The UK and London especially can be expensive, as seen in our cost of living report. However, you can do a lot to reduce the costs, and one of the primary ways is through smart planning and selecting your accommodation.
By far the most popular type of longer-term accommodation for working travellers in London is renting a flat or a room in a house/flat. However, costs will vary widely depending on the location, size, and your willingness to share the space.
Of course, before commuting a couple hours each day, it is always advisable to get a job first.
To find out what is available, your best bets are by word of mouth or through checking out various publications and websites.
There are some great free publications designed specifically for working travellers, including TNT Magazine (Out every Monday). These can be picked up at pubs and London hostels in the UK; and list available accommodation in the classifieds section.
Before you get too carried away, you can save a lot of time by knowing what types of accommodation are available.
Types of Longer-Term Accommodation
There are a variety of options for working travellers seeking longer-term accommodation in London and the UK. What suits you best will depend on your budget, work plans and lifestyle. If you already have friends in the UK or are travelling in a group, you’ll probably want to find a place to live together. This can be difficult depending on how many people are planning to share the house/flat, as many vacancies advertised are for rooms rather than whole properties.
If you are travelling on your own or as part of a couple you can either look for a studio or flat to rent on your own or for a vacant room in a house or flat with other people. This may seem daunting if you’ve never lived with other people but is a great way to meet other working travellers and hopefully make new friends.
Also, don’t be surprised to find advertisements for vacant rooms that specify male/female-only occupants. They may either be trying to even up the genders in the house or keep to one sex only.
There is a great camaraderie among working travellers in London and many people you meet will be willing to give you tips on the best places to live or tell you about any vacant rooms/flats they know of.
Generally, the options for longer-term accommodation are:
Flats
Flats are generally apartments with one to three or more bedrooms which are to be let or rented as an entire unit. This is a good option for couples or a group of friends who want to live together.
Studios
Studios are self-contained flats with a cooking area and bathroom. The bedroom is often part of the living room or even just a sofa bed. This is a good option for singles or couples whose main priority is privacy, though they can be expensive and cramped.
Flat-shares
Flat-sharing is probably the most common and popular type of longer-term accommodation for working travellers in London. It involves renting a bedroom in an already-occupied flat, meaning you'll share common areas like the kitchen, living room, and usually the bathroom. This is a good option for singles who don’t want to live alone or couples who don’t mind sharing a living space.
Bed-sits
Bedsits are interesting and popular in the UK. Usually, an old multi-level house will be split up into mini-apartments. This mini-apartment will generally just be a bedroom with perhaps some room for a sitting area; sometimes there are sinks in the bedrooms as well. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are generally shared with either all those in the house or just the tenants on the same floor. This can be an inexpensive and convenient accommodation option. Usually, council tax is taken care of by the owner of the house which makes this set-up a kind of hybrid between a guest house and renting a flat.
Houses
Renting a detached house in Greater London can be expensive and hard to find. For families looking for a house, it might be worth considering regional areas of the UK or opting for a larger flat in Greater London.
Hostel
Hostels often offer good deals for longer-term guests. This might be reasonable for a month or two but any longer is more expensive than finding a flat to share.
Some common terms used when searching for accommodation:
- F/F – Fully Furnished
- F/M – Female/Male
- N/S – Non-smoking
- S/C – Self Contained
- O/R – Own Room
- S/R – Share Room
- PCM – Per Calendar Month
- DEP – Deposit Required
- AGY – Advertised by an Agency (this can mean extra charges or fees)
Arm yourself with other WORKgateways’ useful tips and information.
Table of Contents
Master the Art of Job Hunting in the UK
Your Essential Guide to Navigating and Succeeding in the Competitive UK Job Market
Unlock the secrets to landing your dream job. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or an international job seeker, this book provides the tools you need to craft standout applications, ace interviews, and secure the perfect position. Don’t let the competitive job market hold you back—equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to succeed with this indispensable resource.
