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Posts Tagged ‘london apartments’

London Community Spotlight: Chiswick Apartments

Monday March 18th, 2013

Chiswick apartments are exceptionally good choices for those moving to the grand city of London, especially if you have a family. Because of its serene nature, lack of city congestion, and wide open spaces, Chaswick is an ideal location for raising children.

What’s more, this quaint section of UK’s capital is situated beside the peacefully flowing Thames River where tranquil views can be had while walking along it on the way to beautiful Kew Gardens or other destinations. It is one of the best places in the city to get fresh meat, produce and other delightful delicacies. If you choose to live in Chiswick apartments, you are also very likely to run into various celebrities who enjoy the refreshing perks of this same area.

Apartments in this wonderful area run from around £300 to £700 per week for a one or two bedroom. However, deals are available and our consultants can assist you with finding them. Many locations have beautiful gardens, most are situated in wonderful neighborhoods, and others have excellent views of the beautiful Thames River.

There are numerous trendy shopping areas filled with thriving businesses, pubs, and restaurants. Chiswick High Street is quite long and is lined with a wide variety of interesting venues. Acton Lane and Turnham Green Terrace are other top spots to shop the day away as is Westfield Shopping Centre located on Ariel Way.

Of course, it you prefer getting away from Chiswick apartments, there are plenty of attention-grabbing attractions in the area. The Chiswick House is a grand structure that was commissioned by the Earl of Burlington and finished in 1729. The lavish interior and external gardens reflect the neo-Palladian architecture of which the Earl was so fond.

You will also enjoy the Musical Museum due to its unique nature. It contains the world’s grandest collection of self-playing organs, pianos, violins, orchestrelles and orchestrions, all in various configurations. The Kew Bridge Steam Museum is another good choice for rainy days where multiple old steam engines provide a look back in time. When the weather is nice, don’t miss visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew where you can wander through over 300 acres of land containing an array of gorgeous flora and fauna.

After you work up an appetite, there is no need to return to Chiswick apartments as there are plenty of fine and affordable restaurants around. Delicious Italian meals can be found at Carluccio’s, Zizzi, and Union Jacks. Eateries with a French flare are Le Vacherin and Café Rouge. Thai treats are served up at Thai Kitchen and Yupa’s Thai. Find Portuguese cuisine at Nando’s, Iranian at Faanoos Restaurant, Japanese at Kisaku, and good ol’ British food at Kitchen & Pantry.

There are also numerous pubs and clubs to enjoy nearby Chiswick apartments. Grab a few new mates and sip on drinks at such places as All Bar One, Connolly’s, Globe Bar, Bulls Head, and George IV.

If you are relocating to this beautiful city and need assistance locating Chiswick apartments in this gorgeous family-friendly area, contact London Relocation today.

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London Community Spotlight: Clapham Apartments

Monday March 4th, 2013

Those coming to London to set down stakes might be interested in finding Clapham apartments located in the south of the city. Clapham is a highly popular and largely residential area filled with old Georgian and Victorian homes with terraces. Some big names such as Vanessa Redgrave, JK Rowling and Piers Morgan have called this area home.

Although many properties are for sale and hotly sought after, many others have large spacious floors and rooms that have been converted into Clapham apartments. There is quite a mix of people in the area which offers those living here the opportunity to mill around middle class Brits, bustling young professionals, and a continuous flow of foreign travelers who like to share flats to save money.

Clapham covers quite a large area and is divided into the North and South side with the large open space of Clapham Common between them that often provides various events and activities throughout the years. The beautiful, quaint Old Town area is a wonderful place to find Clapham apartments as is the Abbeville Road area, both of which offer a comfortable yet vibrant village atmosphere with a lot of nice restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Clapham Junction and Clapham High Street are the two draws for both daytime shoppers and nighttime entertainment seekers. Various other fun shopping sites can be found at Northcote Road, Battersea Rise, and around Clapham Common. Should you require furnishings for Clapham apartments, there are several located on Queenstown Road and Abbeville Road.

One of the best bars in the world, Lost Society, is located on Wandsworth Road. Internationally proclaimed and award-winning cocktails are served at this hip hangout where classes are offered for the wannabe bartender to learn how to make their favorite drinks. Inferno’s is another large nightclub draw that is quite a bit less classy but also quite popular and if you do much partying at all in Clapham you will probably end up there on occasion. Other hotspots include People’s Republic, The Merchant, The Loft, Aquum, The Duck, The Goat, Inigo, and The Northcote. Of course, there is a large selection of various little pubs to duck into while running between these areas.

Pubs are also fun places to find local foods while sipping on your favorite ale. Some other delicious dining options located near Clapham apartments include good, affordable Japanese cuisine enjoyed at the Tsunami with the 409 Restaurant and Grafton House offering brasserie-style dishes. French tastes can be indulged at The Abbeville and Le Chardon on Abbeville Road as well as Le Bouchon Bordelais located at Battersea Rise while El Rincon Latino and Carmen offer up tasty Spanish tapas.

Getting to other areas of the city from Clapham apartments is a breeze since this popular area has various Tube, train and bus routes strewn throughout. Transportation to work, university, or to explore new areas of London can all be reached by public transportation from Clapham. If you purchase an Oyster card upon your arrival, you will save a heap of time and money via public transport discounts and passing by ticket lines.

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London Community Spotlight: Clerkenwell Apartments

Monday February 18th, 2013

 

If you’re looking for a trendy area in which to live when you relocate to London, Clerkenwell is a choice location. The area used to be a center of industrial production, but its warehouses and factories have, by the most part, been transformed into magazine and design centers, exclusive restaurants and bars, and Clerkwell apartments.

Due to it housing the glitzy design and magazine hub, Clerkenwell is full of trendy 20 something tenants who rent Clerkenwell apartments or buy Victorian houses. There is little tourism in this area which makes it a quiet section in which to settle, and its central location in the borough of Islington means you are close to all the famous sites and hopping activities. Travel to other parts of the city is a breeze from Tube stations located in Barbican, Holborn, Farringdon, and Chancery Lane, or rail stations at either Barbican or Farringdon.

The Clerkenwell area is rich in history and was originally called “Little Italy” from the mid 1850s up until the 1960s because of the large population of Italians working mainly in the fabric industry. However, the area has undergone a remarkable transformation and now consists of young professionals meandering from their Clerkenwell apartments to mill through the streets, browse through art galleries, pack hip nightclubs, tip drinks at pubs, and dine with friends at restaurants.

There are plenty of fun activities and interesting sites located throughout Clerkenwell. Sadler’s Wells is a great place to enjoy dance and artistic performances. The history of the theater dates back to 1683 when businessman Dick Sadler bought an area running alongside a footpath and built a music house. While building the structure, a medieval well was uncovered and still exists in the basement of the now contemporary theater.

Clerkenwell Green is surrounded by an old, historical village that still contains the St James church and various 18th century homes. The area is home to middle-class workers that contribute to the creative industries, such as design and architecture, and live in surrounding Clerkenwell apartments and homes.

Several fine markets can be found in Clerkenwell. Exmouth Market has its roots stemming back to the 1800s when it was a bustling shopping center for butchers, grocers, and jewelers. Today, the market contains a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. Smithfield is the UK’s largest wholesale market and consists mainly of butcher shops as well as restaurants and bars where fine meals of meat and accompanying drinks can be consumed. Whitecross Street Market is smaller, but is an excellent place to spend Thursdays and Fridays when delicious foods galore from practically every culture can be tasted.

Nightlife is hopping in Clerkenwell as well. Two of London’s largest clubs are located here, Fabric and Turnmills. The chances are good that when you attend these hotspots, you will brush elbows with some of the biggest names from across the city and around the world.

Trendy and available Clerkenwell apartments are waiting for new tenants to fill them. In this central location of the UK capital, quiet strolls, exciting nightlife, exclusive shopping, and dandy dining can all be enjoyed. Contact London Relocation Specialists today to help you make your move into Clerkenwell apartments.

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Moving to London Community Spotlight: Surrey

Thursday January 24th, 2013

urlLocated in England’s South East, Surrey is a wonderful county that offers close proximity to London while providing laid back living and abundant woodland. Surrey actually contains the highest percentage of wooded area in Great Britain at over 22 percent. Those moving to London from US will especially find the Surrey boroughs offer pleasant oases away from the hustle and bustle of condensed city activity.

There are 11 areas within Surrey where London rentals and London property for sale can be found. These are Guildford, Runnymede, Epsom and Ewell, Tandridge,  Woking, Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Spelthorne, Waverly, Reigate and Banstead, and Surrey Heath. The largest of these boroughs is Guildford with Woking coming in at second largest and Ewell being the third largest.

Surrey contains numerous areas which are gorgeous to behold and fun to enjoy with various walking paths and viewing points. Some of the most notable places to venture for a day’s relaxation are Frensham Ponds, Crooksbury Commons, Newlands Corner and Puttenham, Leith Hill, and Boxhill which is the oldest section of natural woodland still untouched within the UK.

Those relocating to London and settling in Surrey will find a vast amount of entertaining activities. You can wander through one of the many breathtaking gardens, meander along various waterways, or choose from a selection of historic houses to visit. There are also numerous museums to tour on cold or rainy days such as Brooklands Museum and the Rural Life Centre, both of which make excellent tours for young and old alike.

During better weather, you can venture from Surrey apartments and take hikes along various bridleways, country lanes and footpaths, strike out for a bit of cycling, play a game of golf, or enjoy a dip in one of many indoor or outdoor pools. Other activities include a serene boat ride with Guildford Boat House, exciting horse racing at Kempton Park, visitations to top area theatres, or family fun at either the Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Park or Guildford Spectrum.

Of course, endless days of frantic shopping and lazy dining can also be found in abundance throughout Surrey. High-end fashion shops, trendy boutiques, and festive malls can be found at such places as West Street, Dorking, Working Town Centre, Guildford Town Centre, and Tunsgate Square Shopping Centre.

Once you’ve “shopped until you drop”, you can take refuge in one of Surreys many restaurants offering delicious dishes from an assortment of cultural backgrounds, or duck into any one of a variety of pubs for a refreshing beer or cocktail.

If Surrey sounds like the place that you want to call your new home then contact a relocation consultant to help you with all your London relocation details. They will locate available Surrey apartments for you as well as assist with visas and other forms of necessary documentation, help with shipping and moving your belongings, find areas with required schools, worship centres, etc, have utilities and phones hooked up, and other helpful services. You are sure to enjoy the vast natural beauty and cosy comfort of Surrey!

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Expect the Unexpected in Flats for Rent in London

Monday January 21st, 2013

While at first it can feel a bit like playing Hide-and-Go-Seek with your appliances, I love the concept characteristic to many kitchens found inside flats for rent in London. In keeping with a space-saving mindset (which you’ll notice is key as you’re searching apartments), a large number of refurbished flats to rent in London conceal their major kitchen appliances behind doors matching the rest of the cabinetry. Fundamentals like refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and washer/dryers are clustered together out of necessity, but the way they remain hidden from view helps compensate for that from an aesthetic standpoint. I actually think it makes more sense design-wise and would renovate a future kitchen of mine the same way.

And you’re giving me your full attention, yes, you read that right: I did just say “washer/dryers” with regard to the kitchen. Given their relatively diminutive layouts, it’s rare that you’ll find flats to rent in London coming equipped with separate laundry rooms or side-by-side washers and dryers. The norm is to have a single side-loading washer beneath your kitchen counter, and—further in the interest of space-saving—this washer might also be the dryer, draining water out before blasting in hot air. That fact is either really brilliant or really unsettling… In reality, though, you’ll probably use drying racks more than the electric dryer anyway—the small size of washer drums requires you to launder a greater number of smaller loads (plus, leaving them to dry in that small drum could set in some horrendous wrinkles). Ah well, it’s energy-saving.

Bathrooms Inside Flats for Rent in London

More mysteries lay beyond when you enter the bathrooms of flats for rent in London. To be clear in terminology for a moment, the commonly known term “loo” is indeed a nickname for bathrooms, but you may also hear your London Relocation agent or estate agent refer to the second bathroom of flats for rent in London bluntly as “the toilet.” Typically, a “bathroom” actually houses the bathtub and/or shower, and what Americans know as a “half-bath” would in fact be the “toilet” if all it contains is toilet and sink.

No matter what you call it, expats may be surprised (and not a little disappointed) to see in the bathrooms of flats for rent in London what often merely amounts to a pedestal sink with nary a shelf or cabinet to compensate for lack of counter space. If the bathtub itself is vintage like the property, it might be smaller than modern proportions and the shower stalls a tighter fit. The shower might not be a freestanding entity at all, in fact, but a hand-held showerhead attached to the bathtub.

You might also find that hot-and-cold water is reversed on some faucets, and, rather than a handle for flushing the toilet, it’s common to have two buttons on the wall (large and small to indicate strength of the flush). That last feature in flats for rent in London is actually quite a good thing for conserving water, as are the built-in towel warmer racks on most bathroom walls for both drying towels quickly and heating the room like a radiator.

Making the Most of Flats for Rent in London

A couple more odd features of flats for rent in London that aren’t restricted to just the kitchen or bathroom involve electricity. You might find that the light switch to a room isn’t located in the room itself but, rather, just outside its door (which is the case with my bathroom). Or that you have to click on a light when entering the common area of your building (i.e., the main entry and stairway) as it will automatically turn off after a minute or two to conserve energy. Also note the power outlets inside flats for rent in London—they will likely have their own switches to turn off when not in use for an appliance.

When it comes to finding great flats for rent in London, it’s good to set your expectations realistically early on. Differences in size, storage, conveniences, and other features might come as a disappointment, but the fact is a lot of landlords have refurbished their flats for rent in London to a high, modern standard to make the most of what they’ve got to work with, so take the trade-offs as they come and just enjoy London!

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Planning Your Move to London

Thursday January 17th, 2013

When making a move to London, or any international move for that matter, there are key elements that need to be considered well in advance. A smooth and successful relocation comes from thorough planning and preparation which will eliminate considerable headaches prior, during, and after the process. Here are some important points to ponder if you are considering an international move.

Preparing, Packing and Providers! Oh my!

Making an international move is an involved process and requires a great deal of preparation. The first thing you have to consider is what you’re taking and how you’re getting it there. If you are moving to London from US then you either have to ship your belongings by air or ocean.

It is most advantageous to hire a moving company that will pack up your things and ship them for you. Such providers are professional, can properly pack your belongings for a long trip, and know the requirements for paperwork, fees, taxes, etc for international shipping.

Keep in mind that it is expensive to ship items internationally so it is recommended to eliminate as many items as possible before the packing process. You can either sell or give away items, or store them long-term at storage facilities for a modest price if you will be eventually returning to your country.

You should also do a bit of research to see what items might be irrelevant in your new home. For example, London flats are normally smaller than American apartments so you may find that large pieces of furniture need to be discarded once they arrive. Not only are you out the expense of shipping those items, but you also now need to buy new furniture.

Also, keep in mind that it takes time for your items to arrive to your international destination. It can take between four and six weeks to send items via ship from the US to England and, although shipping by plane is faster, it is also much more expensive.

Insurance: The Necessary Nuisance

As with any move, there is an amount of risk involved in both lost and damaged items and such risk increases with international moves. Therefore, it is advisable to insure your belongings when relocating to London.

When shopping for international transportation insurance, be sure to read any policy details thoroughly and ask any questions so you are completely clear on what it covers as terms can differ widely. Normally, such coverage begins at the point of loading your belongings and ceases once the items are delivered to London homes or London apartments.

You will be required to declare the total value of your shipment. It is important that you carefully inventory and apply a value to each item in the case anything is lost or damaged and needs to be replaced. When doing this, understand that the cost of replacing certain items may be quite different in your new destination. For example, a silver tray that costs $250 in the US may cost $350 in London.

Also, most policies only cover a limited percentage of the value of expensive items such as stock certificates, furs, antiques, and jewelry. It may be a better decision to carry small items of value with you when travelling so you can keep track of them personally.

Have a Happy Home Waiting

It is much more convenient and less stressful to have a home already picked out and waiting for you and your belongings. This is especially important if you are shipping items rapidly via airplane, or are employing moving vans for short distance moves.

The best way to find apartments or houses in London is to utilize the services of relocation consultants. They will have current listings of London rentals in the areas to which you are most interested in locating. They will also be able to provide other important information that will make your London relocation more enjoyable.

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Relocating to London – Tour the City by Bus

Monday January 7th, 2013

It is always a bit awkward and intimidating when traveling around a new city because it’s unfamiliar. However, it is also quite adventurous to strike out around a new location to take in different sites, eat unfamiliar foods, and enjoy invigorating experiences. Moving to London can be especially intimidating because of its size, but it also offers a plethora of exciting things to see and experience.

One of the best methods for heading out and not only touring the city, but also to getting to know the various streets and areas is to use the public bus system. If you can, hop aboard the famous double-decker buses that provide a bit of nostalgia as well as great upper deck viewing. Catching one of the eight remaining Route masters is another fun way to get around. If you obtain an Oyster Card, you will save around £1 per bus ride.

Following are some of the better selections of bus routes to help you see and experience the wonders of London.

Route 100: Shadwell – Elephant & Castle

One of the first tours you should take after your London relocation is route 100. Although this route is only serviced by single deck buses, you will get to see a variety of the most favorite sites in the city.

This route runs along the Thames River and passes such places as Elephant & Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. The Docklands containing St. Katharine’s Docks were once part of the thriving shipping trade where many of the old buildings have been turned into London flats. This is a fun area to jump off and grab a drink at one of the old pubs, particularly the Prospect of Whitby.

Route 27: Chiswick – Chalk Farm

This route passes by several enjoyable sites such as Camden Lock, the Stables Market, and Madame Tussauds wax Museum and Planetarium which are both housed under the large green dome. This is an excellent route for those wanting to do a bit of high end shopping and gourmet dining as you will pass through Paddington, Chepstow Villas, and Kensington High Street which are some of the most desirable areas to obtain London apartments.

Route 38: Victoria – Clapton Pond

Several of the last remaining Route masters can be caught on this route which will take you by such fun places as Sadler’s Wells Theater, Piccadilly, Bloomsbury, Green Park and Chinatown. You will also travel along Upper Street, see trendy areas of Dalston and Essex Road, and pass by Hackney Central Station and Clapton Pond.

Route 3: Crystal Palace – Oxford Circus

The number 3 bus route is normally quite busy during peak times, days and seasons because it offers access to a large number of tourist favorites. Hopping on route 3 buses will take you to such intriguing places as Big Ben, the Imperial War Museum, the Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, the Thames River, and Trafalgar Square.

You can continue on into Kennington and Brixton Village which are less crowded and then further into the more suburban areas of Herne Hill, Brockwell Lido, and Dulwich that offers a refreshing stop at Dulwich Park where a variety of sports can be played. A bit farther, you come to Crystal Palace Park that contains sporting activities, a museum and a dinosaur park.

Route 211: Waterloo – Hammersmith

This route will take you through both Chelsea, where you’ll pass the home of the Chelsea Football Club, and Fulham. You can stop of and take a relaxing stroll along the old King’s Road, the Duke of York Square, or through boutique stores around Sloane Square.

You will also venture by Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and Victoria Station as well as pass over the Westminster Bridge which crosses the Thames River.

Check with relocation consultants to help with your move to London as well as find London flats for rent or other preferred accommodations in the areas that best suite you. Your relocation consultant can also provide more travel information to help you get around London more easily.

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Relocating to London? Five New Restaurants to Enjoy in 2013

Wednesday January 2nd, 2013

London is a fabulous city full of culture and history that is all wrapped up in royal trimmings. Dining in Britain’s capital is equally mesmerizing with exiting trends in cuisine filling the bellies and tantalizing the taste buds of the city’s populace. If you lived here in 2012, you possibly partook in the rise of such food trends as exceptional burgers served with draft beer, food vans doling out yummy BBQ, and provocative Peruvian dishes providing a bit of South American flare.

However, if you are moving to London this year or are already living here and are anxiously awaiting the new food trends, 2013 won’t disappoint as the city will see the opening of five new and exciting restaurants. Let’s take a look at what’s in the works for the New Year.

Ametsa with Arzak

The original Arzak restaurant located in San Sebastian, Spain is regularly found on the world’s Top Ten Best Restaurants list. Run by famous chef Juan Mari Arzak and his equally talented daughter Elena, there’s no wonder that the Arzak carries three shining Michelin stars for dining excellence.

The duo of fine dining has announced their move to London with the opening of a branch restaurant called Ametsa with Arzak. This prestigious palate-pleasing palace of gourmet gastronomy will be housed within the Haiken Hotel which is located in Myafair and is set to fire up the stoves in February.

Story

Speaking of fine chefs, Tom Sellers is a master of the menus as well. Tom has worked both with Adam Byatt the celebrity chef and Tom Aikens who possesses a Michelin star as well as serving time at the 2-star Michelin holder, Noma restaurant in Copenhagen.

Tom’s restaurant creation is named Story which is expected to swing open the doors in February at its Tooley Street location near the Tower Bridge.

Balthazar London

Keith McNally left England in 1997, venturing off to new lands to set up dining dens. He’s obviously been a success too with the establishment of the trendy Village restaurant in New York which has been a hit for years.

McNally is finally returning to the home of his ancestors and bringing his famous French dishes with him. His new creation, Balthazar which is nestled within Covent Garden on Russell Street, is due to dazzle diners in 2013. Bon appétit!

The Clove Club

Embarking on a 2013 London relocation also means you can delve into the cool Clove Club which boasts of being a combination of hotspots set to join forces this year. The Dalston based private dining clique, The Clove Club, is hooking up with the ravishing restaurant Upstairs at the Ten Bells to form a five-course fine dining establishment inside the newly renovated Shoredtich Town Hall.

Bubba Gump Shrimp and Co.

Seafood lovers will want to “Run, Forest, Run!” down to the new Bubba Gump Shrimp that will serve up buckets of big, tasty American shrimp. The restaurant was inspired by the Forest Gump movie and is furthering the memory or Bubba Gump by setting up shop on the shores of England. Just be sure to bring a big appetite when you venture to Bubba Gump Shrimp and Co.!

Find Out More via a Relocation Consultant

Fine dining is only one of the many pleasures that you will experience when moving to London. In order to make the most of your move, utilize professional and knowledgeable relocation consultants that can help you find London flats and London apartments for rent in your favorite London locations as well as help transport your belongings, acquire proper paperwork, and give you lots of information that will make your relocation a breeze.

 

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London Etiquette, Behavior and Other Useful Tips

Wednesday December 19th, 2012

If you are thinking about relocating to London then there are some important things you should know about the culture before jumping into it. If you are moving to London from US, you may think that England is very similar but, the truth is, it can be a completely different world than what you’re used to.

Following are some useful tips that will make your visit more pleasant whether you plan on simply traveling for a short stay or are considering a more permanent stay in the city.

Helpful Tips on Etiquette, Behavior and Other Important Aspects

  • Contrary to popular belief, English culture is quiet and polite overall. Therefore, say “please” and “thank you” as well as learn and use other local etiquette. Also, don’t be loud, vulgar, or brash as this is considered distasteful. The exception is when watching football matches or other sporting favorites where loud is expected!
  • Both cars and houses in London are generally smaller than those in the US so you should expect that. Also, avoid making fun of them which can be considered offensive.
  • Homes are considered to be private oases for the English who more than likely will invite you to the pub before they will invite you to their houses.
  • Avoid referring to England as European because the English consider themselves separate even though they are a member of the European Union. Also, you should know the difference between England and Great Britain (UK) because calling the Welsh, Northern Irish, or Scots “English” is very offensive to them.
  • A passport sized photo is required in many places and for many things, such as for obtaining the Oyster Card which provides discounts on traveling around the city on the London Underground railway.
  • If you happen to be 26 or younger, you can get a rail card for around £20. Sometimes, full-time university students over 26 can also acquire rail cards. Those relocating to London who are 60 years old or more can get a rail card for seniors for around the same price. Again, you will need a passport photo to obtain either one of these.
  • In order to obtain a Student Visa, you must provide proof that you have sufficient funds to provide for your full tuition as well as to pay for all living expenses while attending school.
  • A sponsored Tier 2 Permit is required if you plan on working as a freelancer or independent contractor.
  • Although staying at hostels is probably your cheapest route, this doesn’t work well for extended stays in the UK. It’s best to contact a relocation consultant who can provide you with London short term rentals or other more appropriate accommodations. If you would prefer to buy, they can assist you with finding good deals on available houses in London.

Hopefully these tips etiquette, behavior and other important aspects will help you more smoothly integrate into the culture during and after your London relocation.

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Make Your Move to London Easier

Thursday December 13th, 2012

London is an exciting city within a beautiful country which offers both adventure and opportunity to those who might want to embrace a long-term visit. However, if you are planning on a move to England then there are some important aspects that you must first consider, especially if you are moving to London from US. Following are some key steps for relocating to London that will help you make your transition easier.

Step 1: Obtain some knowledge of the country and culture.

Before striking out on an international move, you should first understand some key differences. For starters, England is different from the UK.  You should not refer to people from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland as “English” as they can become quite upset. Also, some laws, terminology and spellings may be somewhat different that what you’re used to. It is advisable to learn some of the most common and import differences before your arrival.

Step 2: Find out what type of visa you qualify for.

While you’re learning some background on the country, find out what kind of visa you qualify for that will allow you into the country. If you plan on living long-term and working in the country then keep in mind that certain visas allow work while others do not. For example, a travel visa is good for 6 months, but does not allow you to work in London or the UK. If you are a US citizen & relocating to London to work at a US company then you can receive payment in US dollars, but you still must obtain a work visa and will be required to pay taxes under UK law.

Step 3: Start your search for a home or apartment.

There are plenty of flats for rent in London as well as other forms of available housing in London. One of the best ways to locate London property for sale or rent from outside the UK is to utilize estate agents who have listings of available properties in all areas of interest such as beautiful Belsize Park apartments or St John’s Wood apartments. Be sure to let your agent know if you are planning an extended stay. A couple of tips when looking for housing accommodations: 1. Make sure it is close to public transportation routes, and 2. Strongly consider one with windows facing south since there are only about 5 hours of daylight during dreary English winters.

Step 4: Start looking for a job.

If you are planning a long-term stay then you will need to work in order to meet financial obligations. There are various UK job-seeking websites online which allow you to seek employment before ever arriving. If you prefer to search for a job after arriving in the city then you can visit an employment agency, job center, or strike out looking the old fashioned way with a newspaper and cell phone. You might also check on companies from your country that operate in England and that offer corporate relocation services.

If you follow these steps and take your time to prepare both yourself and your arrival to London, you will find that your transition is both less stressful and more rewarding.

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Thanksgiving with London Relocation

Wednesday November 21st, 2012

MY LONDON – ‘A blog for people who love London, use it for all it has to offer and
for those who want to explore further’ – My London is a London Lifestyle Blog, the
outreach is 20-30 somethings.

Thanksgiving with London Relocation

As Christmas draws nearer, there is time for one more holiday, thanksgiving, as
celebrated by London Relocation. Nestled away in Westbourne Grove, we stepped into
the ever-glamorous 202 Café.

Upstairs the party was in full swing, and waiters cut in and out of a jubilant
crowd, pouring generously as they went. Meanwhile downstairs the MD was taking
feedback from his clients, through the trusted medium of video. Surrounded by
striking photography, and a room bustling with guests, I am introduced to the owners
of this exciting, useful and disruptive business.

If you haven’t heard of London Relocation, welcome to a new world, one where you are
the buyer, and one where the agent is on your side.

Consider this, you are new to London, you are looking to rent a flat, you have a
list of specific requirements, and you are not sure where to start. You would be
forgiven for knocking on the door of 10 estate agents, hoping that each, over the
course of a few weeks, will find you 1 to 2 relevant properties. The estate agent,
then working on behalf of the landlord, looks to secure them the best possible
price, and your rent increases.

London Relocation work on behalf of the tenant, not the landlord. They source
properties from multiple locations, and once they have enough to show you, they give
you the option of seeing all the properties in one go. They then negotiate you the
best possible price.

You’ll be pleased to hear London Relocation isn’t just for the rich and famous, and
they regularly place students. For such reasons, if you know London, then you should
know London Relocation.

As the evening went on, guest spilled out onto the street and embraced the crisp
air. The final partiers said their goodbyes, and as I wandered down the cobbled
streets, I looked up at the majestic houses and thought how much easier my next move
will be.’

To read more: www.my-london.co.uk/events/thanksgiving-with-london-relocation/

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5 Essential Tips For Moving Into Your New Apartment

Wednesday October 24th, 2012

The best way to minimize stress in any situation is expecting as much of the unexpected as you can—and that certainly applies to finding and settling into London apartments. Some issues are universal, others are particular to where an international relocation takes you. So here are a few top tips on what to expect when renting London apartments in particular:

1. TAKING INVENTORY OF LONDON APARTMENTS

When the lease is signed and move-in date confirmed, your representing London estate agent or landlord will arrange for a third party to take inventory on the flat before you move anything into it. This will account for all furnishings and other contents that the landlord is providing with the property for your use as well as a report on the condition of these items and the unit itself. Any matters that need rectifying (broken fixtures, furniture replacement/removal, etc.) should be addressed at this or the lease-signing stage so that the inventory reflects with total accuracy the condition in which you’re taking on the property.

The inventory checker usually takes photographs of the interiors of London apartments as well, noting instances of damage, stains, and so forth so that you aren’t held accountable at the end of your lease term. Because the inventory not only protects the landlord but you as the tenant, it’s imperative you review this report and its photos in thorough detail and document in writing any discrepancies you come across—be it something that was overlooked or recorded in error. Make sure all parties involved are aware of these changes and request a copy of the inventory for your own records.

2. RENTER’S INSURANCE ON LONDON APARTMENTS

The items recorded in your London apartment’s official inventory will likely already be covered against flood, fire, and other accidents under your landlord’s insurance. It’s worthwhile, though, to confirm this is the case when you sign your lease.

The next consideration, then, is coverage for the personal contents you’ll be moving into the flat. Taking out content’s insurance requires a bit of research, but it’s certainly worthwhile. According to the Metropolitan Police, there were nearly 63,000 residential burglaries in London over the last year, just a 0.2% increase over the twelve months preceding. If you would like to see statistics for the particular borough in which you’re searching for London apartments, see the Crime Figures page at met.police.uk.

At any rate, there are a number of insurance companies in the UK offering contents protection for London apartment rentals. These include:

Direct Line
Aviva
Churchill

You can also compare insurance quotes at the following:

GoCompare.com
Confused.com
CompareTheMarket.com

While these sites usually have webforms you can fill out for a quote, you might be better off just calling a company directly, since they’ll ask the same questions all over again anyway—usually specific to the buildings in which the London apartments requiring coverage are located (e.g., roofing materials, building grade, what floor the flat is on, number of doors into the building and unit, whether there’s an alarm system, etc.)

3. MOVING INTO YOUR LONDON FLAT

Note that movers obviously must wait until they know a specific UK address to deliver your goods to before they’ll actually ship them. Bear in mind also that even when you’re ready to give them that address, they won’t necessarily be ready to ship to it—for overseas international movers typically wait for a cargo container to fill with your and others’ shipments before loading it onto the boat, so the timing of your delivery with your move-in might not align.

As for moving costs, changes in fuel prices from the time you contract a moving company to when they actually ship your goods could mean a change in their service fee. You’ll also want to contact your new London apartment’s applicable council to determine whether you’ll need to purchase a temporary parking permit for the moving truck—if they get ticketed, you could be liable for the fine.

Finally, just as with inventory, you’ll need to sign off on the quality of your mover’s delivery—i.e., confirm they caused no damage to the building, flat, or your possessions, and that all contents are accounted for. Be detail-oriented about this so you have recourse if something goes wrong.

4. PAYING COUNCIL TAX ON YOUR PROPERTY

One of the more unpleasant surprises of moving into London apartments is receiving the council tax bill. Landlords in the States don’t necessarily pass their property taxes onto their tenants, but in London, we’re directly responsible for this charge.

Council tax pays for community services like street cleaning, parks, schools, police, social housing, etc. and can vary from several hundred to a couple thousand GBP depending on which property valuation band your London apartment’s address falls into. You can pay it in a lump sum or request an installment plan, and full-time students can receive exemption. See Gov.uk and/or your London borough’s website (e.g., Kensington & Chelsea) for more information on council tax and student exemptions.

5. GETTING SAFELY PLUGGED IN AND SETTLED IN

Remember: UK voltage is 240V. US voltage is usually 120V. For any non-UK appliances you set up in London apartments, you must:

1) use an adaptor so that a two-pronged US or EU plug will fit a three-pronged UK outlet.

2) buy at least one transformer to plug appliances operating at less than 240V into, then plug the transformer into the wall.

Foreign TVs and computers usually support up to 240V so only need an adaptor. But for anything else, use a transformer to decrease the voltage entering your appliance. An adapter plug alone will NOT adapt for electricity! It’s useful to plug a power strip into your transformer so you can convert multiple appliances at once—but pay attention to how much wattage the transformer can support so you don’t overdo it.

Who knew London apartments could be so much rip-roarin’ fun, huh? ;)

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Downsizing for a London Apartment? What NOT to Pack

Friday October 5th, 2012

Whether you currently own a house or not, a lot of us UK expats end up living in London apartments. For some, the move is for a temporary job assignment, so it only makes sense to pass the relatively brief time in a smaller, already furnished space. Yet even those for whom a UK relocation could be longer-term ultimately opt for the flat versus house given the greater availability of such in the city, not to mention the high cost of housing that could diminish what square footage you can afford.

WHAT LONDON APARTMENTS ALREADY OFFER

Depending on whether you go furnished or unfurnished, the London apartments you view could already cover a lot of your basic necessities. Many of them do come with the option of being already furnished, though how outfitted a space is will vary. It’s fairly standard for them to come with beds, sofas, tables, chairs, and such. Period flats weren’t built with closets, so perhaps a landlord will have built one in or include a freestanding wardrobe with the furnishings. Such flats might also include basic linens, dishware, utensils, and electric appliances like a vacuum or iron. And at the highly furnished end of the spectrum, you might see London apartments fully kitted out with a complete interior scheme of furniture and décor.

Renting London apartments that are furnished to any extent is very, very helpful in reducing how much you need to haul overseas. Especially when international movers will charge you by the square footage, bulky cargo like furniture is one of the first things you should consider leaving behind—unless you know you’ll be here a while and are moving into a space that can hold it. It’s common, though, for people to want to use their own dishes, bedsheets/covers, and such, so don’t feel the need to skimp on those necessities.

WHAT LONDON APARTMENTS CAN DO WELL WITHOUT

Again, if you’re deliberately searching for London apartments with basic furnishings, I say big-ticket items like beds, couches, coffee tables, dining tables, chairs, dressers, etc. can be safely crossed off your list. I would also hold off bringing large pictures, paintings, or other types of wall art, as you never what type of layout you’ll have to work with, whether the landlord will approve of hammering/drilling holes into the walls, whether the walls will already be decorated, or if it’s even possible to hang anything on them in the first place. Exposed brick or plasterboard walls can pose more of a challenge than it’s worth for a temporary home.

What you also definitely don’t need to bring are any high wattage appliances that aren’t 240V compatible. These would include fans, vacuums, coffee makers, toasters, blenders, hair dryers, and so forth that require hardcore transformers to convert their voltage and even then could burn out in time (along with the transformer). It’s definitely easier, then, to just buy these items once here on UK soil if they aren’t already supplied in your furnished flat (stores like Argos, Homebase, and Robert Dyas sell such appliances at reasonable prices). You might also find second-hand stuff for very cheap (if not free) through expat forums and social events—so many people relocate for the short-term, and, with the high turnover comes a lot of folks looking to empty their London apartments of anything they’ll no longer need.

Then there’s the storage issue… As I mentioned earlier, some older London apartments don’t have closets and, in general, were built to historical scale. And, as in the case of most Victorian terrace houses, some flats are that much smaller because they’re only one floor of what was once a multistory house—which means they weren’t originally intended to fulfill every household function today’s tenants demand of them.

Long story short, unless it’s of extreme sentimental value to you (and even that you might feel safer entrusting with a loved one back home), avoid bringing anything knick-knacky or decorative that you might not have the shelving or cabinet/closet space for, and generally nothing that you already have stored away—prioritize what you need for daily, not occasional, use. It’s natural to want to have some home comforts as you transition to life abroad, but this is also very much an occasion for austerity. The nice-to-have sort of foofy stuff that tends to clutter up a house will seem so glaringly excessive the moment you unpack it over here.

You’ll also want to be selective in what clothing you bring—the first things I’d leave behind are items for extreme temperatures. London is moderate all year; it rarely gets hot and doesn’t suffer deep freezes. So, your spring and fall clothes are what you’ll realistically wear here. Do pack some summery outfits for beach holidays or heavy winter jackets and snow boots for ski trips, but little enough that you can just stow it away in a storage container until needed. Otherwise, if you bring your entire wardrobe, there is no question you’ll end up giving stuff away left and right—much to Oxfam’s delight, I suppose!

DESPERATE TIMES, DESPERATE MEASURES

Okay, so it really isn’t dramatic as all that, but that doesn’t mean we expats don’t feel the occasional bout of desperation for all the space and material stuff we used to have. Trust me—that will go away after the first year. I’m actually gagging over the fact that I have clothing in storage back home—as if I’ll ever wear it again!

The world is in recession, but this isn’t the Great Depression where we have to cling to all our worldly goods. “Waste not, want not” to be sure, but that’s regarding what we really need—not all we fill our houses with over the years just because we can. And there’s nothing like an overseas move and adapting to London apartments to give us that clarity and help us streamline for a lean, fresh start.

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Where the London Rentals Market Stands Today

Tuesday October 2nd, 2012

Even if you’re moving to the UK from a big city, the cost of rentals might still give you a bit of sticker shock.

In Mercer’s global study of cost of living for 2012, London isn’t as expensive for expats as cities like Tokyo (ranked #1), Moscow (4), Zurich (6), Sydney (11), OR Shanghai (16)—in fact, it’s even dropped seven places since 2011’s report.

However, ranked #25 on the list of 214, it still beats out major US cities like New York (33), LA (68), San Francisco (90), and Chicago (110—tied with Miami). In comparison to Canada, Toronto is highest at #61, followed by Vancouver (63), Montréal (87), and Calgary (92). On the other hand, Australia’s strengthening dollar has pushed several Aussie cities up the ranks, with Melbourne (15), Perth (19), and Brisbane (24) joining Sydney in outranking London’s cost of living.

THE COST OF LONDON RENTALS

According to the Mercer report, the average monthly price of London rentals as of this year is £2,800 (or approximately $4,500 in USD). That’s based on a 2-bed, unfurnished luxury apartment, mind you, so naturally what you’ll end up actually paying will depend on a number of factors.

Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, type of building, age of building, extent of refurbishment, which floor the flat is on, which neighborhood it’s located in, the immediately surrounding environment/amenities, etc., of course, can all dictate which London rentals will come at a premium, and we tenants are all at the mercy of those ever-powerful lettings agents and landlords.

I’ll get to those usual suspects in a moment, but first, here’s a couple online references for gauging rent prices in a given postcode/neighborhood:

The Property Watch site above offers both list and map views of average prices:

  1. List of rent prices
  2. Map of rent prices

Generally, prices on southeast rentals aren’t rising at the fast rate of other neighborhoods, and they’re perhaps lowest in the northeast, where rents have actually dropped the last few years.

THE LORDS OF RENTALS

I’m continually moaning on this topic, but, seriously, this city really puts the “lord” in “landlord.” Hugely enabled by the rentals industry, landlords here can be tough to contend with. They’re the ones who compensate the lettings agents, so when you search for apartments directly through such agencies, you have to bear in mind who they’re really working for.

And these landlords are feeling pretty good about themselves. Property Wire reported last month that landlords UK-wide, in fact, are feeling very confident about the buy-to-let market thanks to strength in tenant demand. With decent purchase prices out there as well, nearly half of landlords believe this is a good time to increase their property portfolios rather than reduce them (which less than 1% are keen to do right now). And with tenant demand expected to keep increasing over the next year, about 40% of UK landlords expect to increase their rents by an average of 4.5%.

CURRENT INDUSTRY TRENDS

It’s Econ 101 that if demand for properties exceeds the supply of them, prices will be driven up. Growth in available supply has been overall subdued in the UK, and adequate financing continues to be an obstacle for more private investors to purchase properties and thereby increase that supply. According to the Savills estate agency, private rentals in the UK surged by 50% from 2006 to 2011, and they expect another 23% of growth going forward that requires a couple hundred billion pounds in investment. Property website Rightmove estimates an average yield of 6% on UK rental properties (over 8% in London’s central Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea boroughs), yet, again, despite additional government funding issued for buy-to-let loans and first-time-buyer mortgages, a lot of tenants—particularly in London—are still too squeezed by high rents to seize such opportunity.

With the so-called “Olympics Effect” so highly anticipated in recent years, thousands of new east rentals will certainly become available; what remains to be seen, however, is whether demand for those particular properties will really deliver. Post-Games homes near Olympic Park have already seen decline in value. Central London, in contrast, is seeing a shortage in prime properties and growing demand, which has driven prices up. Over 60% of housing purchases in central in the first four months of this year were made by overseas investors in particular, which, in combination with lower supply, certainly does give the rentals and sales market its own dynamic separate from the rest of the UK.

Approximately 30% of renters are paying over half their income in rent, estimates Rightmove. And HomeLet (a tenant referencing service) reports that average rent in the capital and surrounding southeast region of England has increased almost 6% in the last year, as compared to an average of 2% in UK locations outside the London area.

LET THE RENTER BEWARE

So, it’s certainly another bumper year for landlords at the tenant’s expense, and not helping is that a fourth of England’s renters feel they’ve owed unfair amounts to lettings agents, too. There’s nothing regulating what administrative fees one estate agency or another will charge tenants on top of the commissions they receive from landlords, so this can cost renters hundreds more.

That’s why I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: London Relocation is your protection against an unregulated and often unethical rentals industry. We have to collaborate with lettings agents and landlords, of course, but we don’t work for them nor out of any other motivation than helping you find the best place for you at the best price. We also take on those extra admin fees, so they aren’t passed on to you.

With expats continually moving over to work here, no question the rentals market will remain strong and expensive, but at least the cultural experience to be gained here knows no price.

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The “Olympics Effect” on East London Apartments

Thursday August 9th, 2012

When it comes to searching for apartments, the trend has been for many North American expatriates to settle in north and west London. South London, too, has become more of a draw as late for young families. No question about it, the extensive renovations carried out for London 2012 on London’s east side were meant to revive an otherwise blank and industrial area into something vibrant and residential.

So, is east London going to see a big property boom to follow the Games, or is all that glitters out there just Olympic gold?

DEVELOPING MORE EAST LONDON APARTMENTS

Ever since London was named as 2012’s host city in 2005, property owners and developers have rubbed their palms together, sniffing out major opportunity. The UK government has been delighted as well with the substantial private investment already infused into the area prior to the Games—totaling more than £1.5 billion GBP intended to create over 6,000 apartments and houses and four million square feet of office space, per The Telegraph. Newham alone has seen over 3,000 new apartments worth over £100 million.

Delancey and Qatari Diar, for instance, have paid £557 million to buy and manage about 1,500 rental properties at Olympic Village; they also own nearby lots that could yield another 2,000 homes. Inter Ikea proposes to construct 1,200 apartments, a hotel, and almost half a million square feet of commercial space. And pension funds, too, have helped comprise a mixed group of overseas investors heavily contributing to the Olympic Park vicinity, including the Dutch APG and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, which purchased half of Stratford City’s new and sprawling Westfield shopping center.

It’s expected that 8,000 new units will be developed in Olympic Park after 2012; under a quarter of these will be own by Triathlon Homes (a conglomerate of one design firm and two housing associations) and rented/sold as “affordable” properties.

Transport has felt the impact as well, with nine different rail lines accessible to Olympic Park, including the high-speed Javelin train that travels 225km/hr from St. Pancras. In all, £20 billion has been invested in transport to add that much more convenience and appeal and hopefully spark interest in new apartments.

London has found no shame in using the Olympics to showcase its reality and potential as a hub for business and quality of life. Traditionally a disadvantaged, relatively impoverished region of the city, east London is seizing this chance to find new life.

THE PRICING OF EAST LONDON APARTMENTS

As London seems to watch and wait for the ultimate effect on east London of the 2012 Games, housing in and around Stratford has indeed risen in value since 2005. Increasing about £800 per month, this so far translates into a 30% increase in value—in Homerton and Dalston, that figure is 55%. In comparison, consider that England and Wales on the whole have seen an increase of 25%.

Rent prices on east apartments also rose, of course. As mentioned in my previous post, this is largely attributable to the fact that many landlords have asked for astronomical short-let prices for renting their apartments during the Summer Games. According to Gumtree.com (an online classifieds site similar to Craigslist), the average rent on short-term apartments increased almost 450% for July over last year.

Geez…nice try, landlords. It all obviously begs the question whether this property boom can last for long. Is it really just an Olympics Effect on east London in particular? Or does it have something to do with the fact that housing prices have outperformed the UK at large time after time? It’s only fair to mention that 14 east London postcodes surrounding Stratford experienced losses in the last year; Bethnal Green, for example, saw values drop just over 5%.

Yet while drops in value aren’t great for owners, they sure are for buyers and renters—especially with the glut of apartments left behind when short-term renters vacate after the Games. So perhaps if you’re moving this year or next, the east will be an attractive option for modern apartments and amenities?

WILL EAST LONDON REALLY APPEAL?

No doubt Olympic Park is a source of fascination for us all right now. As a ticketholder for the Games, I couldn’t get out there fast enough to explore it and see the dramatic change in landscape. I didn’t even mind the long tube ride back to west London and duly noted that the commute from east London apartments to the city center itself wouldn’t be too shabby at all for professionals living and working in east London. The Westfield mall is immense and designed to a high standard—if only every shopping center could offer options like Spanish tapas or Lebanese cuisine as a break from the usual Sbarro pizza slice or Mrs. Fields cookie.

Yet looking at it from a residential standpoint, the fact remains that once the Olympics are over, there’s really not a whole lot to do out there. I’m sure all the necessities are at-hand—and yet to come in Stratford is a new school, park, and leisure centers—but I couldn’t say there’s a lot to offer just yet in terms of lifestyle. It’s tough to tell so far what businesses and activities the area could go on to attract.

But for those interested in new builds, the east side offers good infrastructure and a proliferation of contemporary apartments this historic city previously couldn’t offer. Canary Wharf and Battersea have been the two usual recommendations where new construction is concerned, so having so many more alternatives and hopefully getting a lot more pow for your pound in the anticipated tenant’s market is a great big plus for choosing apartments.

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