Living Abroad Diaries: The Reality of Saving Money in London

BY Kellen Chen Zheng

It was an exciting prospect really. Studying in a new country, embracing newfound independence, and having new opportunities all seemed very nice to me. However, these ideas were swallowed by my limited budget. Living abroad, especially in one of the world's most expensive cities, presented its financial challenges. Nevertheless, with strategic budgeting, everything became more manageable. Therefore, let's dive into the strategies that I employed to balance my budget, studies, and adventures in the lovely city of London.

Cooking

Cooking not only saves money but enables you to explore new skills, flavors, and cuisines. After a long day of studies, cooking became a way to relax and unwind. London's grocery costs were surprisingly manageable, averaging around 30-40 pounds weekly. Key shopping spots included Waitrose and Chinatown Loon Fun. Additionally, NYU London's monthly free food pantry, stocked with pasta, sauces, beans, seasonings, and noodles, was very useful. Quick tip: Keep a vigilant eye on the pantry, as supplies run out quickly.

Additionally, cooking provides the means to gather friends. For example, I recently hosted a hot pot night with some friends. Everybody contributed with ingredients, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up. Friend cook-ins are always an enjoyable time to chat and get closer to friends in a cheap way.

Trips

The idea of having to travel to as many countries as you can when you are studying abroad can become unrealistic with a limited amount of money in your bank account. Here are some tips to make your travels cost-effective:

• Coordinate calendars: 

Share academic calendars with friends to identify mutually available weekends. This streamlines planning and allows for early booking, preventing conflicts and inflated prices! I wish I had known about this tip, many of my trips were canceled due to conflicting schedules or became too expensive by the time we came to a consensus. 

• Book trips in advance: 

Flights and accommodations become pricier as time passes. Use platforms like Skyscanner for cheap flight options and Omio for cheap bus and train prices. Despite longer travel times, buses and trains often offer significant cost savings.

As for accommodations, use Airbnb and Booking.com to find suitable accommodations for your group’s budget and size. If you search and book in advance while splitting among friends, it will save you a lot of money.

• Strategic Planning: 

Create a detailed itinerary to manage time efficiently and identify the most economical transportation and activities. When visiting Switzerland, a pre-booked Swiss one-day pass allowed us to travel around to different cities such as Interlaken and Bern for $20 per person while getting 50% discounts on activities. If you go to Switzerland, I highly recommend getting a Swiss pass. 

• Explore the UK:

Although adventuring in other countries around Europe is attractive, you should also take day trips to explore the UK. With transportation costs ranging from 20-30 pounds, these excursions offer cultural insights, amusing views, and an opportunity to escape from the city. Consider obtaining a railcard for substantial discounts. Keep an eye on NYU's free trips and activities, so you can sign up for them as soon as they come out since getting tickets can be highly competitive. 

UK day trips so far: 

• Cambridge

• Canterbury 

• Brighton 

• Seven Sisters Cliffs

European Trips so far: 

• Milan, Italy

• Lake Como, Italy

• Stockholm, Sweden 

• Geneva, Switzerland

• Interlaken, Switzerland

• Bern, Switzerland

Navigating life abroad demands a balance of budgeting, planning, and embracing the unexpected. By mastering these aspects, you can make the most of the study abroad experience without exceeding your budget.