARES, here are probably the best websites:
uk.easyroommate.com
If you’ve managed to find a friend(s) with whom you’re happy to find a somewhere to RENT together here’s probably the best way to find a place to rest that pretty face:
1. Walk around the main roads of the areas you’d like to live in, I’m guessing the biggest demand is for places around CENTRAL and WEST London, I’d highly recommend you check out any and all the agencies along Parkway in Camden as well as all along Camden High Street; for areas nearer to Kings Cross and Vernon Square walk along and around Upper Street in Angel and Islington area. Notting Hill and Hampstead are pretty pricey but beautiful places so check out South Kensington as well if your budget allows. *Check the roads that shoot off the main ones as they often have agencies hiding around the corner that often have cheaper rates AND more vacancies.
Cheaper alternatives are always a bit further out, up NORTH the most popular student area is around Manor House but have a look around Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters, Finsbury Park as these are all along the Victoria and Piccadilly Line which makes coming to Russell Square/Kings Cross very convenient via tube. Green Lanes and Turnpike Lane as well as Holloway are good areas that are just beyond Angel and are easily commutable by bus. There are plenty of agencies along Church Street as well as Seven Sisters Road.
Down SOUTH of the river, Brixton is definitely popular but Peckham is cheaper as well as Clapham. For a pricier but more picturesque alternative, check out Greenwich. Brixton is particularly good area to check as it’s right on the Victoria line, Greenwich is a bit further out and trickier as you have to catch the DLR, Peckham on the other hand has a bus that comes straight into the centre.
Around EAST London, there’s no doubt that Bricklane with the famous bagel shop is prime property (http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/restaurants/brick-lane-beigel-bake-info-664.html). Pop in to agencies around Shoreditch and Bethnal Green tube station on the main streets to see what rates and availabilities are.
2. Agencies are practically everywhere but make sure you check how much commission they charge, students are always easy prey so don’t feel shy to ask all the questions you want as well, after all you are the one paying at the end of the day.
3. I won’t bother listing all the useful websites/agencies out there as you’ve probably scanned them all, if not, the most popular ones to start from are probably University of London http://housing.london.ac.uk/cms/ for housing for students under the ULU umbrella, www.gumtree.com and in terms of agencies blackatz (http://www.blackkatz.com/)which specialise in students. At this point it’s probably a lot faster to walk around and talk to people and ask for immediate viewings than scanning the internet; furthermore it gives you a sense of the area you may live in so I assure you the day(s) walk is well worth it.
TO FIND PLACES SOASians ARE VACATING OR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR
FLATMATES FROM SOAS CHECK THE PAGE BELOW
(apologies if you’re not on facebook but is by far the quickest and most accessible medium used for networking otherwise email 299658@soas.ac.uk or 249134@soas.ac.uk)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/154188938045618/
Hi,
Just a quick tip and advice for those who are coming for exchange programmes and semesters looking for short – term accommodation. I would highly recommend http://WWW.FLAT-CLUB.COM. It is what i used when looking for cheap short term accommodation.
Flat-Club is a network where students rent out their rooms and flats to other students within their secured network only. Each University has its own page, and you can rent rooms from students within your network or university, or from other students in Top Universities around the globe. Its all secure and very safe, can find great rooms, and you can save up to 80% on your accommodation.
Regards,
Raza