Relocation to London – For You… - Image via Wikipedia

 Writing a blog about moving to London is easy. Writing a blog about moving to London that is useful and readable is a little more of a challenge. Just this week, we received a comment from a reader of the London Relocation Services blog who asked for more specific information about recruitment in London for accompanying spouses. What was originally intended as a general post about the challenges facing partners and relocation to London, turned into an in depth, useful series of blogs on the subject of relocation jobs.

Feedback is essential to the growth and penetration of an online resource and that’s what London Relocation Services blog is all about: Delivering excellent information for people planning their relocation to London. Hearing from readers about what they want to read on the London Relocation Services blog is very important to us.

More attractions? More about moving? London areas and neighborhoods in depth? Banking and finance? Let us know what you’d like to read about and we’ll cover it. Some people have very specific questions when they’re planning a relocation to London. Americans and Canadians moving to London may have questions and issues that they would like resolved before they move.

There is no question that is too silly when you’re planning an international relocation. Your question could help others around the world who are considering moving to London. If you leave a comment we can either get back to you in person or address your question on a platform that may help other expats.

Striving to be the very best London relocation agents, is not about moving as many people as we can, but about offering a comprehensive resource and personal service so you are settled into life in London as fast as possible. It’s about the details of your life that will make a huge difference to the success of your relocation to London.

Would you like to learn about the challenges facing expats on arrival in London? Perhaps more in depth information on the economy and how it compares to your own country? It’s your blog, your resource and all about YOUR relocation to London.

Relocation to London: What Should I Bring From My Country? - Image by RXAphotos via Flickr

No doubt in your planning of your relocation to London your mind is full of questions as to what you should get in your home country that may or may not be available in London.  As you know the dollar is weak against that of the GBP sterling, so in fact there are a few things that you really want to consider bringing with you before your international relocation is permanent and you’ll be relying on others “back home”, to send you what it is you crave.  Now I’m not speaking right now of food stuff’s for certainly there are American and Canadian brand food items that you CAN buy in England, albeit they are FAR more expensive, but that is a common thing.

​

For instance, when you started working with your London relocation services company and your London relocation agent began sending you London flats and London apartments you must have been amazed at some of the lease prices for such small spaces.  Yes rents can be shocking when your first working with your London relocation agent, it’s not the standard North American sized places you’ll be seeing.  Paying 2,100 GBP a week in rent in places like we discussed yesterday, Kensington area is not uncommon.  As a side note, that equates to $3,400 USD for all you Americans moving to London and $3,346 CAD for all you Canadians moving to London, oh yes, and that was a weekly price don’t forget.  Certainly there are rents to be had that are more reasonable, and your London relocation agent is just the person to speak to about it.  Let them know your price range and start by seeing properties in your price range.  But you may want to be prepared to increase your budget when you see the size of London apartments.

​

So what is it that you can get back stateside that you will really pay through the nose to buy in England?  Well jeans for one.  Let’s take that all American Jean Levi’s.  I priced a pair of 501′s around town and they are asking approximately 75-90 GBP for a pair of ladies boot cut jeans, which equates to $113-$145 USD, for a pair of Levi’s!  It’s about the same in CAD, $111-$143 for our Canadian expats.  So you see some absolute basics, and I do consider Levis as a basic, can be really quite expensive.  Periodically I’ll continue to update you with items you may want to stock up on while still back stateside, but for now let your planning your London relocation be about where you’ll live instead of what you’ll be wearing.

Living in London, the London Pass Series : Winston Churchill's War Room - Image Wikipedia

Churchill was Prime Minister of England not once, but twice, first in 1940-1945, during the second world war, and again in 1951-1955.  The instant thought that comes to mind for most people is his victorious efforts in World War II, and his famous orations and speeches.  Yet there is so much more to Churchill than just his status as Prime Minister and world leader.  Did you know that Churchill was an officer in the British Army, an accomplished historian, a writer, and an artist.  Until this day Winston Churchill is the only Prime Minister to have won the Nobel Peace Prize for literature.

Churchill was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States, (for all you Americans moving to London).  There is so much most people don’t know about this incredibly historic figure, and when your living in London after your London relocation is the best time to find out more.  The Churchill War Room chronicles the most famous of all Brits and lays out the 60 years of political service he performed.

​

The Churchill War Room is one of the top 10 attractions that your London Pass will get you into for free.  This is the location of the underground master headquarters of the war effort.  It’s a must see for all those living in London.  What’s great about this attraction is that it’s completely interactive and runs at your own pace.  There is a 15 meter long lifeline chronicle of Churchill’s life that allows you to digitally access each and every entry point, so the visitor can further investigate beyond the displays.  There’s a great deal of footage as an expat you’ll be glad you’ve seen so you can really get a good understanding of why the native English population have such extreme loyalty and pride with this incredible icon of London.

​

As we are a blog about relocation to London, it’s important that we let you know about the neighborhoods so many of you Canadians moving to London end up selecting as a location to be living in London; Camden.  Camden area is a terrific area of London suburb and has great amenities in the local area.

Camden is on the north end of London and bordering Camden is the Royal Regent’s Park.  Regent’s Park has its own underground station on the Bakerloo line.  This outstanding London treasure is 166 hectares (410 acres for you North Americans) and its rose garden is one of the most visited in all of London.  The park has excellent sports facilities of which 100 acres of the park are dedicated to.  It’s the largest outdoor sports area in London, for all of you moving to London with boys or girls into sports (or grown husbands looking for pickup games).  Regent’s Park has the world’s first Zoo opened in 1848.  The amenities of this London playground for families, couples, and singles is a perfect addition to an active lifestyle in which outdoors and exercise is a priority in your living in London. For the health conscious and the nature and theater lovers who are considering a relocation to London should contemplate living near this London treasure.

The Regent Parks Open Air Theatre is one of the most intimate seating arrangement of 1,240 people you will ever be a part of.  Each summer beginning in May they put on the first of four productions that are provocative, dramatic, and very well done by the company of actors.  Being in the final of this year’s four production now playing is likely of great interest to those Americans moving to London, it’s a Charles Gershwin’s’ “Crazy for You”.

For those of you living in London whose relocation to London is already complete, you have two weeks left to catch the production.  Ending in just 15 days, Crazy for You is playing nightly at 7:45 p.m. and is an excellent evening outdoors enjoying something contemporary and immersing yourself in the arts a bit.  It’s also a perfect date night destination J Gershwin’s always light and uplifting to the mood and spirit, a true legend of the glamorous age of Hollywood when productions were the largest form of entertainment in the entire world.

Check out your surroundings while living in London, your London relocation agent can forward or email you more information about the neighborhood of Camden, and we’ll be sure to give you more posts about it and the amenties living in London’s north end has to offer you.  Just respond to this post’s comments if you care for us to send you example London apartment listings and average pricing in the area, oh and please include your name and email.  With that I will leave you of a description of the Regent Park Open Air Theatre’s description on their website, having enjoyed shows there (yes on date night) myself with my significant other, I can tell you that I couldn’t describe it better myself:

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is the only permanent professional outdoor theatre in Britain. Its steeply raked auditorium is one of the largest in London with 1,240 seats, yet those who attend say it is one of the most intimate. Each night an incomparable atmosphere is created by the buzz of people enjoying their theatre going in every sense: people setting up hampers on the picnic lawn, filling their glasses with wine or drinking Pimms in the bar as the fairy lights twinkle in the trees.  

Relocation to London: Camden Area and Regent Park

Writing this blog I of course do read and sometimes make comments on other blogs in and around London.  For all the blogs that cater to expats I must say one thing is clear: moving to London you ARE going to have feelings of regret and homesickness once in a while. Sure gearing up for your international relocation telling everyone you know and meet that your moving to London is an absolute thrill.  (Partially because they aren’t aware of the stress that can be involved moving across the globe.)  But yes, it is a chance to take a bow, even if you are not the one with the new job in London, or the one going to school here, you are “living the dream”.  Nothing is quite as romantic and picking up with your significant other, leaving all you know behind and diving into the absolutely exciting “unknown”.  Sounds romantic no?  Well it is in a sense, but that doesn’t mean that there will never be a time when you are blue for the Red White and Blue, or the Maple Leaf of home.  Every rainbow needs it to rain first, no pun to today’s earlier post intended.

Relocation to London: What You Must Do For Yourself When You Arrive- photo taken from Meet-up Group Web Page

But all Americans moving to London and Canadians moving to London would do  well to follow the advice I read on every relocation services companies blog: JOIN A GROUP.  No doubt that some of you at least know about “Meet-Up” Groups.  They have Meet-Up groups of underwater basket-weaving in Bangladesh there are so many of these groups.  Becoming ever increasingly popular with the evolution of social media, think of Meet Up groups as the next step after Facebook.  Any Meet-Up group consists of people with a like interest meeting at a predetermined time and place about once a month.

Well this Meet-Up Group 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, the point is that everyone there is or has gone through the new things you’ll be experiencing for the first time since your relocation to London: a fish out of water just a bit.

If you think sports teams pull complete strangers together, or a hobby, try replanting and restarting your life somewhere completely foreign, needless to say, you’ll not be hard pressed thinking of what you’ll say next.  Everyone there 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 (Don’t be put off by the name, read the home page) this Meet Up group is a must to investigate.  You may even try connecting with members via Facebook, certainly an open ended question such as, “What one thing would you have done differently if you had it to do over?” will spark a slew of answers of things you may have never considered.  It will make finally going to an event after your relocation to London that much smoother.

Relocation to London: Living Overseas -Part 1 - Image by ktylerconk via Flickr

​

If your in the midst of planning a relocation to London than there are some matters you will want to familiarize yourself with pertaining to international relocation.  If your an American moving to London, or a Canadian moving to London and you are using a professional London relocation services company, much of this investigation will be done for you.  Still it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements.  Any persons entering the United Kingdom are subject to the immigration rules of the relocation UK.  You can always go to source sites like the British Embassy, British Consulate, or the British High Commission.

​

You can always visit the  official UK Government website that lists all the specific information and requirements that your London relocation agent will be helping you with during your moving to London.  But this site will have a listing of all the British Embassy phone numbers in case your have other specific questions you’d like more clarification on. You will also find detailed information about visa requirements, application, rules, helpful travel and health advice, and warnings about trouble-spots to avoid.

​​​​​

Australians, Canadian, New Zealand and American citizens will need a work permit to work in England, but do not have to get a visa for stays up to and under a six months time-frame.  As the London relocation agent will instruct you, you need to buy a visa from the British Consulate in your own country before you leave if you will be staying and working in the UK for more than six months.  Though if you are not working, then tourist visas only cost 36 pounds. In the next post we will visit some other good information to know and have before your relocation to London.

​

Relocation UK: Power to the People - Image via Wikipedia

One thing that many Americans moving to London, or Canadians moving to London fail to think about is their personal appliances.  When relocation UK is on the agenda for you and you have so many incredibly small details to think of, (which is why it’s key to use a London relocation agent, to help with the multitude of details) one is key to remember, electricity.  In Canada and back home in the United States, when you plug in an appliance the wall outlet you choose is, as industry standard, 120 volts through any wall plug or socket. Relocation UK will soon show you differently when living in London.  Any outlet you plug an appliance into there will immediately receive 240 volts, which will fry out any appliance you bring from across the pond.

While it’s not something you readily see here in North America, think of your larger appliances, like a gas dryer, or a refrigerator, those stranger looking plugs, with the large plug sizes, well that’s what is coming from the walls in London, well, everywhere in England.  While one might think, “oh I’ll just get an adapter”, not so.  An adapter stateside means taking a three prong plug and converting to a two prong, or vise versa in the States, but all plugs in the UK are three pronged.  What you need in order to use your North American appliances is a converter or a transformer.

A converter is a good choice to be able to take the U.S. or Canadian appliances and convert the voltage from the wall from 240volts to the 120 volts required to use your appliances from back home without ruining them.  Your London relocation agent will likely recommend that you use a converter power strip. Much like the power strips from back home, except that is will provide just the right amount of voltage so that you can plug in a few of your appliances you brought with you on your relocation to London.  Converters can be purchased at a hardware shop in London, or you may want to order one to have with you that first few days after your moving to London while you get initially settled.  Again, your London relocation agent can tell you where to get one if you don’t bring one with you on your international relocation.

The other item you can use is a transformer.  Unlike the small black box looking converters, a transformer is a larger metal box that is heavier and more substantial, so of course costs quite a bit more.  However it really is a better choice if you are going to plug in a power strip and you want to leave everything plugged in and not think about voltage ever again while living in London.  You can check, but most of your recently purchased televisions as well as computers are already 120/240 adaptable, meaning they will have no problem working from the direct wall sockets in the U.K.  But when you start to think of bringing the coffee pot, the iron, the hair dryer, blender, things that use a large amount of electricity in short bursts, your best bet is to purchase them in England.

Remember if you have questions about what you should and should not bring, or what type of voltage conversion appliance you need, contact your London relocation services company for advice. They are willing to help with any of your related relocation UK questions, big or small.

Relocation to London:London Relocation Services - Image via Wikipedia

​

You know we put out this really great blog so that as Canadians moving to London, and Americans moving to London, everyone, will be in touch with everything here that is different from home.  We never do mention that it applies to us a London Relocation Services as well.  We are a different London relocation services agent.  No longer do we just make such claims, but now we’ve won awards to prove it. We’re very proud that the communities of our areas recognize how an American owned company can be operated to serve and be recognized as the best at doing just that here in England.

​

For individual accomodations for the corporate relocation person who is moving to London for a job, we can find exactly what you are looking for.  We will soon have you the top picks of what you want to find when you come home from work, in a neighbourhood that is feels comfortable to you.  Many popular corporate relocation apartments are within a managable distance to workplaces in the city.

​

We are just as set up with studio apartments and what’s available.  We have students that need a place to study and concentrate and we know where to take you.  We can recommend the city places you’ll want to be famililar with too.  There are many international relocation students in London, we can find people and communities that make you feel at home with others like yourself.

​

So we will keep giving you all your relocation to London services you have come to expect from an award winning London relocation agent, as we should, serving you and what you need most.  We thank you for the votes of confidence, the many fine referrals and of course for your readership.

​

London Relocation Services

Living in London – As English as… - Image via Flickr

One of the things most people struggle with when moving to London is adapting to day to day living. When you’re moving to London, you must try to push that concern to one side so that your enthusiasm for the big move isn’t dampened by your anxiety for how it could fail. I think what really helps to ease the transition is discovering something that you like about your new home. It really isn’t that hard (unless you’re determined not to find anything you’ll like).

My personal list of favorite things about living in London probably amount to all the clichés that I’ve discovered are truisms. I mean the kind of things you read about in books or see in movies and then come over here and you discover that it’s just the way you pictured it in your head.  Like bangers and mash.

It really does sound like the simplest meal ever, doesn’t it? And it is. It really is. But it’s also very tasty. And when you combine ‘simple cooking’ with ‘very tasty’ you get what is officially the top recipe on The Lazy Person’s List of Cooking. Honestly, it really doesn’t get much better than this. Get some bangers (sausages if you’re new to this English thing), potatoes, baked beans (you could try gravy if you wanted but I did say this was for lazy people) and bread. Fry up the sausages, cook the potatoes and mash them, put the baked beans into a pot, get them hot and toast the bread. Now, arguably speaking, that’s more of a sentence than it is a recipe. But, like I said, it’s very tasty.

And if you’re the lazy sort of person and if it’s been a particularly trying day at the office, you could do far worse than stopping at your local Tesco’s on your way home from work, picking up the necessary ingredients and heading home for some (All together now) Bangers and Mash! It might not be up there on the list of the most wholesome meals you could eat while living in London, but it’s quick, easy and very English.​

Living in London – Tea for Two!- Image via Wikipedia

Immersing yourself in fine English traditions can be a whole lot of fun when you’re living in London. When you’re moving to London one of the first English traditions that you have to experience is ‘Tea and Scones’. If you want to show off that you know a bit, call it a Devonshire Tea instead of just Tea and Scones (Or Cornish Tea). Cream Tea is another common name for this popular practice. Tea and Scones is the kind of thing that’s become so ingrained in the British culture that you could go to any tea room across Britain and be offered a proper English Tea with Scones. It’s also popular outside of Great Britain and you could go as far as South Africa and be able to be served a Cream Tea.

Here then are the best places in London to get a proper Cream Tea:

The Ritz – First of all, we’re talking about one of the oldest and most recognized hotels in the world. The Ritz isn’t so much a hotel as it is an institution. And much the same could be said of their Tea’s, with five sittings a day, from 11:30 to 7:30.

The English Tea Room, Brown’s Hotel – None more English Tea Room than this. This place comes with  specially wood-paneled rooms and a pianist offering some music,  all for that classic, “olde worlde” feel (they’ve done the same at the Ritz. Pianists really do add to that high tea feel!).

The Mandeville Hotel – This place is as traditional as they come. How traditional? When they serve the tea, it’s brought in blue china cups for the men and pink floral cups for the women. That’s how traditional.

The Savoy – Much like the Ritz, the Savoy is another London hotel that’s pretty much an institution.  Again like the Ritz, you’ll have someone tinkling the ivories just to give the setting some ambiance​.

And lastly, because I have a major sweet-tooth, go to The Metropolitan. All the other places I’ve mentioned have a fine selection of cakes and sweet treats but when I saw a photograph of the offering at The Metropolitan, that was enough for me to call ahead and make a booking.

Moving to London and acclimatizing to your new home doesn’t have to be that hard, although you will pile on the pounds if you make afternoon tea a daily ritual!