How to Live in London on a Budget
If you have recently moved to The Big Smoke or are considering moving to London soon, then don’t let the fact that city living can be very expensive put you off. It is possible to live in London on a budget, and here’s how you can do it.
Transport
The rising cost of transport is apparent across the country but travelling in London can be particularly expensive if you don’t do it right. The cheapest way to get around London is by foot. You’ll be surprised just how close some things are to each other and walking would not only be the cheapest option, but possibly the quickest too. By the time you’ve descended into the London Underground or hailed down a cab, you may as well have walked to your destination.
Cycling is another great way to get around the city. You can even get a yearly pass to use the Santander bikes that are available to hire around the city. If you are going to use the tube, make sure you get an annual travel card so that you can travel at the best prices possible.
House Sharing
When moving to London you may envisage yourself in a one bed pad, overlooking the river, living the high life. The reality is that you will probably have to get some housemates. Take a look at roomclub.com to find rooms available to rent in house shares. Not only will this keep the cost of living down and more affordable, but you also get the added benefit of maybe making some mates. Someone you can have a drink with at the weekend!
Free Attractions
If you are new to London, or when you have family visiting, you may want to see some of what London has to offer. This doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of free or cheap things to do in London, including visiting museums and galleries. The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, the Tate Modern and Hyde Park are all free attractions to visit to name but a few. You can even have a great view of the whole city from the Sky Garden, which is also free to enter, although booking may be advised. There are also plenty of free walking tours around London that you can do, which is a great way to see the sights for free.
Cheap Theatre Tickets
One of the many benefits of living in London is having access to some amazing West End shows in a variety of theatres. These can be incredibly expensive to see though. There are, however, some cheaper ways to get to see these shows, one being queueing up in Leicester Square first thing in the morning. By doing this you can get some incredible deals on some of the best shows in town for that very evening. As long as you can be flexible with what you see and when, there are some great deals to be had.
Shop Smart
Some markets in London are more expensive than others, so don’t think you are getting a good deal just because it is from a market stall. Borough Market can be quite expensive, for example, but markets like Whitechapel market and Lewisham market are much more budget friendly.
So, living in London doesn’t have to be extortionate, and it is possible to enjoy the sights and all that London has to offer without breaking the bank.