Every year, thousands of international students arrive in London to study at UCL and other leading universities across the capital. For many families, whether relocating from overseas or other parts of the UK, this raises the question: does it make sense to buy a property rather than rent?

Buying a London apartment for a son or daughter to live in during their studies is not unusual. It can provide them with a stable place to live, while potentially giving the family a longer-term asset in London.

But one of the most common mistakes is focusing too narrowly on finding a property immediately next to the university.
If you’re considering buying a London property for a student studying at UCL, here are some of the things worth looking at.

 

Don’t focus solely on walking distance

UCL’s main campus is in Bloomsbury, close to Euston and King’s Cross. Naturally, many families begin their search in the immediate area. But London is a very well-connected city, and expanding the search slightly can give you considerably more choice.

Rather than asking “How close is the property to UCL?”, a better question is:

“How easy is the journey to UCL?”

A property close to a well-connected Underground station may provide a much easier commute than somewhere geographically closer but less conveniently located.

Areas such as Swiss Cottage, St John’s Wood, Belsize Park and Hampstead, for example, are popular residential neighbourhoods in northwest London while still providing straightforward access to central London and London’s major universities.

100 Avenue Road is directly linked to the Swiss Cottage Underground station. With easy access to the Jubilee Line, UCL, Euston and King’s Cross are all within a short, direct journey. This is the kind of easy, dependable commute that matters far more day-to-day than perceived proximity on a map.

 

Think beyond the student’s degree

A degree might last three or four years. The property could be owned for considerably longer. This is particularly important for overseas buyers.

Your son or daughter may decide to remain in London after graduating. The property may eventually be occupied by another family member. Alternatively, you may decide to rent it out or sell it.

For that reason, it’s worth avoiding a property chosen purely because it suits the immediate needs of an 18-year-old student.

Instead, ask whether it is somewhere that young professionals, couples and other London residents would also want to live.

Good transport connections, an established neighbourhood, shops and restaurants nearby, sensible layouts and good building management can all help broaden a property’s appeal beyond the student market.

This is where 100 Avenue Road’s setting works in the family’s favour. Swiss Cottage is an established, mature northwest London neighbourhood rather than a purpose-built student enclave, so the appeal extends well beyond university goers to young professionals and families alike.

 

Consider security and building management

For parents living thousands of miles away, this is often one of the most important considerations.

A modern apartment building with a 24-hour concierge or reception, secure access and professional building management can provide reassurance when a son or daughter is living away from the family for the first time.

It also makes ownership easier. If something goes wrong with the building while you’re not in town, having an established management structure in place is very different from trying to resolve everything yourself remotely.

100 Avenue Road offers a 24-hour concierge and professional on-site management, giving parents the reassurance of a building that is looked after day and night, and a single point of contact if anything needs resolving.

 

Look at how the student will actually live

The apartment itself is only part of the decision.

Students increasingly study from home, so having enough space to work comfortably matters. Good communal spaces can also be useful, particularly in newer developments offering residents’ lounges, co-working areas or other shared facilities.

It’s also worth considering everyday practicalities:

• How close is the nearest Underground station?
• Are supermarkets, cafés and restaurants within walking distance?
• Is the area somewhere they will feel comfortable returning to in the evening?
• Is there somewhere suitable to study at home?
• Can friends or family stay when visiting London?
• Does the building have facilities they will genuinely use?

 

At 100 Avenue Road, residents have access to a private residents’ lounge, gym, spa and swimming pool, alongside a vibrant, tree-lined neighbourhood with shops, cafés and restaurants close by. These everyday practicalities make daily life easier and add value to the way residents will actually live.

Consider the property’s rental appeal

Even if renting the apartment isn’t the original intention, circumstances change.

A student may move elsewhere after graduating, return home or decide they want to live with friends. Having a property that can subsequently appeal to London’s wider rental market gives the owner more flexibility.

This is another reason to generally favour established residential locations with diverse rental demand, rather than buying something that only really makes sense as student accommodation.

Swiss Cottage has long attracted a broad mix of professionals, families and students, which supports a genuinely diverse rental market. This gives owners at 100 Avenue Road flexibility well beyond the years a son or daughter spends studying.

100 Avenue Road is currently under construction and will be ready for occupation from Q4 2028. Register your interest below.