Moreso if if you’re a student or recent graduate looking for a flatshare in the £125 per week region as opposed to the lofty heights of £170 per week. Falling squarely within this unenviable category, the past week has seen me hopping back and forth between my current place in Kingston and my desired habitat of Euston, Camden-ish, … Swiss Cottage, I suppose. Flexibility is paramount when hunting anywhere central of Zone 3.

With such flexibility I was easily spoilt for choice. There was the flat near King’s Cross where a hose from a tap was called ‘the shower’; the flat in Chalk Farm which stank of refried offal from the kebab shop downstairs; and the room in Euston where all four sides of the double bed touched the walls. That was the much-touted ‘double-room’. No wonder the guy showing me around couldn’t look me in the eye.

On my way to a property in Camden this morning (another flop) I got chatting to a Californian tourist who wished me luck in my search. Which was nice. But what she didn’t know was that I was silently cursing her for her (no doubt) comfy, stink-free hotel accomodation. With a power shower… and room to get out of bed without finding yourself in the corridor.

I am now in that unlikely minority of people who can say that they are London born and bred and as such I find myself performing a constant balancing act on the see-saw of love and hate for the city I have grown up in. Yes, there have been times when the temptation to just throw in the towel and quit these mean streets has been almost overwhelming and yet I am repeatedly drawn back into the fold by a new experience, or the memory of one that forces a smile or even full blown laughter, often whilst on the tube to the disapproving glances of my fellow passengers!

London’s image has suffered of late. Violent crime has dominated the headlines of our newspapers and the shadow of recession is a hovering presence. Having lived in London through the last couple economic downturns I know that it is a case of “swings and roundabouts” and that calm always follows a storm as well as preceding one. In my experience creativity flourishes in this city especially in hard times. During the recession of the early nineties I attended some of the best parties and events of my life and met some of the most diverse and interesting people that anyone is ever likely to meet anywhere in the world.

It is easy to empathise with those that arrive from foreign shores only to find that London does not fit into the descriptive clothes given to her by traditional tourist brochures and picture-perfect postcards. More quirky than quaint, London will always suit those who prefer to dress down rather than up. Like many of the great old cities of the world there is so much more to London than the grand facade that meets the eye of the weekend tourist. There is a back door to another side of her that may lead to a life - long love affair, albeit a torrid one! However, she will not tell you where it is - you have to find it for yourself. If you are a budding Indiana Jones this could be the lost city you were looking for.

609 square miles is rather a lot to cover in a day, but if I had one to spend in central London, and limited funds, I’d head first to Monument. For two pounds you can climb the 311 spiral steps and get as clear a view as from the London Eye, with none of the queueing. It was built to mark the Great Fire of London in 1666 and, at 202 feet, is the tallest freestanding stone column in the world - it’s height marking the distance to the bakery on Pudding Lane that was believed to be the source of the fire. You even get a certificate on completion - better than a ‘I went to London and all I got was…’ tshirt.

It’s being refurbished at the moment, reopening in early 2009, so, till then, head to Primrose Hill or Parliament Fields instead. Spread out your picnic blanket or find a park bench (the inscriptions tend to be worth reading) and spot the landmarks. London isn’t praised for it’s panorama, but having it, quite literally, at your feet and seeing the beautiful Wren built St Paul’s jostling next to the affectionately named Guerkin (home to Swiss Re Insurance company) and the somehow majestic cranes of the construction industry sums up the opportunity, history and progress of the place.

On a Sunday Columbia Flower market is a burst of colour and noise in a distinctly urban corner of London, pick up a bagel on Brick Lane and munch it as you head back towards Bloomsbury for a wander round an area that still seems to house a raffish set of artists and writers. If you have children you can catch your breath in the children only (accompanying adults allowed) Coram Fields, or on a gentle wander down Lamb’s Conduit Street - a beautiful Georgian street with old pubs and specialist shops. Window shopping only though. If you’ve got the energy, either the nearby British Library or the Wellcome Collection have free and fascinating exhibitions (Maps of London at the former and Skeletons of London’s long dead at the latter have both been exquisite).

If you’re keen to eat out in the evening the Stockpot on Old Compton Street has a menu and prices that are rather like stepping back into the sixties (well, sort of), but don’t be fooled - the food is top quality. If you’re after something more glamourous you might be surprised to know that many of the michelin-starred restaurants have meal deals - as long as you’re willing to eat at 5pm. Check out toptable.com for all sorts of deals.

And that’s just a start - so get out there, be inventive, look up, down and into London’s corners and enjoy not spending a penny.

I am currently trying to plan a trip to london and it is expensive. The best resource i have found for saving money has been BroadwayBox’s London site (http://www.broadwaybox.com/london/) for when it comes to theater. Any other tips? Still looking for a hotel.