Moving to London: Top Tips

Moving to a big city is a huge life change, and moving to London in particular can seem both exciting and incredibly daunting. I moved to London almost 6 years ago – I had a handful of acquaintances in the city but no one who I was massively friendly with at the time, and none of my close friends back home had moved further than the next county. I had to work it out on my own, and before I moved it was very stressful, particularly when it came to finding somewhere to live. Here are my top tips and advice that might be helpful in making someone else’s move a little easier to navigate.

Before you move

It’s helpful to have a job lined up (but not essential)

I moved to London because I got offered an amazing job in an industry I was passionate about, however I know people since who have moved first and then got employed second. I’m not saying it’s an absolute necessity as it is helpful and be no means impossible to find a job once you’re living in London, plus you don’t have to travel back and forth for interviews. However, it might put your mind at rest to know where your income is coming from (unless you have savings too, which can also help) so you can plan your budget for living and housing expenses.

View some accommodation (and meet the people) before you move

Rent in London can be very costly depending on the location and the number of people you are living with. Whatever your budget, I would highly recommend spending a day or a weekend if you can so you can organise viewings of flats or houseshares. I did that, and as I was coming from a long way away it was useful to have viewings lined up so I can hop on over to see houseshares and meet the people who I might be living with. You never know what people are going to be like when you live with them, but I think it’s vital to at least meet the person face-to-face or on Skype before you officially sign on the dotted line. Also, don’t be scared to set a budget on your costs – the sky’s the limit when it comes to monthly rent in the capital but you’ll find something to meet your needs. Be flexible too – you might find the perfect room in a great house, in an area you might not have considered.

You’ll usually need to pay a deposit and at least a month’s rent on any property you agree to live in – make sure you have that money ready for when you need it.

Don’t take your life with you

If you’re moving from a family home, feel free to leave items at home. In London, you’re surrounded by places where you can buys basic household items like beddings, furniture and kitchenware. If you have these things and you want to bring them, great. But don’t fret if you don’t – you’ll be able to get things very easily.

When you’re in London

Don’t be afraid to meet new people

It’s always daunting making new friends and establishing a new friendship group when you move. It might take some time to find your tribe, but you will find them. Whether that be through work and through activities you like doing outside of work, put yourself out there and sign up to classes, after-work drinks, housemate gatherings or clubs. Meet Up is also a great source if you want to find more specialist groups. Go, have a drink and enjoy yourself – you can bet there’ll be someone there who is as nervous as you are.

Don’t be afraid to explore on your own

One of the things I love to do on the weekend is explore new places in London on my own, and I did this a lot in my first week after I moved and before I was working. There are some lovely outdoor spaces in London, and exploring your new local area is always well worth doing. You can discover where all of your essentials shops are so you know where to get shopping when you need it, and you might even discover some amazing restaurants or pubs whilst you’re at it too.

Don’t be afraid of the crowds, and there are ways to control things if you are

London is busy, and it can feel very scary if you’re stuck in the middle of a crowd where it feels like you can’t move (but you can). I don’t shove myself onto packed tubes – I instead wait for a quieter one where I can comfortably stand or sit down if I’m lucky enough to get a seat. Have some patience when it comes to travelling or moving between or in busy places in rush hour – there are plenty of ways to get around without freaking out at how many people are around.

Don’t be afraid to set a budget

As mentioned before, London can be very expensive if you let it be. There are so many amazing experiences to try that you can quickly lose track of your spending. There are lots of free or cheaper things to do in London if you look around, ranging from free exhibitions at some of the most breathtaking museums in the world, to walks you can do around the city. Hiring a bike is cheap, as is going on the cable car in East London. Treat yourself for sure, but don’t end up in debt just because you want to try everything at once.

These are my top tips for moving and living in London once you get there. I’m sure there are more, but hopefully these will act as a good starting point for anyone looking to move to this great city.