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T&B pretty much answered all you need to know.
Further to our brief chat on FB earlier this morning, your job location is very central, which makes it easier to decide on an area where to live with more choice and flexibility. With luck you can find a furnished flat for reasonable rent in places that aren't too far from work and with good transport links. Do your research on the agency or private landlord you want to rent from and read the contract carefully before you make your mind up, though, as you can easily find a bargain flat with issues which don’t immediately register until you have already moved in. This will leave fewer margins for stressful matters which potentially can cause you to decide to move out before your contract has run out and affect the refund of your deposit. In your case, and with your creative leanings in mind, I can’t help but recommend the closer to work but still far enough not to be aggressively gentrified areas in the East End. Places like Mile End, Canning Town, Limehouse/Shadwell (I live here) all have good transport links and are close enough to good gigs, art galleries, pubs, museum etc. There are advantages and disadvantages to sharing a house with others. With many agencies all bills are included in the rent and prices for a double room range between £600 to £750, depending on the size of the room and the flat, but when you agree on a viewing and interview, make sure to pay attention to their procedures for renting to tenants. Do they just ask a few questions and say yes? Do they check on potential tenants’ criminal records? Do they appear professional and fastidious when you first make contact with them? This sort of thing. This is obviously not going to stop psychos who will become your flatmates potentially slipping through the net, but asking questions on the people who already live there or noticing the method of work your future landlord uses to agree on tenancy can help you keep ruthless sharks at bay.
More later.
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