London Flatshares

Hi all! I'm new to this board and could use your help!

I'm moving to London next week as I've had many job offers that felt more comfortable hiring me on the spot vs over the phone etc. So I've decided to go for it.

I've booked a week at a hotel, but after that I need to find a flat on my own. I have a limited budget and expect to be living in a flatshare of sorts.

Can anyone recommend anything for me? I've been told spareroom.co.uk is the best for this, but I guess I'm just nervous finding these on my own haha!

I really don't wish to pay more then 400 pounds a month.

IME there are no shortcuts, unless you know lots of people in the right demographic. You just have to do a ton of legwork to find something, especially if you need it to be that cheap.

400GBP is pretty low, although you should be able to find something for not too far above that in outer London, I think. I've used Spareroom, Easyroommate and GumTree.

Good luck.

PS I'd start lining up viewings now and be ready to spend at least several whole days on them. Getting across London is really time-consuming. Not trying to be discouraging, but have done this and it is a huge job. You'll find something, but you'll have to put in the time.

I realise this is your first post, but are you American and what visa are you on?

400GBP is pretty low, although you should be able to find something for not too far above that in outer London, I think. I've used Spareroom, Easyroommate and GumTree.

Totally agree with this.  With your budet, you're going to be on the very fringes of London which will likely require a rail pass for commuting which will easily be 100GBP/month or more.  

Moveflat.com was always my favorite.

400 per month is low, but do-able. My last house share (i live with my boyfriend now), was £420 per month, but then add bills on top of that.

It really does take a while to find a house share in London, as its competitive and often places are meeting with SEVERAL people over the course of several days, and then get to pick who they like the best.

I found it was most difficult when I first moved here, and most places didn't seem to want someone who was brand new to London.

It took me a month, and it was only because my dear mom has a friend from work, who's daughter (who i had never met) lived in London, and let me couch surf on her sofa for 3 weeks, that I had a place to sleep. Not that you NEED to find some awesome person to let you live with them free for 3 weeks, but just be prepared for it to take a while.

It took me a month, and it was only because my dear mom has a friend from work, who's daughter (who i had never met) lived in London, and let me couch surf on her sofa for 3 weeks, that I had a place to sleep. Not that you NEED to find some awesome person to let you live with them free for 3 weeks, but just be prepared for it to take a while.

I agree. I crashed on a family member's couch for 2 months (though 3 weeks of that was job-hunting only as I wanted to know where I'd be based before I picked a place to live). It probably took a little longer for me because I was searching for a flatshare that would allow pets, but it was still a slog.