I have an opportunity to live and study in London for 5-6 months, starting in January 2003. On top of all the life-changing considerations (will i be lonely for that long abroad in a foreign country? should i really put myself that in debt? i will probably never have another chance to do this, how can I pass it up?) I also have some practical considerations:<BR><BR>I am 34, female, non-traditional student. Would a homestay be a viable option? <BR><BR>I would prefer a flatshare. The semester only lasts 5 months, but I could stay for 6. Would that help in securing a flatshare? Am I nuts to think I could find people willing to share a flat with me?<BR><BR>How nice of a place does one need to avoid mice, rats and roaches? Most of the cities I've lived in have that problem, and I'm a real wimp about it. Is it possible to avoid pests without paying a fortune in rent?<BR><BR>The school I would be attending is in Regent's Park. How close does one have to live to feel a part of city life, again without paying a fortune? Can anyone suggest a good neighborhood in the area? If I'm going into debt to do this then I want to really experience it - not live in the outer suburbs. So, I am willing to pay more than I probably should.<BR><BR>I realize this is only partly travel related, and that I've asked a lot of questions. Any help, advice, suggestions or chastisements would be most appreciated.

Have you looked at the website for the college you are going to?<BR>Most have a section for overseas students. It's possible that it has halls of residence where you could stay.<BR>The usual lease in London is for 6 months so that would be no problem.<BR>As for rats and mice etc. unless you're living above some grotty restaurant they would be very unlikely. I've never heard of anyone having cockroaches in England, possibly because of the climate.

Thanks, Egg. I guess I should have stated that the college (Regent's College, a satellite of Webster University in St. Louis) has dorms. Dorms were fun when I was 18-19. But at age 34 I don't think I could stand it. I'd hate to feel like the den mother.<BR><BR>I'm so glad to hear that about mice, etc. Any other suggestions out there?

If you're looking for a flatshare, maybe Regents College could help - they probably have info about other people in a similar position to you. Otherwise, the London edition of Time Out has flatshare ads - where you'd probably find more 'mature' people to share with. For information about areas: there's an interesting website about the areas most popular with students: http://housing.lon.ac.uk/site6/Areaf.htm

Thanks for the help, Ger. The website you suggested has a lot of valuable and helpful info on it, unfortunately some of that info says:<BR><BR>"When you are looking at a property, you should check carefully for signs of pests. Look for Mouse droppings or cockroaches in the food cupboards, in the corners of rooms, under furniture etc. It can be incredibly unpleasant ( and unhygienic) to live in a property infested with vermin. <BR><BR>If you are living in a property which has become infested with either cockroaches or rats, you should contact the Environmental Health Officers of the Local Authority who should be able to help. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, however, Local Authorities do not regard infestations by Mice as being a serious enough threat to public health for them to get involved. <BR><BR>It is also often difficult to persuade the landlord to take action since they will often argue that the infestation has occurred as a result of the tenants living arrangements ( ie leaving rubbish in plastic bags on the floor, not doing the washing up regularly enough etc)"<BR><BR>I am sorry to harp on this, but this website seemed to suggest that pests are common in London flats. Or perhaps this site is aimed at lower-end renters? In a flatshare where my rent was 500-650 pounds a month would I have to worry?<BR><BR>

erica - London is a HUGE city with some bldgs hundreds of years old. ALL cities have pests. If a mouse will freak you out that much perhaps you should reconsider going. You are bound to run into things much worse than a tiny mouse. Not trying to flame you - but what city do you live in where there are no pests at all?

<BR>erica<BR><BR>I have never heard of anyone who has been infested with cockroaches in either London or the rest of the UK, so I'm assuming they aren't a big problem. Mice are probably the most common pest but not every building will have them, most of the time it depends on your neighbours and how ummm "clean" they keep their house/flat. I wouldn't worry about it. The only other things you are likely to see are the same annoying bugs you get anywhere (spiders, ants etc).<BR><BR>As for neighbourhoods, Regents Park would be very expensive I imagine. You might want to try the neighbourhoods which are 3-5 tube stops back. You will still be in London but the prices will come down. I know someone who is in a huge 2 bedroom flatshare in West Hampstead for &pound;500 a month, which sounds about the price range you mentioned. West Hampstead is about 4 stops away from the Regents Park area, so would take approximately 10 minutes on the tube. Another nice neighbourhood is Maida Vale. You need to look at a tube map to see where the transport connections are for the various neighbourhoods and read up about them. If you want somewhere trendy check for wine bars or a Pizza Express. <BR>

Your budget will get you a perfectly nice flatshare in all but the most expensive areas.<BR><BR>London is crammed with foreigners sharing flats. Mainly Aussies, Kiwis and South effrikans. There's no shortage of sceptics though. Most are younger than you, but not much.<BR><BR>I have simply never heard of infestation problems of the type that worry you. For the money you are planningg to pay you shouldn't have any problems at all.<BR><BR>The standard UK tenancy is the Assured Shorthold Tenancy, which is for a minimum of 6 months, and then it becomes a "periodic" tenancy ie month to month for as long as both parties wish it to continue.<BR><BR>Your landlord will usually require one months rent in advance and a months rent as a security deposit.<BR><BR>If you want advice on areas or specifics, feel free to contact me.<BR>

Erica<BR><BR>I'd recommnend Camden as a lively and interesting place to stay for someone of any age. Avoid the Regent's Park Estate area (public housing), as it is a bit rough.<BR><BR>I am sure that the College will produce an accomodation list which will include studios and flatshare options. If not there are plenty of places to look. Scoot, a free newspaper, and the Guardian Flatshare pages spring to mind. There are a ton of agencies as well.<BR><BR>You may get the odd mouse, but I have seriously never seen a cockroach ever in the UK. I believe that the one's we have are tiny, less than half an inch, compared to the monsters you get elsewhere.<BR><BR>If you are planning on paying 500-600 squids on a share, you should get something very nice. You could consider going in with working people rather than students who will be working on a far lower budget and living in squalor. <BR><BR>A homestay, particularly with a family could leave you a bit isolated.<BR><BR>I went to University at 28 and had a great time!! Go for it!

Thanks to all for the info. <BR><BR>Yes, BeBrave, I am fully aware that I'm a freak. I've lived across the street from crack houses and next door to a really bad Grateful Dead cover band-never bothered me. A murderer was once found hiding under my car on the street in front of my apartment, my street was descended on by blaring sirens, cop cars, and helicopters with searchlights-I didn't lose a wink of sleep. Mice and roaches, however, scare the daylights out of me. Granted, the roaches I've dealt with were large and quite nasty, and impossible to get rid of. And I have only seen one mouse, the day I moved into a new place, which my cat caught and killed within 10 minutes. Good kitty-too bad I can't bring her. <BR><BR>Anyway, I feel much more assured about the pest issue, thanks. I can handle the odd incident.<BR><BR>Spoon, thanks so much for telling me you went to university at 28. I am enjoying college so much more now than when I first started, many years ago. I was worried that a homestay would make me feel a little isolated. I've been in the corporate world for over ten years-so rooming with workers appeals to me more than with students. This is why I've asked for help here. I'm sure the college will have help finding accomodation, but mainly with other students or families.<BR><BR>I will check out West Hampstead, Camden and Maida Vale. How early do you think vacancies for January will be listed in Scoot, Guardian and Time Out? I suppose I'll have to plan a visit in November or December to find a place? <BR><BR>Thanks again, you guys rock.<BR>Erica