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Most travellers and people on working holiday visas use London as their European base.
The high wages of London are matched by the high cost of living.
Choosing an area to live can have a huge impact on how much money is left in your pocket at the end of the month.
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West and South London
Shepherds Bush, Acton, Chiswick, Hammersmith and Ealing - traditional stomping grounds for working holidaymakers in London. Links into Central London are good with several Underground lines and bus routes. There are plenty of affordable (and not so affordable!) rooms to rent and some of the nightlife is excellent and aimed at travellers.
Fulham, Putney, Earls Court, Wimbledon - these again are becoming popular areas with travellers. They are generally a bit more expensive and pleasant places to live. Earls Court is where everyone in the past headed first as there are many hostels in the area, however it has recently become expensive and out of reach from most travellers' budgets. Fulham has a lively pub scene, while Putney, Southfields and Wimbledon are a bit further afield and feel less congested.
Clapham, Brixton, Battersea, Balham, Tooting, Colliers Wood - ideally situated to reach central London, these are lively areas with good transport links and a wide range of accommodation. Some areas can be very trendy and therefore expensive.
North and North West and East London
Willesden Green and Kilburn - these areas are rapidly becoming popular areas with overseas workers. They are generally cheaper, slightly scruffier but offer good transport links.
Highgate, Archway, Finsbury Park - very mixed areas containing vast council estates, lovely open spaces and a cosmopolitan feel. Again they are blessed with good transport links and offer a wide variety in quality and prices.
East London is traditionally the poorer part of London and therefore contains the cheaper accommodation. Areas such as Stratford, Mile End and Leyton are all seeing a big change as smart flats and excellent new transport infrastructure are increasing interest. The London 2012 Olympics are centred on this area and will help with its regeneration.
Leyton and Leytonstone are starting to become popular with travellers despite being a distance from the traditional Antipodean areas of West London. Some decent nightlife is starting to emerge and prices for shared houses still remain low compared to the rest of London.