Where to live in London?

[HGavin]

Hey Efests people, so a while ago I put up a few threads asking people to convince me to move to London from New Zealand, I would just like to let you all know that I'm following through and am entering London on the 20th of June (in time for Glastonbury) to live for the foreseeable future.

I've now got to work out all the boring stuff like where to live, where to work etc, and since I've never been to London I'm finding it quite an effort to figure out where are the good places to live. I've got some friends that live in Hackney, others in Shepherds Bush, Camden seems pretty cool but I thought I'd throw it out here and see what people think.

I've signed up for some company that helps you out with a bank account, sim card and NHI number - as well as you pay bond to them and they set you up with accommodation you can move in and out of easily in East, South-west or West London, Zones 2 - 4. I'm hoping that was not a mistake, it cost $300 to sign up to the company, and probably I could have just waited until I was in London to see the suburbs myself.

Anyhow, see you all for a pint soon!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Hello HGavin

I haven't got the slightest clue about what's what in London, but hope your journey over here is a fun and rewarding one.

Have a great Glastonbury and use the Lock Ups and make sure you've read this before you arrive;

http://www.glastoearth.com/the-faq

It'll save you a hell of a lot fucking around if you familiarise yourself with the place before you get there.

[russycarps]

How old are you? Presuming you are quite young, and considering you already have friends in Hackney, I'd go for east London. Try Dalston, haggerston or anywhere close to Victoria park. It's lively round there, but rough around the edges.

If you are rich and want to live with the posh folk try Chelsea, Hampstead, st Johns wood, Highgate.

Camden is a horrible shit hole, and shepherds bush is not a great location, I'd avoid there.

[musky]

A bit harsh on Camden Russy. The market makes it a huge tourist destination, so of course it's often rammed in the area between the Roundhouse and Parkway, but it's still got stuff going for it (not least a large number of venues).

London is of course a hideously expensive place to live with rents prices spiraling due to an ongoing housing crisis. So the first question to the OP is how much can you afford? And the second is how 'edgy' would you feel comfortable with, bearing in mind that edgy usually equates to having to watch your back in some parts of an area (including the newly hip Dalston).

[LondonTom]

East London is the aim, but really where ever you can find for your budget.

Anywhere you can afford that is near to a DLR or upcoming cross rail station is my vote atm, anything else you want to visit in London is easy to get to.

[themuel]

I'm a big fan of Greenwich, got a few friends there and they love it. Plenty to do, good location, nice community feel.