10 Things You Should Know Before Moving To London


 

So, you are finally planning on making the big move across the pond? It’s about time!

Living in London combines the best of both worlds – the best of every world, really. With high-end shopping streets, dive bars on almost every corner, plenty of restaurants for every person’s taste buds, football teams that let you watch a match every day, and plenty of green space for enjoying the rare sunny day, it’s no wonder so many ex-pats move to this beautiful, bustling, and interesting capital city.

Before taking the leap, there are 10 key things you should know before booking that flight…

10. Apps Instead of Maps

London Map – By AnonymousUnknown author / Public domain

Although you might be old-school and love paper maps, apps to help you navigate your way around (in all senses of the word), can be a true lifesaver. You can use Citymapper to track your journey across town, giving you time and price indications to see how much your journey is going to cost you.

Downloading Hailo or Uber can let you pre-book a ride – anytime, anywhere, and any distance, ensuring that you can schedule an early morning ride to an airport, or a late-night ride home from your favorite pub.

Lastly, everyone who goes out clubbing in London knows the importance of hangover food on a Sunday. Deliveroo lets you order delicious curry or burgers right to your doorstep, making sure the only walking you have to do is to your front door.

9. Get the Oyster Card

Oyster Reader – By Tom Page from London, UK / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

Chances are, if you are planning on moving to this city, you have probably heard of the infamous Oyster Card – this rechargeable pay-as-you-go option lets you travel on the Tube, Light Railway, and the bus system.

Public transportation in London is expensive – like, very expensive. But buying this commuter-type card makes you feel like a local, and gives you the best deal on travel all across the six zones of central London.

8. Learn Postcodes

London postcodes – By The original uploader was MRSC at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

When you were a kid, you were probably taught to memorize your address. This could prove to be a difficult feat if you lived on a hyphenated street or had an apartment number to remember as well.

In England, all you have to do is know your postcode, and you are good to go. When going on apartment hunting or job seeking, just remember this code and you will be able to get anywhere in the city – it always consists of a 6-digit code of both numbers and letters, with the 3, in the beginning, referencing the location (i.e. SE meaning southeast, and NW meaning northwest).

7. We Love The NHS

Nightingale Hospital London – By Sludge G / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

You might love paying exorbitant amounts for health insurance in the United States, but I for one, do not. If only we were British citizens.

The NHS provides free and public healthcare to every citizen in the UK. When you finally move to London, register with your local GP. This comes in handy for less-serious matters like food poisoning, or if you break your leg during a football match – take it from experience.

6. Bring Valuables

Stylish woman walking in London – By Alexandre Godreau alexandre_godreau / CC0

The shopping in London really is top-notch. Walking down Oxford Street puts Times Square to shame. BUT, it can get pretty expensive – especially if you are used to getting paid in dollars, and have to convert your dollars to pounds and suffer the wrath of the exchange rate.

Bring important items and those that would be more expensive over with you – such as phones, electronics, winter jackets, etc.

5. Get Your Documents In Order

UK visa – By Department of State / Public domain

If you are moving to London to work for a specific company, chances are they are helping you with the visa process or taking care of it for you. To help them with this process, and help yourself in the long run, apply for a National Insurance number with your local government services to get things moving when you first arrive in London.

4. Have Photo IDs

US Passport – Mkt3000 dot com at English Wikipedia. / Public domain

You are looking on Spareroom for an apartment or a room rental, and you finally found a match. Now all you have to do is go and visit in person. You figure out the tube system and haul your way across town, only to realize you have forgotten a photo ID on arrival. Uh-oh.

Having a photo ID that is not your passport can let you travel with confidence, and ensure that any potential employer, room-renter, or landlord can show you the potential space you are moving into, or say “yes!” to your room request right on the spot.

3. Figure Out Your Phone

London, Greenwich Telephone – By Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons / “London, Greenwich, Telefonzellen an der Greenwich Church Street — 2016 — 4691” / CC BY-SA 4.0

As someone who moved to England back in 2015 and had no idea what to do with their iPhone 5 to make it work, this is an especially important step. Staying connected when moving to a new city is essential.

When you first arrive in the city, buy a local pay-as-you-go SIM card or a data plan if you are staying for a longer time period. If you can, try and find a phone store that can let you keep your existing mobile device, but just offer you a data plan to go along with it. If you are staying for at least 6 months, we recommend getting a data plan so that you don’t have to worry about overpaying during the pay-as-you-go option.

2. London Rent Is HIGH

Apartment balconies Lordship Lane Tottenham – By Acabashi / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

If you are moving to London in the hopes that you will escape the New York City prices, then guess again. The average rental price in central London is equivalent of $800 a week, so unless you happen to be working for a Fortune 500, you’re going to have to rent a room share or find an apartment outside of the center.

Try looking in other areas that are farther from the center, but still have a vibrant community, like Brixton. You will be able to enjoy all of the London attractions without paying $3 grand for a hole in the wall next to the London Eye.

1. Branch Out and Meet People

Black Friar Pub London – By FDV / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

It can seem intimidating to go out in such a big city, filled with well-dressed people and strange accents, but you’re going to have to find your group sooner rather than later. Even if you use dating apps like Bumble or Tinder to get started, these can be used to connect with those with similar interests and build relationships. You can also look at groups on Facebook or attend events that are local to your neighborhood, ensuring that you meet at least a few people to then help you network even further.

We hope this has put your mind at ease – London is an extremely fun, exciting, vibrant, and multicultural city that is an amazing spot to live in.

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