Post contributed by Madeline O. She is a postgraduate at King’s, studying Psychosis. 

King’s and Urbanest’s brand new residence as of 2018 is my favorite hall because of its central location, the quality and spaciousness of its common room, personal rooms, kitchens, the supportive staff, the programming and wellbeing promoted by Resilife and BeActive fitness instructors.

The common room which I shall classify as the “common floor” on the 31^st floor is my favorite part of the building because of its views comparable to the Sky Garden, the plethora of surfaces and furniture for many different functions, an outside terrace, two t.v.s with playstation, and a ping pong table to boot. Resilife events are all hosted on this floor and usually get good turnout. Teatox on Tuesdays, Art Night on Thursdays, Saturday Night Ins, monthly events as well as BeActive exercise classes such as Swing Train and yoga were all located on the common floor. P.S. Urbanest hires appreciated cleaning staff after events, so the area is always clean the next morning.

My second favorite place is my room. While studios and ensuites are extremely spacious and convenient, in my opinion the best bargain is the private room because of the amount of space you get at the lowest price, the views, and you only have to share a bathroom with one person and get easy access to a second smaller kitchen.

The kitchens on every floor are one of the nicest parts of the building with brand new stoves, stone countertops, and my favorite part, a powerful dish washer. Request from your community facilitators to plan a Great Floor Bakeoff!

For studying, Vauxhall has a great study area on the first floor just minutes away versus the 30 minute bus ride to Maughan Library. You’ll find many small stalls where you can be work and be productive independently, as well as larger stalls where you can have group study. Sometimes this area can get a little noisy, and I resort to studying on the 31^st. It’s my secret spot, don’t tell! Both Urbanest staff and the Resilife Vauxhall team (excluding myself) are the reasons why I and hopefully many students have enjoyed Vauxhall so much. My Urbanest staff went out of their way to address my needs regarding the building, but also to befriend me and all the residents. Both Resilife and Urbanest put on great parties and events, so there is always something going on in the residence. As a mental health masters student, it is important for me to mention the wardens. I can say from personal experience, they are approachable, confidential, and a way for you to get immediate help for your mental health and wellbeing.

Vauxhall is a thriving city and one of best choices for you if you have classes on multiple campuses due to its ease of transportation and centrality. As applicable to its name, Vauxhall means “large railway station”. It is home of the British car company, Vauxhall Motors, the legendary Pleasure Gardens, and now a thriving LGBTQA community.

There are so many things to do in Vauxhall including spending time in its two parks, rock climbing, attending shows at the fringe theatre Above the Stag, going clubbing, and hanging out at bars, and eating at  a diverse arrangement of restaurants.

My favorite past-time in Vauxhall is to visit the Vauxhall City farm located in Vauxhall’s Pleasure Garden. It is a charitable organization that teaches youth about animal care and horticulture as well as riding lessons for the disabled. The farm has horses, donkeys, llamas, sheep, goats, rabbits, chicken, turkeys, birds, chinchillas, ferrets, and a turtle, as well as a garden active during the summer. Best part is you can feed the animals! Great Restaurants are right outside your Vauxhall residence. There are Ethiopian, Indian, one Italian Deli, Latin American restaurants, you name it. My all-time favorite restaurant in Vauxhall is the Tea House Theatre located in the Pleasure Gardens. Here you can have the proper high tea experience for a very reasonable price (high tea for two at £25).  However, for dinner, I highly recommend the Tia Maria Kitchen if you enjoy good Brazilian dishes and clubbing on Friday and Saturdays. Every Friday there is a latin dance class for £5.

Grocery shopping has never been easier. There is a Sainsbury’s about 3 minutes from the residence. Inside Sainsbury’s is a Argos to buy any dorm supplies you might need, and a Starbucks if you miss it from home. If you tube more, a small Tesco is right next to the tube exit. If you bus, the local Waitrose or Sainsbury’s is a stop away. There are so many options at Vauxhall to exercise. Next door at Atlas, is the Vauxhall Leisure Center which has a large variety of exercise classes, a pool and sauna, and more. However, I have been really happy with the cheaper option of the BeActive program by King’s College covered in the accommodation’s cost, which on certain days of the week will offer certain exercise classes on the 31^st floor for. In 2018-2019, Swing Train and yoga were offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If exercise classes are not your thing, and you like self-directed running, the Vauxhall Park or Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens have great running tracks and beautiful scenery.

As you can see, you don’t have to go very far to live and thrive while attending courses at King’s! Have I convinced you to stay at Vauxhall residence?

Post contributed by Sparsh S. He is an undergraduate at King’s, studying  Business.

Life in Stamford Street Apartments

Living in Stamford Street Apartments as a second-year student at King’s has been one of the best decisions for me. The proximity of the residence to all the major campuses, be it Waterloo, Strand or Guys has helped me save time and plan my calendar better. The connectivity in terms of public transport is also amazing, making it central to reach any location in Central London at any time of the day. More importantly, it has a two-fold benefit for health-conscious people for whom exercise is a major recreational goal. SSA has a free gym facility for all residents and often hosts BeActive sessions for Yoga, Pilates and Aerobics.

The community at Stamford is built upon the foundations of trust and togetherness. The reception is a common area where people from all buildings come and integrate as one. The fact that the communal room is not a separate entity at Stamford helps maintain touch of all residents with what is going on in the residence due to visibility from the reception. Residents can engage with the staff, who are very friendly and partake in the activities alongside them too. This creates an open environment wherein conversations are initiated in case of problems and solutions likewise. In today’s age of technology, most residents are connected on social media on a common platform, helping each other in trivial things such as ordering food, swapping clothes, giving movie suggestions etc.

Local Area

Living in Stamford allows you to save money by walking to all major locations around the campus and otherwise instead of taking the bus or the tube; even to places in Oxford Street and Mayfair. The residence team makes the living experience comfortable, as they are always there to help in settling in and feeling a part of the greater community of students. The neighbourhood has tons of cafes, restaurants and utility stores. Overall, Stamford provides the best facilities in all aspects of being student housing at extremely affordable prices, given its location in the heart of London.

As small as it may seem, it is these little things that make us a strong community of individuals who can trust and depend on one another. I say it with heartfelt gratitude that Stamford is not only my home, it is my family!

Post contributed by Cherise N.  She is a postgraduate student at King’s, studying Geography. 

Life in Angel Lane

You know your residence is good when it has ‘Angel’ in its name. Angel Lane itself may not be heaven, but we residents are living the good life! Upon entering the residence, you are greeted by friendly Unite Students staff members, who are always willing to help and ensure you are comfortable. But it is the building amenities that seal the deal. Angel Lane consists of an open courtyard on the ground floor, where you can find colour coordinated lounging furniture to study and relax. And when the summer sun shines on the accommodation, you can grab badminton equipment from reception and engage in a game. As you continue to walk through Angel Lane, you will reach the game area. Here you and your friends/flat mates can chill while playing a game of pool, bring your video games down and ask reception for the gaming console or work up a sweat while playing table football. But Angel Lane also caters to those of us who enjoy spectacular views. As you enter the 8th floor terrace, you are met with a breath-taking scene of the towering buildings of central London, including the famous Shard.

If by the likely chance the weather is not warm or sunny, then you can always head up to the 10th floor study room to admire the view while being inside. Angel Lane has so much to offer outside of the accommodation necessities. It goes above and beyond your housing needs. I would recommend living in an en-suite, as you are able to have your alone time while maintaining peer interactions through your flat’s common kitchen area. If you ever have the opportunity to live in the Stratford area for school, make sure Angel Lane is at the top of your list.

Local Area

They call it Stratford, the Olympic City! After hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, Stratford is the ideal place to live and visit. The city is known for the queen-sized park, appropriately named Queen Mary park, which includes the Olympic sized swimming pool. As you look up from the park you notice a unique red structure. You soon realize that you can not only go to the top of the structure and see the towering buildings of central London, but you can also slide down from the top. But maybe you are more of a shopper, no worries, Stratford caters to everyone!

Walk on over to the Westfield Mall and treat yourself to a shopping spree or something to eat. The mall has all the stores and restaurants you need, from John Lewis, M&S, Primark, Nando’s, Wagamama and more. Let’s not forget the station. Stratford station can get you where you want to go. The station consists of several Underground lines, the Overground, national rail and TFL rail services. No matter where you want to go Stratford can get you there. When it comes to quality of entertainment, activities and London life, Stratford lives up to its name and takes the gold!

Post contributed by John C. K. John is an undergraduate at King’s in the department of Philosophy.  

Life in Stamford Street Apartments

Whilst all of King’s residences are great in their own way, Stamford Street Apartments – or ‘SSA’ as we affectionately call it – has so much to love.  I, of course, have to mention the wonderful location.  Being in Waterloo and Central London, residents of SSA are right opposite Waterloo Campus with its useful library, around 15 minutes’ walk to Strand Campus and 25 minutes to Guy’s Campus.  You are also mere minutes’ walk away from multiple ‘express’ supermarkets (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose), as well as a variety of wonderful cafés and restaurants – if Nando’s is your thing, ours is two minutes away.

The staff and reception team at SSA are absolutely wonderful individuals and are always there to help, alongside your ResiLife Team.  The ResiLife Teams of Community Facilitators (CFs) and Residence Associates (RAs) are there to help you make the most of your time at SSA by hosting weekly events such as Teatox (hot drink, biscuits and chat), Art Night (to express your creative side on canvas) and Film Night (experienced in our very own lecture theatre ‘cinema’).  To keep your body and mind healthy, we have our very own gym next door (free for SSA residents only!) and a study space near our lecture theatre.  We also have an on-site laundrette – hardly the height of excitement, but it at least means you have no excuse not to wash your clothes (just ask for a ‘Washstation card’ from reception)!  Your CFs run exciting and varied monthly events including Pub Quizzes, Games Nights, Pizza Parties and trips to hidden gems you do not want to miss!  They are always eager to hear what you have to say, with REC meetings every month so residents can help shape the future of SSA and its community.

Local Area

Aside from the simply practical aspect, living at SSA offers culture right outside your door, with the artistic delights of the National Theatre, Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and much more.  The excitement comes in discovering these for yourself and making the most of your time at King’s not just academically, but though personal enrichment also.  Remember to take advantage of all the fantastic local student discounts and deals – including £3 tickets at the BFI Southbank (shows classic and indie films) and £7.50 National Theatre tickets!  On a side note, be sure to sign up for free to UNiDAYS (myunidays.com) and Student Beans (studentbeans.com if you have not already, ) for a variety of discounts all over London and online!

Living at SSA is what you make of it – so be sure to take advantage of its ResiLife and everything that surrounds it.  As long as you do this, you will certainly grow to love it as your home.

Post contributed by Rev K. He is a postgraduate student at King’s, studying Population Health and Environmental Sciences. 

Life in Wolfson House

Found in the shadow of the Shard, this central London accommodation provides an affordable living place with intimate access to the city centre. Found within a stone’s throw of the transport hub that is London Bridge Station, there is excellent access to the London transport network and the delights of the rest of the city.

The close proximity to Guy’s Campus and Greenwood Lecture theatre, both within a couple of minutes’ walk of the front door, ensures that even late sleepers can easily make it their lectures in time, while lectures at Strand or Waterloo are never more than half an hour away. With the Kings Gym (London Bridge) also nearby, with a running BeActive program (free for Halls!) offering sessions both at the accommodation or in the vicinity, allowing you to get that couple of hours of exercise a week with the minimum of hassle.

Local Area

Locally, the site is within a very short distance of Borough High street and Markets, famed for their diverse and high-quality foodie experience, with more affordable student venues also available amongst them. Nearby, there is HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London and many museums and theatres, ensuring that there’s always something to do or sights to see.

Despite being one of Kings’ older accommodations, Wolfson House has provided me with an unparalleled experience living in London, and the bar was high; having lived and studied in London for the past five years. There’s life in the old dog yet.

Post contributed by Natalie Phillips. Natalie is an undergraduate at King’s, studying Classics.

Great Dover Street Apartments – better known by its abbreviation GDSA – is without a doubt the best King’s residence. If you’re a medic or studying any course that means your lessons are primarily at Guy’s Campus, then it’s the best location. Walking to Guy’s will take you around 10 minutes, so you’ll be able to make all your lectures on time. Even if you’re based at Strand – which I am- then not only are you able to walk there in around 30 minutes or less but you also get to take in the sites. Walking across Waterloo bridge as the sun sets or on a sunny day – that’s an unbeatable view and the perks of being at King’s.

Great Dover Street Apartments

One of the great things about Great Dover Street is its location. GDSA is located in Borough, with the station being only a few minutes away it is really well connected. London Bridge station is also only a few minutes away so travelling around London has never been easier. Another perk is that Borough Market is also nearby, so if you ever fancy strolling through for delicious food or other amenities then you can do so with easy. It can get a little crowded at times, but that just goes to show how popular it is, and you wouldn’t want to miss out. Being so close to London Bridge, you also get the amazing view of The Shard. If you’re lucky (like me), you’ll be able to see The Shard from your room at GDSA. It isn’t difficult to find fun activities to do or new restaurant to try out with there being so much nearby.

GDSA Common Room

Staying at GDSA gives you free access to the onsite gym. Not only is that great, but you also get off-peak access to other King’s gyms located around London, such as the one at Waterloo. With great facilities available to you there’s no reason why you wouldn’t take advantage. You can easily organise your schedule to include a quick stop to the gym and enjoy the rest of your day. GDSA also has a common room that offers free printing to all its residents – which is really helpful if you didn’t bring a printer to your new halls. The common room also has two TVs and access to Netflix so you and a group of friends could hang out and enjoy watching all the latest shows available.

Post contributed by Bianca B. She is an undergraduate student at King’s, studying International Development.

Out of the residences available at King’s University of London, Wolfson House stands out through comfort, cosiness, and affordability. The residence also benefits from an ideal location, right across the street from London Bridge station and right next to Guy’s Campus. You can live comfortably and easily get where you want, all for a good price – seems like the perfect package. However, an essential part of living in student halls is the community and the people you meet. Throughout my stay at Wolfson House, both as a resident and as a Community Facilitator, I have come to realise the importance of this aspect and the key influence ResiLife has in improving it.

In Wolfson House, the reception, the manager’s office and the common room are all near each other, making it easy to communicate and maintain a good relationship with the staff. It goes without saying that everyone is very helpful but being able to talk daily with the staff truly creates a different atmosphere and makes you feel different about the place you live in; it makes you feel more ‘at home’. Kitchens are shared between either 13 or 5 people and it is quite easy in most cases to build beautiful friendships. The events held weekly and the special events organised on different holidays or different occasions are an amazing opportunity for students to get together and find an excuse to leave their rooms. In Wolfson House, Art Night is by far a favourite. The residents can either paint, make collages, or even practice calligraphy in different languages.

Although at first it may seem like a disadvantage, I believe the smaller, cosier common room available at Wolfson House is a better fit for the residence. Equipped with board games, books, a pool table, and a popcorn machine for relaxing movie nights, the charm of Wolfson House lies in the quiet and warm atmosphere. More than this, there are events organised outside of the building that the residents can attend, such as the Silent Disco that took place earlier in the year, meaning that the residents at Wolfson House can easily enjoy the best of both worlds, when the quiet gets a little too quiet. One of my favourite events was the Halloween Night. The atmosphere was friendly and happy, and we brought in a lot of ‘scary’ treats and lots of face paint. Everyone had fun creating their preferred designs and choosing the music for the night, laughing and chatting away in little groups.

Why Wolfson House? With its homey appeal and relaxed atmosphere, Wolfson House can be an ideal substitute for ‘home’. With events catered for everyone, there is no need to worry if you’re too shy to come up to your flatmates, as the cosy common room downstairs is the perfect excuse and will make it easier to bond – just give it a chance!