How do you find an initial place to stay in London? (for rent, hotel)

[Sumarokov]

Hi, I have been offered a job in London and I need to work out the accommodation all by myself.

I have been doing a ton of research on the internet and will probably try to share a room in or as close to Zones 1-2 as possible.

But what I want to know is this... how do people get a foot in the door in London re accommodation? I was planning to find a place in a hostel, with a single room. There are quite a few hostels, although the problem is sometimes they can only give you notice of FIVE DAYS before a vacancy comes up...

I am terrified I will end up staying in a small hotel, racking up the bills and not being able to find a room/flat of my own, getting more and more stressed...

So basically my question is this: is there accommodation you can book for under £1000 a month (and by book, I mean not be told they are sold out) just to give you some breathing space on your first month, while you look for something better??

[NewbieHere]

I've seen room for rent around GBP 288 on rightmove for short term let. Some don't have minimum stay. You can stay for a week.

[kas982]

So basically my question is this: is there accommodation you can book for under £1000 a month

Huh? You have answered your own question in your 2nd line.

and will probably try to share a room in or as close to Zones 1-2

Of course you can. You just need to make sure you are booking your room from a reputable source. Do not pay any deposit untill you are 100% sure it's legit.

You will not find a flat in 1 & 2 at that price, they start at around £2000 a month plus bills, see link below for the type of room & ad' you should look for.

Good luck


'~Very Cosy Double Room Notting Hill' Room to Rent from SpareRoom

[Sumarokov]

Thanks for the replies, but I am asking, I repeat, about "just to give you some breathing space on your first month, while you look for something better??"

I am in the States right now. I know all these sites. But I cannot answer a small ad from the States! So what is the best option for my first month?

I am on Spare Room already (each ad gets 100 views and 20 "contacts" in the first five minutes). And all the rest. But I want something I can book for a month or at least a fortnight from the States. Like a reputable hostel or cheap hotel...

[Brit_Tourist]

Have you had a look on Airbnb ?

I did a quick search for entire home/flat in London under $51 a night and got a ton of hits.

Come back with a shortlist and we can give advice on the neighbourhood etc.