Everything I wish I knew before moving in

Butler's Wharf is a lovely spot to live! Here is what I wish someone had told me when I moved in.

🏛️ The layout: four buildings, one community. Butler's Wharf is divided into four buildings, called courts, all connected through a basement where you'll find the laundry room and the common area. The four courts share the same reception, though each has its own entrance. The staff are genuinely lovely and helpful, which makes a real difference when something goes wrong or you just need a hand.

🛏️ The rooms have proper storage.

I lived in a refurbished room and was surprised by how much storage space there was, including space for your suitcase, which sounds small but matters once you realise where else it might end up living for a year.

🚿 The shared bathroom is better than it sounds.

You will share a bathroom, but it is split into two separate toilet rooms and two separate showers. It is very rare for everything to be occupied at the same time, so the morning rush is much less of an issue than you might expect.

🚇 The closest tubes are London Bridge and Tower Hill.

Both are about a fifteen minute walk. They serve different lines, so it is worth knowing which one suits where you are heading rather than defaulting to the nearest. Here's a video that explains how London transportation system work:

🚌 The 188 bus is your best friend.

It takes you almost directly to campus. Download the TFL app and keep an eye on arrival times so you are not standing at the stop guessing. Here's a video of that commute:

🚶‍♀️ Walking to school takes around fifty minutes

The whole route runs along the South Bank, past Tower Bridge, the Tate, the river. It sounds long but on a good day it is genuinely one of the nicest commutes in London. Worth doing at least once a week when the weather allows.

🛒 Sainsbury's is five minutes away, but my saving tip is: it should not be your main shop

It works for top ups, less so for a proper weekly food run. The bigger Tesco is where to go when you want to save money. Make a friend trip out of it, it is much more fun than going alone with three empty tote bags.

🌉 Tower Bridge is right there

Do not let it become background scenery. Walk over it at sunset, see it lift if you catch the schedule right, take the photo for your family back home. It is one of the perks of the postcode. Here's an instagram video of a scenic route of the area!

🍻 There is a pub on the corner

Use it. It is the kind of place that becomes a default for after class drinks, quick catch ups, or just a quiet pint when your room feels too small.

🎬 The common room is where you actually meet people

I remember loads of birthdays celebrated there. There is a TV, a Wii, and you can hook up your laptop for movie nights. If you want to know your flatmates and the people on other floors, this is the room that makes it happen.

The river, the bridge, the walks, the small local spots, they make it a really special place to spend a year.