@lizasaur - Oh cool! I was just in Chicago this past August, visiting a cousin. She works at the Children's Hospital there. I was actually there during Lollapalooza (I didn't go, but just seeing how massive it got was an experience for sure!)
I'll be studying for an MA in the Geography Department for "Environment, Politics, and Globalization". As for housing, have you read up on The Rectory? It's another (mostly) post-graduate option at King's, with some mature undergrads. Yeah, I didn't get the best information about Lillian Penson either, might end up applying to The Rectory and Hampstead, but it's been hard to find anyone with information on The Rectory.
I definitely want to be somewhere where I can meet some other mature postgraduate students. I've also entertained the idea of getting a place as well...I've seen some surprisingly cheap options through sites like Gumtree, but it is harder a bit more of a hassle to try to organize from out here. A friend from London offered to check out a place or two in person, take pictures, etc. if need be. Might take him up on that offer if I go the privately rented route, haha.
@Zayna - No problem! I always soaked up any help I could get about this kind of stuff and it got me here, so I'm happy! :-) Hopefully some of what I said helps you out a tiny bit. Good luck, and thanks!