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Archive for the ‘Relocation to London With Family’ Category

How to Not Make the Mistakes I Did Relocating – PART TWO

Monday November 5th, 2012

Now that my last post probably sapped the spirit out of your relocation to London, here I come back with more. But never fear. As I said last time, it isn’t to put fear in you but awareness. I speak a lot from personal experience but not only mine, and if there’s anything my expat friends and I want, it’s to help others learn from our mistakes by not repeating them. My husband and I will be the first to admit we went into our relocation to London very naively, and though you’re surely smart, adaptable, and resourceful enough to roll with whatever punches come your way, here’s some more heads-up so you won’t have to.

INTERNAL SUPPORT FOR A RELOCATION TO LONDON

No question about it, if you’re making a relocation to London with a spouse, partner, or other family member(s), it’s imperative you all act as a team and see each other through it. Some challenges will face both/all of you, some will be particular to your individual circumstances. My previous post was case in point of that, from the perspective of the accompanying spouse who does not move over with a job already secured. And mind you, not all of you need to have a job—if not, embrace and enjoy everything else your relocation to London brings. But whichever your situation, it’s terribly important that the spouse/partner who is initiating the relocation for a work opportunity offer emotional support and understanding. That must go vice-versa as well. I was very quick to blame my husband for everything, but how about me who obviously agreed to the move at some point, right? It wasn’t without concern of many of the challenges that indeed came to pass, but in ultimately choosing to support my husband, it took me a while to realize I needed to follow through on that support beyondthe move. He was undergoing a transition, too, and, in time (and to this day) felt very guilty about the ways our relocation negatively impacted me. It was only in finding this understanding of each other—and assuming accountability for our ourselves—that we truly made headway and bonded through what has since become an incredibly positive experience. Long story short: if you aren’t moving alone, then this relocation to London isn’t all about you. Step out of your head and consider the very real effects it will have on your partner and/or children.

EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR A RELOCATION TO LONDON

Now step outside your little family circle to consider the third parties having great bearing on your relocation to London. Your employer, for one. Are you moving over on an expat package? If so, what all does it consist of? Are you receiving housing support, both in terms of selling/renting the home you’re moving out of and finding/renting the London apartment you’re moving into? Will your rent be covered by the company, or is it all out of your own pocket? Like a kid coming back home after trick-or-treating, empty your package of goodies out on the table and sort through and evaluate what expat support you’re getting and formulate realistic budgets in light of that. Allow for the unexpected, like extra furnishings, council tax, 6-week security deposits, and other recurring or one-off costs of settling in. Allow for the loss in household income if your spouse/partner won’t readily be earning a salary or won’t, in fact, at all. And very importantly, don’t expect expat support if you’re hired as a local. You might have a lot of expat friends and colleagues living large in London on the corporate budget, but that doesn’t mean you will. I’d love to pretend our own expectations weren’t warped in this respect, but it took a couple dozen apartments to drive home the fact that what we could afford wasn’t going to be on par with what our friends’ companies could. On that note, the best third-party you could bring into your life at this point is a relocation agent. I’m not sales-pitching you; it’s the earnest truth. You could live in (and pay through the nose for) a hotel for three weeks like we did while I pounded the pavement investigating lettings agencies on my own, taking a couple weeks to view 23 apartments (with #23 as the winner, so, yes, I did need to view that many!). Or you could hire London Relocation and see that same amount in one day and be moved in within the week. Because not having a UK address for a month not only meant a long, frustrating time living in a hotel for us. It meant having no address to give our movers, so by the time we had it, they’d already shipped off a full cargo and had to wait until the container holding our stuff was full. I lived in this country for going-on two months without more than a couple suitcases…added to the month before my relocation to London when I’d already shipped everything but had to live with my parents until our visas went through. Speaking of visas, as most expats these days are over here on corporate-sponsored ones, don’t be flaky about the job you’re moving for, that it would just “be fun” to try, and if you don’t like it, you can try something else. You can’t be guaranteed to find another employer that will sponsor you here, so consider the consequences not only for you but the others reliant on your decisions. Also, start preparing for visa renewal several months if not a year in advance. Friends of ours just went through the nightmare of last-minute 60-page applications, trying to retrieve a year’s worth of official paper bank statements (don’t underestimate how difficult this can be), making biometrics appointments, etc. If you delay, too, expediting can cost thousands of pounds, and your other option is getting deported—not exactly the aim of a relocation to London!

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What Teachers and Families Relocating to London Should Know

Wednesday September 19th, 2012

Relocating to London involves several factors, and schooling is certainly not least of them if you’re a teacher or parent (or both). It’s a complex topic that I aim to simplify for you somewhat in today’s post and next.

RELOCATING TO LONDON AND DECIPHERING UK SCHOOLS

Unless you enlist the help of a super relocation agency I know (*wink-wink*), you’ve got your work cut out for you finding the right schools for your children. In fact, where you live on first relocating to London could hinge on it.

And if you’re an educator, you’ll also need a primer on UK schools—I know, because I taught high school before relocating to London myself, and though I taught here briefly, the system still baffles me!

Public vs. Private

These terms continually confuse Americans relocating to London and expecting “public” and “private” to mean what it does at home. In the States, public schools are government-run and tax-funded so do not require that their students pay tuition. Private schools, then, are those funded and operated independent of the government, and their students pay to attend there.

In the UK, however, “public schools” are actually a type of private school. Independent secondary schools that are fed into by prep schools, they’re “public” in the sense that they’re open to all the paying public—at least the paying public that can afford them…they can be rather elite and expensive, and admission requires passing an entrance exam.

Public schools and private schools (as they’re known in England) are arguably the same thing with the primary differentiation being history and dare I say a bit of snobbery? Public schools were established as charitable institutions centuries ago and, though they’ve evolved to charge tuition, still enjoy charitable status via scholarships and grants. Some private schools likewise have charitable status and see great academic achievement but are not considered “public” merely because they don’t have the same history of excellence as a select number of traditional, elite public schools such as Eton. Either way, both are independent schools that are not funded by the government, select pupils based on achievement, and charge fees for admission. They can be boarding or day schools and either coed or boys/girls-only.

So, to sum up for you Yankees relocating to London, private schools as you know them are “independent schools” here in England, and said independent schools are comprised of both public and private schools. What you know as public schools, then, are called “state schools.”

State vs. Independent

Right. Now that we’ve got that sorted (I think), let’s take a look at these private “independent” schools and public “state” schools.

The UK has about two-and-a-half thousand independent schools that are essentially free from government regulation yet are still registered with the Department for Education (DfE) and subject to evaluation by Ofsted or another inspecting organization. They’re funded by assorted investments as well as tuition paid by parents and guardians and tend to be the education of choice for families relocating to London from outside the UK (the particular types of which I’ll explain further in my next post).

State schools, in contrast, are government-funded and come in a variety of forms. For instance:

Mainstream state schools

  • community – owned and operated by local authorities, with services/facilities available to the community to maintain strong links with it
  • foundation – owned and operated by a charity or other self-governing body
  • trust – a type of foundation school that establishes a charity trust with a charity or partner
  • volunteer-aided – typically owned by a charity or religious organization and operated by its own governing body; comprised of many religious or “faith” schools
  • volunteer-controlled – essentially the same as volunteer-aided schools but operated by local authorities

Alternative state schools

  • grammar – base admission on academic merit
  • faith – reflects a certain faith in the curriculum and student/faculty population
  • special community/foundation – the same as community and foundation schools listed above but for special-needs students
  • maintained boarding – charge fees for lodging but not tuition
  • specialist – funded by both government and private sector sponsors; expand on the National Curriculum followed by mainstream state schools with concentrations in a number of disciplines: e.g., art, science, math, humanities, sports, technology, engineering, languages, and special needs.
  • city technology colleges – independently run, free-tuition urban secondary schools specializing in technology, science, and vocational qualifications
  • academies – run independently of local authorities and open to pupils of all abilities; focused on providing a first-class education with freedom to dictate their own curriculum, operations, and school calendar
  • free schools – state-funded yet run independently of local authorities and open to pupils of all abilities; these are set by groups of parents, teachers, charity/religious organizations, etc. to address needs not satisfied by existing systems

Some of the above are actually classified as “semi-independent” given the hybrid public/private-sector nature of their funding and operations.

EXPATS RELOCATING TO LONDON

Some families internationally relocating to London want their children to attend state schools for the experience of fully integrating into UK culture. Many expats, however—teachers and students alike—want to maintain continuity in curriculum with that in their home countries; in that case, international or American schools are desirable options.

But as I think I’ve given you enough to digest for one day, I’ll follow up on those in my next post—along with some recent developments in UK education that could impact those of you relocating to London with school-age children and/or to teach here.

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Moving to London Schools

Wednesday May 2nd, 2012

Moving to London with a family means more than just finding a home in the right suburb. If you have children then one of your first priorities is going to be getting them into a good school, so their education is not interrupted for any amount of time. Schools follow the same terms in the States and Canada as they do in England. Most schools have their long holiday in the summer and start the school year in September. Unfortunately, that is where the similarity ends. British education is complex and can be a difficult system to negotiate if you have not had any experience in dealing with it.

Moving to London With Children

The first thing you have to understand when you’re moving to London with children is that the biggest divide in the British education system is the one between the private schools, which, oddly enough are called public schools, and the state schools, which are run by the government. The question of school fees is not the only consideration when it comes to choosing an education system. Life in England has so much to do with tradition and history and you find that this is perpetuated in the schooling system as in every other facet of English life. Schooling is compulsory for children from the ages of 5 through 16, but if you have ea child who is intending on attending any form of tertiary education institution, such as college or university, then they will have to do an extra two years of study to ready them for tertiary study. These two years are known as A-levels.

Moving to London Suburbs

Public school fees are beyond the means of many people in England and especially in London. There are also many excellent state schools that offer an even higher standard of education that some private schools, but, and here is the conundrum; you have to be living in the catchment area of the school to be able to attend. This can have a profound influence on the area that you live in, if you have to consider getting your children into a school that has an excellent standard of education. The trick is to try to avoid paying a premium for housing in the area of a good school and you can be sure that the prices of housing in the area of a good primary (elementary) school are priced at far more than their actual value. You might even want to consider going private and saving money on the housing prices, by finding a mid range private school, that allows you to pay monthly after moving to London.

Of course, if money is no object when you’re moving to London schools, then you might want to expose your child to the  public school world with schools such as Eton, Cheltenham Ladies College and Winchester to name but a few of the schools attended by children of royalty, princes of business and the ultra noveau riche. Just be aware that you will also have to pay for holidays away to exotic locations and school trips to some of the most expensive places in the world.

 

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Moving To London From USA With Kids

Wednesday April 11th, 2012

It is not uncommon to be moving to London from USAwith kids, because after starting a family you may realize that the children deserve a better upbringing in a different country. Alternatively, it is possible that a career change might mean the whole family has to permanently commute to the United Kingdom. Whatever your reason may be, it is understandable that relocating with children can be challenging. To make things easier when moving to London from USA with kids, you should consider taking some advice that will help you to plan many things in advance.

Organize Education

Primarily, anyone moving to London from USA will need to plan their children’s education. If your child is not old enough to attend school then you should look into finding a child minder. This can be done by performing some research online, to determine who has the best skills and experience to care for your child or children. If your kids are now attending school or college, you will need to start arranging where they will be taught. This can be done by contacting a few different schools in the area you will be moving to. A good tip will be to pick a school in close proximity to your new home, so that traveling expenses are minimal.

Choose A Suitable Area

Moving to London from USA might mean you have a good understanding of the best neighborhoods in London, or it might mean you need some assistance. Remember that the environment can impact the way you live your life, so it is important to bring your children up in a safe and child-friendly location. Some recommended parts of the city to consider will be Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Balham, Clapham or Barnes. Think about reviewing each of these places prior to relocating to discover what attractions are in the area, as well as what facilities are available for children when moving to London from USA.

Entertaining The Kids

Children really need to stay occupied and because you will be constantly organizing things, it is essential that they can meet other children. An after-school club or youth organization is a good place for children to liaise with others who share similar interests. Conversely, take your children out for the day in Hyde Park or on a trip to the London Eye. The city is crammed with things to do and so long as you plan your trip when moving from USA, you can guarantee that you and your children will settle in fast.

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Find A Flat In London – Tips For Moving To London With Family

Saturday March 17th, 2012

As if relocation to find a flat in Londonfrom overseas is not stressful enough, when you move with family it can be ten times the work. Because of this, you have to be prepared for everything that the move could throw at you. This means planning ahead and being aware of what may go wrong along the journey. Consider these three tips that could help you to find a flat in London and settle in the city within a few days of relocating.

Create A List

It may seem obvious, but when you find a flat in London you would benefit from making a list. Due to everything passing by in a whirlwind, there is a big possibility you could forget to do something or possibly forget to bring something on your travels. A system of record keeping will ensure that you are on track at all times. A spread sheet created on the computer outlining the contents of every single box will prevent you losing any possessions. In addition to this, have a check list of things you need to do as soon as you leave the airport. This could be things such as applying for a visa, getting your bank details sorted, hiring a relocation agent to find a flat in London, etc.

Get Plenty Of Supplies

After you find a flat you really must have all the necessities on hand. This includes living provisions such as food, washing supplies, bed sheets, clothing, etc. Because you will be so busy as soon as you move all of your belongings into a new apartment or flat, it is highly unlikely you will have time to explore the city and find where the nearest stores are right away. As well as this, the traffic system in London is primarily based on catching a bus or jumping on the tube, so until you notice where the nearest transport options are when you find a flat, keep at least a month’s worth of supplies nearby.

Organize Important Papers

Finally, there will be a stack of papers you need to fill out and keep in a reachable place when you find a flat. Examples of some important papers include birth certificates, passports, mover estimates, school records, bank statements, bills, contact numbers and job applications to name a few. At some point during the first few weeks of your move, you will require these things and it is best to keep them on show so that you do not feel frantic hunting through your assortment of boxes when you find a flat in London.

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London Flats – Best Primary Schools In London

Sunday March 11th, 2012

Before you get London flat with your family, it would be best to search for your child’s new school first. The place where they are taught determines not only their future, but how they socialize when living in the city. It is important for your child to meet friends and avoid mixing with the wrong crowd. Take a look at these three schools, which are the best choice for a good education when buying a flat.

St Paul’s Church of England Primary School in Camden

This school is situated in Camden, meaning it will be in close proximity to your flat, with traveling options via the tube or bus. An average number of 210 children are present at St Paul’s Church of England Primary School, making this a relatively small primary school. The Church of England aids this school, proving how well supported this learning environment is. The school was built in 1873, making it one of the oldest schools with the highest reputations in the city. Pupils can even visit the website of St Paul’s Church of England Primary School to interact with other students in a safe online environment, which is brilliant for establishing friendships. Coffee mornings are a great way to learn about where your child is being taught when you buy a flat.

Primrose Hill School In Camden

Primrose Hill School is also based in Camden, in one of the most beautiful locations. The school is constructed with a spectacular Victorian appearance and has a view over Regent’s Canal. London Zoo is nearby; making school trips an accessible way for the children to learn more about wildlife and other things. Children can play in one of the two playgrounds and there is even a Nursery building for the younger children. The school website offers parents the chance to stay up-to-date with the sports, music and art news. Social media has even allowed the school to be followed for updates on Twitter, meaning parents are always aware. Contact the school and talk to members of staff to arrange a meeting, discussing your child’s options.

The American School in London Junior School

If you are an American family transferring to the United Kingdom to live in a flat, then it will probably be more comforting for your child if they go to an American school. The American School in London Junior School is situated in St John’s Wood, but do not fret if you do not live near it, because there are plenty of transport options surrounding the school location. There is an average amount of 1350 students here, with most students being of international origins. This is a good way for your child to learn about children from different backgrounds.

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Take The Kids To The Zoo When Buying London Flats

Monday March 5th, 2012

Choosing a flat can be very stressful, especially if you are a parent. From deciding on what size flat you want, to thinking about your budget and the accessibility to your child’s school; it is likely your children will want some time to have fun after all the hard work. Getting London flats near the London Underground enables you to hop on the tube and have a family day out at the zoo!

Save Money On Your Ticket

Money-saving tips are always worthwhile when finding flats, because living in the city can sometimes be rather expensive. When visiting ZSL London Zoo, consider buying your tickets in advance through the official website. Think about taking a group of people to the zoo with you, which could be new friends and their children that you have met while relocating to the city, or your own family. Group bookings will save you money due to discounted rates. Another benefit of buying your zoo ticket in advance after buying a flat is that you can jump the queue, so your children can see the animals straight away.

Teach Your Children About Science

Visiting the ZSL London Zoo after investing in flats is not only a way to de-stress and give the children something to do, but it also helps to educate your children too. The zoo offers guests the chance to learn about natural disasters, habitats of the animals and evolution. While the website offers visitors videos on wildlife epidemiology, visiting the zoo itself has a research center, which is split into four sections. Behavioral and population ecology can be learnt about here after buying flats, as well as information relating to biodiversity and macreocology.

Animals & Events at ZSL London Zoo

Incorporated within the price of a ticket to London Zoo, after buying a flat, is the chance to come up-close and personal with a number of extraordinary animals. In addition to this, guests can discover different events on particular calendar dates. The zoo is split up into sections, so adults and children can visit the Gorilla Kingdom, Penguin Beach, Rainforest Life, the Aquarium, Big Cats, B.U.G.S., Butterfly Paradise and many more. If you visit their official website on the day you book to visit the zoo, you can discover what daily events are taking place. Common events include storytelling for things such as bugs, lions, penguins, monkeys and reindeers. Plan your trip to ZSL London Zoo when you purchase a flat to ensure your children get the fun they deserve after a tiring relocation.

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Getting Apartments For Rent In London Near Your Child’s School

Monday February 27th, 2012

The school that your child is educated in will make a major difference in how they fare for the future, which is why you must bear this in mind before you find apartments for rent in London. The property you choose is an influential factor on your child, because the environment can dramatically alter how a person lives their life. To make sure your children get the best possible start in life, and a great opportunity to meet new friends, you should take care in the process of investing in apartments for rent in London.

Pick A School Before You Move Prior to locating apartments for rent and moving in, you should have decided what school you want your child to move to. Without doing this, not only could your apartment be a poor choice for the place of your child’s education, but it could add on extra stress to your relocation than you first anticipated. Research various schools and consider visiting them beforehand. This will enable you to read more about their teaching services and how trustworthy the school actually is. Focus on the final destination of your child’s new school, and incorporate this information into your hunt for apartments for rent in London.

Choose A Property With Good Travel Access London is a very busy city and apartments for rent may or may not have easy access to various locations. Your child will need to get to school on time each day and the time that school starts will clash with morning rush-hour traffic and other busy times. To avoid being late and to save funds on traveling, it would be beneficial to rent an apartment in close proximity to the school itself, or to The London Underground station. Your child will definitely get to school on time each day when you invest in apartments for rent in London next to the tube.

Ensure The Apartment Is In A Child-Friendly Location Finally, examine the area where you find apartments for rent. Some destinations may not be as suitable for your child as others, and you need to make certain that they are safe at all times. Ask a professional relocation service to help you consider a few different areas, to broaden your knowledge on what would suit you best on your move. Some recommended places to get an apartment with the lowest crime rates will be in the West London area, such as Sutton, Havering, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames.

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Living in London and Education

Monday February 20th, 2012

If you are living in London with children then one of your primary concerns is going to be whether or not they are going to have an adequate education while they are in England. The debate rages endlessly about the standard of education in most countries, but the fact of the matter is that if you are travelling to London with children then your choice of schools and schooling for them might have a massive impact on where you are going to live. In most cases you have to live in the catchment area of a specific school for your child to be accepted into the school. If you have a London apartment in an area that is out of the district of a particular school then you might struggle to get your child accepted.

Children are required to attend school between the ages of five and sixteen. They may start earlier than this but have to be enrolled in a school in the term after they turn five. State education in England is free and nearly 90% of all children attend state schools, with the rest attending fee-paying private (public) schools. If you are living in London then there are a number of excellent international schools that follow the International Baccalaureate programme. You will also be able to find private schools that follow the American system if you want to.

If your child is nearing college age then you might want him or her to continue with their curriculum so as not to affect their grade point average, but if your children are younger then they may benefit from a couple of years in an English school. It will certainly widen their sphere of knowledge and all round education. They will also be able to make friends with other children who live in the neighbourhood.

Leaving school at the age of sixteen is equivalent to getting a GED. If your children want to enter university or college in England then they will have to complete a further two years of education, which is known as A-levels in order for them to have the required academic standard to enter an intuition of higher learning.

Children have to attend the school that is closest to their home. In each suburb or area they may be a number of schools for you to choose from, based on the needs of your child, but you will have to choose the area that you live in carefully if you are living in London with small children. Most schools have a website and you will be able to apply online once you know where you are residing. Schooling in England offers a well rounded and academic education for the most part.

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Living in London in Winter – Get the Kids Out and About

Thursday February 16th, 2012

Let’s just face it – living in London with children can be difficult at times.  One of those times is during the dreary winter months.  With one’s children itching to get outside and play and the weather not cooperating finding ways to entertain them without going mad oneself is a perpetual challenge.  Thankfully, there are many child-centered activities beyond a day at the movie theater for keeping one’s youngsters entertained and engaged.  They might even learn something too!

Imagine Children’s Festival, now through February 26, 2012 – This premier children’s festival will be at the Southbank Centre for all to enjoy.  Celebrating children’s literature and fine arts the festival aims to entertain and educate children of all ages.  With a nice mixture of free and for-fee events families on every type of budget can enjoy a day out.

Magic Worlds at Museum of Children, now through March 4, 2012 – This free exhibition takes a look at the roles of magic and illusion in children’s literature, art and folklore.  Many hands on exhibits will be available as well as magical artifacts on display will be available for children and adults visiting.

Shark Reef Encounter, opening February 2012 – The newest permanent exhibit at the Aquarium is the shark reef encounter, a spell-bounding and sometimes frightening exploration of the misunderstood shark.  The exhibit is included in admission to the aquarium and takes visitors up close and personal with sharks up to ten feet long.

Chilean Rescue Capsule – February 2012 through May 2012 – Children and adults can see firsthand the rescue capsule designed to save 33 minors in the San Jose mining accident and daring rescue of 2010 at Science Museum.  Alongside the capsule is a robot designed to help find and rescue the trapped minors.  Admission is free.

With so many museums and centers around with children and their families in mind finding a way to spend a day or two or three during the winter should be no problem at all.  One of the many joys of moving to another country is learning about the culture and history.  Rather than go crazy while living in London during the winter families should take advantage of the rich heritage of the British people and explore!

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London Apartments for Rent – Remember Playgrounds when Choosing

Wednesday February 15th, 2012

Families moving to London from America often get so bogged down in the process of searching for London apartments for rent that they forget the needs of their children when determining location.  For many families their time in London will be the first time they’ve lived in such a large metropolitan area making it easy to forget about luxuries found in smaller cities and open countryside.  One of those luxuries is parks and playgrounds, a necessary item for young children that must be planned for when moving to London.

Within the great city of London there are many wonderful playgrounds perfect for small children and their families.  Doing a little bit of research before signing a contract on a new flat will help in narrowing down the possible locations a family can live comfortably during their stay.  Below are a list of recommended playground areas that should be considered by families with children when searching London apartments for rent.

Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Playground – The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has recently announced a complete renovation of the playground and surrounding areas of this prominent Chelsea park.  Soon the park will have new playground equipment, restrooms and landscaping.  The park is located on Bosworth Road in Landbroke Grove with the nearest Tube station being Westbourne Park.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground – Located in Kensington Gardens this is one of the best playgrounds in London.  Dedicated to the memory of the late Princess Diana the playground boasts a Peter Pan theme complete with pirate ship.  The playground is free to the public and features along with the pirate ship a sensory trail.  The playground is designed to be accessible to all children especially those with special needs.

Hyde Park – Families can enjoy three playground areas in Hyde Park, conveniently located near the north of the park near the Lancaster and Westbourne gates, and the south of the park near the Edinburg gate.  Hyde Park offers activities for the entire family making it a favorite among parents with young children.  Other activities which are kid-friendly in the park are tennis, trails and a water fountain.

Before making decision about where one’s family will be living during the stay parents of young children should investigate neighborhood parks paying close attention to playgrounds as back yards are a luxury here.  Ideally, a family will want to live within close walking distance to a safe playground and that should not be a problem as London prides itself on providing plenty of playgrounds free for all children.  Before searching for apartments for rent families should consider making a map with their favorite playgrounds pinpointed for easy reference.

 

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The Benefits of a Pre-Move Visit when Moving to London from America

Monday January 16th, 2012

It may be tempting for those moving to London from Americato try and cram everything humanly possible into a pre-move trip to the city but we recommend to focus on the most important issues and then try and enjoy the mini-vacation.  There will be plenty of time for crazed running around after moving to London from America.  The pre-move trip should be reserved for finding a home and getting acquainted with the town.  One should consider it like a first date of sorts.

Moving to London from America – Securing Housing

Many families preparing for their move try and come in person to the city when the time comes to secure housing.   Relocation agents are wonderful at what they do but nothing compares to actually seeing properties firsthand.  Those fortunate enough to make the trip before the move should be prepared to see a lot of properties.  Also they need to be prepared to make a decision on the spot.

Moving to London from America – Education

The pre-move trip is the time to tour schools.  Since education is a huge concern of most moving from America this decision will need to take top priority, second only to housing.  There are many wonderful schools both state and private in the London area.  The list of possible candidates can be whittled away at home with a resulting short list to be visited during the pre-move trip.

Moving to London from America – Relax

One of the benefits of travelling before the big move is that families will be able to look at their future hometown through a new set of eyes.  Once the move is in swing there will be little time for sightseeing and wandering of streets.  Allowing one’s entire family to enjoy a few days in London exploring Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus or just wandering the streets of Chelsea will start the move off right.

No matter what time of year a family is moving from America a pre-move visit is appropriate.  With so much to do after the move is under way sorting out what can be sorted out before the boxes are shipped is a good choice.  Of course housing and education decisions can be made in the States but to really guarantee the best choices are made – especially for families having never been to London – a pre-move trip is warranted before moving from America.

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An American Moving to London – Explore Your New Country

Sunday January 15th, 2012

One of the many benefits to being an American moving to London is the new experiences awaiting you.  Unlike your local neighbors absolutely every experience is new.  In an effort to take full advantage of your time in England day trips and weekend trips should be planned as often as possible.  Perhaps at no other time in your life will you have as many exciting opportunities as your stint being an American moving here.

An American Moving to London – The Day Trip

As an American you will need much more help when planning short trips.  One popular day trip (or even overnight trip) expats frequently enjoy is walking tours of the English countryside.  Although London is one of the world’s largest cities once you leave the bustling city the countryside of Jane Austen novels greet you.  With rolling hills, lazy fields full of all kinds of farm animals and cozy homesteads dotting the landscape you could not ask for a better place to enjoy a day’s hike.

An American Moving to London – Where to Wander

There are several wonderful parts of England to wander around exploring.  Chiltern, an area northwest of London is one of the most beautiful areas of the country and is quite organized in their mapping services. Visitors to Chiltern can choose between many free maps as well as group outings with field guides.  Often, trips are themed such as fall colors or plant identification.  Unlike in the states an American moving to London is allowed free access to private property when walking making day hikes that more exciting.

Of course common courtesy and common sense is expected if you’re walking on private land.  Visitors should close gates they open and remember that farm animals are not pets.  Cows and bulls have been known to attack strangers so caution should be used.  Farm houses and their inhabitants should be left alone.  Cell phones should be kept on a person at all times and appropriate clothing should be worn, weather dictating.  Out of all the activities an American moving here can experience day hikes through the countryside is perhaps one of the most memorable.

 

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A Day Trip to Stonehenge after Moving to London from America

Friday January 13th, 2012

When moving to London from America families often have a long list of places they want to visit during their stay in England.  While many of the locations are within London a few of England’s most noteworthy historical sites are outside of the city and require a little planning to make a family trip work.  Once such favorite day trip for any family moving to London from America is Stonehenge.

The easiest way to get to Stonehenge from London for families moving to London from America without a personal vehicle is to take the train to Salisbury.  Once in Salisbury a bus can take families directly to the monument.  There are several buses each day to and from the historical site.  Taxis are also available for any family not wanting to wait on a bus.

Stonehenge is over five thousand years old.  Prehistoric people erected the monoliths over the period of about one thousand years.  Wood was also used but has long since decayed.  Although no one knows the real purpose of the site many experts believe it was built for rituals, religious purposes or to study astronomy.  Archeological excavations have been routine in and around Stonehenge for many centuries.  Today, it is still an active archeological site with new discoveries still amazing tourists.  Any family moving to London from America will have a thrill of their lives experiencing the excitement and wonder of visiting one of the world’s most intriguing mysteries.

Today Stonehenge is protected by the British government and managed by English Heritage which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  The park is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Hours of operation vary depending on the season and prices are very reasonable.

Families moving from America should not miss the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience what many only dream about.  Stonehenge is one the world’s most beloved and discussed mysteries.  Many claim the rock formation has mystical and healing powers and many say they experience such powers upon visiting.  If looking for a memorable day trip for one’s family after moving from America Stonehenge should be at the top of the list.

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Knitting for Any American Moving to London

Thursday January 12th, 2012

As an American moving to London one might find they have more free time than they had previously in the States.  A new unknown city thousands of miles away from friends and family can leave a person with a lot of time on their hands.  If one finds themselves like this during the winter season it is an excellent opportunity to learn the traditional British craft of knitting.  Popular across all of Europe (and beyond) for almost the last millennium the ancient craft almost went away save for a resurgence in popularity during the last decade.

The transition can be a difficult time for an American moving on their own or with a family.  Sometimes it is helpful to just keep one’s hand busy and knitting is great for that.  Finances can also be strained for an American moving to London – especially in this economy!  Knitting costs only a few pounds to get started since knitting needles and yarn is all that is required.

There are many yarn shops located in London and classes for every level of knitter are also common.  Any American moving to London would be welcome for the British are very proud of their traditional arts and crafts.  For those wishing to use knitting as a medium to meet other people searching for a meet-up group based on knitting is the way to go.

England has a long history with knitting and many an American moving to London is surprised to learn how the craft has grown and changed from its earliest days.  Even the name ‘knitting’ is believed to derive from the Old English cnyttan, or to knot. For families moving here there is no better way to introduce the entire family to a traditional British craft than to knit.  Every member of a family can do it and there are plenty of resources in London to help one get started.

Although England no longer campaigns to ‘knit for victory’ as it did during World War II, many a Londoner is fond of the craft.  Whether an American moving here is familiar with the craft from their days back in the States or it is completely new knitting is a wonderful hobby that can open doors to new friendships in a new city.

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