Are you thinking of making the big move to London and you're looking for an introduction on how to survive? Do you want to know more about the prices, where to shop and just the pure basics?
So you're thinking of moving to London but you want a fair bit more information on what it will be like and what to expect? Well don't worry young grasshoppers because you are in the right place!
Whether you're moving to London from across the ocean or even just a city away, this blog is going to guide your way to a give you a higher understanding on what it is like to live as a Londoner.
Right! To start you off with a bit of truth from experience..
Moving to London is TERRIFYING. You can't avoid the fact that moving to a new city is a huge decision with a billion things to organise and understand to survive. But here is the good thing, you are not alone as there are huuuuge bunch of people that are in the exact same shoes as yourself. On average around a whopping 60,000 people make the big move to London each year! So basically, it's not an impossible achievement, you will eventually find your way.
If you have a solid plan for when you arrive then you are going to be absolutely fine!
To break it down, these steps are what I used to set myself up for a successful shift:
1. Make sure you have the appropriate visa to live and work in the UK (If needed)
2. Set yourself up for at least the first month. This includes;
-Have a place to stay (A friend, family, hostel etc.)
-Save money for that month. This will be for the cost of your short term stay, food, transport and spending money.
3. Have some sort of communication and internet such as an iPhone. It will be helpful when finding your way around London, getting in touch with family and friends, sorting out jobs etc.
4. Have a plan on the basic essentials tasks you need to sort as soon as possible. Such as;
-A job: It is important to set yourself up with some income for the future. If you haven't got something sorted before you leave then there are different ways getting an income under your belt. The best way these days will definitely be through the internet as there are plenty of job websites and Facebook pages that post upcoming job opportunities daily. Alternatively, printing a whole bunch of Resumes and working your way round the city showing your interest.
-Open a bank account: there are plenty banks to choose from in England. It is best to organise an appointment online or over the phone with a bank. Just to let you know, you are going to find a huge variety of bank firms on the main strip of Oxford Street.
-Find a more permanent place to live: by far the best place to search for share houses, roommates etc will be on spareroom.co.uk
-Sort your national insurance number: It should be on the best of your interest to look into your NIN as soon as possible once you arrive into London.
-Learn about England National insurance health care system (NHS) and find a GP: to be on the safe side incase you're in need in the future.
Stick to these steps I used when moving to London, customise it to your needs and you will find your way :)
Just to give you a small idea on the prices of basic products in London, here is a list on the average price of certain things you may be purchasing:
Milk £2
Bread £2.50
Coffee from popular chain £2
Chocolate bar £0.90
Cigarettes £10
Cocktail £9
Beer £5
Steak £6
Mcdonalds meal combo: £6
Oyster to work and back (1 day): £6
Oyster weekly travel card (Zone 1-2) £33
3 days worth of basic groceries £20
Restaurant 3 course meal (an average priced restaurant) £25-£30
Popular places to shops:
If you are looking for the main shopping spots there are a few locations to visit.
Wander down the busy popular strip of Oxford street (avoid peak hours), or any of the two westfields (shepherds bush or Stratford). Carnaby street has some cute quirky shops with nice cafes and restaurants to choose from but if you're looking for the trendy vintage stores, coffee shops and bars then Bricklane is the way to go!
Groceries:
Budget- Aldi's,
Other- Tesco, Sainsbury's
Clothes Shopping:
Budget: Primark, H&M
Other: Topshop, Zara
Furniture and home living:
Budget: Primark
Other: Argos, Ikea
So there are just some of the basic information that is essential to know when moving to the beautiful city of London! I will be continuing this blog to a part two so stay tuned if you are interested in learning more about the lifestyle.
Have you got some good advice about moving to London? Any do's or don'ts? Have you got any questions that I may be able to answer?
Don't hesitate to message me through my website in the message box, I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time,
International Travel Pocket x
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