My daughter is just in the beginning stages of looking for a place to live for six months beginning in July. She has an internship with a music publishing company in Southwark.I don't have any specific questions just yet but anticipate that I will be asking about neighborhoods, transport, etc. in the future. What I was wondering is if anyone had to find a place to live in London under similar circumstances and how they approached the search from a long distance? I know she is looking on gumtree, and I've seen several options for student residences but those do look quite pricey (like 300 pounds a week.) All comments welcome!

One of my closest friends here is an ex-pat whose husband 'commutes' to London. I had asked about recs for my son when I thought he would be interning there this summer. My
friend recommended this website: Nidostudentliving.com.

The Nido is near Liverpool Station. I have no idea if that would work for your daughter or not, but apparently they have apartments that can be rented monthly for about 260 pounds a week.

I just checked the website and there are also Nido locations in Spitalfields and Kings Cross.

I'm not an expert on London - but 260 pounds a week is about $1700 dollars a month - which sounds like a great deal if it's in a safe area not at the end of hell and gone. What does that include and what is extra - utilities? anything else?

I know in NY people would be lined us to get something for that price. (I realize that it can be very dificult for an intern - but I don't think anyone actually expects them to live on what they make. Most internships are more like pocket money - and some don;t pay at all if the company is prestigious enough.)

She did live in New York last fall and shared a 1 bedroom split a few blocks from Washington Square and paid $1,200 a month for that. I am expecting that we will pay more in London. And, yes, no compensation. The music/entertainment business seems to be able to get away with this.

Thanks, Weadles. I've seen that website and I will suggest that my daughter e-mail them. I think their website says 9 or 12 month leases are necessary but to get in touch with them to see if a shorter period is available.

<i>The Nido is near Liverpool Station. I have no idea if that would work for your daughter or not</i>

A 400 mile commute each day won't work very well.

Funny! I was quoting from what my British friend here sent me in an e-mail. Is there no Liverpool Station in London?

The three locations for The Nido are: Notting Hill, Kings Cross, and Spitalfields

A last e-mail from me on the subject: That should be: Liverpool STREET Station!

I know tourists can stay in university housing in the summer months in London. Perhaps she could do that for the first week or month until she gets her bearings and can check out other options in person. Here's a website with links to many

http://www.reidsguides.com/t_h/t_h_university.html

That's a good idea, laurie. So far, not much luck with availability though.

I strongly suggest getting a short stay apartment for the 1st 2 or 3 weeks. Come to London and then find accommodation for the remaining time. Your daughter probably wants to look for bedsits in Southwark or Bermondsey. Maybe even farther afield.

Lots of areas in London can turn from nice to dodgy very quickly. Please do not make accommodation decisions without viewing the area in person 1st.

I've found loot.com helpful in the past:

http://loot.com/property/bedsits-and-studios

I'd suggest finding the tube station closest to work and the finding places no more than ~20 minutes away. A rough rule of thumb is 2 minutes between tube stops.

Here's another website to help with general crime levels in an area:
http://maps.met.police.uk/index.php?areacode=00AUGG

Just to re-iterate: with a student budget and proximity to Southwark, please don't make accommodation decisions long distance.

And here's a postcode map:
http://www.doogal.co.uk/london_postcodes.php

You'll need to know the postcode of the area you want to live in to do searches.

Good luck!

Thanks, ssachida, for the links and good advice. We'll think about that. The Olympics aren't helping the availability of even short term lodgings.