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Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel, health, home/interior design and property/real estate. Soo covered the COVID-19 pandemic extensively from 2020 to 2022, including several interviews with the chief medical advisor to the president, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Soo has reported on various major news events, including the Black Lives Matter movement, the U.S. Capitol riots, the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. and Canadian elections, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Soo is also a South Korea expert, covering the latest K-dramas—including the breakout hit Squid Game, which she has covered extensively, including from Seoul, the South Korean capital—as well as Korean films, such as the Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated Past Lives, and K-pop news, to interviews with the biggest Korean actors, such as Lee Jung-jae from Squid Game and Star Wars, and Korean directors, such as Golden Globe and Oscar nominee Celine Song. Soo is the author of the book How to Live Korean, which is available in 11 languages, and co-author of the book Hello, South Korea: Meet the Country Behind Hallyu. Before Newsweek, Soo was a travel reporter and commissioning editor for the award-winning travel section of The Daily Telegraph (a leading U.K. national newspaper) for nearly a decade from 2010, reporting on the latest in the travel industry, from travel news, consumer travel and aviation issues to major new openings and emerging destinations. Soo is a graduate of Binghamton University in New York and the journalism school of City University in London, where she earned a Masters in international journalism. You can get in touch with Soo by emailing s.kim@newsweek.com . Follow her on Instagram at @miss.soo.kim or X, formerly Twitter, at @MissSooKim .Languages spoken: English and Korean
Life and Trends Reporter
A young Generation Z couple have found an unconventional solution to "skyrocketing rent prices" in London, the capital of the United Kingdom—moving to an island on the River Thames with no bridge.
Sacha, 25, and her partner Matt, 28, shared a glimpse into their new lifestyle in a TikTok video posted on February 4 from their account, @londonislandliving. The video, which has since amassed over 485,000 views, showcases their newly rented home and the unique challenges of island life.
"Why did we move to an island in London with no bridge? Because it's cheaper," Sacha says in the clip, as scenes of their one-bedroom bungalow home are shown in the background.
The couple, who did not share their last names, have been together for over five years and previously lived in Chiswick in West London, where they spent three years in a one-bedroom apartment. Frustrated with high rental costs and limited space, they decided it was time for a drastic change. They craved "a change in lifestyle and better quality of life," Sacha told Newsweek.
The viral post comes as a rent surge during the COVID-19 pandemic-era has caused an "unprecedented affordability crisis" in the United States, noted a 2024 report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
Around half of renter households in the U.S. spend over 30 percent of their income on rent, while 12.1 million households are "severely cost-burdened," spending more than half of their income on housing expenses, marking a 1.5 million rise from pre-pandemic levels, the report found.
"We were ready to switch it up" after seven years of living in a "cramped" apartment with "no greenery or personal space," Sacha says in the video. "Coupled with the skyrocketing rent prices, we were feeling pretty bored and fed up."
Their new home, located on a small, secluded island in southwest London, offers a fresh perspective on city living. The couple preferred not to reveal the exact location of their base but noted that the island is home to around 20 houses.
"There are actually many inhabited islands on the river—ours is one of the few without a bridge," Sacha explained.
Life on an Island with No Bridge
Because there is no bridge connecting their island to the mainland, the couple rely on a boat—provided as part of their rental agreement—for their daily commute.
"Every day is an adventure, but we absolutely love it," Sacha said. "Having a small garden and being by the river brings us closer to nature, and every day is an adventure when you cross to the mainland by boat."
Despite the island's isolation, the couple still have access to modern amenities. Their home is equipped with high-speed fiber broadband, electricity, gas and sewage systems that connect to the mainland.
The TikTok video showcases the interior of their home, featuring a modern and cozy design with an open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide scenic river views, and a small outdoor seating area sits at the front of the property.
A Flexible Commitment
While their move was a bold decision, Sacha said the couple weren't entirely sure what to expect.
"Given that we had no idea whether we would love it or hate it, the decision was much easier knowing we had the flexibility to leave after a short-term commitment if it wasn't for us," she said.
They have been living in their island home for around three months. So far, they are enjoying the experience and believe others should consider alternative housing options in London.
"I think many people are unaware that islands exist on the Thames and many would assume they are more expensive to live on," Sacha said.
"We seriously wonder why more people don't explore alternative ways of living," she added.
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