Questions about Living in London

[supercarrie]

Hello everyone!

I will be studying in London (living right next to Russell Square in the Bloomsbury area) from August-December this year. I have been to England before, but have never lived there and am looking forward to it a lot. My boyfriend lives in Buckinghamshire so I am really looking forward to being closer to him. Having visited London in the past, I realize how expensive it can be (especially with the dollar-pound exchange rate currently!)

Anyways, I was just wondering mainly about the costs of groceries (in London specifically if you know, or England in general.) I will be living in a self-catering flat but don't plan on cooking too extravagently. Can anyone give me a budget estimation per week...my uni has recommended approx. 40 pounds/week for meals (one person.) Does this sound about right? For transportation, I plan on using a pre-pay Oystercard as well as obtaining a Young Persons Railcard (I will probably be traveling most weekends outside of Central London.) In addition, if anyone has any tips about living in London itself (including ways to minimize costs!) please share. Thank you!!

 

[snookhams]

I don't live in central london - but about 8 miles out -but I would say that food here is between 25 - 50% more expensive than in the States. There are cheaper supermarkets like Asda and Morrisons - but alot of them do BOGOF's - buy one item and get one free so we all use these quite alot and then there is the frozen food store Icelands that have some really good deals. Some of these shops have internet shopping where you still get the special offers, so these are worth a look. You will notice that the cost of living is higher than you are use to as we always notice how cheap everything is when in Florida - and often return from there with money to spare.

 

[BONZO]

Hi,

I live about 14 miles away and have worked in the Russell Square / Bloomsbury area for some time.

As you are slap bang in Central London things will be very pricey - no two ways about it! - BUT you are in a very convenient location for exploring London.

You have the Brunswick Shopping Centre nearby with a few shops etc.

 

[PigSoldier]

£40 a week for food seems a bit steep, even in London, unless you're planning on eating out a lot. I eat a lot of cheap food (porridge, lentils, vegetables, etc.), and never eat in the university cafes, and spend between £10 - £15 a week. My housemates all love their junk food, but still don't spend much more than £20. Some supermarkets are cheaper than others, you should look out for Asda, and Tesco, and avoid Waitrose and M&S like the plague! (Although finding a good sized supermarket in London might be difficult.)

You should also factor in evenings out. Going to a nightclub would cost between £20 - £30, and a night in a pub could set you back a far amount too.

If you're planning on seeing any shows while you're here, you should check out the half price ticket booth in Leicester Square, they have really great seats for shows that evening.

 

[floridalol]

Hi Carrie

Co-incidentally I lived in Bernard Street, Russell Square in 1977-78. There is a shopping centre close by (I'm sure it is the one that Bonzo has mentioned) which had a cheap supermarket at the time - I presume it or similar is still there. Foodwise you should be able to live on about £20/25 per week as long as you are eating basic foodstuffs.

There used to be a nice pub called The Friend At Hand which was used most nights by myself but of course drinks in London are not cheap. Plenty of museums and other interesting diversions close at hand. I had a great time in Bloomsbury and am sure that you will too.

Best wishes

Lol

 

[kazzie]

As others have mentioned you are minutes from Brunswick shopping centre.There is an Iceland and Safeway supermarkets,my sister-in-law lives off Russell Square and she often gets her shopping there so the prices can't be too much of a 'top up!' There is an art house cinema in the Brunswick too.

You can walk to Covent Garden and Oxford Street ,2 of the most popular shopping areas in London.Russell Sq is on Southampton Row where you can get a 91 bus straight here to Euston Station or Kings Cross station if you need to travel anywhere by train.I live in North London close the very last 91 bus stop so often go to my SIL that way rather than by tube.

As I'm sure you know you are a couple of minutes form The British Museum too

If you ever have any free time I'd love to meet up for a coffee

 

[supercarrie]

Hello everyone, thank you for all the tips!

And Karen, I will be sure and try to remember you whilst I am in London!