ESCP-EAP LONDON The unofficial guide to ESCP-EAP LONDON PAGE 2 ESCP-EAP LONDON ESCP-EAP LONDON PAGE 3 Table of Contents Welcome to London 4 Finance 5 Accommodation 6 Tenancy Deposit Protection 7 Accommodation and Prices 8 Hampstead and West Hampstead 9 Kilburn, Brondesbury and Golders Green 10 Cricklewood, Childs Hill and Dollis Hill 11 Council Tax 12 Estate agents 13 Getting started 14 Working 15 Temporary NI number 16 Permanent NI number 17 London Nightlife 19 Restaurants 22 Health 23 Getting around London 25 Transport Prices 26 Train Stations 28 VISAS 29 Safety 30 Counselling 33 Lost Property 37 Finally 38 Useful numbers 39 PAGE 4 ESCP-EAP LONDON WELCOME TO LONDON First of all…CONGRATULATIONS! If you’re reading this then you’ve already achieved something special by be- ing accepted into ESCP-EAP – it’s not in the top three of French Business Schools for nothing (even if we say so ourselves!). Whether you’re studying the Masters in Management or in European Business, we hope you’re happy with your choice and that you take full advantage of it. However, being accepted onto your course is only one step of several that you need to take – namely figuring out how to survive in, and above all enjoy, London life - which is what this booklet is all about. When we asked a recent student what the best way of settling into London was, they said ‘just get lost, and try to find your way back’. This isn’t something we recommend you take too literally, but it certainly proves one thing; how overwhelming every- thing can seem at first. It’s not cheap, but it is fun; it’s not simple, but it is worth it. In this booklet you’ll find info about where to live, how to pay for it, where to go out, what to do, how to get there …in fact, most of the things you’ll want to know. We hope we haven’t missed anything out but if we have… make sure you get out there and do it! Hopefully it will provide you with everything that an ESCP-EAP student would ever need to know. ESCP-EAP LONDON PAGE 5 Finance It pains us to start off with one of the more boring aspects of your life at ESCP-EAP but, like most things in England, it is a necessary evil. Without a bank account you can’t do the vital things in life like going to nightclubs and cinemas, as well as unimportant stuff like buying marketing textbooks. So get this as soon as you can! Who you bank with is your choice, but ESCP-EAP has got an association with HSBC bank, whose branch is just down the road from the School, at 122 Finchley Road. As it says on www.escp-eap.net, you can set up a bank account with them either through their website (www.hsbc.co.uk) or via a call centre (08457 404404) in your home country. This account offers online banking , cash machine withdrawals (up to £200 per day) and Solo ATM card which and is not accepted on all online sites. The monthly fee for this account is £5. For those of you that want to do it when you come to England, we will distribute application forms during the registration day and you will be able to collect your debit card in 2 weeks. This account offers more facilities such a international debit card (accepted worldwide where Cirrus/Maestro are accepted), telephone & online banking, instant access saver account and others. The monthly fee for this account is £6. Either way, remember one thing - this is worth doing as soon as you can! PAGE 6 ESCP-EAP LONDON Accommodation Finding accommodation is another rea- A more detailed description of these son why you should try and get your bank areas follows. account set up quickly, because accommodation is the second Most of the current students choose live serious thing you need to get to grips in Cricklewood and Child’s Hill, or close with. The majority of ESCP-EAP students to the School in find somewhere to West Hampstead. This is live relatively a reflection on both price quickly and easily, and convenience – prop- but it can always erties in Cricklewood and help if you have Child’s Hill are cheaper some background than those elsewhere, information at but there are a lot more hand. facilities right on your doorstep in West Hamp- Try looking for stead (including the accommodation at School, which may or least six weeks may not be appealing) before the start of term – that way you’ll and the lively Finchley Road. Meanwhile, avoid the rush for student housing that the third most popular choice was in always happens, and get the nicer places Golders Green, where a significant num- before anyone else. ber of students live. This is a good idea – the area has reasonable rates, a lot to do, and is a little bit closer to the School. Most ESCP-EAP students Kilburn and Brondesbury and Dollis Hill predominately live in: are both fine as well (we wouldn’t rec- ommend them if they weren’t) but some • Hampstead students living here felt they were a little • West Hampstead too far away from where the fun was, • Kilburn and Brondesbury and that the transport links were a little • Golders Green limited. However, it didn’t seem to stop • Cricklewood and Childs Hill them from creating their own fun in their own area. Either way, it boils down to- • Dollis Hill how close you want to live to the School, and what you are prepared to pay. PAGE 7 ESCP-EAP LONDON Tenancy Deposit Protection From 6 April 2007, all deposits (up to the level of £25,000) taken by landlords and letting agents for Assured Shorthold Tenancies in England and Wales, must be protected by a tenancy deposit protection scheme. What are Tenancy Deposit Schemes? There are two types of tenancy deposit protection scheme available for landlords and letting agents (insurance-based schemes and custodial schemes). All schemes provide a free dispute resolution service. What are Tenancy Deposit Schemes? The schemes allow tenants to get all or part of their deposit back when they are entitled to it and encourage tenants and landlords to make a clear agreement from the start on the condition of the property. The schemes: • allow tenants to get all or part of their deposit back when they are entitled to it • make any disputes easier to resolve • encourage tenants and landlords to make a clear agreement from the start on the condition of the property There are two types of tenancy deposit protection scheme available for landlords and letting agents. All schemes provide a free dispute resolution service. We strongly advise you to check the following website for full details about the Ten- ancy Deposit Protection: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm ESCP-EAP LONDON PAGE 8 Area Distance Transportation Main Average housing from attractions price range School Hampstead 5 minute Tube: Hampstead Hampstead 1 bed studio: walk (Zone 2) Heath; Freud £720/month Bus : 268 from Museum; 3 bedroom house: Hampstead High Everyman £1,880/month Street to O2 Centre Cinema and 4 bedroom house: on Finchley Road variety of £2,200/month restaurants West School is Tube: West O2 shopping 1 bed studio: Hampstead situated Hampstead & center; variety £640/month in this Finchley Road of bars, pubs, 3 bedroom house: area Bus: 113 and 82 restaurants and £1,450/month from Finchley speciality shops 4 bedroom house: Road to Oxford £2,020/month Circus and Victoria Station respectively Rail: West Hampstead and Finchley & Frognall Kilburn & 15 Tube: Kilburn, Tricycle arts 1 bed studio: Brondesbury minute Kilburn Park, center; ethnic £620/month wallk Queens Park & and organic 3 bedroom house: Kensal Green cuisines; £1,133/month Bus: 328 to Queens; 4 bedroom house: Finchley Road and Brondesbury £1,690/month Golders Green Grange & Rail: Brondesbury Fryent country & Kilburn High parks Road Golders Green 10 Tube: Golders Hampstead 1 bed studio: minute Green Heath; £600/month bus ride Bus: 82 from woodland 3 bedroom house: Golders Green bus walks; ethnic £1,253/month station to Victoria and speciality 4 bedroom house: Station cuisine; £1,260/month Cricklewood & 15 Bus: 460 or C11 Cricklewood 1 bed studio: Childs Hill minute from Cricklewood festivals £607/month walk Broadway to North 3 bedroom house: Finchley or Brent £1,066/month Cross 4 bedroom house: £1,320/month Dollis Hill 10 minue Tube: Dollis Hill Gladstone Park; 1 bed studio: tube Bus: 226 from Brent Reservoir £660/month journey Dudden Hill Lane 3 bedroom house: to Park Royal £1,120/month 4 bedroom house: £1,400/month PAGE 9 ESCP-EAP LONDON In Detail….. • HAMPSTEAD Hampstead is the area east of Finchley Road and is one of the closest to the School. It is a very affluent neighborhood with housing options ranging from terraced houses to Victorian mansions. It used to be a more artistic area but is now being replaced as a suburb for wealthy professionals. The main attraction of Hampstead is the famous 791-acre Hampstead Heath. It provides a peaceful respite from the bustling city around it and is one of the most popular recreational areas in London. Par- liament Hill offers fantastic views of the city and Kenwood House is a popular venue for open-air con- certs throughout the year. Hampstead is also home to the Freud Museum and the Everyman alternative cinema club.