I'm going to be in London for 3 months...

Anything I should be aware of?

I'm studying abroad for a shortened semester, and my classes will be held at the University of London. My flat (dorm or whatever) is in Kensington. So far, I have been told to bring lots of money since Kensington is supposedly one of the wealthiest areas of London. IDK? I won't be bringing a bike, but I will get an unlimited Tube, bus, and night bus pass when I arrive.

Any recommendations for cheap restaurants, art gallery's, museums, venues, clubs, cheap pubs, shops, etc and anything worth seeing? I plan on seeing Ruiner at the Underworld on the 16th. Seeing an American hxc band in London should be interesting. I mainly listen to indie bands, but I do like hxc.

Also, I would like to check out local graffiti and other local art. Any good spots?

I leave Wednesday around 1pm from San Francisco, so that puts me on the ground at about 7:30 am in London on Thursday.

Thanks
Rob

Rob, see my response in the Nursery. Welcome BTW.

If you want a bike while you're here, I have an old geared beater you could borrow - you'd just need a lock. PM me if you're interested.

ditto if you need a bike for a month or two i can certainly dig someting out of my shed

have to be honest with you, you're asking about cheapness, but talking about the tube. Just use a bike and then have more money to spend on other things

check out the local graffiti? i saw some kids smashing up a car yesterday, i can ask them if they have anything to show you.

seriously welcome from another American. you will arrive just in time for our America drinks which are thursday at the Charles Dickens pub on Union St SE1 near Southwark tube 7ishpm. Even thought the tube is free for you, dont take it, its slow, crowded, and the worst experience known to man.

oh and the west coast sucks balls.

South Ken has some good museums. Science museum, V&A, natural history etc.

Sandwich shop on Gloucester Road for cheap food in that area. Plus noodle bar near south Ken station.

rob

get a bike, get out to the drinks (see the calendar), and we'll take you around. Especially ambassidor Crash.

EVERYTHING in the UK revolves around pubs. Especially ambassidor Crash.

cheap eats in Kensington? if they're still open, then maybe the chelsea kitchen / chelsea potter??

Their is plenty of graff to see if london. Loads around east london. Sure we can take you on a lil tour when you get here. My advice would be to bring your bike with, What's stopping you?

If you want a bike while you're here, I have an old geared beater you could borrow - you'd just need a lock. PM me if you're interested.

ditto if you need a bike for a month or two i can certainly dig someting out of my shed

Thank you. I am not really looking to ride fixed while I am in London, because my city riding and skills are sub-par. I really haven't had the time to refine my skills, so if you had a single speed or any other road bike that would be cool.

have to be honest with you, you're asking about cheapness, but talking about the tube. Just use a bike and then have more money to spend on other things

The tube pass is included in my program. I am sure that I am paying for it some way, but I didn't directly pay for it. haha

check out the local graffiti? i saw some kids smashing up a car yesterday, i can ask them if they have anything to show you.

seriously welcome from another American. you will arrive just in time for our America drinks which are thursday at the Charles Dickens pub on Union St SE1 near Southwark tube 7ishpm. Even thought the tube is free for you, dont take it, its slow, crowded, and the worst experience known to man.

oh and the west coast sucks balls.

The West Coast is the Best Coast... or something like that. SF has a huge graff scene, so I would like to take some pictures to bring home. I'm going to have huge jet lag, so if I'm not to tired I'll be sure to check this out. Are the buses better to take than the tube then?

South Ken has some good museums. Science museum, V&A, natural history etc.

Yeah I was looking at a website that had many of the free museums listed. I will definitely be checking some out.

Sandwich shop on Gloucester Road for cheap food in that area. Plus noodle bar near south Ken station.

I am willing to go outside of Kensington to eat, especially if I end up getting a bike.

rob

get a bike, get out to the drinks (see the calendar), and we'll take you around. Especially ambassidor Crash.

EVERYTHING in the UK revolves around pubs. Especially ambassidor Crash.

I'm going to try and make it out to some of them.

cheap eats in Kensington? if they're still open, then maybe the chelsea kitchen / chelsea potter??

Yeah I'll have to see when I get there. Thanks

Their is plenty of graff to see if london. Loads around east london. Sure we can take you on a lil tour when you get here. My advice would be to bring your bike with, What's stopping you?

That would be cool. I thought about bringing my bike, but I ended up selling it a couple of weeks ago. Also, I don't know if I am comfortable enough riding fixed in London, since my skills are sub-par.

Also, I am going to have to get a phone once I get there. Can anyone recommend a place to get a good deal on a "pay as you go" phone?

You've got me there. Anyone?

yes ,it's a tricky one, isn't it. i guess he'll just have to hope that somewhere in london they have had the foresight to build a mobile phone shop. it won't be easy, but i think he should spot one after the first 10 - 15 yards or so.

graff? hxc? IDK? what the hell?

damned colonials.

Even thought the tube is free for you, dont take it, its slow, crowded, and the worst experience known to man.

You've never been on a commuter train in Australia then?

graff? hxc? IDK? what the hell?

damned colonials.

What's the military got to do with this?

You've never been in Australia then?

truedat.

do they even have trains in australia?

Not since that Kennett cunt.

i don't get it. to be honest, i don't care, but that's besides the point.

You've not gone native then PJ. Incidentally, your old lock is going in the bin tomorrow, unless I can salvage some useful bits from it, or fashion a belt to wear up Shoreditch High St.

i thought you'd be wearing it as an ironic necklace by now.

i'm going native, slowly, full mudguards, long vowel sounds, loving glances at members of own family, too much cider, etc.

There is no "too much".

virgin do decent payg phones.
you're living west. EVERYTHING IS EAST. check out the museums, then get out.
the tube is horrible. borrow a bike.
buses are pretty cool. sit on the top. ALWAYS.
buses suck when they hit you, honk at you, or cut you off. Double deckers are scary.
Are you from SF?
London rain sucks but better than those hills any day.

Welcome. One more american learns to fly.