Accommodation in London: Advice Appreciated!

Hello everyone. I am an international student from Singapore who will doing my postgrad studies at UCL in September and would like to seek some opinions from locals about accommodation. I've been assigned to a place in Kentish Town (university accommodation), but many of my friends who've been in London for some time have discouraged me from taking up the offer, claiming that the area gets dodgy at night and since I'd be commuting to and fro campus on my own, it's a little unsafe as a solo female. Hence I've been looking up other alternatives, such as private student houses and I've shortened the list down to 2 places: one in West Hampstead (Blackburn Road) and one in Tufnell Park (Huddleston Road). Safety is of utmost concern to me, secondly being the distance to campus - but Google Maps seems to show that it takes approx. the same amount of time. I'm also concerned because I wouldn't be able to do a viewing before I arrive in London. Would appreciate any helpful opinions and many thanks in advance! :)

Finding an affordable place to stay in London is difficult and some listings can be scams. If you were assigned a place by the university, I'd advise you to take it for now. Once you are in London you can start looking for another place, it's easier and safer than doing it from abroad.

While some listings can be scams (never part with any money upfront before you've seen and been assigned the keys to the property - AND checked it out on the internet) I know that often the places offered by universities tie you into a term - or even year -long - contract.
If that's the case, come a week or two early and stay in a youth hostel for a week or two while searching. There's an excellent one in Swiss Cottage, for example.

PS - go to my profile and take down my email; Then later, if you're really stuck I can offer you accommodation for a week. Not longer, because I already have a (Chinese) woman student staying in my place for the next year. But I do have one room for guests and short-term 'emergencies'. :>D

Edited by: MotherCourage

I didn't know Kentish Town was dangerous, has never felt so to me!

forget distance in London, time is what matters. tfl.gov.uk will give you travel times.

Kentish Town isn't that rough, would be similar enough to Tufnell Park I would have thought

Londoners do+ tend to get upset if someone claims London - or any part of it - isn't safe. I've lived here for 40 years, through IRA bombings, Al Quaeda bombing, the London riots, muggings, etc, and know better.

For example, I always tell my students not to go running in the parks in the early morning, to use well-lit streets when coming home at night, not to get into unmarked mini-cabs especially after dark ...

A report in a London newspaper dated 7 August claims that in this year alone, up until August, there were "more than 3,000 rapes (and) nearly 10,000 sexual assaults" in London. While most of these undoubtably involved domestic incidents, it's foolish to claim London is 100% 'safe'. You do need to be streetwise and sensible here.

My advise for you is you better if you have any relative or friend living out there so you can accommodate them easily and if you found nothing there then try "Michaels Guest House" which is located at 3 Grafton Road London Borough of Camden.

Ironically, looking at the Met police crime map the area around UCL has a "high" level of crime, whereas Kentish Town/W. Hampstead/Tufnell park are all "average". I wouldn't call Kentish Town particularly dodgy, there are usually lots of people about in the evening, and it's got some trendy pubs/restaurants. West Hampstead can be very nice, but looking at Blackburn Rd. on streetview uncovers a bleak/ugly street right by the railway tracks. I certainly wouldn't want to live right there.
If it would make you feel better you could live someplace further north on the Northern Line that's more suburban like Finchley, which is still only about 20-25 min. on the tube from UCL (a short commute by London standards).

Compared to Singapore, anywhere is going to he less safe. But London is relatively safe compared to most cities of a similar size. I would have thought Kentish town is ok - probably better than tunnel Park and same as west Hampstead. If there is a place offered by ucl in Bloomsbury, I would take it. Just for the convenience. The chances of you experiencing any crime, or even seeing any are extremely small. Just take normal precautions you would in any city. It's a lot safer than JB :)

Tungurahua : Unfortunately she hasn't been offered Bloomsbury, which would be fine, but Kentish Town. Kentish Town has some "dodgy" people on the pavements but a lot of normal people and if one doesn't go home too late at night and sticks to well used roads, should be OK. Someone earlier suggested Finchley and that would be very nice as long as poster can afford the tube fares on her budget.

Hi,

My experience with university accommodation in London is that you usually pay a deposit and one month in advance and the you need to give a month's notice before leaving in order not to lose the deposit. There is no shortage of students looking for a room in the halls so they won't have a problem filling up your room.

So, if it is not too late now, I would advice you to check the terms of contract for the accommodation offered by the university. If leaving mid-term is not a problem, my suggestion would be to accept the position. Once, there, if the area feels dodgy give your notice and look for alternative accommodation. You might even find a position in a university hall, as there are a few students who give up their rooms (although it is mostly rooms in the basement etc. that they give last).

Regarding the areas that youmention, I have stayed at a friend's place at W. Hampstead for a few days and it felt pretty safe even late at night. I don't have any experience with the other two areas.

Enjoy your stay in London :)