经济、文化、教育、医疗、金融、交通、历史和建筑，无论是哪个维度的排行榜，伦敦都和北京、上海、广州、香港和新加坡这些东方的传奇特大城市一般，能够轻易跻身前十名，甚至前三名。尽管很多时候，作为全球数一数二的特大型城市，居住在伦敦也面临着和世界上其他特大城市一样的问题，高企的生活成本，拥堵的公共交通以及部分特定区域并不稳定的治安状况。
然而萨里大学坐落在美丽的吉尔福德小镇上，这座小镇拥有近千年的历史，也是英格兰南部最美丽的小镇之一。众所周知，英格兰东南部萨里郡、肯特郡以及萨塞克斯郡都以田园牧歌般的自然景观被誉为“英国的后花园”，吉尔福德则不仅是萨里郡第二大城镇，而且它位于直通伦敦的M3高速公路，伦敦直达朴茨茅斯的伦敦西南铁路线（SWR）以及布莱顿途径盖特维克机场直达伦敦的伦敦大西部铁路线（GWR）上。这意味着，从吉尔福德有直达盖特维克机场和伦敦市中心（滑铁卢车站）的火车，也有大量每日驾车或者乘坐火车往返伦敦通勤的上班族。
吉尔福德火车站就在萨里大学Stag Hill主校区旁边，距离学校后门只有步行五分钟的距离。从这里，我们可以方便地坐上大约每半小时一班的前往伦敦的通勤火车，只需要半小时，火车就会经过萨里郡最大的城镇Woking，然后抵达伦敦市中心的滑铁卢车站（由于主要的服务对象是通勤人士，所以这条线路的火车从清晨5点30分直到凌晨1点30分都一直运营）。从滑铁卢车站出来，只需要步行大约五分钟，就能抵达泰晤士河沿岸，观赏到伦敦眼和西敏寺。沿着伦敦南岸的步道，在路边咖啡馆买上一杯咖啡，坐在泰晤士河边欣赏河面上来来往往的船只，眺望不远处的大本钟和伦敦眼，也是别有一番英伦风情。
然而，虽然到伦敦的距离几乎触手可及，但是吉尔福德却有着伦敦所没有的一些巨大优势。首先是安全，吉尔福德人口不多，且在邮编GU1 – GU4的区域内，几乎全部都是萨里大学师生和需要每日前往伦敦通勤的普通上班族，相对简单的人口构成，让吉尔福德坐享英国倒数第二低的犯罪率。其次是较低的生活成本，以租房为例，在伦敦市中心公寓价格普遍都在400镑一周的情况下，萨里大学不仅能够为所有本科和硕士一年级的学生保证提供住宿，而且最低的房间价格仅不到80英镑每周。在萨里大学就读，不仅能享受宁静的英格兰郊区生活以及低廉的生活成本，如果想要到伦敦换换生活节奏，也仅仅是30分钟的距离。
最后，就让我们跟着镜头的视野，一起欣赏一下那座30分钟之外的伦敦城吧。
London stands as a beacon of excellence in various dimensions, such as economy, culture, education, healthcare, finance, transportation, history, and architecture. It competes neck and neck with legendary eastern megacities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Singapore, often securing a place within the top ten, if not the top three, in global rankings. However, residing in London, one of the world’s foremost megacities, comes with its share of challenges similar to those faced by other major global cities: high living costs, congested public transport, and certain areas plagued by instability in terms of safety.
Yet, just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of London lies the beautiful town of Guildford, nestled in Surrey. This town, boasting a history that spans nearly a millennium, is considered one of the most picturesque in Southern England. The Southeastern counties of Surrey, Kent, and Sussex, known as “England’s Garden” for their idyllic natural landscapes, find Guildford not only as Surrey’s second-largest town but also strategically located on the M3 motorway direct to London, the Southwest Railway (SWR) line from London to Portsmouth, and the Great Western Railway (GWR) line from London through Gatwick Airport to Brighton. This means Guildford offers direct train services to Gatwick Airport and central London (Waterloo station), with a significant daily commute population driving or taking the train to and from London.
Guildford’s train station is conveniently located next to the University of Surrey’s Stag Hill main campus, a mere five-minute walk from the university’s back entrance. From here, commuters can catch a train to London every half hour, passing through Surrey’s largest town, Woking, before arriving at London’s Waterloo station. This route, primarily serving commuters, operates from 5:30 am until 1:30 am. A short walk from Waterloo station leads to the Thames River, offering views of the London Eye and Westminster Abbey. Strolling along the South Bank, grabbing a coffee at a roadside café, and sitting by the Thames to watch the bustling river traffic against the backdrop of the Big Ben and London Eye encapsulates a uniquely British experience.
Despite its proximity to London, Guildford boasts significant advantages that London lacks. First is safety; with a smaller population and a demographic largely comprising University of Surrey students and regular London commuters within the GU1 – GU4 postcode areas, Guildford enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the UK. Secondly, the lower cost of living is notable. For instance, while central London apartment rents typically start at £400 per week, the University of Surrey guarantees accommodation for all first-year undergraduate and master’s students, with the lowest room rates starting at under £80 per week. Studying at the University of Surrey not only allows for a peaceful life in the English countryside with affordable living costs but also keeps the vibrant London lifestyle just a 30-minute train ride away.
Let’s embrace the view through the lens, appreciating the splendor of London, just 30 minutes from Guildford.
