London is unlike any other city in Britain in its size, and the world in its character. Its residents are famous for certain quirks and (what might loosely be called) charms. Though greatly exaggerated, these stereotypes are not without some truth and the key to living in London without being blinded by the ‘Big Smoke’ is thinking like a city native. Here is some advice which may help you learn to think like a Londoner.
By Susannah Bain, 2nd year History
The Tube
The Tube is simultaneously the most famous and most intimidating part of living in London. It is one of the first and most difficult challenges every new Londoner faces. Here are some of the things I learned the hard way about navigating the bowels of the city.
Londoners are not all that grumpy. The fact they’re pulling faces at you may suggest you are doing something which offends them, but it is far more likely they are either tired before work, or tired after work. Don’t take it personally.
Avoid the Central Line if you can. You’ll soon learn that all Londoners have their favourite Tube line. And their worst. The Central Line is stuffy, weirdly arranged, and doesn’t have WiFi at a lot of stops (including Tottenham Court Road?!)
The Night Tube is fantastic. Don’t take it for granted, today’s third years different have this luxury!
Contrary to what you might believe, it's easy to get places. London transport seems scary and most new residents struggle to get a grip on how it all works. Things are more logical than they first appear. If not, there are plenty of excellent apps like CityMapper that will get you where you need to go.
Going places
As a student in London, there will be places you want/need to go. Every London newbie (understandably) wants to see the sights of the city, and also go out and socialise with your fellow London newbies. But if you want to act like a Londoner, there are some places it’s best to avoid, and some general annoyances that you’ll have to learn to accept.
Most of the big squares are not good places to go. I remember being asked to meet people in Leicester Square once. Big mistake. Although it is famous, there really isn’t much there and it’s always rammed. The same goes for Trafalgar Square (apart from the museums). The only square which is good to meet in is Gordon Square, right next to UCL.
Pints are normally over a fiver. If you’re going to London pubs, bars, or restaurants, you just have to accept that fact. A learned Londoner can look down at the price on the screen as they tap their contactless card and not bat an eyelid. This, however, takes years of practice. Union bars are cheaper and generally less busy, so it’s sometimes better to stick with them.
You can’t get on the bus with change! Contactless cards and Oyster cards only now. This might seem impractical, but a real Londoner is all about saving time, which does not include waiting for people to fiddle around with their change.
If you want to do tourist things, don’t do them on the weekend. Everywhere will be 100% less busy on a weekday, so make the most of your central location and flexible uni schedule and see the sights without the hassle.
Areas of London
Finally, the 'Big Smoke' needs some diffusing.
London is large, and very varied. How Londoners see different areas is crucial to understanding life in the city. I could write forever about this city, but here are just a few things to get you started.
Each area has its own vibe. East London is always full of new, hipster-y stuff to do. West has a classier vibe. South London is far away but a more rough and ready cool. North London is the UCL students’ spiritual home. Check them all out and appreciate them for what they are.
Camden isn’t just the market. It is really cool, but there are other fun and interesting things there, too. Camden is excellent for nights out, pubs, scenic walks around Primrose Hill or by the canal, and shopping for amenities (the Lidl is fantastic). To fully enjoy Camden, look beyond its fame, which I promise is worth it.
The parks are lovely. London has so many open, green spaces, lots of which are close to UCL. These are large compared to most cities, to the point where you can actually spend a day in some without retracing your steps. Always take advantage of them while the sun is shining; go for walks, ice creams, or just to sit and read a book- something students are meant to do.
If you're looking for more to do around London, check out our UCL Bucket List - once you've done that, make sure you know all the best places to eat and drink on campus too!