After living in the UK for a year, I feel confident coming up with a list of things that I wish I knew beforehand. The truth is, you don’t really understand a location before you actually arrive there. Before I moved to London I thought that I would love it immediately, and that just wasn’t the way it happened. It actually took me months to really settle in. If I had prepared myself a little bit more, then maybe it would have gone easier. So, if you’re wondering what to know before moving to London, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing the things I wish I had known before I moved countries!

What To Know Before Moving To London

1. London is SUPER SPREAD OUT

What to know before moving to London: No matter where you go it’s going to take at least thirty minutes to get there. Living in zone 1 literally doesn’t matter because no matter where you find a flat to live in, you’re going to have to travel to get anywhere else.

2. Don’t Jump on the First Flat You Find

If you don’t love it, don’t get it. There are tons of flats in London that you can find on websites like Spareroom (flatshares) or rightmove (whole flats). Don’t feel rushed to sign a lease because an estate agent says that they have a ton of people interested in a place. That’s how you make rash decisions and end up living in a crowded dump for six months! Remember, it’s their job to create a sense of urgency so they make a commission faster… don’t rush your decision! What to know before moving to London: where you live is important!

3. London Actually isn’t That Expensive

Most people who live in this city don’t actually go to the touristy bits because the touristy areas are the expensive ones. If you venture to more local spots, prices are pretty comparable to other major cities. I’ve even heard English people say that New York City seems more expensive than London does — I personally think it’s about the same.

If you want to go out, you can find bars that aren’t going to charge you an arm and a leg. If you want to find a good restaurant that won’t cost you a fortune, you can. Just do a little digging and don’t think that everything happens central.

4. There Are Tons of Expats Living Here

I hate to say it, but I feel like most of my friends are American here! I have a few British friends, but I end up hanging with a ton of Americans because we all moved around the same time and are comfortable together! So if you’re looking for the comforts of home, you’ll be able to find people from home to hang out with. London is a huge melting pot and you’ll find people from all over the world here.

If you’re wondering what to know before moving to London, knowing that you’ll meet people from all over the world is a big one, and it makes for great conversation!

5. You Don’t Have to Live “Central”

I lived in East London for six months, and it was probably considered more central than where I am now because it was Zone 1. I live in Southwest London now, and I love it even more because there are a ton of local businesses, awesome parks, and a more neighborhood vibe. There are also no tourists down here. At all.

The great thing about moving to London is that you will be able to find a neighborhood that you love. There is something for everyone and most of the good bits are further out from Central London. *Also remember that Central London is a tube ride or bus journey away, no matter where you are in London!*

6. Apps Are a Great Way of Meeting People

Whether you’re looking for a date or a friend, apps/the internet are a great way to find friends in London. It’s a massive city and it’s hard to break into groups of friends that already exist. A great way of going around this is by trying apps like Bumble BFF for friends (I live with someone from there now), Facebook groups (London New Girl), or Hinge for dating (met boyfriend). It’s a really good thing to keep in mind when wondering what to know before moving to London! It will save you time trying to make friends when you get there.

7. There is So Much Going on ALL OF THE TIME

Subscribe to newsletters for the Londonist to see how much is going on at all times. Because London is so massive and there are different neighborhoods, there are always different things going on, and something for everyone. And the best part about it, is that most of these things are often free!!

You can find markets, pop ups, sample sales, concerts, art exhibitions, festivals and more. Odds are there are at least 15 different things going on all around the city in a given day.

8. Talking About the Weather Makes You Feel More Like a Londoner

People love to talk about the weather. Sunshine, rain, snow, blue skies, grey skies, they want to talk about it. If you talk about it you’ll feel more like a Londoner.

One of my favorite things about this is that even in the summer, when it was absolutely gorgeous outside, people were complaining that it was too hot…probably just to complain.

9. English People Know How to Take Advantage of Nice Weather

As soon as the sun is shining and the temperature has gone up, you’ll see people flooding the streets of London. People flock to pubs and overflow out onto the sidewalk, they fill the parks (to the point where there isn’t a patch of grass left to stand on), they head down to the river for a wander, and just find ways to be outside. It’s the best part of living here. No question.

10. It Will Cost You More to Get to the Airport Then it Will to Go to Another Country

 Living in London means that you have easy access to Europe. You can fly to a different country in two hours for under 50 pound return. But, getting to the airport will probably end up costing you more. 

Avoid the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, and Stansted Express. There is NO NEED to spend extra money on train tickets to the airport to arrive in more time. There are a ton of other options that take a tiny bit longer and are way cheaper. Take the tube to Heathrow, take the regular train to Gatwick or Stansted and if you live in East London take the bus to Stansted.

11. You Need a Contactless Credit Card to Survive.

If you’re American and you don’t have a contactless card before moving here, get one. If you don’t you’ll end up spending a lot of your time waiting for someone to find a pen so you can sign your bill. Contactless cards are great to use for transportation on buses and the tube instead of an Oyster card and you can pretty much use them anywhere else as long as the bill is under 30 pounds.

 

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