Posts Tagged ‘americans moving to london england’
Thursday April 28th, 2011
Author: Colleen
As an American expat living in London, one aspect from home I didn’t mind leaving behind was American Idol. Sorry, just not a fan. But don’t worry, I got my payback for being such a twit about it—silly me wasn’t considering the fact that the US’s beloved talent show for singers was not the first of its kind, deriving, in fact, from none other than the UK. In these parts, we now know it as:
“X” is for X FACTOR!
I bet you thought the letter “X” would stump me for the A to Z Blogging Challenge, huh… Yeah, well, so did I! I was admittedly close to breaking the rules and trying to pass off “X-ecution” or “X-calibur” and spiraling off on a medieval England tangent. But no, today is all about the very now “X factor,” that “je ne sais quoi,” that little something that’s tough to put a finger on but easy enough to find when putting a finger on the remote control.
I’ve written before about all the UK television shows that have inspired US ones (see “Moving to London: What’s on Your London Apartment Telly is not so Foreign“), including The Office, Top Gear, Dancing with the Stars (called Strictly Come Dancing in England), etc. X Factor itself replaced the original Pop Idol show, which had first aired in 2001. Emerging in 2004, X Factor is produced by Simon Cowell, who judges alongside Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue, and Louis Walsh. The format of the series is essentially the same as American Idol, including audience interaction in casting votes, but a significant deviation is the fact that contestants need not only be soloists. Singing groups can enter, which helped launch the career of boy-band JLS, for instance (among the soloists, Leona Lewis is a notable X Factor winner). Another way in which X Factor markedly differs is where age eligibility is concerned. As with Idol, the age ranges allowed have fluctuated over the seasons, but as of now, I believe American Idol allows for ages 15-28 and X Factor is 16-28 as well as “Over 28s.” So an old codger like me in my 30s could go for it. 
Something else to "factor" into your London move 
And, hey, X Factor is coming to the US in its American incarnation this September!! Auditions began last month, and Cheryl Cole is slated to judge that one as well. The show will air on the FOX network in the US.
X Factor airs on ITV here in the UK. I’m not certain when its 8th season (or “series,” as they call it in England) starts, but their final auditions were earlier this month. Also as of this April, the series 7 finalists have concluded their Live UK tour. So if you’re moving to London from the US before X Factor USA comes out and likewise need your Idol fix, just sit tight and hopefully X Factor UK will be back on the air before long!
Tags: american idol, americans moving to london england, americans relocating to london uk, Cheryl Cole, london apartments for rent, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, relocating to london england, rent london apartments, Simon Cowell, uk relocation, x factor
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London Recreation
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Friday March 25th, 2011
Renting a London apartment. Image by canonsnapper via Flickr
Author: Colleen
If you’re moving to London and looking into renting a London apartment, my previous posts have addressed the state of today’s London property market (see “Renting London Apartments: The Current DL on LDN” Part 1 and Part 2). As promised, in this post I’ll address how you can best keep your head above water as you paddle through this super-competitive rental whirlpool of low supply, high demand, and gazumping.
Renting Your London Apartment
This is not a sales pitch; it is a reality. If you’re new to London and unfamiliar with its environment, you as an expat will have the best chance of uncovering a larger supply of properties at your price-point if you enlist the assistance of a London relocation agent. Such service providers will educate you on the local real estate dynamic and exploit their vast lettings agency contacts to exhaust the market in compiling available properties on any given day. And as I’ll explain below, timing is of the essence, so having a relocation guide on your side will help you still be able to make a sound, informed decision in a short amount of time.
Regardless if you enlist a third party to help or strike out on your own, you’re going to want to act fast. You’ll think you’re being schmoozed when an agent encourages you to make a snap decision soon after your initial viewing, and, believe me, I’m the first to want to call these shysters out on giving the hard sell. But even I now understand that, in London, it’s warranted—let’s not kid ourselves that if we hold out to make a second viewing (and then take our sweet time after that to mull it over) that the property of interest will still be there. Remember from my first post: supply is low, demand is high. If you don’t bid on a property, someone else will.
And if you do bid on a property, someone else still will, so be the first to put your money where your mouth is, literally. The best way to avoid getting gazumped is to be ready to pay your holding deposit right away (though there’s no set industry standard, this typically equates to six-weeks’ rent. If you’re a student or otherwise perceived as a financial risk, this deposit may be upped to three-to-six months’ worth). You will also want to offer as close to the asking price as possible and not make many stipulations. Sadly, you don’t have the upper hand in this situation, so you have less negotiating power to be a stickler when it comes to lower rent and what furnishings/improvements to demand…which gives me cause to reiterate my advice on hiring a relocation agent who will endeavor to help you leverage this situation in your best interests to the best of your ability.
Remember that compromise is key, so if you keep holding out for that elusive, “perfect” London flat that ticks every single one of your boxes, I can almost guarantee you’ll lose your chance of getting that near-perfect one that meets as many of your requirements as you can reasonably expect. As I’ll be addressing this Saturday in my “Weekend Warrior Saturday: What You Can Do Today to Prep for Your London Move” post, you should have a clear ranking of priorities in mind to help you more quickly decide what you want most and what you can live without when you’re faced with the inevitable trade-offs across London apartments at your price-point and desired location. No one is immune.
The Silver Lining?
It does appear that incentives are improving for prospective buyers to “buy to let,” which would result in a gradual increase of private London apartments available for rent. If London can see an influx of supply in rental housing, then demand should taper off a bit in relation and hopefully at least minimize the growth in rent prices if we can’t see an absolute decrease in them. It also means more perdy London apartments for you to look at and consider for yourself when you make your London relocation.
Tags: americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, london apartments, london apartments for rent, london homebuyers, london homes for sales, London lettings agency, London property market, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, relocating to London from US, relocating to london uk from canada, rent london, supply and demand of property in london
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Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Thursday March 24th, 2011
Renting in London. Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Author: Colleen
If you’re relocating to London and starting to research how to find a London apartment, my previous post addressed the current state of affairs with London property (see “Renting London Apartments: The Current DL on LDN (Part 1)“). Given the high demand for (and low supply of) London apartments these days, a couple other trends have become prevalent within the London rental market.
“Gazumping”
One unfortunate trend in the London apartment rental market that I didn’t address last time is the “gazumping” phenomenon. If you’re not familiar with the term, its concept is a really, really lousy thing that London landlords do to take advantage of the supply-demand situation I outlined in my other post. Let’s say you’ve searched and searched and have finally found your ideal London apartment; the landlord has verbally accepted the offer that the London lettings agent has put forth on your behalf. Already, those long-held dreams of moving to London are reaching fruition, and you’re fantasizing about what your London life will be like with this lovely property as your base…this glorious flat that has everything you want, in the perfect location, for a rent price you can swing, and in which you can already visualize how well all your stuff will fit. Tra-la-la, life is grand.
Hours later (or maybe not even until the next day), when it comes time for the landlord to sign the lease he/she’s already agreed to, oh wait, they’ve since received a higher bid and will be going with another tenant. Are you familiar with the acronym “S.O.L.”? Well, that’s you in this situation. This is when Ashton Kutcher jumps out of the woodwork and shouts, “You’ve been gazumped!”
Sealed Bidding
Traditionally a practice applied to property sales, sealed bidding is becoming more common for renting London property as well. Generally, a sealed bid involves interested buyers/renters putting forth an offer by a certain deadline (literally in a sealed envelope), and then all bids are opened and reviewed at a designated time to evaluate the winner of the property auction—i.e., whoever is deemed to have offered the best price in conjunction with wherewithal to proceed with the transaction quickly and smoothly (a.k.a. “proceedability”).
Join me in my next and last post of this miniseries to learn how you can up your proceedability and overcome all these obstacles in your quest for the ideal London apartment for your London move.
Tags: americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, gazumping, london apartments, london apartments for rent, london homebuyers, london homes for sales, London lettings agency, London property market, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, relocating to London from US, relocating to london uk from canada, rent london, sealed bids, supply and demand of property in london
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Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Wednesday March 23rd, 2011
Author: Colleen
If you’re planning your move to London, after procuring a job and visa, your next critical task is to find a flat to let in London. My esteemed London Relocation colleague Mat Paramor (our Head of Corporate Services—he’s the guy you want to talk to if you need to transfer your company’s employees to London!) has passed on the latest London property market trends and statistics, so I thought I’d distill the gist of it down for you to enhance your grasp on the current climate here.
London Apartment Supply
As of last summer, London encountered a serious shortage in available apartments for rent due to a few factors:
1) Landlords have increasingly opted to sell rather than let their London flats;
2) The increase in required mortgage deposits has discouraged renters from becoming buyers, so a generally older demographic that would have been looking to purchase a home have remained within the rental pool; and,
3) As the rental market becomes increasingly competitive, there’s less turnover in tenancy as renters renew their leases rather than take their chances in that atmosphere.
This shortage is particularly noted in the London neighborhoods consistently favored by expats: Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, and Hampstead.
London Apartment Rent
How does this impact you if you’re relocating to London and need to rent a London flat? Time now for an Econ 101 lesson: Supply & Demand and their impact on Price. The impact of scarcity in supply is clear as far as being more limited in your options at your price level. It also means expectations of where to set that price level may need to adjust:
If you’re not familiar with the economic concept of supply and demand, I’ll break it down. Basically, when supply of a product decreases, the demand for it increases. So if there are fewer available London apartments out there, that many more people will be clamoring over each one of them. This makes it very easy for landlords to then place a premium on their property for rent, to take advantage of the increase in demand. If people out there will pay it, why not charge it, right? Now, generally, as the price of a product increases, demand for that product goes down—who wants to pay more for something, you know? So the graph at the left shows us the theoretical state of equilibrium when price is aligned with the demand for a product as well as the available supply of it.
I’ve now manipulated the graph above to produce this next one, which shows how the market seeks out a new level of equilibrium when that Supply line is shifted to the left (to reflect the decreased quantity of available properties in London) and Demand concurrently shifts to the right (to reflect the increasing number of tenants looking to rent in London). As you see, those two lines now intersect at a higher price-point.
The London lettings agencies with whom we collaborate are forecasting average rent increases of 7-8% in prime London locations for 2011 over last year (whereas sales are predicted to rise only about 1% in price). Stick around for my follow-up post on what you can do to conquer this market and rent a London apartment that you’ll love to live in after your London UK move.
Tags: americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, Chelsea, Hampstead, Kensington, london apartments, london apartments for rent, london homebuyers, london homes for sales, London lettings agency, London property market, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, Notting Hill, relocating to London from US, relocating to london uk from canada, rent london, supply and demand of property in london
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Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Tuesday March 15th, 2011
Author: Colleen
If you’re relocating to London, sure, there just might be enough cause for error and embarrassment as you try to get situated in a new country, but that’s not the kind of “humble pie” I’m talking about today. You’re likely already familiar with the English nursery rhyme:
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye.
Four and twenty blackbirds,
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
Wasn’t that a dainty dish,
To set before the king?
We were entertaining a friend visiting London from the US last night and decided to treat him to some traditional British pub cuisine, namely the meat pie. And, appropriately enough, we took him to the Blackbird pub in Earls Court! The Blackbird is our go-to if any guests (or ourselves) are hankerin’ for a meat pie, as they offer such a nice selection of them, and their pastry is exquisitely light and fluffy. They do offer a vegetarian version as well, in case Tim Burton’s film Sweeney Todd has you concerned as to the origin of the pie’s contents:
Fancy a pie from this dear lady? Want to know a little more about it first? Okay. Apparently, meat pies (“humble pies,” as we also know them) have been consumed in Britain for over six centuries, and I read that such food actually came to the Isles even earlier with the Romans, who used a flour and water casing sheerly for cooking the meat inside, not to be eaten itself. In medieval times, the pies took on a rectangular shape, so were called “coffins,” and they were stuffed with sweet fruits and spices along with the meat…the precursor to the enormous Yorkshire Christmas pie that I still cannot wrap my brain around, let alone my mouth (the famous recipe is here, for whenever you happen to have an extra turkey, goose, duck, partridge, and pigeon lying around and you’re wishing you just had one easy recipe that could use them all…hm, perhaps you’ll want to try a less ambitious mincemeat pie instead, another holiday favorite in the UK). Speaking of English nursery rhymes:
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said ‘What a good boy am I!’
By Victorian-era England, pies had become more savory, and today we commonly see them filled with steak and kidney, pork, chicken, and sometimes game fowl. These pies were essentially England’s first takeaway foods, the early form of cheap street meat:
Simple Simon met a pieman going to the fair;
Said Simple Simon to the pieman, “Let me taste your ware.”
Said the pieman to Simple Simon, “Show me first your penny.”
Said Simple Simon to the pieman, “Sir, I have not any!”
At home in the States, I guess the closest I saw to these meat pies were the “pot pies” often stuffed with chicken and gravy. 
Throughout the UK, you can also find them in the related Cornish pasty form, which are very conducive to eating by hand (they were intentionally designed, in fact, to have the thick, crescent-shaped crust rolled around the edge for tin miners to hold onto with their dirty hands so they could eat the meaty pocket cleanly and discard the crust with the rubbish). You’re likely to find these pies or pasties sold at sporting venues much like we’d see hotdogs in the US!
I must say, prior to moving to London, I’d never been one for pot pies or just much meat in general, so it surprised me how much I enjoyed the British meat pie and continue to do so—so give it a go after your London relocation to get properly acquainted with local cuisine.
Tags: americans moving to london england, British cuisine, canadians moving to london uk, dining out in london, english nursery rhymes, flats to let in london, Little Jack Horner, london apartment, london move, London pubs, london relocation agency, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, Meat pie, meat pie recipes, relocating to london england, rent london apartments, what does humble pie mean, what is a meat pie
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London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Monday March 14th, 2011
Author: Colleen
If you’re researching your move to London, I don’t know if you realize what an impressive food culture you’re venturing into. The Brits generally get a bad rap for their food, but once you’re properly living in London and veering off the well-worn tourist path, you’ll discover its diverse, quality global offerings as well as delight in its traditional fare (see “Move to London and Eat Yer Humble Pie,” in homage of the British meat pie, for example). 
One particularly lovely discovery I’ve made since relocating to London is a restaurant called Bumpkin. With two locations at present in west London (Notting Hill and South Kensington), Bumpkin serves up fresh, seasonal British foods that offer the cozy comfort of traditional country dishes with a cosmopolitan twist that reinvents each menu item with exciting flavor combinations. You can find the classic meat and potato fare along with superbly spiced fish, risotto, salads, etc. And it’s open all day, so whether you want brunch or dinner, creamy cappuccino or a fine wine, a light bite or a substantial dish to tuck into, Bumpkin and its casual chic ambiance is one that pleases a range of different tastes. That’s precisely why I like to take out-of-town visitors there; there’s something for everyone, and the staff is always very friendly and attentive.
Just another venue to add to your list as you anticipate your London move and will be keen to get out and explore new restaurant options after all is settled with your new London apartment!
Tags: americans moving to london england, British cuisine, bumpkin restaurant london, canadians moving to london uk, dining out in london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london move, london relocation agency, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, london restaurants, places to eat in notting hill, relocating to london england, rent london apartments, South Kensington, west london apartments
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London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Friday March 11th, 2011
Author: Colleen
If you’re moving to London and have already “Liked” us on our new Facebook page, awww, we’re sure feeling the warm fuzzies! If you haven’t yet, perhaps you aren’t aware that London Relocation is in the process of phasing out its Facebook profile in favor of its PAGE: www.facebook.com/LondonRelocationLtd.
Liking us there is so simple, really…like a flick of the wrist, literally accompanied with a click of the mouse. Bodda-boom, bodda-bing. That easy, so why not try it now? www.facebook.com/LondonRelocationLtd
(in case you missed it before).
And wait! Oh look what we have here…why yes, that would be a Facebook icon on the right-side of our screen here where you can access that same Facebook page link.
Hint taken?
Okay then, moving on. What you stand to benefit from “Liking” us on Facebook are daily updates on what’s going on in London, our blog posts, and, oh, whatever’s on our minds that we think you’d be interested in whether before, during, or after your London move. This is yet another way for us to open the lines of communication with you for more personalized interaction than mere words on our website. We’re interested in hearing from you, too! What questions you might have, what advice and notifications you think we and your fellow London Relocation-Likers might benefit from—throw us what you got! And in the meantime, you can also expect to see these regular features on our page:
Monday Moving Tips - Advice on how to prep for moving to London and settling into your London apartment.
Thankful Tuesdays - An opportunity for us to thank our London Relocation clients and share their testimonials.
What’s On Wednesdays – What’s going on in London that particular week.
Travel Thursdays – Ideas for where to travel with London as your new departure point.
Friday Night Out - A new venue featured each week for steppin’ out for a night in your new city.
We thrive on the quality interactions we continue to have with folks like you, so do pop by and visit London Relocation on Facebook!
Tags: american expat london social network, american expats in london, americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, flats to let in london, london apartment rentals, london relocation agency, london relocation facebook page, london relocation on facebook, London Relocation Services, relocating to London from US, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, tips for moving overseas to london england
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London Relocation & What People Say About Us
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Friday March 4th, 2011
Author: Colleen
There was a time when I used to field London Relocation‘s prospect enquiries and book appointments for its clients moving to London. Now that I focus on the blog and London Living, my interactions are more so relegated to cyberspace, so I myself don’t often get to meet in person the lovely people who entrust our relocation agency to help them rent a London apartment.
It was therefore a special delight last night to have the opportunity to meet at least thirty of London Relocation‘s recent clients at our very first social! And what nicer way for those who have just made their London move to establish a new network of friends and contacts among other expats?
The event was held at Westbourne House, right on Westbourne Grove near London Relocation’s new office. Self-described as “a sophisticated mix of Parisian boutique and Manhattan loft,” the venue was suitably classy for our wonderful clientele. Honestly, it was a fantastic and really, really fun mix of people (a lot of Americans and Canadians) who have all found their way to London for various reasons and embody the right enthusiasm for their new adventure. Singles, couples, families…everyone’s needs are different, but London Relocation is the common denominator that has met those needs across the board.
Among the topics of conversation I engaged in last evening were moving to London as an accompanying spouse, becoming educated on the parameters of certain budgets for certain London locations, lifestyle considerations such as endless options for travel outside and exploring within London, commuting, going with private health insurance versus NHS, dog-friendliness of London flats/neighborhoods, etc., and how making local connections (with expats and otherwise) is so important to having all your inevitable questions answered, be it during the relocation process or just afterward when you’re trying to figure out the everyday things like where you can get your computer fixed! And I was most ecstatic to learn that clients have found London Relocation’s own resources to be invaluable to their process, be it the friendly staff that takes your call or right here on the blog and our London Living social network (through which many London expats have made good friends!).
So today I’d like to send a cyber-standing ovation to my colleague Ja’Nae’ Mosley for organizing such a superb outing, and to our boss-man Anthony Gallo for providing for the food and booze. Looking forward to our subsequent socials and hope to see you all there, too, once you move to London!
Tags: americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, destination service provider, flats to rent in london, london apartment, london move, london relocation agency, london relocation client social, London Relocation Services, relocating to london from north america, rent london, rent london apartments, social event in notting hill, Westbourne Grove, westbourne house westbourne grove
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London Relocation & What People Say About Us
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Tuesday February 1st, 2011
Author: Colleen
Those of you who are planning to relocate to London and have been following our blog for London property, logistical, and cultural tips are already one step ahead of the game. The more you plan ahead, the more prepared and less stressed you’ll be when it finally comes time for the big London move.
Now London Relocation is supplementing the free relocation advice we provide here, over the phone, and via our social networking site (London Living) with regular installments of our weekly newsletter. Stay current with London property market trends, score helpful tips on searching for London apartments, get to know the individual members of our staff (and how our property and expat experience informs the quality and personality of our service!), and follow fun regular features like, “What Did He Just Say?” that teaches a new British English word or phrase each week.
Moving to London is a gargantuan matter to attack from all sides—getting sorted with your documentation, employment, London apartment, utilities, bank account, finding your way around and feeling familiar with the language, culture, and history of this phenomenal place is something you shouldn’t have to do alone. We at London Relocation are here as your one-stop resource on all-things-London, whether we can assist you with your London flat-finding or merely share some of what we know through our newsletter, blog, online forum, email, or that modern invention called the telephone…never hesitate to just give us a call and hear a friendly, helpful voice on the line. Our London office can be reached toll-free from North America at 1.877.778.3487, or, to enquire online to receive our personalized email response as well as weekly newsletter, please complete our online form on this page or elsewhere on our website. Cheers from London Relocation!
Tags: accommodation in london, americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, flats to let in london, london apartments, london property advice, london relocation expert, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, moving advice, relocation agency in london, rent london
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London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Monday January 31st, 2011
Author: Colleen
Time again for another brief compilation of our previous blog posts as well as some new info for those wanting to rent London apartments and get their utilities situated. Even if you haven’t yet moved to London, 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 London 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).
Tags: accommodation in london, americans moving to london england, British Gas plc, canadians moving to london uk, colleen, E.ON, Flats in london, london apartment, london apartments, london move advice, London Relocation Services, mobile phone service in the uk, overseas relocation advice, rent london, renting an apartment in london, Scottish Power, Southern Electric, Thames Water, top 5 favorite blog articles, uk tv, Utilities
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London Relocation Top 5 & 10 Lists!, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Wednesday December 1st, 2010
Author: Colleen
If you’re moving to London in the near future, you’ll learn that once you rent that London apartment (a big item to tick off the list), there are a slew of other necessities that crop up in order to fully transition into your everyday London life.
Among them are:
1. Getting a UK mobile phone (a “cell phone,” as we Yankees call them) for local calls.
2. Calling home internationally.
3. Understanding bank codes necessary for fund transfers, etc.
4. Understanding UK taxes.
5. Buying groceries in London!
And remember, if there are any additional sources of confusion that you encounter pursuant to your London move, give London Relocation a ring so we can speak to your individual needs! As a client, you will also receive our guidance on setting up your utilities, so consider another major item ticked off the list!
Tags: accommodation in london, americans moving to london england, americans relocating to london england, Canadians and Americans in the UK, canadians moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, colleen, dialling internationally from uk, Flats in london, london apartment, london apartments, london move advice, London Relocation Services, mobile phone service in the uk, moving to london with a family, overseas relocation advice, rent london, renting an apartment in london, setting up a bank account in london, top 5 favorite blog articles, uk taxation, where to buy groceries in London, where to shop in london
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London Relocation Top 5 & 10 Lists!, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Tuesday November 30th, 2010
Author: Colleen
Well, if it’s forecast to snow in London this week, if you already live here you may as well make use of the winter backdrop and do something Christmas-y!
London Christmas markets abound, including at the following locations:
* Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – 19 November – 4 January
* Christmas Market at London’s Southbank Centre – 19 November – 23 December
* Greenwich Christmas Market – 24 November – 31 December
* Paddington Christmas Market – 29 November – 3 December
* Real Food Christmas Market at London’s Southbank Centre – 3-5 and 17-19 December
* Belgravia Christmas Sunday – 5 December
* The Chocolate Festival at London’s South Bank Centre – 10-12 December
* Christmas at Kew – 11 December – 3 January
And of course, as I wrote about before in my “Dashing Through the Snow…-less London Streets!” post, you have a few Santa-themed runs to choose from (though the weathermen are looking to make a liar out of me where that post title is concerned…).
Also not to miss is the tree-lighting at Trafalgar Square on 2 December, and if you want to really make spirits bright, you might consider volunteering for Crisis at Christmas.
Keep warm in the meantime, everyone! If you haven’t yet found your London apartment, London Relocation Ltd. will make sure it’s a speedy process that keeps you out of the cold as we drive you door-to-door and help you get a move-in date soon so you can mix up some hot toddies and snuggle within the comforts of your new London home (in case the weather becomes too frightful for those markets ).
Tags: american expats in london, americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, christmas shopping in london, colleen, Greenwich Market, Kew Gardens, london apartments, london christmas events, london christmas markets, london holiday events, london holiday festivals, london move, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, london south bank, Moving to London, rent london, shopping in london, twelve days of christmas, west london
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London Food & Beverage, London Recreation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Tuesday October 19th, 2010
Author: Colleen
I regret that I’m two weeks too late to notify of the full event, but I wanted to give the heads up to you who have already moved to London (or are perhaps visiting London right now) that tonight is the third in a series of debates being held at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Though I haven’t attended one of this year’s series yet, I’m very nostalgic for this October event, as it was one of the first things that gave me a sense of purpose after moving to London this same time of year two years ago. No job, no home, and a lot of aimless wandering and getting lost, but my discovery of these debates was something that gave me a schedule, a bit of structure, and an immeasurable amount of self-reflection and peace. That year, the debates focused on Science & Religion, and though labeled a “debate,” I think it if anything demonstrated that the two can coexist harmoniously; it doesn’t need to be one or the other, and if one doesn’t believe in both, there are ways to respectfully agree to disagree. The panel was comprised of atheists, agnostics, and theologians alike who discussed topics such as the nature of the soul in relation to the body, evolution, and the Big Bang. I’d made three of four talks and can attest that it is the most serene, profound ways one can spend a couple hours in central London, and for free. Even if there wasn’t an admission fee to the cathedral by day, I would always prefer it by night like this. There’s a golden quiet to it that strips away the tourism (another way to experience St. Paul’s similar to this is to attend their regular evensong services).
Last year’s focus was generally what constitutes “success” in life, and this year’s has been pursuing the big topics: Suffering, Love, Death, and Happiness, in that order. Tonight’s topic regards what it means “to live in the knowledge of our own death,” and next week will close the series in exploring what “happiness means and where it can be found.” The debates are on Tuesday evenings, beginning at 6:00pm (getting there beforehand is recommended to ensure a good seat) and ending at 8:00pm. Each topic is also supplemented with a meditative service on the Sunday following its respective debate; these services likewise begin at 6:00pm and are free to the public.
If you’re relocating to London, there’s little doubt that the move will constitute an upheaval to some extent. Moving far away from home and loved ones and possibly starting on a new career or education track is a turning point in our lives that gives us pause to reflect on who we are and what we want out of life. My own relocation without question prompted me to think of all of the above topics…you learn that life can surprise you at every turn and that time will keep ticking away at increasing speed…you learn what you’re made of and reevaluate your goals and purpose accordingly…and you learn to take nothing for granted. So when the stress of moving overseas and getting settled into a new London flat, a new job, a new school, etc. is said and done, be sure to schedule some quiet time in your life to listen to yourself. If you’re in town already, you might begin this by attending one of these remaining debates beneath the gaze of the marvelous dome of St. Paul’s.
Tags: americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london england, colleen, events at st. paul's cathedral, finding a flat in London, finding meaning in life, finding peace and quiet in london, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, meditative services in london, renting an apartment in london, st. paul's cathedral debates, things to do in london
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London Recreation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Monday October 18th, 2010
Author: Colleen
If there’s one thing a London relocation has added to my life and the lives of my loved ones, it’s easy yet amazing travel opportunities. I’m presently hosting my parents during their two-week visit to London—it’s their second trip here, and while we toured a lot of London the last time, this year we’ve ventured out of the metropolis to explore the lovely English countryside.
Departing from London Paddington station on Friday, we took the First Great Western train to Moreton-in-Marsh, the transportation hub of the Cotswolds, where we then caught a local bus for the hands-down most picturesque drive conceivable to the quaint village of Chipping Campden. Its high street lined with cute shops, restaurants, and pubs, the town is an idyllic setting for just strolling around and taking in the quintessential English atmosphere—this is what first-time visitors expect from England, and it couldn’t possibly disappoint if you decide to visit yourselves or recommend it to out-of-town guests once you move to London. Only a couple hours away, it’s perfect for a daytrip or quick weekend.
Other points of interest in Chipping Camden included a 17th-century market hall and the 15th-century St. James’s Church, the churchyard of which overlooks the rolling green hills dotted with white sheep. Swallow deep breaths of this fresh country air before continuing your wander along the public footpath or settling back at what is surely a cozy hotel for some much-needed rest and delicious cuisine made from locally-produced ingredients. We ourselves stayed at the charming Lygon Arms hotel and were beyond delighted with the room, food, and service, not to mention its convenient location just off the High Street.
Bus service is essentially nonexistent in the Cotswolds on Sundays (otherwise, there’s a handy network of routes connecting all the villages as well as outer towns of interest), so yesterday we hired a car to drive us the mere 12 miles to Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the literary genius Shakespeare. Though not as remote as the Cotswold villages, this town is nonetheless on a far smaller and more tackleable scale than London, obviously, so it’s simple to cover all the points of interest on foot in just a day. Here you can see Shakespeare’s birthhome as well as the site of his last house where he lived the rest of his days, and pay your respects where his bones now rest for all eternity at the Holy Trinity Church (I recommend the path along the River Avon to its churchyard as a tranquil route). Walking the narrow streets with the wonky Tudor-style buildings hovering and slouching over you is an aesthetic treat in itself, but there is also a hop-on-hop off bus tour to help get around while learning more details of local history, or you might consider taking in a show by the Royal Shakespeare Company. And if you’d like to get spooked just in time for Halloween, one particular Tudor house to visit is the Falstaff’s Experience, situated within the oldest lived-in house in Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare’s inspiration for his character Falstaff is believed to have lived. There is much death and unrest in its history, whether it was cival war soldiers who died from their wounds in the makeshift beds set up there or people who were murdered or committed suicide within its rooms and corridors. By day, Falstaff’s is a quirky museum of the town’s dynamic history, and by night it is the sight of ghost tours, as it’s considered one of England’s most haunted sites.
Despite an “incident” that delayed our train last night, the typical ride from SuA back to London via Oxford is about two and a half hours, or you can go by National Express bus in about three hours. Again, if you’re moving to London and looking to really know the country and its diverse environments and histories, take advantage of the sophisticated rail and bus network that connects you to everything worth seeing!
Tags: americans moving to london england, colleen, daytrips outside of london, history of shakespeare, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, london travel tips, london weekend excursions, moving to London advice, national rail services, places of interest in london england, planning a cotswolds weekend, relocating to london uk from canada, royal shakespeare company, shakespeare's home, shakespearian theatre, things to do in stratford upon avon, touring stratford upon avon, visiting the cotswolds
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London Recreation, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions
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Thursday October 14th, 2010
Hey, anyone who is relocating to England or another country and looking to purchase a house! House Hunters International needs you!
“If you are currently looking for or have recently bought a home abroad, we would like to put your story on TV!
Our hit show is looking for energetic individuals, couples and families to share their story about moving abroad and buying a home. Participating in our show is a lot of fun and a great way to document your exciting search for a home and new life abroad. Contributors should be fluent in English.
If you are interested in participating with our show or learning more, please send an email to househunterscasting@leopardfilms.com. Please include your contact information, the locations you are moving from and to, and a picture of your family and your property.”
This is a prime opportunity for expats to share the trials and tribulations of moving and owning a home abroad for the education and entertainment of us all, so please do contact the email address above if you’re keen!
Tags: americans moving to london england, buying a home abroad, buying a house in england, canadians moving to london uk, finding a place to live in London, house hunters international, international property search, London Relocation Services, moving abroad buying a house, moving abroad to live, moving to London England, purchasing property in a foreign country
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Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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