So, you’ve moved to London… now what? Moving countries can be overwhelming, so I’m here to walk you through some of the first couple of things that you should get done when you first arrive. From finding a place to live, to setting up your bank account, and those in between things, I’ve got you covered on the things to do when you first move to London.
Welcome to another installment of my new series on moving to london. If you’re interested in moving to London and want a free checklist to assist you with that move, click here!
4 Things to do When you first Move to London
1. Find a place to live!
It’s time to start your apartment search. I’ve been flat hunting several times now. It can be a really frustrating process. Especially when the place that you go and see looks nothing like the photos (and you can thank wide angle lenses for that).
But, if you want to find a place to live, you’re going to have to do the leg work. Sign up to apps like movebubble or check out rightmove.com. A lot of the real estate websites will have the same listings on there, so you don’t need to scour all of them. And if you’re looking for a room, SpareRoom is your best bet. Make some appointments, start looking, and don’t pick the first one you see! Estate agents will pressure you to put in an offer, but you shouldn’t feel like you need to unless you’re absolutely in love with the place.
2. Get your National Insurance number.
Set up an appointment to obtain your national insurance number. You need it to work in the UK. Usually you can work for a few weeks without one if you can prove to your employer that you’re allowed to work here, but getting one first makes things easier down the line.
You’ll need to call the National Insurance application phone line (0345 600 0643). During your call you’ll need to make an appointment with Job Centre Plus. It can often be a long wait on the phone, but hang in there. Someone will speak to you.
After you’ve made your appointment you’ll receive a letter in the mail. You’ll need to bring this letter, your passport, and something with your address on it (like a bank statement or lease) with you. You’ll meet with a representative and they’ll ask you pretty standard questions before approving you.
I was approved right away, but some people may need a follow up.
3. Open up a bank account!
Now it’s time to head to the bank to open an account. While some people may be able to open up an account before they’ve acquired a permanent address, most people won’t be able to unless you’ve obtained a letter from your employer proving you live in the UK.
Pick a bank that works for you. Whether that means one that is close to your flat or your workplace or one that a friend recommends. There are tons available in the UK and each one provides different services, so do your research!
Set up an appointment at the bank and open your account. Usually you can get approved on the spot as long as you have the proper documentation.
4. Find a job.
If you didn’t move to the UK for a job, this is the time to find one. Depending on what you want to do, there are various places to look for job openings. If you’re looking for something local to where you live, I suggest walking into businesses to see if they’re hiring. They’ll direct you to the proper channels to apply.
If not, websites like LinkedIn and Indeed are great resources. I’ve had great luck with LinkedIn in London and have had a number of interviews come out of applications through the site. Remember that London is a very transient city so jobs open up all of the time.
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