Your guide to figuring out where to live in London as a graduate - Debut

Your guide to figuring out where to live in London as a graduate - Debut This post is part of our ultimate guide to moving to London as a graduate. Finally nab the London job of your dreams? Now youve got to figure out where to live in London as a graduate.   No matter what all the TV shows tell you, London isnt just made up of the Big Ben and the London Eye. The city is divided into five major areas: North, South, East, West and Central London. Beyond that, there are 33 different districts (called boroughs) in London, each with its own unique character. When you start your search, youll likely get loads of conflicting advice as to which is the best area to live in. Its important to bear in mind that Londoners are usually very protective of their area/borough. A South Londoner will inevitably say living there is better than living up North, for example. No matter how much youve been dying to live in Camden or Peckham, wed suggest you try finding something fairly easy to get to from your place of work. Extrapolating from your office will give you a better idea as to what your commute will be like from day to day. The best kinds of commute involve the least amount of changes possible. (Youll thank us later.) Variables to consider How close your chosen property will be to an Underground station/Rail station or bus stop Take it from me I lived in a house that was only accessible by a 20 minute walk from the nearest bus or Tube station and it was hell during rainy days. Ideally, you should have multiple public transport options surrounding your chosen property, whether it be bus, tram, Tube, Overground or Santander cycles. After all part of moving to London is feeling like youre connected to the city, but if you cant get to Central London in less than 40 minutes, do you really live in London? Proximity to nearby facilities such as supermarkets, gyms, restaurants and pubs As a graduate, youll likely be living a pretty active social and work life. The more convenience in your area, the better. Look out for off-licences, 24-hour supermarkets, public parks and other landmarks to understand what your life in the area might be like. Youd be surprised at how much your surrounding area affects your ability to treat your new house like a home. I mean, whats a new place to live without figuring where your nearest local pub is for a post-work pint? Safety and reputation of the area This is slightly more difficult to gauge through a Google search. This is probably something you should ask any fellow friends whove moved to London before. However, there are plenty of areas previously considered to be unsafe that are currently up and coming. Its best to keep a good balance between being vigilant and having an open mind. Zones To make things even more complicated, London is divvied up into areas called Zones. Diving into the economic divisions between Zones will keep us here in this section forever, so briefly: Zone 1 is the most central zone but will generally have the highest rent prices, and as you go further down the list youll have lower rent prices but youll likely have a longer commute. Theres one catch though. The further out you live (lets say Zones 4 onwards), not only will your commute be longer, but itll likely be more expensive. Well tackle this further in the Budgeting section below. (Top tip: the travel price differences only apply to Tube/Rail services. Zones have been abolished on London buses since 2004! This, plus the introduction of the new Hopper ticket which allows you two bus rides for £1.50 might save you a ton on your commute.) Suggested Areas Phew, we made it! Now that weve covered the bigger picture, lets dive into some great areas you could consider that are up-and-coming and affordable. Dont say we dont take care of you now, yhear. East London View this post on Instagram Graffiti walls Shoreditch, London #art #artist #graffiti #street #streetart #london #shoreditch #travel #traveler #tourism #travelphoto #travelphotography #love_london #amazingplace #city #cityscape #landscape #travelphotography #instagood #photooftheday #instapic #vacations #holidays #enjoy #holidays #travelgram #instatravel #instapic #happy #photography #instalike #follow A post shared by Fabert FANFAN (@trip.n.photography_passion) on Mar 7, 2018 at 4:32pm PST East London is usually known for being the hipster end of London. Expect plenty of rooftop bars, cyclists, and men with immaculately groomed beards. However, areas of East London are less bohemian (code for affordable) than you think the more central bits of East London have significantly shot up in price due to their proximity to tech companies like Google. Our suggested areas below still have them East London ~vibes~ youre looking for, but are a darn sight more affordable. What youll usually think when you think East London:  Shoreditch or  Bethnal Green Why not try:  Haggerston, Dalston or Stoke Newington West London View this post on Instagram [??: @lazytravelers] Sometimes people ask for the exact street names of where beautiful pics like Ashley of @lazytravelers’s were taken. I’ll give you the area but honestly, if you go straight to the photo spot, you’re doing yourself an injustice! Give yourself time to wander and explore while you try to find it, because some of your most memorable parts of your trip will happen during those times. And use #loveandlondon on your photo when you do eventually find the spot so I can see your shot. A post shared by Jess | London Travel Guide (@loveandlondon) on Mar 1, 2019 at 5:25am PST West London isnt just for the poshest of the posh. There are still some fantastic, scenic places to live accessible through the Central or District line, after all. West London is a little bit quieter, so if youre looking for a little more tranquility and green space, this area will probably suit you best. What youll usually think when you think West London:  Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea Why not try:  Shepherds Bush, Richmond or Ealing North London https://www.instagram.com/p/BR22R4YhFM7/?utm_source=ig_embed Youd probably still be able to get that tattoo your mother always warned you not to, but North London isnt as hippity-hoppity as it used to be. The once notorious Camden has been gentrified to its limit, to the chagrin of rockers and punks alike. However, North London still boasts incredible music venue the Roundhouse, some truly stunning parks, and arguably, the best flat white coffees in the city. What youll usually think when you think North London:  Camden, Hampstead, and Belsize Park Why not try:  Kentish Town, Willesden Green or Finsbury Park South London View this post on Instagram May your weekend be as sparkly and colourful ?? ?????????? A post shared by Laku | Londoner / Traveler (@lakudavies) on Mar 17, 2017 at 1:11pm PDT Folks, we have an important public service announcement to make. Dear young professional. Not all roads lead to Clapham. Once the hub of young professionals, Clapham, Balham and to a certain extent, nearby Tooting are now more geared towards young families. Yup, that means houses are way more expensive. South west London is becoming more and more pricey as time goes by. However, underrated areas lie in the east. Greenwich, the Isle of Dogs and Peckham have affordable housing and are likely to be more bang for your buck. What youll usually think when you think South London:  Clapham, Balham or Brixton Why not try:  Greenwich, New Cross or Peckham Central London What youll usually think when you think Central London:  That its crazy expensive and you probably wont be able to afford living there. Unfortunately, this is probably the case! Finding a double bedroom under £700 a month before bills is nigh on impossible. Zone 1 is probably a no-go zone if youre a fresh face to London. Dont despair though: its normal for young professionals to start off in Zones 2-4 and move closer into the center as their career progresses. We hope that your house search is smooth, safe, and drama-less. Your ultimate guide to house-hunting in the city of London Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.