Zone 1 & 2 Letting Suggestions

So the good news is that I might be moving to London much sooner than I anticipated, but the bad news is that I'll be doing that because I might be laid off.  My main concern right now is a place to live.  I'd like to find a place for about 150 ppw at first (I found a great place in Hyde Park, but with a few months less savings, it's out for now), which I've been able to do in Shepherd's Bush.  Does anyone here have any suggestions of other communities in zones 1 or 2 with decent lettings for this price?  Please don't bother to research this, I'm in the process of doing that myself, but anything off the top of your head would be appreciated.

No suggestions but just a note.  'Letting' apartment means you own it and are looking for tenants.  You're looking to rent, not let.

Moonsafari, are you planning on doing a flatshare?

The reason I ask, not to rain on the parade, is that you probably wont have much luck finding somewhere for that budget that is liveable.  Maybe others have a different experience, but I found most places in that range to be, for the lack of a better word, Disgusting 

Good luck though, just remember, you get what you pay for, and unfortunately in London that isn't much when it comes to real estate.

Yep i agree it will be very difficult to get something decent for that money in zone 1 and 2. If you are looking for room or flat shares another place to try is www.gumtree.com [nofollow]

I've actually visited some of the 150 ppw places while I was there last summer, they're cramped studios, but not bad.  You just have to keep your eyes open to find good deals.  There are amazing places (studio) in Hyde Park for 200 ppw.  Anyways, I just wanted some more options, and I don't really intend on making the first place permanent.  Also I'm from Youngstown OH so ghetto crackhouse disgusting is the standard.  London disgusting doesn't even come close.  I'm dead serious.

East and South London tend to be cheaper as well.

I've actually visited some of the 150 ppw places while I was there last summer, they're cramped studios, but not bad.  You just have to keep your eyes open to find good deals.  There are amazing places (studio) in Hyde Park for 200 ppw.  Anyways, I just wanted some more options, and I don't really intend on making the first place permanent.  Also I'm from Youngstown OH so ghetto crackhouse disgusting is the standard.  London disgusting doesn't even come close.  I'm dead serious.

I agree. In the costuming world we have a saying:

• Speed
• Quality
• Cheap

You can only pick 2.

I suppose in flats, it is like this: Cheap. Quality/size. Location.  pick 2. 

I agree with everyone else.  You could get some fabulous flatshares for a budget of £150 a week.


Victoria

I agree, flatshares are fabulous, but they also entail living with someone else.  In this case, it would involve giving a lot of trust to an individual I have never met, and then living with them for an extended period of time.  The trust issue alone is a deal breaker for flatshares, and I didn't even enjoy living with my best friend, and living with a complete stranger is never fun (college dorms).  In general I prefer to have my own space, even if that space happens to be a 30 cubic foot box.  I guess it comes down to personal preferences.

I feel you, and I often agree (depending on my mood). What about a bedsit? You usually share a bathroom, but you don't have to see anyone else.

It all depends though - some bedsits are really posh with a maid to clean the bathroom everyday, and others...ew. 

Just wanted to say good luck.  

I had those same criteria in mind when I first started looking and I was very disappointed to learn that there was nothing worth living in at that price in zones 1 & 2.  Although for £17 more per month and one zone further out, I was able to find a great, but small, 1 bedroom.  Totally re-done, near the tube, good neighborhood, loads of services nearby.  

If you are determined, you will find something.  The one thing I found, was very few landlords were willing to do a 6 month lease where I was looking in London.  Ok...make that none.  Just keep that in mind when exploring all the crack houses, you might have to stay put for a year

I found my share through gumtree.  I think I saw about 20 places until I found one that I liked and that the people liked me.

I had a bedsit for 90 pounds/week in Notting Hill, Zone 1. I certainly wouldn't call it posh, but it wasn't all that bad either. The room itself was old, the paint was peeling and it had some mold problems but at least it was mine and in a really fabulous area. However, sharing the toilet (floor above) and shower room (2 floors above) were less than hygenic. I also had to pay 50p for hot water from a little machine in the shower room, as well as 1pound for electricity from a meter in my room! Talk about new experiences!
Nevertheless, as long as you're willing to make some compromises like sharing a bathroom or downgrade to an area further out, then you could probably find something for 150 ppw. Good luck!