Although living abroad is a huge opportunity to experience a different way of life, the thought of moving to a new part of the world can be a daunting prospect. With all the things that need to be considered, choosing where to live is just one of many decisions that have to be made before moving to England.
However, when it comes to accommodation, there is plenty of choice. While hostels and hotels can provide a comfortable bed for a few nights, these not really suitable if you are planning on staying in London for an extended period of time. For those looking to enjoy the merits of English life first hand, nothing will provide you with a more authentic experience of England than staying with a local host family. To help you find the perfect homestay accommodation, we have put together these tips simple tips.
What do you want from your time in London?
Ultimately, deciding where to live will depend a lot upon what you hope to achieve while visiting the UK. Although every accommodation will provide you with a truly unique experience, different areas of London offer very different ways of life.
For example, Central London is an international business capital and as a result accommodation is popular with young professionals who work in the city. For those wishing to spend a year in one of the world’s most vibrant capital cities, perhaps London’s Zone 2 would offer the best location. With the regular underground service, the heart of the UK is never more than a few minutes away.
However for those wishing to embrace a more traditional family lifestyle, London’s Leafy suburbs offer the perfect setting. Whereas zone 2 is more popular with young professionals, the bigger houses in London’s zone 3, 4 and 5 tend to be the choice of families. Whether you wish to develop you language skills or just wish to see how a different culture live, staying with a family in London’s suburbs could well be the best option for you.
The daily commute
Living in central London is not necessarily the best choice for everyone and you should not dismiss accommodation because it is a little further outside the city centre. While many of the schools and university are located in the city centre, given the excellent public transport network which encompasses all boroughs of London, commuting from the suburbs of London could not be easier.
Book early!
The final and most important tip for finding the perfect home stay accommodation is to book early. With host families located across London, you can are guaranteed to find somewhere to live. However, given the vast number of international students that move to England every year, there is often high competition for the best accommodation. This is especially true in London where accommodation is at a premium at the best of times. To avoid disappointment, why not register your interest today?