Moving To London As A Student

Moving To London As A Student

London. The big smoke. If you’ve never lived in London, you’ll probably have heard people who live there complain about it, whilst also insisting it’s the best place on earth in the same breath. For Londoners, it’s home, the only place they would want to be; for those who move to the city in search of opportunity, it can become the home they never thought they’d find.  Moving to London as a student requires some planning but it is worth the effort.

For students, London is a hub of connection, opportunity, fun, and things to explore. It can also be a tiring, difficult place to live which many find lonely. Here are three things to know before moving to London as a student!

London to London as a Student: It’s Expensive.

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Most capital cities are the most pricey places to live within that country, and London is no exception. It is the fifth most expensive city in the world in terms of monthly rent and coupled with travel, shopping and activities, it is pricey. London student accommodation can amazing quality, however. Find out more information about student accommodation in London.

Student finance generally accommodates this. You are eligible for a higher maintenance loan if you choose to study in London, helping you with living costs for this expensive city.

It’s Not Like Other University Experiences

There are good and bad sides to this. The pros of London student living is that you will never run out of things to do – the city is packed to the brim with awesome experiences which will never cease to amaze you. Plus, there are over forty universities in London, meaning that the student population is enormous. This means there are always new faces to meet and student events at which you can interact with students from any other London uni.

The downside is that there is less of a community feeling to London university. In smaller cities such as Leeds or Glasgow, students are much more of a community and live in closer quarters. However, Londoners are generally an independent species and expect students to be similar. Finding friends and creating a support bubble can take longer, especially if you are new to the city.

London to London as a Student: You’ll Meet People From All Over The World

One of the greatest things about London is its cultural diversity. In no other city in the world will you meet quite as many people from different walks of life. The international student population of London is vast and varied. If you’re from the UK, you will have the experience of meeting students from Asia, America, Africa, Australia and other parts of Europe who will enrich your knowledge and challenge you in interesting new ways. London brings the whole world into one sprawling city – if this sounds like it’s for you, buckle up! It’s going to be a rollercoaster.

Creating A More Energy-Efficient Home

Creating A More Energy-Efficient Home

Many of us are eager to save money and do our bit for the planet. By creating a more energy-efficient home, you can tick both boxes. If you’re looking to maximise your disposable income and protect the environment, here are some simple strategies you can employ today. 

Increasing Heat Retention

We all know that the British weather can be unpredictable. It can snow in March, rain cats and dogs in August and be beautiful in October. When you own a home in the UK, it pays to be ready for all eventualities. One of the most effective ways to lower bills and make your home more eco-friendly is improving heat retention. There’s no point in paying a vast amount of money to heat your home if hot air is escaping through every available orifice. By patching up holes and gaps, investing in double glazing and looking into insulation options, you could save a fortune and radically reduce the amount of time your radiators are running.

You don’t have to break the bank to insulate your house, and it can make all the difference when winter arrives. You can click here to find out more about options like spray foam. If you have single glazing at the moment, it’s beneficial to get some quotes for double glazing. Double glazing makes a huge difference to heat retention, and it can also improve security and reduce external noise. 

Replacing Old Appliances

Technology advances at lightning speed. If you’ve had your washing machine, TV, fridge, kettle and toaster for as long as you can remember, you might be surprised at just how far household appliances have come. Modern-day devices and gadgets are eco-friendly and they consume much less energy than their older counterparts. You will need to spend money at the outset, but replacing old appliances will save you money in the long-run. It’s also a great idea to swap traditional light bulbs for LED bulbs and to consider replacing your boiler if you’ve had it for more than 10-15 years. 

Creating A More Energy-Efficient Home: Using a Thermostat

Many of us devote a significant chunk of our income to keeping our homes warm and cosy in the autumn and winter months. To lower bills and increase energy efficiency, it’s wise to use a thermostat. A thermostat monitors the temperature of your home and it prevents the heating system from running when it’s already warm enough. 

Turning Appliances Off at the Plug

Be honest. How often do you go to bed or leave the house with your TV and computer on standby? I’m sure that if I walked around the house now that I would find one or two things the children have left plugged in that they aren’t using. Take a moment to ensure that everything is turned off before you hit the hay. You might be surprised at the difference this can make to your electricity usage and your monthly bills. 

Creating A More Energy-Efficient Home: In Summary

Are you looking to save money and embrace greener ways of living? If so, making your home more energy-efficient is an excellent place to start. Focus on improving heat retention, lowering energy consumption and reducing waste to cut bills and do your bit for the environment.