Joan

Hello, We are going to London, driving through parts of England, and Scotland in June for 2 weeks. My 20 year old son just asked if he could stay in London for an extra 2 weeks by himself, after we leave. He seems to feel it would be easy for him to meet people. He is talking about staying in a hostel. Any suggestions? I would feel much better if he were with a friend, but that's not possible. He lives in Philadelphia in an apartment and attends college during the school year in that city. He says that London is much safer than Philadelphia (probably right). He's been to London before on a high school trip. I am just worried about him being in London for two weeks by himself. Does anyone know of any hostels we could check out? Any suggestions at all would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Dee

If you have the means for him to stay an extra 2 weeks, it'll be a great opportunity for him. I'm a 22/f and when I was 18 I backpacked around Europe by myself. You can meet tons of people at youth hostels. I don't know anything about the hostels in London, I always stay at the Florida State Un. building with fellow 'Noles. www.eurotrip.com is very helpful and has discussion boards where you can ask about hostels. <BR>p.s. Paris is just a short chunnel ride from London and there are some realy cool hostels where it is easy to meet people. Plus Paris is an amazing city.

Joan

Thank you. Does anyone know whether hostels or universities are a better place to stay? Is it really easy to meet other young adults? He keeps insisting it is?

Maggie

My stepdaughter backpacked by herself for two months the summer she graduated from college. Like you, we would have very much preferred she had gone with a friend, but it simply did not work out. She had a great time and continues to call it her great adventure. She would agree that for the most part it was very easy to meet people. I would say since your son lives on his own during the shcool year, is somewhat familar London and speaks the language, you should let him do it. He will come home with wonderful tales and a new perspective ----and probably even a greater appreciation of you for supporting him in letting him stay on.

noname

Mom, it's time to cut the cord! Let him stay in London.

sandi

My son is just entering his teen years and I can't wait to give him the opportunity to go abroad by himself. His school has an exchange program that will hopefully be the catalyst of many trips for him.

elvira

Yes, it's easy to meet people in London (you can almost understand them); there are lots of pubs and clubs (just like in the U.S.) and the other usual places that twenty-year-olds hang out. <BR> <BR>Our experience with a university stay was in Belfast; there were only a few people staying in the dorms, and we never met them. Hostels offer a situation more conducive to meeting others (no one stays at a hostel to be left alone; group living implies you're there to mingle). <BR> <BR>Of all the places to let loose the hounds, it's London. For a big city, it's pretty safe (there are areas to avoid, but they aren't areas that tourists would visit anyway) and easy to navigate.

Jeff

Please don't take this wrong, but: Are you doing his research? Or are you just trying to sooth your own concerns? To me there is a big difference. I think it sounds like a great opportunity for him BUT a younger person who cannot even do his/her own travel research, in my mind, should not be traveling alone. What's he going to do if his travel plans need to change while he is away from his parents? On the other hand, I can sympathize with w/ you if you are just trying to check his planning and make sure his independent plans are adequate.

Joanna

Joan: <BR>Are you sure your son is 20 year old? Let him travel alone, stay in London without reservations, find friends he wants without your approval, and, like previuos poster said, he should do his own research. Reread your own statement: "we could check out." Believe it or not but he is a big boy and he will do a great job if you just let him. Tell him about www.fodors.com and this forum. It is a good time to let him go. I am sorry to be so cruel but as a mother of kids who are 17, 19, and 25 I know that you want to protect him. But you both need to get own lives, and you have to learn to appreciate him for his independence. Let him be. My son who is 19 is leaving for South Africa in a couple weeks with a budget of $1000. He worked hard to save this amount. He is planning on spending 8-10 weeks there. Last year he spent 6 weeks in England all alone but he wasn't too lonely. He met some great young people who came to visit us (I should say HIM) last August. Do I worry? Yes, because I am his mother and that is what mothers do but I am so proud that he does things he loves, and he is able to travel on his own without his mother telling him what is right or wrong. Sometimes he does some stupid things. So do we! My older daughter who is 25 is going on her first trip to England this summer with a small group of friends. She has been saving money for the last two years. It is a big accopmplishement for her as she is cognitevely challenged or as we used to say mildly retarded. I am scared for her but she has to have her own life too. You must be a great mother to care for your son so much but it is time to let him have his own life. He will love you for it even more. Good luck.

lisa

He will meet lots more people on his own than he would with someone else. When I was in England I met other independent travellers everyplace -- standing in line at the theatre, on trains, on buses, even sitting on park benches. I first went by myself at age 23 but I know lots of friends who went at age 18 and I would have too if I'd had the money at that age. This is something he should do on his own. He is certainly old enough, and yes, London is VERY safe. Let him take responsibility for it himself -- finding accommodations, etc. The only caution I would give is that London is a VERY expensive city and it costs more than many people budget for. Make sure he has a realistic idea of what things are going to cost -- transportation, hostels, food, etc. -- so he doesn't find himself running out of money like some of the other kids I met there. I used the book Let's Go when I was there and it worked out great -- lots of recommendations for inexpensive places to stay and eat.