Choosing where to live during your studies in LSE can be a difficult decision to make. In this blog I will share my experience in living in LSE´s Hall Butler’s Wharf so that you can take a much more informed decision if you have already decided that you´ll be staying in a student hall.
Location
Butler´s Wharf is located only a couple of blocks away from Tower Bridge. Personally, this is my favourite area in London. It always feels nice to go out for a walk and see one of London´s best attraction within a 3-minute walking distance. Even if Butler´s wharf is the furthest hall away from campus it is well-connected. In case you are going to LSE, you can take bus 188 which will take you directly to LSE, you can also rent a Santander bike (there is a bike station right in front of the hall). If you are in a rush and don´t know how to bike, you can also take the tube. The closest station is Temple Hill, on the other side of the river. If the weather is nice and you´ve got time, I recommend walking. It takes around 50 minutes and it is a nice walk along Thames river.
Great community
Butler’s Wharf is for postgraduate students from LSE. This can be an advantage if you prefer to be in a place with more “mature students” compared to halls that take undergrads as well. Still, the age span of this hall is very ample. From 20-35 years old. My guess is that the average age in BW is 24 years old.
There are some halls that are not only for LSE, so you´ve got the chance to meet people from other universities in London and from different disciplines besides social sciences. This is not the case for Butler´s Wharf. It’s worth mentioning that even before arriving to the Hall for the first time, we already had a WhatsApp group that was extremely helpful for solving any doubts before the “moving in day.”
While living here, if you ever happen to need a random object (such as a can opener), there will always be someone willing to help in the group.
Fair value for your money
Butler´s Wharf is one of the most affordable halls that LSE offers. This hall does not have the option to have a private toilet or kitchen, however in my experience we all have quite different timetables so most of the time you don´t have to wait for using them. Butler’s Wharf has a spacious common room that has a conducive environment for studying. It is usually silent, and you can always find a place to sit. The laundry room is normally sufficient for all the people that live there, although you may want to avoid the peak times!
