Where's the best area to live in London for someone on a tight budget?

Question

I live in the midlands and want to move to London. I don't know the city very well and trying to decide on an area to try and find accommodation is mind-boggling! Some people are suggesting North London, and some suggesting South etc. I want to be as close to Central London as poss as I aim to try and find a retail job there. I feel a bit scared as everyones advising me against moving to London but theres so much more happening there than there is here. I have a past here that id rather forget about and I just wanna mak a clean break, and mak new friends and start a new life in London.

Thanks. xx

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

People ask this question all the time without giving a budget. No one can help you unless we know what you are looking to spend per month. Retail jobs in London, although they pay more, are still low paid.

A flat share is your best bet as usually bills are shared and hopefully you'll make some good friends too.

www.gumtree.com is a good place to start for flatshares.

Which area of London you look at, depends on where your job is. If you have a job in Highbury, you're not going to want to live in Battersea for instance.

I would recommend you have a few thousand in the bank before you move. This will enable you to pay for your month's deposit and the first couple of months rent / bills / expenses while you look for a job. If you find a job straight away then great, you still have the money in the bank but if it takes a while, at least you won't starve.

I know this isn't what you want to hear but jobs are hard to find in London at the moment and the cost of living in London is very high. I would budget around £1000 a month for rent and bills for a semi-decent area.

Answer 2

i hate the midlands! sorry, i live in the midlands 2! well, i guess as everyone knows London is pretty expensive to live in but u may be in luck u never know! well, i would advise u to not cut it too cheap, and live in a part of London where there aren't a billion stabbings a week. east london is traditionally the poorer part of London, so i would go for a good part of east london, where it is not too bad but still not awfully expensive! hope london is better than the midlands for u!