The best guide for Americans moving to London is going to be a map of the city and ‘the Underground’. While you’re living in London you’ll have to rely mainly on the public transport system to get around. Having a car in London is not only expensive, but it is a nightmare to find parking, traffic is gridlocked much of the time and you’ll be paying for something that you rarely use. The public transport system: Tubes, trains and buses, is efficient and will get you where you need to go quickly and cheaply…Except when it doesn’t.

Transport Guide For Americans Moving To London

If you’re an American moving to London, then you will have to be prepared for the worst, in terms of transport. The weather does sometimes have an effect on the time of tubes and trains, and there are occasionally strikes or public threats that can close down some of the transport network for a period of time. You don’t want to be stranded at work with no way to get home on a winter’s night with sleet and snow swirling around you like you’re on an expedition to the poles.

Neighbourhood Guide For Americans Moving To London

To avoid any problems, many people have decided to live closer to the city, so that they are never bothered by a lack of public transport. Walking in London is not only a necessity, but it’s a great way to explore the city. One of the first items that you purchase when you are moving to London should be a pair of sturdy walking shoes. You don’t need hiking boots, but a pair of good trainers will make a huge difference when you have to walk home to your London flat in freezing weather.

While some of the areas close to central London are extremely pricey in terms of residential accommodation. If you’re looking for somewhere within walking distance of the city centre, then you should look at places like Islington, which is about 2 miles from the city centre and is a trendy, and yet reasonably priced neighborhood. Bethnal Green and Stepney are neighborhoods in east London, and are perfectly located if you work in the financial district or close to Canary Wharf and the Docklands developments.

When you’re looking at your guide for Americans moving to London you need to tell your relocation company exactly where you’ll be working and how far you’re prepared to walk in bad weather!

When you’re researching your relocation to London guide you’ll quickly realize that this is one of the most diverse cities in the world. England, and London in particular are home to millions of immigrants who have made England and the English way of their life their home. London is a city of travelers and while people do tend to stick together, at least when they arrive in London, you’ll soon find that this cultural diversity is what makes London the fascinating city that it is.

Relocation To London Neighborhoods

It does not matter what area of London you choose to live in, you’ll be able to mix with people from countries all over the world and enjoy learning about different cultures and customs. There are over 300 languages spoken in London alone, this is truly international city. The biggest group of immigrants to London has got to be people of Indian and Bangladeshi origin, followed by the Chinese and the Jamaicans. There are a number of smaller groups of people, and you’ll find a representative of just about every nation on earth. Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans make up a huge percentage of the population of young people living in London.

Relocation To London and Immigrants

The importance of the immigrant population in London has had a lot to do with the fortunes of the city and making it the city that it is today. You can find flea markets and restaurants as well as shops from different countries; you just need to step out of your new London apartment and experience everything that London has to offer. Each neighborhood has something different, something unusual and something interesting to offer. From street festivals from Jamaica to authentic Indian restaurants in the east End, you won’t find anything in London that is traditionally London. Once you’ve visited Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, it’s time to break out and see the city from the perspective of a Londoner.

Fact: After your relocation to London, you can call yourself a Londoner, no matter where you come from!

Book clubs and literary societies are popular the world over, and if you’re planning your relocation to London, joining a book club is the best way to meet new people and make friends. If you’re keen about reading, then you’re going to love living in London. There are many bookstores in London that cater to all tastes of literature and a number of more unusual and rare literary hobbies. Libraries are a very important part of life in London and while the use of a public library has faded in many parts of the world, you will find that each suburb and neighborhood has an excellent library with hundred of books. Most of the libraries in London are managed by the local council and they have great reading programs and other interesting groups attached to the library.

Relocation To London Book Clubs

The book clubs in London range from informal gatherings to rather auspicious clubs with readings by famous authors and writers on a variety of subjects. The book clubs in London also cater to a wide range of ages and interests, from the ‘ladies who lunch’ book clubs, to book clubs for teenagers and on to more specialized book clubs who meet to discuss special interest non-fiction books.

Relocation To London Libraries

There is a rich literary tradition in London and across England. Reading is actively encouraged in primary school and the education system places a lot of importance on literacy and reading skill from a very young age. The best place to find book clubs in London is to check with your local library. They will have a list of the book clubs that might interest you that are within walking distance of your home. Book clubs meet at all times of the day and over weekends and evenings. Most book clubs meeting once every three weeks, but some book clubs organized by groups of friends meet once a week with books being a common interest but the social aspects of a book club are what bring people together every week.

If you’re planning your relocation to London and want to get to know people in your neighborhood then a book club is one of the best ways to get out and find friends.

If you’re moving to London, you’ll want to know all about the city. You’ll want to know where to find a great London apartment, where the best shops are, and how to master the transport system. There are other smaller details that are also important when you’re going to be living in London for any length of time. One of the most important aspects on living in a foreign country is where to get medical help when you need it.

Moving To London and Doctors

When you’re moving to London, one of the first things you’ll need to do is register with a local GP in your area. This will help you get treatment at hospitals and book appointments for specialist consultants if you need to. Sometimes though, you might feel a little under the weather and not really sick enough to visit a local doctor. The National Health Service has provided an online and telephonic advice line where you can go for all sorts of medical and general health advice. It’s is open 24 hours a day and you can use the service to get information about your symptoms or to find doctors, dentists and specialists in your area. When you need to dash out for a pain killer at 3am, you can find out the location of the nearest 24 hour chemist in your neighborhood.

Moving to London Medical Help Online

The NHS Direct website is an important resource for health care across England and very useful if you’re starting life in London. You can use the site for advice on something as simple as an allergy query or how to find after-hours doctors across London. You can check your symptoms online or by phoning one of the friendly and well trained operators on the hotline number: 0845 4647.

The site also has a list of hospitals and Accident & Emergency (ER) centers for your convenience. No one wants to be stuck after moving to London with the sniffles or a headache, and you can use the site for all of your healthcare queries and excellent advice.

When you’re trying to find the best London apartment rentals, you will probably need to start hunting in person. If you have just landed in London to begin your big adventure, it’s going to be an exciting and thrilling time in your life. Some people think it may be difficult to be living in London without knowing anyone, but the remarkable thing about moving to London is that it is a city of travelers. Much of the population of London is made up of people from other countries. There is so much opportunity to get out and meet people; you won’t feel alone for long.

London Apartment Rentals and Neighborhoods

London is a busy city, but you will soon learn that it is one of the most community driven cities in the world. You can find anything and everything in London, including fabulous London apartment rentals. The city is filled with activities, clubs, and classes, ranging from the usual hobbies to the downright ridiculous. The unique structure of the London suburbs has a lot to do with the community based activities that can be found in every local town hall and community centre. Getting involved with you community is one of the best ways of getting out of our new London apartment and meeting people

London Apartments Rentals For Americans

You might be tempted to stay within your own circle of expatriates when you’re looking for London apartment rentals but that can also lead to you missing out on other opportunities. By all means, contact a local group of Americans or Canadians, as a starting point, but then you need to spread your wings and really immerse yourself in life in London. Becoming a true Londoner is a process.

Get out there, join a society, and take a class in something that you’d never have considered doing. Involve yourself in community outreach and neighborhood activities. The exciting thing about living in London is the amount of neighborhood activities you will discover after finding one of the great London apartment rentals. No matter which suburb you are living in, you’ll find a way of becoming a part of that neighborhood.

The biggest thing that worries couples about moving to London is when one of the couple has a new job and the other doesn’t. It can be easy to sink into loneliness and homesickness, and the only way to get out into London is to open your front door and step out into the city that is your new home. Look for London apartment rentals that are close to public transport so you can get out and enjoy the city easily.

Author:  Colleen

So, when I told my husband last night what I blogged about yesterday regarding getting (and keeping) a visa for a UK relocation, his response was, “Geez! Don’t ruin London Relocation’s business by discouraging people to move here!” Yikes! SO not my intention, people, so I genuinely hope it isn’t coming across that way. What I do intend, though, is to just talk straight with you so that you aren’t thrown any curve-balls that could make your UK relocation any less feasible or pleasant than it ought to be. So that being said, today I’ll continue my straight-talk for you spouses and partners of professionals moving to London for work on a Tier 2 visa.

UK Relocation – UK Visas for Spouses and Partners

If you’re the spouse or partner of a Tier 2 visa holder, the good news is that you’ll also automatically have a visa and right to work in the UK by virtue of your dependent status. When my husband and I made our UK relocation in 2008 (yes, I moved here for his job and therefore fall into this spousal visa bucket), our visas were issued for a five-year term. These days, however, it seems the norm is three before you can then apply for indefinite leave to remain.

UK Relocation – Visa Terms and Your Employment

And now for the bad news…Well, feeling out how your employment back home might translate over here isn’t the easiest of tasks—many spouses will attest that making a lateral career move is an especial challenge, and sometimes you have to take steps back in your profession (or try something else entirely) when it comes down to basically taking what you can get. This can make for an exciting new opportunity or royally frustrating setback depending on your perspective.

If you want to find a full-time (i.e., permanent vs. contract) position in the UK, you’ll have to hit the ground running. I know I, for one, wanted to reserve the first couple months following my UK relocation for getting settled in and adjusted. You definitely need that time. But then the job search will require more, and you don’t want to wait too long because once your visa has less than two years left until expiration, UK employment law renders you ineligible for permanent employment. For example, I still have an entire year and a half left on my Tier 2 spousal visa—an arguably longer term than a local might stay in a permanent job—but even after living and working in the UK for going-on four years, I couldn’t apply for anything but temporary, contract-basis work at this point. That’s pretty jarring. So, for your own planning purposes, if you want to find a permanent work role after your UK relocation, initiate your search well in advance of two years prior to visa expiration and hold on to the job you get—unless, perhaps, you find a company to sponsor you in your own right and apply for a new visa based on that.

If, on the other hand, you don’t want/have to work here, then good on you!

UK Relocation – Keep the Faith

Again, the challenge of finding a London job after a UK relocation relates to what I spoke of yesterday: the tendency for locals to win jobs over expats because it’s sometimes a path of least resistance for employers. This isn’t to say, though, that the UK doesn’t recognize foreign talent; companies very much do and welcome it, so you just have to keep morale high and never give up asserting your qualifications to help contribute to this fine society. It’s not you; it’s just a tough market in the current global climate, and everyone is scrambling for their piece of the pie. Like I said before, your perspective dictates your experience. None of us move here just to replicate exactly what we had at home; it’s for taking on new experiences. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, as they say, and I can sure tell you that the road bumps we expats (and accompanying spouses at that) can hit are incredibly character-defining. So don’t lose heart. Just embrace your UK relocation for what it is and has yet to become!

Author:  Colleen

I’m going to speak frankly this week, expat to expat, in case you’re making a UK relocation and could face similar issues. As the title “Visa Realities for a UK Relocation” would imply, my topic relates to visas, which has every bit as much to do with working in the UK as it does moving there to begin with. Whether you’re relocating for your own work or with a spouse or partner, however, impacts the nature of the issues you could face. Today, let’s look at the profile of the Tier 2 visa holder…

UK Relocation – UK Visas for Professionals

Student visas are one matter, work-permit ones another. With the now effectively nonexistent Tier 1 visa, the reality for making a UK relocation happen for most expats pretty much hinges on finding a job here that will sponsor you. Easier said than done. If you’re being asked to transfer or want to and can possibly negotiate it with your employer, great—pursue that, and your company will sponsor your Tier 2 visa. There are no limitations to such. There is a finite amount, however, allocated to corporate-sponsored visas not related to employee transfers; that is, if you are hired for a new job in the UK.

UK Relocation – Setting Yourself Apart from the Rest

In the case of finding new work in the UK, to start, be aware that you’re effectively being hired as a local so likely won’t benefit from much of an expat package—the art of negotiation will determine what perqs you could get, but you might have a bit less leverage (see my earlier post “Relocating to London: Negotiating an Expat Package with Your Employer” for some considerations—though, mind you, there could be some benefits to not getting that support! See link here).

Beyond that, it’s also critical to understand that UK employers face the burden of proving to the UK government that the position was also open to UK and EU candidates and that such candidates were legitimately deemed less qualified for the position than you. You can understand, then, why employers might be reluctant to hire outside of UK and EU citizens when there’s a talented pool of professionals locally and it’s the path of least resistance. There’s no fast and easy answer to this. My best advice is to network like mad and register with recruiters in your field, if not approach relevant companies directly. Take some time to visit the UK to arrange meetings as well; good face-to-face impressions could ultimately lead to interviews that could ultimately lead to a UK relocation.

UK Relocation – Once on UK Soil

When you’ve proven to that UK employer that you are indeed that rare and unique snowflake deserving of the role, first of all, congrats! You can now initiate your UK relocation. If you’re hoping to be in for the long haul, note that you must live in the UK five years in order to apply for permanent residency, and then another year for citizenship (which requires passing an examination as well that isn’t for the faint of heart). Regardless of your goals, the short-term stretch of a UK relocation for all non-EU expats is all about the visa. So if you want to stay on at least a couple years or so, hold on to that job and hope the position (or company itself) will remain stable, or else ensure you can find another employer willing to sponsor you, as your Tier 2 visa is contingent on that sponsorship.

Take nothing for granted in those first five years, folks. A UK relocation is a beautiful thing, but there are a lot of variables involved that could make it less than a sure thing, especially now that the safety net of the Tier 1 visa is a thing of the past. Stay tuned tomorrow when I speak from the perspective of those involved in a UK relocation as a spouse or partner.

Your guide to moving to London is not going to be about what happens after you arrive, but about how well you prepare before you leave. Planning your relocation to London involves a little more than deciding what clothes to pack for the English weather. You will have to make sure that all of your affairs are neatly organized in your country of origin before you start looking for a guide to moving to London.

Guide to Moving to London From the USA

It is important  to decide what you are going to take with you on your move and what you are going to leave behind. Of the items that you are leaving behind, what can you sell and what do you want to place in storage? These decisions will largely be based on the length of your stay in London. A good guide to moving to London is that if you are only staying for a year, then you may decide to keep items in storage while you are away. If you are intending on staying for more than a year then it may be more cost effective and less hassle to sell as much as you can.

Guide to Moving to London Costs

For the most part it is far cheaper to sell your furniture at home and buy new furniture when you arrive in London. Moving bulky furniture across an ocean can be expensive and there is no guarantee that you’ll be able to fit anything into a standard London flat. They are much smaller than you think! This is where it is so important to get the advice of one of the professional London relocation services companies. They have expert advice on what to bring and what you should buy when you land. Try to find London relocation agents who have an understanding of your country that you are coming from.

Guide to Moving to London Transport

It generally makes more sense to sell your car and buy a new one after your relocation to London. Remember that you do not need a car to get around London and the public transport system is highly effective. Shipping your car to the UK is extremely expensive and you may struggle with driving a left hand drive car on the left hand side of the road. It takes a lot of getting used to!

The best guide to moving to London is to plan ahead so that you will have more time to explore and discover a new city after your relocation to London. Give yourself the freedom to really start living as soon as you have touched down.

Your professional London relocation services company will ask you a lot of questions and give you a lot of advice on moving to London when you contact them with regards to helping you with your relocation. Today’s post are not about the trendiest or most fashionable areas that many Americans moving to London look for, but rather the facets of you as an individual that will help your relocation agents give you the best advice on moving to London.

Advice On Moving To London and Transport

One of the most important pieces of advice on moving to London and choosing a new home will be the distance you are prepared to travel to get to and from work. Your London relocation agents will ask you for the physical address of your offices so that they have a good idea of the closest public transport hubs and the amount of time it will take you to travel to work in rush hour.

Some lines are more crowded than others during ‘peak time’ and you’ll have to decide how long you’re prepared to travel each day. If you don’t mind a commute involving a couple of tube changes and bus ride or two then you can live pretty much anywhere in the city. If you’re looking for quick and convenient, your choices of neighborhood may be restricted. The average commute for a Londoner is about an hour, unless you’re prepared to pay the exorbitant process of living in the heart of the city and being able to walk to work each day.

Advice On Moving To London With Children

If you have a social network in London or are planning your relocation to London with children this will be another factor in your choice of neighborhood. London is a huge city and if you have friends or family in a certain area you may want to tell your London relocation agents that you’d like to be close to your support structure as far as possible.

You don’t have to make up your mind over the internet, most London relocation agents will organize a list of properties in different neighborhoods to show you within a day of arriving in the city. the best advice on moving to London is to take your time and explore different areas before you decide.

If you’re moving to London from New York you’ll probably know quite a bit about how important it is to have a good understanding of the different areas of the city. It can be tough as an American moving to London from New York to try and find a London rental in the perfect neighborhood. Living in London means that you have over 100 neighborhood’s and suburbs to choose from and your first step will be deciding on whether or not you’re going to live north or south of the River

Moving to London from New York – American Neighborhoods

North London is certainly the more popular choice for Americans moving to London from New York. There are a number of suburbs that expats tend to favor. The problem is that they are also rather more expensive than usual, and prices tend to be inflated more than they should be. It might be wise if you’re on a budget to look at areas that are not traditionally inhabited by expats. Not only will you be paying substantially less, on your accommodation, but you’ll find that your annual council tax payment is cheaper in many neighborhoods to the south.

Moving To London From New York and Transport

One of the biggest pluses about living in North London after moving to London from New York is the transport network. If you have a look at the TfL tube map, you’ll see that there are far more tube stations north of the River Thames. If this is your first time in London and you don’t know the city very well, then living in north London is a definite plus. There are many areas in South London that just don’t have any tube stations, and while this is going to change with the additions to the East London tube line that have finally opened. It can still be a challenge to have to catch a train and two buses to get to work.

Moving To London From New York  - Choose North London

North London has some of the most famous parks and open spaces for you to enjoy. Many of the Royal Parks are in North London and you’ll have a fair amount of open space to enjoy during the summer months. In terms of entertainment, it can be said the central London with the bright lights of “Theatreland” and the thousands of clubs and bars, does actually fall into the North London area. That said, London is huge and if you’re looking for entertainment and excitement you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for no matter where you choose to live after moving to London from New York.