Matthew

1. Monthly cards are best - but often you pay for Zone 1&2 together

2. the rental market is very good at the moment and you could probably get a decent one bed flat even in zone 1 at the moment - check Loot - it's the only way to go

3. Food - are you kidding? London has got some of the best food in the world - it also has plenty of crap - so check out Time out when you get here

If it's shops you are interested in - try www.echochamber.com for a look at new retail - there has been a ton of stuff happpening in London over the past two years.

Carnaby Street is finally happening again - as is Westbourne Grove and Covent Garden is still fun - even Oxford Street and Regent street have some energy.

As for Bars etc - try Milk & Honey on Poland street - for late night member's bar style drinking.

Or pop down to Shoreditch for a good night out.

For a touch of trendy glamour try the Wolsey on Piccadilly - next to the Ritz.

Pizza Pomodoro is a tiny underground pizza parlour in uber posh Beauchamp Place near Harrods - it has been around since the sixties and has seen nearly every celeb in history pass through - nice food, decent prices - I saw Jerry Springer singing Elvis there the other month - it is a well kept secret.