Help with Kings Cross as location
 

Have a son who is graduate student at LSE and needs 4 weeks of reasonably priced accommodation.(no more than 300 pounds a week ) to stay in zone 1 location to finish thesis. Needs room beginning July 4 for 4 weeks. Found something in Kings Cross, but my research indications that this is a less than desirable location. Any help would be most appreciated.

Either your research is out of date or you're gullibly listening to easily-panicked fools who, by definition, shouldn't be trusted on anything to do with a real city.

Your son doesn't "need" to live in zone 1 though: there is simply no advantage for a graduate student in living that close to the centre. Some undergraduates cherish the atmosphere of very central Halls of Residence - but that's just a polite way of saying they like being able to go out and get pissed easily. With a thesis to finish, zone 2 adds just five or ten minutes' travelling a day, reduces accommodation costs and keeps him away from the distractions of the centre.

I lived just up the road from Kings Cross for over a quarter of a century. I simply don't understand the mentality of the absurd maiden aunts (of all ages and both sexes) who think it's frightening, dangerous or anything other than merely shabby. However, it IS exceptionally handy for the world's greatest library, and within comfortable (and boringly safe) walking distrance of the LSE and lots of other libraries.

There is nothing wrong w/ most of King'sX as such (not the case in the past when parts were much more dodgy) It is very central and well connected for all sorts of transport. It isn't my choice for a vacation stay - but thousands of perfectly normal people live near King's Cross and live to tell the tale.

But I agree w/ flanner -- why would a grad student have to be in zone 1? He could likely find cheaper accommodations in zone 2 or even parts of zone 3 and only add a teensy bit to his commute times. Zone 1 and 2 virtually cost the same transport-wise (and if he sticks to the buses it costs the same no matter which zones)

If he needs to be near LSE and/or the British Library - then King's Cross is good. If that isn't important, have him look a bit farther out.

What is the actual location of this place?

200 Pentonville Road

That's the main road from King's Cross station up to the Angel, Islington. Traffic noise may be an issue, and the neighbourhood will appear a bit scruffy, but I can't imagine it's any more unsalubrious than plenty of other places in central London, even if it isn't Kensington Palace Gardens.

Public transport links are many and varied and there is no shortage of places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood and up in Islington.

I take it LSE has no alternative suggestions?

he had made earlier arrangements that fell through so he is way back in the cue on the wait list for LSE accommodations.

I cleaned up Kings Cross in the early 90s (well not all on my own you understand, but I was part of the teams that did it - google 'Operation Welling').

In the early 90s it was really rough - running alive with drugs (and this awas before Britain got crack).

However we threw money at it (and are still doing so) and it is now one of the best value central london locations.

Don't expect chic bars or pavement culture. But there are good pubs and it's a 20 minute walk from Central London.

Most people's perceptions of Kings Cross are decades out of date. In any case Pentonville Rd is in Islington and as such not part of civilisation.

Have you checked LSE Rosebery Hall? http://tinyurl.com/me6ygy. The rooms are small but clean and the price is right. Includes a generous breakfast. Bus 38 and a couple of others IIRC.

I was looking at booking a hotel in that area for next year for a trip to London/France but even the 2009 Fodors London said it was a bit dodgy at night. So apparently the Fodors guide is wrong? I checked tripadvisor and none of the reviews expressed concerns about crime.

Define "dodgy". It's an area around two major rail stations. These tend to be a bit iffy anywhere in the world.

Once upon a time (ie the late 80s-mid90s) Kings Cross was proper rough. It had a lot of drug trafficing and the main problem was that the "hotels" in Argyll Sq were flophopuses for druggies.

As I said the government and others threw cash at the area, upgraded the hotels to tourist establishments (removing the customers for the drug market) cracked down on prostitution (no virually unknown in the area) and closed down the major drug markets (google "Operation Nimitz" if you want to know how we did it).

Nowadays it's fine. Yes it can be a bit lairy at night but I would be happy to stay there. But if I'm being entirely honest I wouldn't want my mum to stay there and would think twice about my sister staying there (and she's a big lass).

One way of approaching this problem is to find out what buses serve LSE, and where they come from. That will at least define a neighborhood that isn't problematical to commute from. Here's Aldwych:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...quad-11500.pdf

I just returned from a stay in London where I spent three nights at the Crescent Hotel, one of a number of small hotels in Cartwright Gardens. I spent forty-seven pounds a night for a small room with a shared bathroom and shower close by, and a full breakfast, access to a computer for email or a plug in for my own if I had had it with me. It is within easy walking distance of the British Library, the British Museum, Russel Square Tube Station, the theatre district, all one could need. A couple of nice pubs nearby that seemed to cater to college students. Oh, and you have access to tennis courts if you are so inclined.

Thirty-five years ago I lived for six weeks in this place while I researched a doctoral dissertation and enjoyed it. Your son might too.

The place I had in mind is Jesmond Dene on Argyle St. I've stayed in Chelsea and in the Bayswater areas in the past so thought I'd try a different part of town. I guess it's back to the old drawing board. Thanks for the advice.

We stayed at the Premier Inn in Kings Cross a couple of years ago. The location was fine, we didn't think it was rough at all, though we weren't out really late. The hotel was new and the room was good, though very dimly lit at night. Do they think no one reads at night?

Kay

thank you for all the great input. you have put me more at ease about this choice of location.

Jesmond Dene mentioned above is a perfect illustration of how things have changed. It used to be a crackhouse and brothel. Now it's a tourist class hotel.

If you want crack you have to go to Camden Town these days.

Almost all universities open their accommodation for private guests during their (long) holidays. Anyone can book and the prices are usually very good (and "long-stay friendly)