How am I supposed to find a flat?

Hi there,

Im planning on moving to london in the middle of january, however i am a bit worried about how i am going to find a flat.  I currently live @ home with my mom (im 20) and im wondering how i will get a flat without any references from places ive lived before and i wont have a job right when i get there, so is there hope for finding a flat?

Any help would be great!

Thanks
Michelle

Assumming you're here legally, you would have to have someone guarantee your rent. That's what happened to me when I first got here - I had a friend of my (then) bf sign a document saying that if I didn't pay, he would. Or you could have a relative in the US do it. But with no references, no job, and no bank account, I'm afraid that's going to be your only option.....

I'll be there legally.  My dad is british so it is simple to get a passport.  My aunt will be living not too far from where i want to find a flat.

would it be a better idea to stay in like a hostel for like the first 2 weeks until i am able to find a job, even if it is temporary?

I'd definitely wait until you're here. IMHO, it's just too hard to know what you're getting without taking a first-hand look at the property and the neighbourhood.... You'll need a job and a bank account to avoid the guarantor thing. Maybe your auntie would be willing to be your guarantor once you have a job and can assure her that you're good for the rent?

cant you stay with your aunt temporarily, until you find a flat

I can possibly stay with my aunt for a short period of time, but not that long b/c she has a 3 bedroom house and 2 small children which means the house is full, so if i wanted to stay there then id be sleeping on the floor which isnt too bad, but im sure ill be there for a few nights.

AnneR-Heres what i was thinking.  I really like what ive seen on accommodationlondon.net so i was thinking of either getting a studio flat or a room in a house for 3 months and in that 3 month time spend my time looking for a job and getting settled in and what not and then once ive gotten a job then start looking for my own place.  Does that sound like a good plan to you?