Posts Tagged ‘canadians moving to london’
Tuesday May 24th, 2011
Living In London – Outdoor London- Image via Wikipedia
Just as soon as you have settled into your new London apartment, you need to consider getting out and spending the long summer days enjoying the good weather. If you are used to an outdoors lifestyle, you may think that moving to London will give you no opportunity to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
Yes. London is a massive city, but it is also one of the greenest cities in the world. A stroll round one of the many parks and open spaces will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you’re looking for something a little more exciting and you want to get your adrenalin pumping then why not try some of the adventure sports and activities that are available in or close to London.
Paintball
This is an extremely popular sport/activity for young Londoners and there are a number of excellent paintball facilities close to the center of London. Paintballing is a great way to meet people, and have a day of fun in the outdoors. You will get dirty; you have been warned!
Kayaking
Yes. Right here in London! You don’t even have to leave the city to enjoy this sport. With the River Thames winding its way throughout the city you can explore the city from a totally different angle. The kayak season is from April until October and this adventure starts from Regents Park and lasts for about two hours. It’s great if you’ve never wobbled your way into a kayak before and for people who live for the thrill of rafting and kayaking.
Country Walks and Rambles
London is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside and if you want to get out of the city for a day, then the Home Counties offer some truly remarkable country walks and rambles. You can even explore the quaint English countryside on horseback if you want to spend some time getting back to nature while you are living in London.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, England, English language, Home Counties, Hyde Park London, Kensington Gardens, learning about london england, living in London, London, london apartments, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, Moving to London, moving to london england from canada, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, Regent's Park, relocating to London, River Thames, things to know about london, tips on living in london
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places
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Monday May 23rd, 2011
Checking and updating your Oyster card balance after a London move - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
Welcome to the next installment of my “Idiot’s Guide to the Oyster Card,” which I started last Friday to help you out if you’re moving to London and don’t want to look like a tourist trying to navigate the city. Last week I discussed how to buy your Oyster card and use it at the tube station gates; today, I’ll explain how to add to your Oyster card balance, as well as where else you’ll be able to use it.
If the tube station gates don’t show you your balance on entry and/or exit, you can simply tap it on the same type of round, yellow Oyster pad found on the kiosks that line the walls of every tube station to view it. You can also use these kiosks to add money as necessary to your Oyster balance. The touch-screen will show you your options, but the typical transaction entails this:
1. Tap your Oyster against the yellow pad for a second or two until you see the touch-screen register your Oyster balance.
2. Select the onscreen button for top up/pay as you go. (“Topping Up” is the oft-used phrase for adding to your account balances, Oyster or otherwise)
3. On the next screen, select the button representing the GBP pound amount you want to add (displayed in 5 or 10 pound increments). Or, you can select the button “Another Amount” and drop the applicable amount of change into the machine or charge to your debit or credit card.
4. If charging to your debit or credit card, just insert it into the reader to the right and use the keypad to enter your PIN if applicable.
5. Regardless of whether you pay with cash or card, you’ll be asked to then tap your Oyster card against the yellow pad to officially add the additional amount to it and thereby complete your transaction.
When using one of these kiosks, bear in mind that not all of them accept cash. The narrower ones are usually debit/credit card only, and the ones accepting paper and/or coins are at least twice as wide. You’ll also see a digital screen above each one specifying which form(s) of payment are accepted.
You can use the Oyster card on London buses as well. When you step aboard, you’ll see the same yellow Oyster pad under the bus driver’s window. Tap it (remember to hold it there, though, until you hear the beep) and look to the little digital screen to the left to see your remaining balance. In the case of the bus, then, you pay one flat rate from the start, so do not need to tap again when you exit the vehicle.
You might also need to seek out the yellow Oyster pad on some Overground train platforms in the event you take the tube to a station that services both Under- and Overground trains and you need to transfer between the two. In the case where you’ll be going from the tube train directly to the ground-level platform rather than exiting the station altogether, you won’t be able to tap your Oyster on the exit gates to register your destination (which thereby determines your deducted balance). Rather, you’ll have to tap it on the pad found on the train platform aboveground to ensure the proper amount is deducted from your card given the distance you’ve traveled. If you forget to do this, your Oyster will automatically be deducted the maximum fare (4 pounds, last I was aware).
Okay then, now you’ve got your ticket to ride, so bon voyage on all the intercity travels to follow your
London move.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travelcard, tube map
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Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Monday May 23rd, 2011
Living In London – Summer Sensations Part III- Image via Wikipedia
Beginning your ‘living in London’ adventure at the start of summer means that you’re in for a right royal treat. London puts on her best every summer for the thousands upon thousands of tourists that visit England’s green and pleasant time every year. Of course, just as soon as you have settled into your new London rental, you’re no longer considered a tourist! You’re one of us now, and summer is the best time to get out and explore your new city. This week we’re spending some time giving you the Londoner’s guide to where to go and what to do during the halcyon days of summer in London.
Weather or Not?
Just because it’s summer you should still be prepared for any type of weather while you’re out discovering what your new home has to offer. In recent years the month of September has been warmer than July and August, but for the most part you can expect extremely hot days, or cold and rainy days, or the occasional shower, or not. That is about the most predictable one can be about the weather in England!
If you haven’t seen our previous posts about living in London and the weather, this is your most important tip: Never complain about the weather to a native Londoner. As a foreigner, you’re just not allowed to! That said, be prepared for a lot of moaning about the weather from the English themselves.
The best thing about living in London during in the summer is that you will be able to get out and discover the parks and green spaces within the city. London has some of the best parks in the world and is one of the greenest cities in the world. If you’re new to London and want to get out for the day then the most famous parks in London are Hyde Park and the adjacent Kensington Gardens. It’s one of the best starting points of a city tour and you’ll feel right at home among the tourists and Londoner’s alike.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, English language, fun facts about london england, Hyde Park, Hyde Park London, Kensington Gardens, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, things to know about london, Travel and Tourism
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Friday May 20th, 2011
The city is your Oyster after a London move - Image by Mirka23 via Flickr
Author: Colleen
Moving to London is only part of the journey; getting yourself around in the city is the next stage of your adventure. We’ve blogged about the Oyster card (what it is and what it does) before, but today I’d like to offer a step-by-step tutorial of how to use it. I’ve hosted enough visitors to see their confusion in first using this handy little item and continually have to walk them through it (at least the first couple of times). It will be no different for you when you first relocate to London and need to use it on a daily basis. So here’s how to not look like a tourist from the get-go:
First of all, you can purchase your Oyster card at the ticket window of any tube station or order it online at the Transport for London website. Keep it in the little plastic carrier they might provide you (souvenir shops sometimes sell cute versions of them, too) or stick it in an exterior pocket of your wallet. However you carry it, make sure to have that sucker in your hand and ready in advance of approaching the gates—nothing is more annoying than nearly running into someone who abruptly stops right in front of the gate to fish out their card or ticket; this is usually the sign of a tourist or a particularly dense and/or inconsiderate person. I’m serious. Don’t be the one who interrupts the flow of commuting traffic. Please.
You’ll have to put money on your Oyster card initially on purchase, so when you first use it at a tube station, approach the gates to the trains and look for the glaringly obvious round, yellow pads with an Oyster symbol. Simply lay your Oyster card against this yellow pad—don’t tap it quickly, as it might not register that way, but hold it there only long enough to hear the gate beep and open the doors for you. It usually only takes a second or two. If you have luggage, look for the special double-wide gates for just such purpose (usually to the far left or right of the regular ones).
You’ll also want to pay attention to the little illuminated sign sticking up at the right-hand side of the gate. First of all, it will either have a green arrow (pointed left toward the gate doors) or a red X lit up on it. The green arrow is your signal that you can pass through the gate on that side. The red X means that only those approaching the gate from the opposite direction can go through it. It’s a simple means of traffic control, so pay attention so you don’t frustrate people by trying to enter through the wrong gate. Also on these signs, some (not all) of the time you’ll see a white number at the bottom (denominated in pounds) after you’ve tapped your Oyster card and as the gate opens for you; this figure is the remaining balance on your Oyster.
Now as far as that Oyster account balance goes, if the gate indeed shows it on its black sign to the right of the doors, the figure displayed on entering a tube station is going to be what you’re first coming in with—it will not reflect the fare deducted for that trip, simply because it doesn’t yet know where you’re going! The city is divided into multiple zones that form concentric circles around the greater London area as a means of gauging distance of travel. For example, it will cost you less to travel within a zone than between zones because the former distance is shorter than the latter. So, your travel fare won’t be deducted until you tap your Oyster card for the second time upon exiting the gates of your destination station.
Stay tuned for the next installment of my “Idiot’s Guide to the Oyster Card” on Monday (after our usual Weekend Warrior series!) in which I explain how to update the balance of your Oyster card, as well as where else you can apply it.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Oyster card, Public transport, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travelcard, tube map
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Friday May 20th, 2011
Living In London – Make Time; Take Time Out- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re moving to London in 2011 you’re in for a busy year. London is one of the biggest cities in the world and it is where business, tourism and life meet, often at a frenetic pace. Depending on where you are living in London, you may be facing a hefty commute every day to get to work and back again.
You’ll want to maximize your free time as much as possible when you have moved into your new London rental and saving time, so you have more spare time to explore you new city, should be a priority.
Saving Time & Money While You’re Living In London
- Online Bonus: If you’ve ever heard the expression “A stitch in time, saves nine” well a second online can save you time while you’re living in London. Try to do as much as you can in the way of bill paying and paperwork while you are online. You can organize most of your bills, including rent and utilities, to be paid monthly by debit order through your bank. If you prefer to check your bills before you pay them, then make sure that you are connected to online or internet banking. You don’t have to waste time standing in queues during your lunch hour or on a precious Saturday morning.
- Travel Time Savers: Use the time you spend on the tubes and trains to catch up on phone calls, read a book, do a cross word, or write a letter home to friends telling them how fabulous it is in London. In terms of commuter travel time you could be spending up to two hours a day getting to, and back from work. While day-dreaming is a perfectly acceptable occupation, you know you can find something better to do!
If you are moving to London from a small town in another country, you might find that the pace of London takes some getting used to. It’ll only take a few weeks before you feel the pace and pulse of your new home coursing through you. Welcome to the city!
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, fun facts about london england, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, Relocation (personal), tips on living in london, Travel and Tourism
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Friday May 20th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
You’re happily settled and living in London, and you’ve managed to save yourself quite a bit of time by having your groceries delivered, paying your bills online and doing the crossword on your commute. There are other tips and tricks to saving time while you’re living in London, so that you’re free to get out of your new London rental and explore the city.
Saving Time & Money While You’re Living In London
- TV Time: If you’re an American moving to London then you’ll probably be a little shocked at the small number of channels when compared with television in the states! If you want to save time you can record your favorite shows without having to sit through an entire show. Sky Plus is a new addition to the Sky television network and you can choose your favorite shows and record them all ready for a Saturday afternoon of dedicated television viewing.
- Eat Out or Take Away: Keep your local restaurants on speed dial! You can order online or by phone if you fancy a take out for an evening. If you do feel like going out and painting the town red though, you must always book in advance. Most London restaurants are full each night and you can wait for ages to get a table or a seat at the bar if you have not made a reservation. If you’re treating out of town guests to a celeb chef restaurant then you should book months in advance to ensure that you get a table. The turnaround time for a reservation is about two months!
Living in London will give you the opportunity to get out and explore the city. Start with your local neighborhood and then venture further afield as you get acquainted with your surroundings and your new life. The joy of living in London is the absolutely wide variety of choice that is on offer. You’ll never get tired of this fascinating, sometime frustrating, and overwhelmingly beautiful city.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, Business and Economy, canadians moving to london, England, living in London, London, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, Public transport, relocating to London, things to know about london, tips on living in london, Tourism, Travel and Tourism
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Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods
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Friday May 20th, 2011
Living In London – Make Time; Take Time Out – Home Time- Image via Wikipedia
Living in London means that you’re joining the population of one of the world’s busiest cities. Londoners are always in a rush to get somewhere, and even if they have nowhere to go, they are still in a rush. When you have moved into your new London apartment you’ll want to take time to enjoy your new home and neighborhood.
Saving Time & Money While You’re Living In London
- Home Help: Some people may consider employing a cleaner or ‘char’ as they are sometimes known in the UK, as slightly extravagant. I think it’s a worthwhile investment and it will save you masses of time on cleaning your London flat. The thing about dust is that it tends to mount up over time, no matter how tightly you shut the windows. Employing a cleaner once a week or even once a month will help save your weekends for more important items; like relaxing and exploring your new city. Make sure you check references before you hire a cleaning person; your best bet is to ask around your building or neighborhood for a good recommendation. Prices range from about £10 per hour for a minimum of two hours per day. Well worth it!
- Online Shopping: Just do it! You can order your groceries online, pay for it and get it delivered right to your kitchen counter while you are living in London. The biggest advantage about shopping online is the amount of time you’ll save instead of having to trundle round the shops after work or on your precious weekend. Save your shopping time for browsing quirky markets and exploring the city. Having your groceries delivered means that you don’t have to lug them home on the tube or bus either. Nothing like carrying an armful of groceries on the tube during rush hour – try it once, and you’ll be converted to home delivery in an instant. Most of the big supermarket chains have online shopping and home delivery on their websites.
You need to start living in London like a Londoner, and that means saving as much time as possible so you can get out and enjoy everything that London has to offer.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, Business and Economy, canadians moving to london, England, fun facts about london england, Grocery store, learning about london england, living in London, London, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, Organic food, relocating to London, relocating to london england, Travel and Tourism, Travel Guides, United States
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places
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Thursday May 19th, 2011
Living In London – Olympic Glory- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re going to be living in London during 2012 then you’ll have to be prepared for one of the world’s biggest sporting events. The Olympic Games are being held in London and now is the time to start planning. Some people are moving right out of their London apartments and heading to the country for the duration of the games. You may want to consider renting out your London apartment for the duration of the Games, so you can make a little extra cash during the summer.
If you’re keen of seeing some of the Games, but don’t have the cash to splash on tickets to the events being held in London, you’ll be able to take advantage of the live sites that will offer massive television screenings of the important events. There will be sites in Hyde Park, Potters Fields, Victoria Park and Jubilee Gardens. If you want to get tickets, you’re a little late because the application for tickets has closed, but you may be able to pick up a ticket for certain events, during the further ticket sales that will be available during winter 2011. You will however only be able to pay with a Visa banking product.
If you want to get even more out of the whole experience of the games, you might want to consider becoming a VOLUNTEER during the games. You can get more information on the volunteering process by using the Games Maker website to apply for a position. The process of becoming a volunteer for the Olympic Games is quite strenuous. You’ll have to be available from the beginning of spring 2012 right through until the end of the Games. Your biggest time commitment will be during the Games themselves and you’ll have to commit to working a certain amount of shifts, depending on what team you have been placed into.
You’ll become a part of one of the world’s greatest events, and have the opportunity to be an ambassador for your city. You’re living in London now, and as the Olympic Games draw closer, you will find that you’re caught up in the frenzy, the excitement and the patriotic effort along with the rest of London.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, England, fun facts about london england, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, move to London, Moving to London, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, relocating to London, Sport, things to know about london
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Living in London, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Thursday May 19th, 2011
Living In London – Back To Basics- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re an American moving to London, you’ll probably have heard how expensive it is to live in the city. It’s going to get complicated and you’ll never leave your new London apartment if you keep comparing prices and using a mental exchange rate each time you do the grocery shopping. You’ll be earning in pounds anyway, so comparing prices with grocery stores in America or Canada won’t be much use, and it’ll drive you barmy in the end.
If you’re about to embark on your adventure though, it might be wise to get a good idea of what the basics cost while you’re living in London.
Grocery Shopping
For a good price comparison, you can check out Sainsbury’s online. Not only will you be able to see the prices of most general goods, you’ll also be able to get them delivered. The cost of a grocery delivery from Sainsbury’s, right to your kitchen table, I might add, is about £3.50; if you spend over a certain amount it might even be free. A pint of milk, costs about 40p in London, which, depending on the daily rate of exchange is about 60 cents. (There are four pints in half a gallon!).
Travel
While you can’t really compare the public transport system in London with anywhere else in the world, you can save a lot of money while you’re living in London. You already know all about the Travelcard and the Oyster Card; get yourself one immediately. The savings you get from using an Oyster Card are immense. For a single bus journey, you’ll spend about £2 anywhere in London; with an Oyster card you’ll only pay £1.10
A Night Out
If you’re down to your local pub for a couple of pints and a meal, then each beer will set you back between £3 – £5 and a pub meal is about £5 – £6. If you’re up for something a bit more extravagant then a nightclub in the city can cost you anywhere between £15 – £30 depending on where you go.
While you may be comparing prices to ‘back home’ for a while, try rather to look for special offers and savings from grocery stores and other activities in pounds. After all, you’re a Londoner now!
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, flats to let in london, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Notting Hill, packing to move to London, relocating to London, tips on living in london
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Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Shopping in London Places
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Wednesday May 18th, 2011
Living In London – London Here I Come! Three Months To GoLiving In London – London Here I Come! Three Months To Go- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re moving to London for a few years, don’t fool yourself into thinking you can just pack up and go. Planning your move to London is very important if you’re going to settle in quickly and enjoy the fact that you’re now living in one of the most fascinating and fabulous cities in the world. The biggest aspect of moving to London is paperwork. Getting it sorted before you arrive will make the entire process of moving to London much easier.
Count Down Checklist for Your Moving To London
Three months to go:
- You should start looking for places to stay while you’re living in London. You can do this yourself, or by speaking to people who have already have completed moving to London, but you may also consider using the services of a relocation agent to help you find a new London rental. Consider staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast establishment for the first few weeks that you’re living in London. It’ll give you the chance to get acquainted with where you’ll be working and where you want to live. On the ground recognizance, so to speak.
- Tax Tips: This is very important if you’re going to be an American moving to London for over a year. Make sure that you inform your local tax office that you’re moving to another country. Tax laws differ from country to country and you don’t want to be stuck with a hefty unpaid tax bill when you return home in three years. Make sure that your new employer is aware of the laws surrounding the taxation of foreigners who are working and living in London.
- Start researching what you take with you and what you will leave behind. Remember that London apartments are generally much smaller than the rest of the world, and if you’re and American moving to London you may want to consider NOT bringing any of you appliances and large furniture. I almost guarantee they will not fit in your new London rental, if you’re even able to get them up the stairs!
Planning your move to London systematically and ahead of time will ensure that your physical move to London goes off without a hitch.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, England, fun facts about london england, living in London, London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London relocation specialist, London Underground, Moving and Relocating, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, rent london apartments, things to know about london, Travel and Tourism
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Wednesday May 18th, 2011
Living In London – London Here I Come!- Image via Wikipedia
Moving to London is not something that you can do overnight, and you’ll want to make sure you have everything sported out in terms of paperwork and official documentation before you arrive in London. Not only will you feel better about the experience of moving to London if you have everything you need before you arrive, but you’ll find it much easier to open a bank account and negotiate a lease on a London apartment if you have all you ducks in a row!
Count Down Checklist for Your Moving To London
Immediately:
Regardless of when you are intending on moving to London, these are the items that you should get done immediately before you even think about booking your transatlantic flight tickets.
- Visa Vitals: Makes sure you sort out your visa before you arrive, you do not want to get caught at Heathrow without the correct visas, which will enable you to live and work in England. If you are moving to London for work then your employer may be able to help you get the correct visa, but you will have to ensure that your spouse and family have the correct visas as well. This is particularly important if you are traveling with dependents over the age of 18. Even if you have someone organizing your visas for you it is wise to check with the official website to make sure you fulfill all of the requirements.
- Make sure that your passport is valid, and is valid for at least six months after the date that you travel. You will be able renew your passport at your Embassy in London, but you may be refused entry into the UK if your passport is going to expire within the next six months. Also check that you have at least three blank passport pages in your current passport.
- Start researching your new city whenever you have the time. Contact any people you know who are living in London and get their advice and contact details and tell them you WILL contact them when you arrive in the city. It can be the start of your new social circle and can stop you feeling so homesick if you do know a couple of people who have made the leap across the pond.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, relocating to london england, things to know about london, understanding british history for a london move
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Tuesday May 17th, 2011
Living In London – Make Like A Tourist!- Image via Wikipedia
You’re in a unique position; living in London. You get the chance to spend time visiting some of the world’s most famous tourist attractions and at the end of the day you get to go back to your cozy London apartment and know that you can do it all again tomorrow without having to catch a plane home again.
If you have just arrived in London then take the opportunity to explore the city and get to know your new home. If you looking for a tour with a touch of class then the Harrods Vintage Bus Tour is the perfect way to see the major sights in London and end you afternoon with a classic English High tea at one of the world’s most famous and elegant department stores: Harrods in Knightsbridge.
The Harrods Vintage Bus Tour is run a number of times per day and offers one of the most fascinating views of London from aboard the vintage bus branded in the distinctive green of the Harrods store. The tours starts at the iconic store in Knightsbridge and makes its way past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, which is where Price William recently married Catherine Middleton in true English pomp and ceremony.
With a photo opportunity at the London Eye and a view of the Houses or Parliament across the River Thames, you will continue the bus tour past Number 10 Downing Street, which is the home of the prime Minister of England lives; trundle through Trafalgar Square, along Pall mall and through Piccadilly and the famous Ritz Hotel. The tour ends back at the Harrods store where you can have a light luncheon in one of the restaurants in the store or a classic and traditional English High Tea in the afternoon, which will include the ubiquitous Cucumber sandwiches!
In fact, the only thing you can do after taking tea, (one does not ‘have’ tea at Harrods, one ‘takes’ tea!) is to get some exercise by exploring the massive department store. Be aware that Harrods does have a strict dress code and shorts and sandals as well as sloganed t-shirts are not allowed.
Take time to make like a tourist when you are moving to London, once you’re into the hustle and bustle of living in London you might not get another chance.
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Tuesday May 17th, 2011
Living In London – London Transport Zones; Lines; Colors: CONFUSING! -Image via Wikipedia
As one of the thousands of Americans moving to London each year, the biggest part of adjusting to living in London is learning how to use the public transport. Having a private car in London is expensive and unnecessary. As soon as you have settled into your new London apartment you need to start learning how to make your way around the city using the tubes, trains and buses.
Transport Zones
The London transport network is divided into fare zones that spread out from the centre of the city to the outer edges of the suburbs. The central Zone is called Zone 1 and the furthest Zone is called Zone 6. The more zones that you travel in, the more you will have to pay to use the transport network. If you live in Zone 2, work in Zone 1 and only make the occasional trip out to Heathrow or other areas in Zone 6, then you should only get a Zone1 and 2 Travelcard, and purchase a Zone 6 Travelcard when you need it. If you purchase an all inclusive Zone Travelcard, you’ll be paying quite a lot more than you need to.
Lines and Routes
The London transport system is coded by name and by color. The easiest way to remember which line you need to travel on is to remember the color, but note that Londoners refer to the line by its name. For example; the Red Line is called the Central Line. It just makes it easier to understand in a hurry if you can easily identify who line and station you need to get on and off.
Reading the Map
The London Underground Map, in particular, is not to scale, so when you read it, you might find that you save more time with a five minute walk than by taking the tube to the closest station. The tube maps that you see are drawn schematically and do not represent distances in scale. In London it is sometimes quicker to walk!
Peak and Off Peak Times
Peak travel time for all forms of public transport is between 4:30 am and 9.30 am Monday – Friday. If you purchase a 7-day Travelcard loaded onto your Oyster Card you can travel at any time of the day and not pay any more.
Living in London for the first time can be confusing, but armed with your Underground Map and you’re A-Z street map, you’ll be right at home in no time at all.
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Monday May 16th, 2011
Image via Flickr
With only four weeks left until you are moving to London, you’ll have a whole list of things that you need to get done. This is the most important time for sorting out things in your country of origin as well as aspects of paperwork that will make your arrival in London so much easier.
Count Down Checklist for Your Moving To London
One month to go:
- Cancel contract: This is the time you need to cancel all of your contracts in your country of origin. You need to make a list of all of the contracts that you have running and cancel them in writing. Make sure that you confirm the cancellation so you don’t rack up bills while you’re away. Examples of contracts that need cancelling are gym memberships, cell phone contracts and rental agreements. If you’re paying back loans to the bank, you’ll have to inform the bank that you are leaving the country and put in place a system of being able to make payments to cover your loan agreements.
- Medical Matters: make sure that you get a full medical history from your current doctor before your moving to London. If you have a condition that requires ongoing treatment and prescriptions that it is vital that you have a full history to give to your new NHS doctor. Registering with a doctor as soon as you are settled into your new London flat is very important.
- Even if you don’t have a permanent address in London before you leave, it is important to have a physical address in your country of origin where you can redirect your mail. Choose a friend or family member who is prepared to be your mail clearing house while you’re abroad. You can always change your details if you want to forward your mail to London, but it is still useful in terms of official mail, to have an address in your country of origin.
Getting ready for your move before the time is the biggest guarantee of a smooth experience when you’re moving to London.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, Country of origin, England, Expatriate, fun facts about london england, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, National Health Service, relocating to London, Relocation (personal), tips on living in london, Travel and Tourism
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Monday May 16th, 2011
Living In London – Heading Out Of Town- Image via Wikipedia
Living in London will give you loads of opportunities to explore the rest of England as well as your new city. If you’re looking for some interesting day-trips out of the city as a part of your immersion into English life and culture then you should take a trip to Stonehenge and the nearby city of Salisbury which has a magnificent cathedral that is well worth a visit.
If you want to get out of your London apartment for the day and head out of town, then you can hire a car or use public transport to reach the historic site of Stonehenge. It is only about 90 miles west of the city and you can be there in a couple of hours. The easiest way though is to book a guided tour of Stonehenge which will include your transport from London. It is not any more expensive that hiring a car or using public transport and you get the added advantage of being with a tour guide who really knows about the place.
Stonehenge is the site of myth and legend; no one knows for sure, how it was built, why it was built or even when it was built. If you’re taking a daytrip to Stonehenge while you living in London, you’d better do some research before you go! Stonehenge was not built at once. It is thought to have been constructed over decades by a Neolithic people nearly 5000 years ago. Dating the ‘stones’ though changes with each new report and analysis put forward. Everyone agrees on the fact that it is old!
The arrangement of the stones has a lot to do with the mystery and legend of the place. The summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge attract thousands of people to watch the sunrise over the ‘heel’ stone at the north-east point of the arrangement. Stonehenge plays further into the correlation between the sun and moon by having stone sets that match up with the number of days between the cycles of the full moon.
Stonehenge is not the only example of this type of structure and there are over 1000 ‘henges’ scattered across the British Isles. Seeing Stonehenge though, while you are living in London is an awe inspiring look at engineering and history as well as the myth and legend of the place.
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