Maida Vale in London: neighbourhood guide for students!

7th December 2015 Article Cities, Living in London, London, Neighborhood guides Clara from The BeTeam

Who wouldn’t like to live in a neighbourhood known as the “Little Venice”? Maida Vale is a quiet and residential neighbourhood, well-connected to the city centre, with a special charm due to the canal which cuts across its streets. It’s a perfect neighbourhood in London for those on a student’s budget. We tell you all you want to know in this neighborhood guide. Stop wondering about where to live in London!

Source: Harshil Shah (www.flickr.com)

Location

Maida Vale is located within Greater London and in the City of Westminster. It’s northwest to the city centre and not far away from The Regent’s Park and Hyde Park.

Atmosphere

Maida Vale is a residential and quiet neighborhood, whose picturesque atmosphere is difficult to forget. Red-brick buildings stand along Victorian mansions and white-stucco buildings in tree-lined streets. You’ll love it as much as the families and young professionals who live there!

Source: Savan Gandecha (www.flickr.com)

Despite being London’s “Little Venice”, this charming area in London is usually overlooked by tourists. This nickname is due to the canal which crosses it, opened at the beginning of the 19th century. A houseboat community even lives in floating homes…it’s so unique!

If you’re lucky, you may enjoy one of the communal gardens for residents only. This well-connected neighbourhood for students in London has so much to offer. And it’s only at a 15 minutes distance going underground from Piccadilly Circus.

Bars and restaurants

Maida Vale hosts restaurants with different types of cuisine and for a variety of budgets. A popular place on a student’s budget is the Italian restaurant Le Cochonnet, especially their pizzas. Another beloved restaurant is iBUKi Sushi Bar. This neighborhood in London has original cafés as well. If you like to sit down and relax with a cup of coffee, then The Quince Tree is a must.

The Quince Tree Cafe. Source: www.thequincetree.com

Nightlife

The Elgin is a cozy bar in Maida Vale to have dinner and drink a cocktail after that, whose decoration will make you feel at home. Plus, the award winner gastropub The Truscott Arms offers selected brews to complement its food. You will not find pubs with electronic music in Maida Vale, but if you like to just sit down and have a nice time with friends, you’ll love this neighbourhood in London.

The Elgin. Source: www.cocoweddingvenues.co.uk

Maida Vale neighbourhood’s facilities

Groceries

Doing your groceries is really easy in Maida Vale! There are two Tesco supermarkets in the area, in addition to local food shops and delicatessen shops. The Dry Goods Store is a must in the area if you like to buy at well-thought of store, which offers the possibility of buying food to weight and encourages customers to use their own packages. Living in a residential area has its advantages, and the wide variety of options to fill your pantry is is definitely one of them!

The Dry Goods Store. Source: www.facebook.com/TheDryGoodsStore/

Shopping

There’s no shopping hub in this London neighbourhood for students, as it is a very quiet area. However, Piccadilly Circus, which may be considered the city centre, is less than 15 minutes away going underground.

Sports facilities & green areas

Private gyms are available for you in Maida Vale, but it’s also possible to practice outdoor sports in Paddington Recreation Ground park. It has free facilities, such as a basketball court, and other facilities to hire (eg. football pitches or cricket nets).

Paddington Recreation Ground. Source: Whatleydude (www.flickr.com)

Cultural offer and attractions

Do you like cinema? Everyman Cinema is a really special place…with two screens to watch the latest release and independent films…from a comfy sofa! Plus, locals like to attend live shows at Canal Cafe Theatre.

But the main attraction of Maida Vale is its canal with floating boats and charming atmosphere.

Source: Stu Smith (www.flickr.com)

Libraries

Maida Vale Library and Kilburn Library are two places to go when study times arrive. Of course, you’ll always have the opportunity to study at your university’s library if you prefer to do so!

Transportation

This neighbourhood is well connected to the rest of London, through the tube station of Maida Vale (Bakerloo Line), apart from excellent bus connections with its perimeter.

The distances from Maida Vale to the main universities are:

University of London and University College of London: it will take you approximately 13 minutes to reach there, starting at Maida Vale tube station (Bakerloo and Victoria Lines).
Middlessex University: is about 40 minutes away by bus.
London Metropolitan University: is less than 45 minutes away going underground (Bakerloo-Picadilly Lines).
University of East London (Stratford Campus): 50 minutes in Bakerloo-Central tube lines and you’re there!

The city centre is less than 20 minutes away, from Paddington to Picadilly Circus station in the Bakerloo line.

Rooms for rent and apartments for rent: rental rate

Maida Vale is an affordable area within London. You may find rooms at shared flats from £170/week. Have a close look at some rooms and flats on Beroomers!See housing in Maida Vale!

Short and sweet

Atmosphere: quiet and residential neighbourhood, with a canal crossing it through.
Location: northwest to the city centre.
Residents: families and young professionals.
Facilities: supermarkets, local food stores, private gyms, cinema, cafe theatre, library, vast park with sporting facilities.
Transportation: well-connected neighbourhood (Maida Vale tube station). Reach the city centre in less than 20 minutes going underground.
Rental rate: rooms at shared flats from £170/week.
Area of London: Westminster City within Greater London.

Source: Adrian Scottow (www.flickr.com)

Maida Vale is one of the several possibilities you have when choosing one of the neighbourhoods for students in London. And if you’re still wondering which city would be the best option for you, we highly recommend you to read our complete guide of neighbourhoods for students around the world!