The Student Room Group

Moving into London for grad scheme

Hi all hope you are well,

I’ve secured a grad scheme in near Waterloo/Blackfriars! I’ve worked there before so I’m familiar with the stations however I’m not a Londoner. I’ve never lived there only have done the communite from my university house in Reading.

I’ve had a surf around and I’m shocked by the prices £1500+ a month for a 1 bed no bills etc. does anyone know any areas I could look at that can get me to Blackfriars/southwark/waterloo in under an hour and won’t cost a fortune? Not too familiar with areas around London really.

Thanks!

Reply 1

maybe look for stops further out on the northern line which can get you to waterloo station in an hour or less? xx

Reply 2

Original post
by mabinogian
maybe look for stops further out on the northern line which can get you to waterloo station in an hour or less? xx


Good point. Bit of a generic question but what are some good areas that are affordable?
Honestly it'll probably take as long to commute from Reading via overground as it would to commute via underground from some outlying borough where rent prices will likely still be higher than in Reading :/

I'd probably suggest looking at commuting so you can save up money during the grad scheme for a down payment for a house once you move on into a long term role somewhere outside London.

Reply 4

Original post
by artful_lounger
Honestly it'll probably take as long to commute from Reading via overground as it would to commute via underground from some outlying borough where rent prices will likely still be higher than in Reading :/
I'd probably suggest looking at commuting so you can save up money during the grad scheme for a down payment for a house once you move on into a long term role somewhere outside London.


Im at reading for uni and pay for accom there. Unfortunately my family home is 2hrs+ from any main city so regardless of where iam i will be paying rent.

When I commuted from reading into London for work it was costing £50 a day on trains as I needed to be in at certain times.

Reply 5

Original post
by idkboutjob


Are you looking for someone to share or is it something else?
Original post
by R4V123
Im at reading for uni and pay for accom there. Unfortunately my family home is 2hrs+ from any main city so regardless of where iam i will be paying rent.

When I commuted from reading into London for work it was costing £50 a day on trains as I needed to be in at certain times.

I recognise that, however my point is - it's often cheaper to pay much lower rent and commute from outside London, than to pay London rent rates and still have to spend as long (and at least some amount of money) commuting in via tube from zone 6 or so.

Note also usually season tickets are cheaper than buying singles, so you may save some that way. It's also not uncommon for big employers in London to facilitate salary sacrifice schemes to buy your season ticket and then spread the cost across the year.

It's probably worth at least having a look at major commuter hubs around London, but not in London, as you might find it somewhat more affordable.

Reply 7

Original post
by artful_lounger
I recognise that, however my point is - it's often cheaper to pay much lower rent and commute from outside London, than to pay London rent rates and still have to spend as long (and at least some amount of money) commuting in via tube from zone 6 or so.
Note also usually season tickets are cheaper than buying singles, so you may save some that way. It's also not uncommon for big employers in London to facilitate salary sacrifice schemes to buy your season ticket and then spread the cost across the year.
It's probably worth at least having a look at major commuter hubs around London, but not in London, as you might find it somewhat more affordable.


Thanks for that! I know reading is a good commuter hub? What other areas would you suggest given my work is around underground Southwark station but is also close to Blackfriars/ Waterloo
Original post
by R4V123
Thanks for that! I know reading is a good commuter hub? What other areas would you suggest given my work is around underground Southwark station but is also close to Blackfriars/ Waterloo

I mean if close to Waterloo then anything going into Waterloo could be an option - the whole Southwest Main Line for example (Woking, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth at a stretch maybe)!

Reply 9

Original post
by R4V123
Hi all hope you are well,
I’ve secured a grad scheme in near Waterloo/Blackfriars! I’ve worked there before so I’m familiar with the stations however I’m not a Londoner. I’ve never lived there only have done the communite from my university house in Reading.
I’ve had a surf around and I’m shocked by the prices £1500+ a month for a 1 bed no bills etc. does anyone know any areas I could look at that can get me to Blackfriars/southwark/waterloo in under an hour and won’t cost a fortune? Not too familiar with areas around London really.
Thanks!


Try looking at Ashford Surrey or Feltham as cheaper areas to commute to Waterloo.

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