mami

Hello,

I am planning to stay in London for about 1-2 months for work & vacation. I am hoping to stay at an apartment (or a place with a kitchen and laundry facility) in a safe area for a single woman with good access to public transportation. I can budget around $1,500 - $2,000 in US dollars per month for lodging, but I know London is very expensive, so I'm not sure if that's enough. What's the best way to go about finding a place? Has anyone stayed at a similar place and have any recommendations? I looked in craigslist in the "sublet/temporary" section, but wasn't familiar with the areas advertised. I stayed in London once in the Westminster area near the Pimlico tube station and loved it. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Hooameye

"I am planning to stay in London for about 1-2 months for work & vacation."

Do you have the legal right to work in the UK?

sam86

Usually, apartments in London cost about 300 pounds a week. Sometimes 250 pounds when you start getting further away form the centre. Pimlico and the Victoria Station area is still nice enough, but I'm not sure how expensive it is - substantially I would think. You might also want to look at apartments around Angel and Islington or Camden.

mami

Hooameye, it's a business trip combined with an extended vacation.

sam86, 300 pounds is about 500 us dollars, so that's still within my budget. Any recommendation on a web site that has a good selection of apartments?

Josser

Look in http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property/London.html

If you see anything you fancy, go to http://www.upmystreet.com/
type in the postcode and it will give you idea about the area, facilities, crime statistics etc.

sam86

Try http://www.gumtree.com/ too

Just a heads up, I hear rents have now gone up quite a bit as the housing market has recovered. So, they may now be a bit more than the figure I mentioned above.

Also, I'm not sure when your trip is going to be and how particular you are in the way of accommodation, but if it is during the summer months, there is cheap accommodation available in what are student halls during the academic year.

Best of luck!

Hooameye

"Hooameye, it's a business trip combined with an extended vacation."

Ah I see, just didn't want you to turn up at Heathrow then wonder why immigration were asking you difficult questions.
Perhaps I've spent too long on Yahoo Answers, it seems half of the US is on there wanting to move to the UK, they seem to think you can just get on a plane and when they get off they'll be welcomed with open arms!