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London is an excellent choice amongst students due to its cosmopolitan culture, presence of world-class universities, cultural diversity and abundant career opportunities. The city is home to high-ranked universities like Imperial College London and University College London which offer unparalleled education. Beyond academics, London offers a wonderful opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the bustling city life, its rich cultural scene and experience the enthusiastic vibe that the city is popularly known for. Settling in London as a student is highly promising since there are multiple accommodation options and localities that you will truly fall for. Finding an ideal place to live in any city might feel like a daunting task. Fret not as this blog post is here to be your ally in helping you discover the best places for students to live in London.
Best Localities To Stay In London For Students
London is a charming hub in the heart of the United Kingdom that has something for everyone. From iconic landmarks like the Tower Bridge, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to buzzing nightlife, high street brand outlets and diverse food options, the possibilities are endless.
London has a comprehensive range of student accommodations spread across varied locations which offer seamless connectivity to the major parts of the city and leading universities. Here is a round-up of the best areas to live in London for students:
Camden
Where is it?: North of Westminster
Borough: London Borough of Camden
Known for: Markets, live music and old-school pubs
Camden is a popular destination where you will experience a perfect blend of academics, arts and a lively music scene. It is a popular choice amongst young minds as it offers a great nightlife and a buzzing vibe. The University of London and the Royal Veterinary College are located closer to the area. You will find a wide array of eclectic markets and hidden gems like stores for vintage clothes, antiques and crafts.
Camden is a colourful and cheery town that offers easy access to the rest of the city through its connections to the Northern Line. Thus, it is one of the best places for students to live in London if you are looking for a combination of excellent education combined with an upbeat student lifestyle.
Richmond
Where is it?: South-west London
Borough: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Known for: Art, history and culture
Located near the River Thames, Southwest London, Richmond is a wonderful place for students to live in. The Richmond University and Imperial College’s St Mary’s campus are located in Richmond which make this destination one of the most sought-after places in London. Richmond is characterized by lush green parks, cafes and a buzzing city centre featuring multiple food joints, shopping outlets and clubs.
Unwind along the River Thames and connect with nature at the Kew Gardens. Central London is easily accessible and it takes around 30 minutes to reach there by tube or train. While Richmond is essentially a serene place, it offers the amenities required by students which gives them the option to experience the best of both worlds. There are abundant student housing in London options, green spaces and public transportation connectivity which makes it one of the best student places to live in London.
Spitalfields
Where is it?: East End of London
Borough: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Known for: Lively markets and historic architecture
Spitalfields is located in East London. This broad neighbourhood features the perfect blend of historic charm along with a contemporary appeal. Spitalfields presents restored Victorian-era squares like Bishop Square and Crispin Place. These places feature a wide array of shopping outlets, food joints and more exciting things to discover.
You can find a broad assortment of budget-friendly accommodations in Spitalfields for students. You get access to extensive Central London along with easy connectivity to the public transportation links. With purpose-built student accommodations such as the Spitalfields Residence and GoBritanya- Spitalfields Residence, your stay is sure to be a hassle-free one.
Tower Bridge
Where is it?: London Inner Ring Road
Borough: Tower Hamlets and Southwark
Known for: London’s iconic landmark
Tower Bridge, located in East London, features a lively culture and a rich blend of history. It provides students to live amidst the iconic riverside area of London. Tower Bridge’s central location provides convenient access to the major parts of the city. Queen Mary University of London and London Metropolitan University are easily within reach from the locality. Beyond academics, you can experience the beauty of the iconic landmarks and dive into the buzzing city culture while staying here.
You will find a perfect combination of old world charm combined with a modern appeal. The colourful street markets, eclectic shopping outlets and varied food joints all come together for a delightful stay around Tower Bridge.
Shoreditch
Where is it?: East End of London
Borough: Hackney
Known for: Street art and creative culture
Shoreditch is one of the best places for students to live in London due to the edgy and urban energy the place has to offer. It is located in the East End which provides a perfect mix of arts, food, a buzzing nightlife scene and a magnitude of shopping outlets for the convenience of students. It features a lively vibe with a bunch of activities to experience in London. Located strategically, it is closer to top universities like London College of Fashion and London Metropolitan University.
Public transportation is easily accessible to explore the nearby places, commute to your university and browse through the nearby places of interest. The student accommodations like iQ Shoreditch and Scape Shoreditch offer contemporary purpose-built student housing options. Student residences in Shoreditch are backed by modern amenities for a hassle-free student living journey in London.
Brixton
Where is it?: South London
Borough: London Borough of Lambeth
Known for: Rich history and Caribbean culture
Brixton is located in South London which exudes a youthful vibe. Boasting a rich Caribbean heritage, you can explore the open air markets, lively music scene, murals and street art. You can try international cuisines and traditional delights here. Brixton offers convenient housing near universities like the University of the Arts London. The Victoria Line provides quick access to central London which provides students the ease to travel through the city. Thus, you get a seamless blend of academics, an artistic spirit and a bustling student life ib Brixton.
King’s Cross London
Where is it?: Central London
Borough: Camden and Islington
Known for: Beautiful parks and cultural attractions
King’s Cross is a central location in London which offers proximity to major stations like King’s Cross and St Pancras. You will find easy transit links to the primary areas within and outside the city. Students can take advantage of renowned institutes like Francis Crick Institute and Central Saint Martins college. Your stay in King’s Cross will provide you academic excellence along with an opportunity to explore varied culinary delights and shopping outlets within the vicinity.
Bermondsey
Where is it?: Southeast London
Borough: London Borough of Southwark
Known for: Art galleries and diverse food scene
Bermondsey is an industrial hub that has emerged into a lively neighbourhood for students to reside in. It is filled with galleries, multiple food joints and exciting places to discover. You can browse antiques at Bermondsey Square, try artisan coffee and food at Spa Terminus, and indulge in some craft beer at Anspach & Hobday.
You get easy access to Central London via the Jubilee line. You get a plethora of student housing options in Bermondsey which make student living a complete breeze. The connectivity to popular places and major universities makes it a preferred destination amongst students.
Kingston
Where is it?: Southwest London
Borough: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Known for: Rich history and London Bridge
The historic market town of Kingston upon Thames is home to Kingston University and Kingston College. You can explore a broad range of cafes, restaurants and clubs for a buzzing city life. You can access central London by train within 30 minutes. If you are looking for one of the best places for students to live in London, Kingston makes a strategic choice. You get to experience a lively social scene along with academic excellence.
Stratford
Where is it?: East London
Borough: London Borough of Newham
Known for: Historic houses and lively markets
Stratford is located in East London which offers convenient access to transportation, multiple student housing options and contemporary amenities for a comfortable student life. Stratford is home to the University of East London and the modern campuses of University College London and Loughborough University. Beyond academics, Stratford features Westfield Stratford City for shopping and Olympic Park for recreational activities. The energetic vibe of the locality makes it a smart pick to stay in London for students.
Cost Of Living In London For Students
You will have to incur expenses on varied aspects apart from the tuition fees which comprise of your living costs as a student in London. Let’s understand these average expenses on multiple dimensions like accommodation, food, travel and others:
| Expense | Monthly Cost (£) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | 1,220 |
| On Campus Accommodation | 1,200 |
| Transportation | 1,200 |
| Food | 186 |
| Utility | 314 |
| Entertainment | 60 |
| Groceries | 200 |
| Clothes | 70 |
Final Thoughts
Thus, London is one of the most preferred destination amongst students to reside in. The presence of leading universities, a buzzing citylife, historical nuances and cultural diversity are key factors that contribute towards the popularity of some of the best places for students to live in London. With a broad array of housing options, thriving career opportunities and an incredible student life, your stay in London is sure to be a delightful one.
FAQs
Can you live on $1,500 a month in London?
Living on £1500 per month in London can be challenging, as it is an expensive city. However, this totally depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
Is it worth living in London as a student?
With a broad array of housing options, thriving career opportunities and an incredible student life, your stay in London is sure to be a delightful one.
What are the best places to live in London for students?
Camden, Shoreditch, Kingston, King’s Cross London and Tower Bridge are popular areas to stay in London.
We hope you liked reading this blog post as it helps you find your ideal destination to stay in London. For more such interesting finds, don’t miss these reads on UniAcco:
Student Life In London: A Ultimate Living Guide 2024 – UniAcco
