Posts Tagged ‘Americans moving to London’
Monday December 12th, 2011
Most Americans moving to London own or lease a car back here in the states. There are very few cities that have public transportation adequate enough to allow their residents to get where they need to go without a car. London is different. London has one of the world’s best public transportation systems and is proud of that accomplishment. Not only is a car unnecessary for those living and working in the city, having a car can be very expensive between all the fees and parking charges.
One of the biggest differences between home and London most Americans moving to London notice is the amount of walking expected. In London everyone walks. For long distances public transportation will take over, but one must walk to the nearest tube station or bus stop. Walking a mile to get somewhere is common place. London relocation agents will surely stress the amount of walking required in the city as well as give useful tips for navigating the public transportation system.
Those moving to London who decide a car is a necessity will have quite a shock coming! First, there is not a lot of parking. Much like New York City car-owners often have to pay to park their cars and the location
will not necessarily be right outside one’s home. Second, there are many fees for driving such as a congestion charge which is London’s answer to fighting traffic. The fee is around £10 ($20) a day with hefty fines for non-compliance. Parking meters are also ridiculously high and in the busiest parts of town can cost upwards of $10 an hour!
Americans moving to London due to corporate relocation should discuss in detail their family’s needs as it pertains to daily living and travel with their London relocation agents. London relocation agents are there to assist families in transitioning to their new home and country with as little stress as possible. While a car may not be a luxury every family can or need afford, some situations may require it. For those families London relocation services can help locate the most practical vehicle and acquire parking.
Tags: Americans moving to London, corporate relocation, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Public transport, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocation to London
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Monday December 12th, 2011
One of the most common frustrations of Americans moving to London is balancing a new budget. Since groceries are a must for any budget of any size, finding ways to feed one’s family and stay within budget when dealing with a new currency can be difficult. London relocation agents often advise new expats to try their grocery shopping online until they get the hang of the British grocery store and the British pound.
Consider Online Grocery Shopping
This is a lifesaver for those new to London through corporate relocation trying to stick to a budget and discover which grocery stores they prefer using. All of the big chain stores have online shopping facilities which are useful for those trying to learn the prices of various items.
My Supermarket is a useful website that allows shoppers the ability to compare prices and shop from different stores in one session. A good idea would b
e to compare prices online before ever trying one’s luck in the grocery store.
Tesco is a great store for budget shopping. The site is easy to navigate and they accept most credit and debit cards. They don’t just do groceries; customers can buy a car or sell their home through Tesco! They are, also, a registered financial institution as well. Tesco delivers between 9 am and 11pm from Monday to Friday, and between 9am and 8pm on Saturday. Sunday deliveries are until 3pm. One can book a preferred delivery time and charges range between £3 and £6 per delivery.
Sainsbury’s has similar times with similar prices, and great low price deliveries from Monday to Wednesday.
Asda has a minimum order of £25.
London relocation agents also recommend that Americans moving to London check the grocery websites often to catch delivery specials. A number of sites offer discount deals and special voucher codes for online shopping that can save customers up to 20% on their weekly shopping.
Grocery shopping might be low on the list of things to think when one is planning a relocation to London and even after an international relocation, but it will make a huge difference when Americans know their way around the British grocery store before they arrive and before the first shopping trip is due.
Tags: Americans moving to London, corporate relocation, Grocery store, international relocation, London, london relocation agents, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, Living in London, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocation to London, Shopping in London Places
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Sunday December 11th, 2011
Food is an internationally spoken language and for those Americans moving to London it is a wonderful way to learn about British culture. Much like in the states, London has a thriving farmer’s market association with markets in just about every neighborhood. By visiting one’s local farmer’s market Americans fresh to the streets of London from international relocation can learn traditional British recipes, try new and exciting foods not found in the states or Canada and help support local agriculture.
Most cities of decent size in the United States have thriving farmers’ markets. Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are available as well as local meats and dairy products. Customers can meet the farmers who grow their food and ask as many questions as they want. It is no different in the UK. Most families moving to London want to embrace the new culture and learn to prepare food as their British neighbors do. Going to the markets and talking with the farmers is a great way to learn basic British kitchen tips and traditional recipes. Generations of cooking know-how can be gained through just a few friendly conversations!
Unlike American farmers’ markets British one are available during the Christmas season. Christmas markets are a high point of many holiday traditions. By visiting a Christmas market Americans can buy all the traditional foods needed for a Christmas dinner and even find handmade baked goods. British farmers are friendly and very happy to explain traditions and cooking instructions to newcomers.
Relocation to London can be difficult, especially during the holidays, but by challenging oneself to embrace the native traditions, Christmas-time can be less lonesome. Christmas markets are a family event. There is no better place for immersing one’s family in the spirit of a UK Christmas and learning all about their new home’s culture and character. Many different cultures are represented and there is no better place than at the dinner table to learn about England’s rich collage of cultures.
For families wishing to visit a local Christmas market but not sure where to begin London relocation agents is a great starting point. They can point one in the right direction and even recommend the best markets. Americans moving to London during the holiday season should also contact one of the many London relocation services to inquire as to where to begin their new family Christmas tradition of visiting the local Christmas market.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Christmas, farmers market, international relocation, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocation to London, Shopping in London Places
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Saturday December 10th, 2011
Of all the blogs I’ve read or written about Canadians and Americans moving to London the one common theme is that to be truly successful in one’s international relocation they must join a group who can empathize with all the changes they are experiencing. Nothing is quite as romantic and picking up with a significant other, leaving all the known behind and diving into the absolutely exciting “unknown”. Sounds romantic? Well it is in a sense, but that doesn’t mean that there will never be a time when Americans and Canadians aren’t homesick for the stars and stripes or maple leaf.
Most people, today, use social media in one form or another to keep in touch with friends and family back home. They don’t have to stop there. There are many exciting, fresh Meet Up groups in London with active social media presences. Use Facebook or Twitter to look for some. It’s amazing how refreshing it can be to hear the friendly sound of an accent from home.
Most Meet-Ups are formed around a common denominator like Americans new to London due to corporate relocation. There are so many Meet Up groups that there will surely be one to fit everyone in the family and every interest.
One Meet-Up Group I’ve been impressed with is made up exclusively of Canadians and Americans who have taken that big leap of romantic faith, navigated the potential pitfalls, and have come out on top with all new friends and acquaintances making London their new home. The name of the group is “The London Expat American Meetup Group” and even their group photo looks fun. As it goes with Meet Up groups sometimes the turn out is a bit more sparse, the very next month you may take over the entire establishment. The point is not how many people go, but that everyone there knows exactly what a new American in London is going through and the new things they’ll be experiencing for the first time since their relocation to London: a fish out of water just a bit.
If one think sports teams pull complete strangers together, or a hobby, try replanting and restarting a life somewhere completely foreign. Everyone in the Expat American Meet Up Group has learned to reconnect in a new way, in a new environment, with completely new people. For Americans moving to London and Canadians Moving to London this Meet Up group is a must to investigate. Those fresh from the international relocation can even try connecting with members via Facebook with an open ended question such as, “What one thing would you have done differently if you had it to do over?” which will surely spark a slew of answers of things most may have never considered. Connecting with social media will also make going to an event after a relocation to London that much smoother.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Canadians, corporate relocation, international relocation, London, Moving to London, Relocation, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, Living in London, Relocating In London, Relocation In London, Relocation to London
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Friday December 9th, 2011
Relocation to London - A Journey Back to Dickens’ London - Image via Wikipedia
After surviving your relocation to London you deserve to relax a bit and take in some of the history and beauty of the city. There is no better way to do that this weekend than by taking the entire family to visit the Dickens exhibition at the Museum of London. Most Americans cherish the images of London and the neighboring countryside Dickens so eloquently wrote about.
Dickens, who lived and wrote in the nineteenth century, brought to light social problems on his era in beautifully written stories still cherished today. His heart-breaking story of little Oliver Twist shed light on the appalling conditions of London’s poor, especially the children. Other stories that have endured the test of time are A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield and Great Expectations. Dickens was not afraid to write about volatile social issues and expose corruption with a sense of humor.
The exhibition at the Museum of London provides a glimpse into an older London when Dickens walked its streets. Americans moving to London for a corporate relocation can appreciate the technological wonders of the presentation. An audio/visual production accompanies the tour through the exhibition and guests are amazed to find themselves transported back in time to the hard streets of nineteenth century London. A new documentary by William Raban, one of the UK’s premier filmmakers, explores the differences and similarities between London’s sordid night life now and in when Dickens wrote.
While the exhibition is a wonderful learning experience for children after an international relocation, some of the themes may be too much for younger children. A good idea for parents would be to discuss the issues of Dickens’ day before encountering them at the exhibit. Included topics are child labor, prostitution, infant and child mortality, and the disparity between the wealthy and poor.
While at the Museum of London you can participate in the Victorian Christmas Grotto and experience a Victorian Christmas with all the festivities. Santa Claus will be on and many activities for the entire family will be available. Relocation to London can leave American families feeling lost in a city so large, but this weekend a trip back to the nineteenth century can ease the transition.
Tags: Americans moving to London, charles dickens, international relocation, London, Museum of London, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, London Recreation, London, England History, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions, Relocation to London
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Friday December 9th, 2011
As an American moving to London I cringe when I hear mince pie mentioned because of the scary images filling my head as to what parts of which animals might be lurking inside the golden crust. With that said I was pleasantly surprised (quite shocked actually) to learn that modern day mince pie has no meat in it at all! Rather, it is a dessert pie filled with fruits and spices.
Traditionally served during the Christmas season mince pie has been a British traditional holiday staple for centuries. The origin of the dish is Middle Eastern and was brought over by Crusaders returning home. The original pie was made with a combination of meats (usually lamb), fruits and spices. Traditionally the three spices, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, are used to represent the gifts of the three magi to the Christ-child in the classic Bible story as well as a dough star topping the pie.
Today, mince pies are still a prevalent tradition in England and after moving to London one should not be surprised to come across several around the holidays. They are now made as individual pies and available by the dozen at bakeries and supermarkets. Although some people still incorporate meat into the pie, the vast majority of mince pies are meatless. For adventurous Americans moving to London there are several easy mince pie recipes to experiment with.
Almost all mince pie recipes include apples, raisons, candied fruit and spices. Some of the most popular mince pies available just about everywhere in London are Mark and Spencer and Greggs. Being new to the city it may be tempting to go to the market and buy one such pie, but I challenge all Americans planning their relocation to London to go out on a limb and try making a pie. If cooking is absolutely not your forte then inquire as to local, neighborhood bakeries famous for their pies.
Relocation to London can be difficult especially during the holidays. While Americans do not have to completely abandon their own holiday practices incorporating traditional British ones are a good way to settle into town. Mince pies might have been samples while living in the states or they might be totally foreign as they were to me. Either way, Americans should enjoy this sweet holiday treat after relocation to London.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, London, Moving to London, relocation to london
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Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Food & Beverage, Relocation to London
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Saturday November 19th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Howdy there, Pilgrims! It’s time for another round-up of Thanksgiving dinners in London if you’re making an international relocation to London from the US in time for the holiday.
I’ve blogged before about how I, as a fellow American expat living in London, have been able to find the traditional fixin’s for a Thanksgiving meal (like Stove Top stuffing and pumpkin pie) at the South Kensington Partridges in London (there’s another in Chelsea on the King’s Road, and the American Food Store is alternative located in Holland Park). That helped me out with my quick-n-dirty attempts at the feast when more formal meal plans had to be scrapped at the last-minute. It’s also tougher to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner given limited time constraints if you and your spouse or partner both have jobs in London, as we for obvious reasons don’t get the day off here in the UK. Unless you’re planning to use one of your vacation days to do it, that’ll be a real challenge to stuff the bird in the oven in time. Luckily, you’ll have Whole Foods at your disposal (the world’s largest one is located on London’s Kensington High Street), as they offer an American Thanksgiving menu that will prepare you entire meal, bodda-boom-bodda-bing.
If you’re not inclined to either cook or have to wash dishes, though, there are plenty of London venues that usually serve up a Thanksgiving feast or near-enough equivalent. So let’s gives thanks to the following if they’re continuing to do so this year (be sure to confirm with them in case they don’t specifically display their Thanksgiving menu on their website):
The City:
Missouri Angel near Tower Hill/Aldgate
Texas Embassy Cantina near Trafalgar Square
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House near Tower Hill
North London:
Belushi’s in Camden
The Breakfast Club in Angel and Hoxton
East London:
The Marksman Pub in Shoreditch
The Medieval Banquet in East Smithfield (St. Katharine’s Docks near Tower Hill)
Belushi’s in Greenwich
South Bank:
Tentazioni in Bermondsey
Belushi’s in London Bridge
West End:
Automat in Mayfair
Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair
Butlers Restaurant at The Chesterfield in Mayfair
The Reading Room at Claridge’s in Mayfair
HIX at the Albemarle in Mayfair
PJ’s Grill in Covent Garden
Christopher’s American Bar & Grill in Covent Garden
Belushi’s in Covent Garden
Planet Hollywood in Haymarket
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House in Soho
The Breakfast Club in Soho
Eagle Bar Diner in Soho/Noho (off Oxford Street)
Villandry in Marylebone
Cafe Luc in Marylebone
West/Southwest London:
The Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge
Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge
Henry J. Beans in Chelsea
Big Easy in Chelsea
PJ’s Bar & Grill in South Kensington
Babylon at The Roof Gardens on High Street Kensington
Bodean’s BBQ Steak House in Clapham and Fulham
Belushi’s in Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, and Hammersmith
We welcome comments here if you know of any other restaurants hosting Thanksgiving in London this year! And even if you’re not relocating to London for Thanksgiving this year, at least you know that it does exist in London if you know where to find it. In the meantime, the London Relocation agency is thankful that you’re here checking out our site right now and would love to chat with you about finding your London apartment—a new home for spending the holidays in London. 
Tags: accommodation in london, american expats in london, american thanksgiving gatherings in london, Americans moving to London, colleen, london apartment, london apartments, London Relocation Services, london restaurants serving thanksgiving dinner, rent london, thanksgiving in london 2011, where to find american food in london
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Americans Moving to London, London Food & Beverage
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Thursday November 17th, 2011
Your professional London relocation services company will ask you a lot of questions when you contact them with regards to helping you with your relocation to London. Today’s blog entries 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 London relocation agents find the best area for you!
Relocation Jobs and the Importance of Your Commute
One of the most important aspects of relocation 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.
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.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, relocation jobs, Relocation service, relocation to london, United States
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, London Neighborhoods, Relocation to London
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Thursday November 17th, 2011
Many Americans moving to London don’t consider the issue of shops and shopping. It’s quite different when you are moving to London and you may not have a car when you arrive. If you don’t discuss your requirements with your London relocation agents before you arrive, you may end up having to take several forms of public transport to get to the shops each week.
London Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Shops
If you want to do your shopping in bulk, you may have to have a car to get out to the suburbs. The concept of a super store is not new to the UK, but for the most part they are not found in central London. There are however, some neighborhoods that have a range of shops that are within walking distance. You’ll have to factor in all of the aspects that suit your personal preference. Don’t be afraid to tell your London relocation agents EXACTLY what you want, not matter how outlandish it sounds. London is a big city and there is a perfect home for you somewhere in the maze of cobbled streets and crowded highways.
Some of the most popular neighborhoods are also the busiest. If you don’t mind the noise from the high street going on until all hours of the morning then you can look at areas that have a buzzing night life. If you’re looking for a quiet village-like atmosphere then you can find suburbs in London that cater to your needs. There is no wrong or right neighborhood in London. There is only your personal preference.
You can also specify if you’d like to live in a modern home or a home that has a more traditional look and feel. Bear in mind that many homes in London date back to the Victorian era and have been converted into apartments for the modern day city dweller. They are extremely small and often don’t have closets or the space for large appliances. You can though, after your relocation to London, find some of the modern urban development’s right in the heart of the city that are well appointed and have all of the mod-cons that you’re used to.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, London, london relocation agents, relocation to london, United States
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Americans Moving to London, London Neighborhoods, Relocation to London, Shopping in London Places
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Tuesday November 15th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Planning your relocation to London needs to be done with a professional London relocation services company. If you’ve not visited the city before you could find it a challenge to choose a neighborhood after your international relocation.
Neighborhood Amenities
Before moving into your new London home, you need to have a good look at the neighborhood to make sure that it provides all of the amenities that are important to you. Relocation to London is an entirely personal experience and what works for a professional couple may not be suitable at all for a family with children who need to find good schools. International schools tend to be situated in areas that attract a lot of expats, but for Americans moving to London you may choose to live further out of the city in order that you are closer to one of the international schools in the surrounding counties.
Schools are classified according to a zone in the UK. If you live in a certain zone, you will not be able to send your children a school in a different zone, even if that school provides a better standard of education. If you’re planning your relocation o London with school-going children make sure that you discuss your education requirements with your London relocation agents before they start hunting for apartments in unsuitable areas.
Moving to London with a family also raises other relocation factors. Access to hospitals and emergency services is important if you have young children. Registering at a local doctor is required by law when you arrive in the UK and you’ll want to be able to reach your doctor quickly if you have young children. Not all hospitals have A&E (ER) units. You’ll have to ask your London relocation agents to advise you of suitable hospitals and even specialized children’s hospitals if that is your need. The last thing you want to have to do is trawl the city looking for an emergency room at 3am with a sick child.
Other factors that can influence where you live after relocation to London are: Community activities and centers, libraries and the proximity of shops to your new home.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation to london, United States
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, London Neighborhoods, Relocation to London, Relocation to London With Family
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Sunday November 13th, 2011
Deciding where to live after your relocation to London is a challenging decision. For Americans moving to London who have not visited the city, the choice can be bewildering and often overwhelming. If you’re negotiating your international relocation jobs package, ask your employer about the possibility of hiring a specialist London relocation services company to help you find accommodation that will suit your style, your lifestyle and your budget.
London Life
London is the most culturally diverse city in the world; it is also one of the largest, spread over 650 square miles. Like any other international city there are great areas, fashionable areas, totally out of your budget areas and then some not so great areas. Deciding on where to live cannot be done alone. Getting advice from other people is also not the most effective way of doing it. What works for a swinging single will definitely not be suitable for a family of four. You need to get professional, objective and unbiased help when you are moving to London.
Inside Out London
The biggest choice of course, is going to be whether or not you live in the heart of the city or in one of the surrounding suburbs. Young professionals tend to choose the trendier areas of Shoreditch, Clapham, and Wimbledon. They are South of the River Thames, but so terribly close to “The City”, which is the financial and business district of London. Trendier areas and the choice of expats and Americans moving to London are found in the North and West of London. Prices are slightly higher, but there is an international flavor to these areas of London.
Further Abroad
If you’d prefer a taste of English country living, you can find great counties that are conveniently located on the train and tube lines like Buckinghamshire and Essex. It is a bit of a commute, but if you have a family accompanying you on your relocation to London, it may be better to raise them in a more rural setting. The counties that surround London are filled with market towns and small villages and you may even be able to find a home with a substantial garden if you have a young family.
Just deciding on the general area that you’d like can be a challenge if you have not had the chance to view different areas before moving to London. When you hire one of the professional London relocation agents, you can arrange a tour of London and set up viewings of houses and apartments within a day of arriving in the city.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, London, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation to london, River Thames, United States
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, Relocation to London, Relocation to London With Family, Relocation UK
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Wednesday November 9th, 2011
Relocation to London – Do You Know What to Pack? - Image via Wikipedia
Planning your relocation to London will seem simple when faced with the herculean task of deciding what to pack for your move. Deciding what comes with you on the airplane and what gets shipped can be difficult. How will you know what clothes to bring with you? Do you need an adapter for your PC or cell phone? Part of your relocation to London planning should include thinking about what to pack when you’re ready to move to London.
Getting professional help from one of the London relocation services that has experience in Americans moving to London is going to be the fastest, easiest and least stressful way of moving to London.
Packing Pointers
Winter Wardrobe: You don’t need to bring as many clothes as you think you do. Your entire wardrobe is too much to bring wit you when you’re moving to London. People in London are not that concerned with what you’re wearing. Unless you already live in the great white north, you can buy a decent coat when you get here that will help you through the winter months. It’ll be far cheaper to purchase winter clothes after your relocation to London that it will be to bring them with you.
Appliance Science: Bring a few USA to UK plug adapters with you for any electronic items that you want to use. Computers and other electronic equipment are a lot more expensive in the UK than in the States so you may want to consider shipping your PC over. Appliances on the other hand, are quite cheap in London. Don’t bother shipping your appliances, they won’t fit into your new apartment at all. Your cute Victorian walk-up won’t take modern American appliances.
The best thing that you can do when you’re starting to plan your relocation to London is to make a list of your requirements, and hand it over to your London relocation agents who will be able to tell you what to bring with you and what you can purchase once you get here.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation to london, United States, USA
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, Relocation to London
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Monday November 7th, 2011
If this is your first time abroad and you’re getting excited about the opportunity of relocation to London you need to make sure that you’ve got your finances nailed down with your employer before you start packing.
We’ve developed a short list of items that you ought to ask as part of your negotiation and as a general guide to the cost of an international relocation:
Moving to London: Financial Checklist
- Salary – Will the salary offered as part of your relocation jobs package cover the cost of living in London?
- Housing/Accommodation: Will your employer help you with relocation to London housing costs?
- London relocation agents: Ask your employer if they can provide you with a third party London relocation services agent to help you find accommodation quickly. They will also be able to help you with smaller details that could become a big issue if you do it alone.
- Transportation Allowance: Does your employer have a transport scheme? This could have a big impact on where you are able to live and how long it takes to get to work each day.
- Visas: Will your employer pay for your visas and handle the submission and paperwork or will you be expected to do this yourself? Is your employer going to submit the paperwork on behalf of your spouse/partner?
- Moving costs: If you are keeping items in storage will you employers cover those costs? Do they have a limit on the amount that they are prepared to pay to ship your furniture and personal belongings to the UK?
- Will they pay all moving costs or just the transatlantic cost of moving?
- Are you eligible for a repatriation bonus to help you get settled?
- Taxes: Does your employer have a good package to handle taxes of Americans moving to London? Can they recommend a good international tax attorney to handle the issue of double taxation?
These are just a few of the issues that you need to raise with your employer when you are moving to London. Tomorrow we will discuss a list of typical expenses that you can expect to pay in the first two months of your relocation to London.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Cost of living, Employment, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation jobs, Relocation service, relocation to london, Tax, United States
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, Jobs in London, Living in London, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Relocation to London
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Monday November 7th, 2011
Many London relocation services agents will tell you that the very FIRST aspect of your move to London is to negotiate a great expat package with your employer. The chance to live and work in one of the most famous, fascinating and fabulous cities in the world could be decidedly dreary if you’re not paying attention to your salary and the package offered to you by your employer.
If you’re moving to London as part of an international relocation jobs program, your employer will likely have some experience of moving people around the world on secondment, but you still need to sit down and make sure you’re going to have enough money to cover your move and all that it entails.
Living in London is expensive, so you need to make sure that your new salary is a) market related, according to other jobs in the city of London and b) enough to sustain you in a comparable lifestyle. For many Americans moving to London this will mean a big increase, but before you get excited, the cost of living is much higher in London than in many American cities, so you need to do a bit of research before you sign the contract.
London Relocation Agents
If you are able to, try and negotiate that your employer makes use of professional London relocation agents to help you with the challenge of finding a London apartment. A good agent will have you into your new apartment in a day. If you’re going it alone you could spend months trying to find a landlord who will rent to foreigners and the credit rating from a British bank to cover your lease agreement.
Taxing Issues
You need to be very sure on the subject of tax when you are planning your relocation to London. You will be paying double taxes while you are living outside of the USA and you need to make sure that your package covers this. Your finances will form a big part of where you are going to be able to live and before agreeing to anything, you may want to do some research on your expected monthly expenses before you start. Consult with one of the professional London relocation agents to get a better idea of what you should be asking for when you are negotiating your London relocation jobs package.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Employment, international relocation, London, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation jobs, Relocation service, relocation to london, United States
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Thursday November 3rd, 2011
Preparing yourself for what your new home will look like after your relocation to London will go a long way towards alleviating any feeling of shock when you walk into a postage-stamp sized apartment that has been billed as a mansion. This is why it is so important to consider using a London relocation services agent to advise you on the different aspects of an international relocation to London, as well as what you can expect when you arrive.
An aspect that astounds many Americans moving to London in particular, is the size of the apartments in the city. If you understand exactly how small some London homes can be, you’ll have a better idea of the amount and type of furniture to ship over as part of your relocation to London.
The reason for the smaller properties is historical more than economical. London was built hundreds of years ago, and while this might make for a fascinating historical background, it can mean that your living conditions are more cramped than you are used to. Many of the properties in London date back to the Victorian age and a home that once had 5 floors and a basement has been converted into 12 apartments.
What Closets?
Storage space is limited in London flats and not all of them have cupboards, so you may have to purchase a wardrobe once you are in London. Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly small and the best advice is not to bring any appliances over with you. Purchase smaller ones here that will fit into your space. Most people have a combination washer/dryer to save space and you won’t find that many apartments have the space for a dishwasher.
Acclimatization can start to happen even before you arrive, especially with the amount of information that you can get from the internet. If you’re informed and have had good advice from your London relocation agents your new home could be one of the most charming and quaint places in the city as opposed to being a cramped box. The success of your relocation to London could just depend on your perception and your attitude.
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Americans Moving to London, London Apartments: What to Expect in a London Flat, Relocation to London, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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