Moving to London

As some of you may know, but probably don't, I'm finishing my Chemsitry degree in Glasgow this year and am applying to study medicine next year. If I get rejected I have two options.

1. Work as a health care assistant in Scotland.
   
2. Work as a health care assistant in England.
   
   

My main motivation for wanting to work in England is that it means I have a good shot at getting my fees paid by the NHS for my 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of my 4 year medicine course if I'm "normally resident in England on the first day of the course".

If I'm working in England I may as well work in London. I don't really know anyone anywhere else and I don't think nursing is a great job in which to meet new friends. My questions are:

1. What is the hospital distribution like in London (size, spread, location, catchment)?
   
2. How far could I commute in the mornings/evenings?
   
3. is £16,000 pa enough to live off in London?
   
   

Hopefully I'll get into Glasgow or Newcastle this year and wont have to worry about working next year but I just thought I'd investigate.

Thanks