City life at kcl

I really would like to study here, neuroscience bsc sounds incredible and everything I've dreamed of. The only problem is that I am fairly reclusive and would prefer a rural environment with natural scenery and clean air, in fact I avoid cities at all costs (the noise, smells, and people) as I am very stressed by them. I would of course be grateful for the facilities nearby (libraries, museums etc.) and enjoy those aspects. Again, I love everything that has been said about the university itself and the course I want to do, and it seems the best fit for me. I'm asking how significant the negative aspects of the city are (crime, noise, air pollution) and if they have impacted how enjoyable studying there was. Are there any quiet or scenic places nearby? What's the expense like?

Reply 1

Copperknickers

15

Honestly, King's is probably the worst uni in Britain if you want natural scenery and clean air. It's right in the centre of London after all. I come from a rural area and tbh I found London extremely noisy and the air pollution starts to have a noticeable effect after a couple of years. I also found it incredibly strange that people went to places like Hyde Park to 'escape the city': Hyde Park is like escaping the city in the same way that drinking boiling water is like quenching your thirst imo.

But that being said I enjoyed living in London and King's is a great uni. It took me a long time to acclimatise to the noise especially and I had to wear ear plugs but other than that it was all bearable, there are negatives about living in the countryside as well and the positives of living in London can be huge. As for crime, London is not the safest place in the world but if you take sensible safety precautions its pretty safe compared to other cities of the same size. I didn't have any problems with crime, excepting a micro scooter I had stolen. A couple of people I know were mugged that being said. The same could happen in any city, but is unlikely to happen somewhere like St Andrews or Cambridge I guess.

Also there are some nice natural places in and around London if you look for them: Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, etc.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 2

saturate

OP

Original post by Copperknickers

Honestly, King's is probably the worst uni in Britain if you want natural scenery and clean air. It's right in the centre of London after all. I come from a rural area and tbh I found London extremely noisy and the air pollution starts to have a noticeable effect after a couple of years. I also found it incredibly strange that people went to places like Hyde Park to 'escape the city': Hyde Park is like escaping the city in the same way that drinking boiling water is like quenching your thirst imo.

But that being said I enjoyed living in London and King's is a great uni. It took me a long time to acclimatise to the noise especially and I had to wear ear plugs but other than that it was all bearable, there are negatives about living in the countryside as well and the positives of living in London can be huge. As for crime, London is not the safest place in the world but if you take sensible safety precautions its pretty safe compared to other cities of the same size. I didn't have any problems with crime, excepting a micro scooter I had stolen. A couple of people I know were mugged that being said. The same could happen in any city, but is unlikely to happen somewhere like St Andrews or Cambridge I guess.

Also there are some nice natural places in and around London if you look for them: Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, etc.

Thank you, this was really helpful. I suppose there's going to be ups and downs to any university and I need to take them into consideration. :smile:

Reply 3

Stychomythia

13

I too studied at King's and, yes, it's right in the middle of London.

I also grew up in the middle of the countryside - a truly rural setting - and love the countryside. But I grew to love the city too and I think you need to consider how the rest of your career is going to pan-out.

If you want to specialise in neuroscience then - with the exception of Oxbridge - all the major centres are in London (King's, UCL, Imperial) or in places like Manchester and Newcastle. That principally because that's where the patients go to get treated.

So city living (or certainly city working) is a useful skill for a neuroscientist to develop. My own view is that you will be happiest where you make friends, even if you are a solitary type, and that can happen anywhere. if you simply must be near the country then consider accommodation in the Central Line in Essex or near Oxleas Wood in the South East. However, I would ALWAYS try to get a place in halls for the first year - because that's how you will make friends, wherever you decide to go.

City life at kcl

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