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Archive for the ‘London Relocation Top 5 & 10 Lists!’ Category

Top 5 Bars To Socialize In When Living In London

Friday March 2nd, 2012

The city of London is renowned for its exhilarating atmosphere and when living in London, you would be crazy not to venture to one of the many fantastic bars. Socializing is important when you first relocate, so that you are able to establish friendships in the early stages. Learn where the best bars are situated before arriving, to help you plan nights out when you transfer homes.

1.    Albion – City and East London

Albion is a bar that most people living here will visit more than once during their time in the city. This chic spot is best suited to people who enjoy style and a sophisticated evening out. Meeting new people is easy when sipping a drink at Albion, due to there being a food section too, which entices even more customers. Foods range from cuisines to simple bacon sandwiches, and an assortment of cocktails and alcoholic beverages can be found on the menu here. Owned by Sir Terence Cohan, Albion receives constant positive reviews and is ideal for newcomers.

2.     1707 – Mayfair

Mayfair is an upscale area to venture to, so for a spot of class with some good company, consider visiting the 1707 bar. This destination caters to people of all ages and the warm wooden and brick interior makes for a comfortable evening. The name of the bar is due to it being founded in the year 1707. A range of wines can be bought here, as well as some appetisers, including cheese and smoked fish.

3.    Coquine – West London

West London is an area that exaggerates a wide range of bars. Coquine is one of these bars and it doubles as a dining spot too. Most people describe Coquine as being a glamorous bar, but it is also perfect for those who like a dance on a night out because downstairs boasts a nightclub environment. If you are living in London, take a trip here and try one of the quality champagnes on offer.

4.    Anam – Islington

Youths living would benefit from taking a look at Anam, which suits young people who revel in the party atmosphere. Anam is situated in an area where stylish socializing comes easy and this particular bar offers guests’ retro interior combined with a DJ lounge. A large selection of drinks can be bought here for a good price.

5.    Apples and Pears – South East London

Number 5 on the list of the top bars to visit has got to be Apples and Pears. Located in South East London, Apples and Pears sets the mood with purple tones and luxurious surroundings. Drinks are prepared with professionalism here, and people should certainly indulge in one of their fruity cocktails.

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How to Move to London and Get Settled in Five Easy Steps

Wednesday January 4th, 2012

Once the job has been taken families often begin to wonder how to move to London and are eager to start their new life in England.  Many though have no idea where to begin and quickly become over-stressed and begin to resent the new move.  In order to prevent a meltdown occurring in your new home follow these easy ‘how to move to London’ steps to make the transition from the US to England as smooth as possible.

How to Move and Get Settled Step 1 – Before moving to London families should have completed a detailed list of everything coming with them from the states.  If that has been done, great, if not do it! Pronto!  After that list is created another list of what the family needs for everyday living can be created.  Go through your new home room by room to make sure nothing is overlooked.

How to Move and Get Settled Step 2 – At this point families are ready to get some shopping done.  Rather than go crazy at a market or department store try looking for pre-owned merchandise before buying new.  Much of the expense of an international relocation is in settling into a house.  Buying furniture alone can cost as much as an entire month’s salary!

How to Move and Get Settled Step 3 – Now that all the necessities are in your new home take the time to organize them.  It is very tempting to live out of a suitcase or box for far longer than necessary.  Spending a Saturday or Sunday thoroughly unpacking everything and creating permanent homes for each item will go a long way in making you feel settled.

How to Move and Get Settled Step 4 – As soon as possible upon arriving to London everyone in your family should register with a General Practioner as this is the rule for healthcare in London.  A London relocation agent can help with finding a list of open doctors in your neighborhood.

How to Move and Get Settled Step 5 – Once your new home is in some sort of order and a doctor has been chosen it is time to get out and explore your new city.  Regardless of what time of year you are moving to London there is plenty to do.  Try and avoid spending all your time alone in your home.  That only makes the transition that much harder.

 

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Relocation to London – Top 10 British Films For This Week’s Holidays

Monday October 31st, 2011

If you’re moving to London and following this blog, you might recall that the other week I mentioned compiling a list of recommended Halloween movies set in London or elsewhere in England (see “Relocation to London UK – Top 5 Halloween in London Posts“). I myself had almost forgotten, so am getting this in under the wire… Anyway, if you’re planning your London move and trying to imagine what life will be like walking its streets, don’t worry, they’re not as horrific as what’s depicted below (not that the London property market isn’t terrifying at times…). This is just for a bit of fun as you prepare to live in the historic and atmospheric UK that lends itself so well as the haunting backdrop to all sorts of spooky lore.

Happy Halloween – enjoy!

  1. An American Werewolf in London – 1980s film classic set in UK locations like London’s Earls Court, Hampstead Heath, London Zoo in Regent’s Park, and Piccadilly Circus.
  2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – While this Victorian Gothic tale was not literally filmed there, the infamous barber shop and Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop are supposed to be on London’s Fleet Street, just down a ways from St. Paul’s Cathedral near the Royal Courts of Justice and darling little Twinings tea shop (the original founded at the beginning of the 18th century).
  3. Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Again, this one was filmed in a studio, but the tale takes place in Yorkshire and London, England.
  4. 28 Days Later – Okay, now we’re back on the actual streets of the UK. This intense zombie flick was filmed at various locations such as London’s Canary Wharf, Haymarket, Bank, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Bloomsbury, Notting Hill, and Isle of Dogs as well as England’s Manchester, Salisbury, the Lake District, and Cornwall.
  5. Shaun of the Dead – Like some comedy with your horror? This zombie-fest starring Simon Pegg will have you laughing and “Ew!”-ing like mad as the characters run for their lives through London locations like Crouch End, East and North Finchley, Hampstead, Park Royal, New Barnet, and New Cross.
  6. The Others – One of my absolute favorites that leaves most of the fright to your imagination, this WWII-period ghost story is set in the dark rooms and corridors of an English stately home in Jersey, Channel Islands.
  7. Village of the Damned – The 1960 original of this classically creepy story of an English village impregnated with fast-growing, blond-haired and glowing-eyed children was filmed in Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire, England.
  8. Bedknobs and Broomsticks – This one’s for the kiddies: A Walt Disney tale of magic set during WWII Britain and starring Angela Landsbury, this movie was partially filmed on location in Dorset, England; though the rest was filmed in a studio, the film does depict the streets of London as the characters are evacuated from the city to the country during the London Blitz and make a return excursion to it.
  9. Harry Potter – Here’s another child-friendly pick containing magical witchcraft. This series has been filmed all over the UK, including Oxfordshire, Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Middlesex, and London’s King’s Cross, St. Pancras, Regent’s Park, Holburn, Southwark, Westminster, and on and on and on…
  10. V for Vendetta – Lest we forget that this week begins with Halloween but ends with Guy Fawkes Day, here’s a dystopian film that will surely make you remember, remember, the 5th of November (see “Relocation to London – London Firework Displays for November’s Bonfire Night” for firework celebrations in London this weekend and “Move to London and Live its History” as well as “Weekend Warrior Sunday: London Leaders” for historical background). This movie was filmed at London’s Trafalgar Square, Strand, Holburn, City, and Clerkenwell as well as Hertfordshire, England. The culminating scene of Parliament is luckily just “movie magic” and not the real deal…

And there you have it. By no means the end-all, be-all list, but a good start. If you really want to get into British horror, there’s a comprehensive list of such films by year at www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk. In the meantime, what should NOT be frightening you right now is your move; trust in your Relocation agent, who will get you moved into your new apartment quickly and smoothly. No surprises lurking in the shadows, no menace hovering over your head, only screams of sheer delight. :)

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Relocation to London UK – Top 5 London Relocation Blog Series

Saturday October 29th, 2011

If you’re making the international relocation and scavenging through our blog archives here for some advice, I’m feeling in a Top-5 mood and have decided to make it a little easier to find what you might be looking for. Below please find some of my past series of posts related to moving to London:

  1. “Relocation UK – The Needs of an Accompanying Spouse” – This link takes you to the first in a six-part series I wrote explaining why a relocation can be tough for anyone but particularly the spouse or partner who moves to London on behalf of their loved one’s job. This series specifically looks at the adjustment in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need, as an international relocation may not satisfy needs that have been previously met at home, at least not straight away.
  2. “Relocation to London – Speak British English Like a Local” – America and the UK are divided by a common language: English. This post is a glossary of British-English terms related to Home & Garden and is the first in a series of seven providing lingo with respect to: Clothing, Children, Food, Sundries, Transportation, and a Random finale.
  3. “Some Neighborhood Know-How on Where to Live” – This series of seven-and-counting posts (there’s a south London region I still need to touch on) is a brief overview of London’s directional postcodes and what generally characterizes each of them as you try to find a fit for your lifestyle and budget. For more comprehensive neighborhood-by-neighborhood information, of course, please do contact a knowledgeable Relocation agent.
  4. “Americans Moving: Finding Your Comfort Zone” + “Americans Moving : Moving OUT of Your Comfort Zone” – Two posts apiece, this is essentially a four-post series giving those relocating from the US a heads-up on where to find what’s familiar and where to embrace the unfamiliar in getting adjusted after a move.
  5. “Getting to Know Types of UK Schools for Your Relocation” – this two-part weekend series on the many varieties of schooling offered in the UK is also supplemented by two other closely related posts:  “Moving with Children – The Benefits of International Schooling” and “Moving with Children – International Schools vs. Other UK Options.”

This is obviously only a handful of the things to consider when making a relocatio, but you gotta start somewhere, right? I hope these series of posts assist in your move, and please know that any other topics and questions you may have specific to your relocation circumstances can be fielded immediately by a member of staffat our offices.

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Relocation to London UK – Top 5 Halloween in London Posts

Monday October 17th, 2011

An international relocation to London this month is just in time for the holidays.  Well, minus one holiday, perhaps…Thanksgiving is an American festivity that expats around the city will indeed continue to celebrate, but it obviously isn’t observed nationally in England. In any case, it’s October, so Halloween is the holiday at the forefront of my morbid mind. If you’re moving to London from the US like I did and wondering how to celebrate this ghoulish gala, here’s a round-up of our London Relocation blog posts dedicated to the UK undead. Just click the links below:

  1. Halloween events in London - Costume parties, museum events, etc.
  2. Ghost tours in London - Haunted walks through this haunted city, including ones dedicated to the living evil, i.e., Jack the Ripper.
  3. Haunted pubs in London – 4-part series of the favorite local “haunts” if you like your fish-n-chips served with a side of fright.
  4. The history of Halloween in the UK - An overview of All Hallows Eve’s origins.
  5. Haunting books set in the UK - My reading list of scary tales set in local locations and elsewhere in England.

Oooh, methinks I will need to compile a list of haunting movies set in the UK as well—considering I live right by the setting of a horror cult classic. In the meantime, I’ll toss you this link to true horror stories of local landlords:  “Tales from the Lettings Side…Mwah-Ha-Ha…”

Nothing tingles the spine like the fears reality can throw at you during a relocation. But don’t be afraid—Relocation agents will fend off the property poltergeists that could threaten your smooth and safe move. Maybe we can’t do much about the undead, but we certainly won’t let the unethical haunt that lovely apartment of yours!

 

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London Relocation’s Top 5 – Money Matters

Saturday June 4th, 2011

Welcome back, Weekend Warriors! Yes, it’s time once again for a compilation of our previous blog posts and feeling a bit cost-conscious about it. How much does it cost to live? How much does it cost to rent a flat? How much is a fair salary to expect when negotiating an expat package with your employer? How can you try to save money? Explore the following links as your guide to living on a budget:

1. Calculating Cost of Living (general):

Calca-COLA: Calculating Cost of Living in London

2. Cost of Living (everyday staples):

Cost of Living
The Real Cost of Food in UK
The True Cost of Driving in UK

3. Cost of Apartment Rentals: As a benchmark, a 1-bedroom flat in central London can run £1,500 per month and a 2-bedroom closer to £2,000 per month (or approx. £300 – £450 per week for 1-2 bedrooms).

Property Tip-o-the-Day

4. Cost of Utilities/Taxes:

Bills to Pay
Apartment Utilities

5. Cost-Saving Ideas:

Living in London – For Less Than You’d Expect (Part 1 and Part 2)
Cutting Coupons
Your London Pass
Living on a Budget: Nectar of the Gods (using the Nectar card)
Pinching Your Pence After a Move (savings sites for dining, grocery shopping, and recreation)
Pinching Your Pence (free museums in London)
More Pinching Your Pence: Free Walking Tours

 

 

 

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London Relocation’s Top 10 Posts: Property Advice

Thursday March 10th, 2011

Hello everyone who’s moving here! I’ve decided it’s time once again to deliver a list of top posts…usually I do five, but today will double the pleasure with ten. The reason why I do like to compile these lists now and then is to unearth all the useful tips that get buried deeper and deeper into our archives with every new daily blog update, as well as compile it for you in a convenient, one-stop package. So today, if you’re looking to familiarize yourself with the property market as you research your UK relocation, you’ll want a handle on the differences to expect where the lettings industry and London apartments are concerned. (All of the posts listed below, FYI, can be found among others in our “Rent in London: London Apartment Tips” category.

Now let me hear that drumroll…

1. “What to Expect in a London Flat” – Our seven-part series describing different features of the average apartment.

2. “London Relocation’s Property Tip-o-the-Day” – Doing the math on what it costs to rent here.

3. “Brief (or Grief) Counseling on Council Tax” – What the council tax that you pay on your apartment is and how to deal with it.

4. “M.L.S. = M.I.A.” – How to talk the talk and walk the walk with lettings agencies.

5. “Transferring Money: How to ‘Sort’ the bank codes ‘SWIFT’-ly” – Making sense of your UK banking numbers for making payment on your apartment.

6. “If It’s Too Good To Be True…” – Avoiding online property scams.

7. “Moving to London and Feeling Like a Griswald???” – Never fear, we are here!

8. “What You London Lettings Agents & Landlords Talkin’ ‘Bout?!” – Further deciphering the way the lettings market operates.

9. “Americans Moving to London: Finding the U.S. in the UK” – Neighborhood guide on where the Yankees tend to flock.

10. “Some Neighborhood Know-How on Where to Live in London” – An ongoing series breaking down the postcodes and giving brief overviews of each. Some day I’ll finally get around to the southeast… :)

I imagine what they say about having children goes for relocating here, too: you can read as much about it as you want to, but you’ll never know what it’s really like until you do it. True. But I hope in the meantime that reading through the above (as well as the countless other posts we’ve written here on our blog) will at least start to manage your expectations so that you aren’t completely caught unawares. And, of course, to supplement this information and customize it to your particular needs, I encourage you to speak to a member of our staff—we’re all here to help you!

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Another London Relocation Top 5 – London Apartment Utilities

Monday January 31st, 2011

Time again for another brief compilation of our previous blog posts as well as some new info for those wanting to rent apartments and get their utilities situated. Even if you haven’t yet moved, it can never hurt to research your options in advance, so let’s start by summoning back some recent posts for their curtain call:

[*drumroll*]

1. UK television – Read “Setting up Your Telly When You Relocate to London” and explore the major UK TV providers and determine whether a subscription or “freeview” service is best for you. Depending on your viewing trends as well as telephone/internet usage, compare/contrast pricing on the various service bundles available.

2. UK telephone – Whether you’re only interested in a mobile phone or looking to set up a landline phone as well, check out Belinda’s “Living In London – Get Connected” post as well as my most recent “Weekend Warrior Saturday: What You Can do Today to Prep for Your London Move,” dedicated to UK mobile and landline services.

3. UK online options (TV & phone) – As alternatives to the above, internet technology offers a new generation of cost-savings for watching TV and calling your loved ones: “Saving Money on UK TV When You Relocate to London: Online Options” and “Expat Phone Home.”

4. UK gas & electricty – Okay, there’s no post dedicated to this :) , so let me just quickly address it now. There are a slew of gas and electric suppliers servicing the UK, including British Gas, Scottish Power, E.ON, First:Utility, and Southern Electric. I personally use British Gas and cannot speak to the other services and their coverage areas, but try comparing rates, “greenness,” service areas, etc. at a site like the following: moneysupermarket.com, ukpower.co.uk, or electricity-guide.org.uk.

5. UK water – Your service will be through Thames Water, and you will have the option of paying on a metered vs. unmetered basis—in the former case, you pay based on how much water you actually use, and in the latter you pay a fixed rate. Rates will vary by borough, as outlined in the links provided here, but for a ballpark figure, I live in Kensington & Chelsea and have been paying about £35-40 monthly for unmetered usage (and you can dictate your payment date/installment options).

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Rule Britannia! London Relocation’s Top 5 Monarch Films

Wednesday December 29th, 2010

I’ve said it before and can safely say again that moving to London is your key to history and culture, and the endless references to this city that you’ll find in what you read and watch without even trying is one of the most fun aspects of being a London expat. I enjoyed compiling my recent list of British Christmas movies—in part due to the unexpected challenge that posed, but also because I’m a sucker for a good film and enjoy how such a medium can creatively enhance one’s experiences and education. Today’s post is directly inspired by a DVD viewed on my last night in the States this week, and while you should certainly do your research to get a handle on accurate historical facts of England, I hope the following Top Fiver dedicated to English monarchs provides  you with enlightening entertainment as well.

[You know I hate to start one of these without a proper drumroll...*ddddddddd*...there, that's better. Cheers!]

1. The Young Victoria (2009) – Actors Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend portray the romance of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, whose partnership in marriage and royal rule guided England’s growth and prosperity during what we famously know as the Victorian Era. Victoria was Queen of England for over 63 years, rendering her the nation’s longest reigning monarch. (Related London sightseeing for this monarch: The Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Palace, Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall)

2. The Queen (2006) – Helen Mirren performs her interpretation of the presently reigning Queen Elizabeth II as she goes tête-a-tête with former Prime Minister Tony Blair over conflicting approaches to PR in the wake of Lady Diana’s death. Queen Elizabeth’s reign has spanned 57 years and counting. (Related London sightseeing for this monarch: Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, 10 Downing Street)

3. Elizabeth (1998) – Let’s make this a twofer and include its sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) as well, in which actress Cate Blanchett reprises her role as the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. The allegedly illegitimate daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (whose controversal marriage was not recognized by all when the legitimacy of Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon was questioned), Elizabeth’s 44-year reign is considered a golden age indeed. (Related London sightseeing for this monarch: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey)

4. The Tudors (TV series, 2007-10) – Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as King Henry VIII in this saucy BBC historical fiction series, loosely based on the relationships and politics of this sovereign (and presenting him as better eye candy than the real deal :) ). Take the history lessons learned here with a grain of salt, but the series does well in engaging a contemporary audience with this English period. Infamous for his six wives (who’ve inspired another series of historical fiction taking creative license on Henry’s escapades—namely, Philippa Gregory’s novel series that includes The Other Boleyn Girl, which was adapted to the screen in 2008 and stars Natalie Portman), Henry’s reign lasted over 37 years. (Related London sightseeing for this monarch: Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London, Windsor Castle)

5. The King’s Speech (2010) – Now playing in the States and scheduled for release in the UK next month, this already critically-acclaimed film stars Colin Firth as the stammering King George VI. The present Queen Elizabeth’s father, George VI reigned for 15 years. (Related London sightseeing for this monarch: Buckingham Palace, St. George’s Chapel, Carlton Gardens)

So there’s a sample of recent movies depicting some of the monarchy of the United Kingdom, which I’ll be keen to add to in the future with old and new. I’ve heard there are two upcoming movies in which Keira Knightly and Charlize Theron are respectively slated to portray Princess Diana, and someday it will be Princess Kate…and, if all goes well for William, Queen Kate! In the meantime, while you can visit the Tower of London for the actual crown jewels, explore the above cinematic gems within the comforts of your London apartment.

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London Relocation’s Top 5 Blog Articles – The Withs & Withouts

Friday November 19th, 2010

Moving here within the next year? Then methinks it’s time for another Top 5 list highlighting some of our blog posts for those looking to rent apartments, but first needing to determine what you’ll be moving into them with or without:

[hey, where's my drumroll?! Ah, that's better...]

1. Moving to London with a pet - Some recommended resources for educating yourself on pet regulations and shipping. I’ll make this a twofer by also including a link here to a previous post on dog-friendly London if it helps at all with deciding whether the pooch will be pleased here. Oh! And while I’m thinking of it, according to some recent buzz on our discussion boards, the Queen Mary 2 is recommended as a cheaper travel option – our friends performed a price comparison of $300 on the QM2 versus $1,500 on BA, for the dog’s fare!

2. Moving to London with a car – Resources for looking into shipping your car here, getting a UK driver’s license, and other driving options and responsibilities.

3. Moving to London with a spouse – Okay, in this case, if you have one, it’s not really so much the decision about whether to bring it ;) . Or is it?? I have heard there’s an increasing number of couples who are choosing the long-distance marriage over jeopardizing one or the other’s current employment. If that’s not your case, though, just be prepared for what may be in tow for that loving spouse and how you can be supportive.

4. Moving to London with a job – Some advice on how you can approach negotiating an expat relocation package depending on how you’re transferring over here through work. (I’ll make this another twofer—to bring this list to a lucky 7—and throw in another two pence on moving to London without a job…there’s no set formula to it that can guarantee success, this is merely a few suggestions on where you might get your job search started).

5. Moving to London with furniture – In most cases, our clients move over without it; it depends, really, and this post addresses those factors and some options if you choose to do without.

For what those are worth. Bear in mind these are brief blog posts and not exhaustive resources, but they should at least help you start thinking through these issues and point you in the right direction. And, of course, you are encouraged to give us a  call so we can speak to your individual needs in more detail!

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Top 10 Just-Barely-Off-The-Beaten-Path Things to Do in London

Wednesday October 27th, 2010

As I’ve mentioned time and again, ever since I moved here, my husband and I have been playing host and hostess with the most and mostess to a plethora of out-of-town visitors (see my previous posts on hosting guests for some advice on how to swing it successfully with your London flat as their home base).  Most guests are visiting London for the first time, so I usually refer them to my London Bundles blog series (the Thames Circuit and Government Grouping hitting most of the big and more obvious London tourist attractions), but for those who have already been here and seen the major sites, I like to recommend the following, among others I’m probably not thinking of now :) :

1 – One of our favorite pubs is near St. Paul’s on Fleet Street, called Ye Olde Cheschire Cheese. It was rebuilt in 1667 after burning down in the Great Fire.

2 – My personal favorite place is the old Victorian cemetery in our neighborhood—perfect October atmosphere :) —and you can visit any of several of these that comprise the Magnificent Seven all around the city (including the best-known Highgate Cemetery)

3 – Near Highgate is the lovely Hampstead in North London. It has a somewhat village-type atmosphere and is just off the immense Heath, a 700-acre or so park with hills and ponds.

4 – Camden Town is an edgy, alternative part of town with pubs and markets along a canal.

5 – Brick Lane on the East Side is cool—a long strip of Indian restaurants and a cool network of quirky vintage and kitschy shops. This is the area where Jack the Ripper did his deeds, so these are very old, narrow, windy streets, though not all the original buildings still stand after the Blitz.

6 – Notting Hill is darling along Portobello Road—boutiques, antiques, and clothing/food markets.

7 – Kensington Gardens make for a nice stroll. Kensington Palace where Lady Di lived is there and has a quirky, avant-garde exhibit called Enchanted Palace going on while the palace undergoes renovations.

8 – Chelsea is a cute and happenin’ area—a lot of shops/markets off the Kings Road, which leads into Sloane Square, which also has nice London shopping without the mania of Oxford and Regent Streets.

9 – Speaking of Oxford and Regent Streets—these are two intersecting streets basically like New York’s 5th Avenue or Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and very touristed. BUT just off of Regent Street is a cool network of little streets and buildings, filled with shops, pubs, and restaurants. The area generally surrounds Carnaby Street in Soho, and there’s an amazing Victorian-era department store there called Liberty with a faux-Tudor facade.

10 – As for museums, a really cool one that is kind of tucked away is the Churchill War Rooms, located in the underground bunker where Churchill and his cabinet strategized during WWII.

Oooh, and as a bonus #11, even if you don’t like modern art, if you dash across the Millenium Bridge, the cafe/restaurant on Tate Modern‘s 7th floor offers the most amazing panoramic view of the Thames and St. Paul’s. Totally worth grabbing a snack or cocktail to just rest there and take it in.

Remember that these are things to do in London that YOU may enjoy as well after you move to England and desire to take in as much as you can of its wondrous capitol city.

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London Relocation’s Top 5 Favorite Blog Articles

Friday October 1st, 2010

As I update our blog daily, I find that I am often able to cross-reference previous posts I’ve written, as their advice on moving still rings true over time.  So I thought I’d offer a compilation of links here to some of my favorite groupings as a start to helping you sift through the labyrinth of information.

Drumroll, please?  I’ll list them in order of the general relocation progression (i.e., planning, packing, flat-finding, touring, and assimilating!):

1.  The “Top 10 Reasons to Move to London” two-part series (found under the London Tips & Culture category) that can give you some food for thought if you’re still deciding whether you want to move, or if you’ve already decided and just need to get psyched about it!

2.  The “Weekend Warrior Saturday” series (found under the—go figure—Weekend Warriors category) that offers you ongoing step-by-step packing tips as an expat preparing to move overseas.  Make the most out of your weekends while preserving your sanity by not leaving it to the last-minute.  These are posted every Saturday, so keep checking back for updates!

3.  The “What to Expect in a Flat” mini-series (found under the London Property Tips category), which takes you room by room, feature by feature of what you can anticipate your new  flat will or will not potentially offer you.  A large part of moving here is adjusting your expectations to be on the same page with your reality.

4.  The “London Bundle” series (found under the Day-Touring category), which still has room to grow and encompass new neighborhoods, though as of now covers the bulk of the popular Central and West London.  These posts are for when you’ve moved here and gotten through the nitty-gritty of finding a flat and getting settled into it—get ready to play and focus your familiarization of noteworthy sites area by area.

5.  The “Speaking the Queen’s English” series (found under the Language Barriers category) to guide you through common British English terminology that you’re guaranteed to encounter on a daily basis.  I devoted four parts to food alone to help with groceries and menus!  Even if you are a non-UK English speaker, you’ll be surprised how much we’re divided by a common language…

Hopefully these groupings will help you wrap your mind around your move.  I’ll continue to post Top 5s in the future featuring individual articles that can assist through each stage of the planning process.  Cheers!

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Top 5 Reasons to Use a London Relocation Agent Vs. Doing it on Your Own

Friday September 3rd, 2010

If you’re relocating for a job or to attend school, in either case you are better off working through an experienced relocation specialist because:

1.  It will save you time.  Well, depending on which London relocation agency you employ, that is…Be aware that most relocation agencies and freelance relocation agents charge by the day, so it’s in their best interest to spread out their chosen portfolio of properties for you over the course of several days.  They may make excuses that it’s only possible to see a few per day, but we are the proof that this isn’t true.   If you were to go about it on your own, yes, that’s the case because you’re the one having to make the calls and do the leg work to get to lettings agencies, so on any given day, they will individually only have a handful to show you.  By the time they scoot you around in their company-issued car and take up time with parking, your day is spent before you know it.

London Relocation Ltd. prides itself on doing all the scheduling for you so that you can view around 20 properties—all to your specifications—in ONE DAY.  Our wonderful driver ensures you and our relocation agent get you where you need to be promptly.

2.  It will save you money.  If you’re moving over as a professional and need to start work right away, our one-day service minimizes how much time you need to stay in corporate housing or a hotel.  The same applies if you’re a student.  Also, in the instance where you might be flying over to London for a flat-hunting trip in advance of your actual move, you can be guaranteed to find the right place during that time and need not deal with it on your return journey.

3.  It will save you stress.  All of the unknowns involved in an international move are overwhelming.  If you’re moving from Canada, the U.S., or Australia, you might assume that as long as it’s another English-speaking country, there won’t be any culture shock, but there is, at least to an extent.  The London property market works differently than what you may know at home, and even if you’ve visited here, you won’t necessarily be familiar with particular neighborhoods (and you have to know the neighborhood in order to know which lettings agency to visit—they don’t use MLS, i.e. multiple listing systems, so their individual property listings will only represent their immediate vicinity.

Also, if you’re starting work or school, you will not need to take as much time off, thus not having to risk falling behind in what brought you across the pond to begin with (neither will you need to be sorting through your responsibilities while still feeling displaced and homeless).  And the best benefit that London Relocation Ltd. in particular brings to the table is the fact that we’re all expats here from America and Australia, so we can help you through the process by working from your perspective.  We remember all too well what stressed us out when we moved here with little to no guidance, so it’s amazingly satisfying for us to now be able to pass on what we’ve learned the hard way so it won’t be so difficult for you.

4.  It will offer you the best properties out there.  Because our property search and agency contact list is so extensive, we have further reach than any individual newcomer.  Our bookings are also timely—given the rapid turnover of London properties at any point in time, that lovely flat you saw on Craigslist or Gumtree might not be there anymore after you blink your eyes.  We will have a full portfolio of viewings scheduled for you in advance of your viewing date, but if any of those properties go off the market before (or during the course of) that day, we have staff at the ready to hit those phones and find quality alternatives.  Further, in view of our staff’s combined London property expertise, our existing rapport with agencies gives an inside edge.

5.  It’s one-stop shopping.  Not only do we find your property, we’ll set you up with a UK bank account as well as offer guidance in setting up your utilities.  We also aim to be a comprehensive London expat resource through our own personalized attention to your needs as well as online presence through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles, and daily tips and musings on all-things-London right here in this blog.  We appreciate that you’re a competent, independent individual, but no one should have to deal with moving alone.  We’re here for you to field any and all questions that you have, even if it’s directing you to where to find the answers in case we can’t provide them.

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Top 10 Reasons to Move to London: Part II

Wednesday September 1st, 2010

Guess who’s FINALLY getting around to posting #6-10 on her Top 10 Reasons to Move to London list from last week?  Really?  Well, if you see her, please ask if she minds posting my list, too; it’s so hard to narrow it down!

All right, all right, I’ll see if I can limit it to just five more lovely London things…[drumroll, please]

6.  London’s public transportation.  While I have many blog posts already devoted to getting around London, allow me another shout-out to the incredible rail systems linking the city and its surroundings together in a sophisticated network via the Overground or Underground (a.k.a. “The Tube“) trains; the bus system (yes, those cute red double-deckers) also covers a wide range of routes—for both trains and buses, the Oyster card is the easy way to go to pay your fares.  To make the city even more convenient to get around in (and in a healthier way), they’ve just implemented the Barclays cycle hire scheme, which so far seems to be going off without a hitch—if anything, they need to redistribute more bikes into the City centre by morning for all the people that have been riding them home from work every day.  And if you’re willing to cough up the extra pounds to take the classic black London taxi, at least you’ll be treated to a well-maintained and spacious vehicle with a (most of the time) courteous driver with an amazing memory for London streets.  If going on foot, the street signs and lamps are very conducive to helping you cross the road, though you might want to mind the sidewalks…

7.  The food.  Whether it’s local pub grub or exotic cuisine from all around the world, you will never experience more variety.  Even the elusive Mexican food that we Americans so crave is becoming more prevalent on this side of the pond (we just scored a Chipotle in spring!), and you’ve got your American food stores as fall-backs.  The freshness of the food is another draw in this largely agricultural country—have your pick of it at the many open markets in the city as well as enjoy the fresher prepared meals at London’s grocers vs. the frozen, preservative-saturated TV-tray dinner variety.

8.  Shopping!  Whether it’s the high street labels or the small boutiques (try Portobello or Camden for some fun finds), the latest from the runways of Fashion Week or the charms of vintage, you’ll find any range of creative styles strutting those sidewalks, truly rendering this a fashion capital.  The Victorians would be amazed at how anything goes these days :)

9.  The architecture.  Last week, I addressed the profound historical merit of the city, and much of this shows through in its present-day structures in which you’ll live, work, eat, and shop.  Maybe that doesn’t do it for you, but I’m a gal of aesthetics, so I enjoy the fact that I don’t have to be at a museum or palace to be treated to the intricacy and quality put into construction years ago—even as I type this, I can look out at a Victorian church and lovely row of terraced houses just beyond.  Within my own flat, I crane my neck to look at the ceiling and delight in its ornate floral molding running around the entire perimeter, a special bit of eye candy along with other nooks and crannies to be found in older homes.  Many London flats are located in these Victorian terraced houses, but the city also seems itching for modern architecture at any chance it gets (example:  the “Gherkin,” as pictured above), and if you prefer modern construction for your living needs, you can find it in areas like Canary Wharf and Battersea.

10.  While I’ve listed these in no particular order, I’ll close here with a nod to the overall laidback, appreciative zest for life that Londoners have.  When I consider what I see in abundance here, it’s pubs and gardens.  And what these signify to me is a city that works hard but knows when stop and play.  It helps one strike a wonderful balance in urban life as opposed to the intensity of a city like New York.  Sure, the financial district is buzzing by day here, too, but come 17:00, those business suits are filtering into their closest public house for a pint at day’s end, and even if you don’t drink alcohol, the pub atmosphere is just as cozy and calming to drink tea within.  And for all the buildings that I just referenced in #9 above, a majority of windowsills are blooming with flowers and topiaries, and square blocks of prime central property are still gated off as private gardens for the residents to enjoy in addition to the public parks that abound like Hampstead Heath, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and Battersea Park (which all helps make this a very dog-friendly city).  Leisure and green spaces are valued here as much as effort and commerce, and that’s a middle of the road that suits me quite fine while still being far from the ordinary.

When it comes down to it, it’s quite impossible to say there are only 10 reasons to move here, which in and of itself is your #11.  So pack your bags and make that London relocation happen!

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