Posts Tagged ‘London flats’
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
Relocation to London: What Should I Bring From My Country? - Image by RXAphotos via Flickr
No doubt in your planning of your relocation to London your mind is full of questions as to what you should get in your home country that may or may not be available in London. As you know the dollar is weak against that of the GBP sterling, so in fact there are a few things that you really want to consider bringing with you before your international relocation is permanent and you’ll be relying on others “back home”, to send you what it is you crave. Now I’m not speaking right now of food stuff’s for certainly there are American and Canadian brand food items that you CAN buy in England, albeit they are FAR more expensive, but that is a common thing.
For instance, when you started working with your London relocation services company and your London relocation agent began sending you London flats and London apartments you must have been amazed at some of the lease prices for such small spaces. Yes rents can be shocking when your first working with your London relocation agent, it’s not the standard North American sized places you’ll be seeing. Paying 2,100 GBP a week in rent in places like we discussed yesterday, Kensington area is not uncommon. As a side note, that equates to $3,400 USD for all you Americans moving to London and $3,346 CAD for all you Canadians moving to London, oh yes, and that was a weekly price don’t forget. Certainly there are rents to be had that are more reasonable, and your London relocation agent is just the person to speak to about it. Let them know your price range and start by seeing properties in your price range. But you may want to be prepared to increase your budget when you see the size of London apartments.
So what is it that you can get back stateside that you will really pay through the nose to buy in England? Well jeans for one. Let’s take that all American Jean Levi’s. I priced a pair of 501′s around town and they are asking approximately 75-90 GBP for a pair of ladies boot cut jeans, which equates to $113-$145 USD, for a pair of Levi’s! It’s about the same in CAD, $111-$143 for our Canadian expats. So you see some absolute basics, and I do consider Levis as a basic, can be really quite expensive. Periodically I’ll continue to update you with items you may want to stock up on while still back stateside, but for now let your planning your London relocation be about where you’ll live instead of what you’ll be wearing.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Canada, canadians moving to london, corporate relocation, England, international relocation, London, london apartments, London flats, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London relocation services company, Relocation service, relocation to london, United States
Posted in Relocation to London | No Comments »
Friday, August 19th, 2011
Moving to London means you’ll be looking for a London rental apartment as soon as possible. If your employer is going to find you an apartment for a short while, then you’ll have the chance to look around at the different areas and types of properties that will suit you and your family. This series of articles gives an in depth review of the London rental business, and how to go about renting an apartment or house if you are a foreigner who is moving to the city of London.
Relocation to London means you will be searching for a London rental apartment upon your arrival. For those that are undergoing an international relocation for work, an employer may offer temporary lodging or a credit towards such while you look for suitable housing. Working with London relocation service companies will expose you to the many different types of neighborhoods available, and why each may appeal to your personal situation and circumstances. In part two of this series on London rentals we look at the rental business itself, and the process of looking for an apartment or house if you are an American moving to London.
Your London relocation agent can show you a number of different types of properties and London rentals. For those working or moving to London for schooling, renting an apartment that is fully furnished with all the furniture and kitchen appliances (in 240voltage) that you will need. However, if you know that the move is a more permanent London relocation than you may want to investigate purchasing a property. Either way, renting a furnished apartment with all the appliances available will give even a property purchaser a chance to live in London and learn the city before investing.
Another popular option that you frequently see in London is a partially furnished apartment or flat. A partially furnished apartment will usually include the most basic of furniture, a sofa, kitchen table and chairs, cupboards and side tables. Unlike back in the States, beds are not commonly furnished and must be purchase for a partially furnished flat. Partial furnished places also do not include appliances in them, so those considerations need to be made.
Naturally an unfurnished apartment is completely empty and may not even come with a refrigerator. So unless you intend to purchase everything new in England you will need to ship things from home. A word of caution for those who do plan to bring their furnishings and appliances with them on their relocation UK style: appliances are different in the city of London. Not only is the voltage twice that of the American 120 volts of most appliances, the size of the appliances you very well may find will not fit in your new London apartment. Refrigerators are the best example of all; you won’t find any double door giants in a London flat. In fact most refrigerators won’t even fit through the front doors of London flats, that’s why you often see cranes hoisting furnishings in the air to get them in on upper floors.
With an international relocation there are many factors to think about. Deciding to use a reputable and professional London relocation agent is really the easiest part of the decision process. Choosing which agent to work with prior to moving to London is the best way to be able to pick up a set of keys within hours of your arrival and start enjoying your new London home.
Tags: american moving to london, England, international relocation, London, London flats, london relocation agent, London rental apartment, Moving to London, Relocation service, relocation to london, relocation uk, United States
Posted in Relocation to London | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Living in London – Summer Shopping- Image via Flickr
If you’re living in London and you’re lucky enough to have some cash to throw around, why not take advantage of the fact that London is, without a doubt, one of the shopping capitals of the world. You’ve got your choice of places to carry your wallet to and a plethora of things to buy for you to kit out your London flat. It’s a big city so there’s loads of shopping opportunities for you to explore.
Let’s start with the obvious – Harrods. The store has about one million square feet of selling space and over 300 departments, including the world famous Food Hall. So you won’t struggle to find anything for dinner.
Also pay a visit to Covent Garden, for the best in High Street fashion. Up till the 1960s Covent Garden was more likely to be recognized for its fruit and veg market, but these days, its popular visit for the tourist looking for famous fashion labels and its top quality restaurants.
Do you have kids? Then it’s only right that you make a stop at Hamleys, the biggest and most famous toy shop in the entire world. Don’t think that you’ll only be able to stop for a quick fifteen minutes, and be in and out. When a toy store takes up six floors packed from top to bottom with toys and games, you’ll have to devote an entire day to taking it all. And if feels a bit indulgent to be taken in by all this kiddie fare, just remind yourself that it’s not just for play, as Hamleys is over one hundred years old, which makes a valid part of London’s history.
Or are you a bit of a bookworm? Get thee down to Charing Cross Road, noted for its many book stores, from comic book stores to those stocking the classics to second hand book stores, you won’t leave disappointed.
And if you’re are in the vicinity of Charing Cross Road, head to St. Giles’ Circus where you’ll find Tottenham Road, where you’ll find anything and everything you’ll need to kit yourself out with the latest that electronics has to offer.
Shopping in London is an experience, whether you’re getting your groceries delivered to you London apartment, or you’re striding down the High Street on a Saturday morning looking for that perfect outfit.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Charing Cross Road, England, fun facts about london england, Harrods, High Street, learning about london england, living in London, London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, relocating to London
Posted in Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
Thursday, June 9th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
If you anticipate moving to London in the next few years, you may not yet be aware that the UK is mandating that use of checks (or “cheques,” as it’s spelled in British English) be phased out entirely by 2018. This decision came about in December 2009 and will enforced only in the event that viable alternatives are found that would be accessible to the general population.
Not many still flip open a check book these days—it’s so much faster to swipe the plastic at point of sale, pay online, or make a transfer when banking details are provided on invoices. Checks not only take time to write out, but they can incur additional time and fees for processing. On the flipside, many are opposed to the idea of banishing checks as a payment option altogether, primarily for technological reasons. Small businesses continue to rely heavily on the use of checks, and some folks are wary of opening themselves up to fraud by paying solely online (and hey, some may not have convenient access to a computer and internet to begin with, and I certainly wouldn’t want to make payments at a public lab…).
The Treasury Select Committee is reopening its inquiry on the status of checks going forward in view of these obstacles to replacing them entirely as well as a pending cost-benefit analysis of doing so. It is believed there might still need to be some form of paper payment in its place, in which case I would figure why replace paper with paper? Just leave ‘em! But I’m not the one investigating and accumulating all the evidence, so we’ll see what time will tell.
In the meantime, if you’re relocating to London soon and looking to rent that London apartment and pay down your deposit and first month’s rent straightaway, the check may still be of necessity. In general, I advise against paying this way, though…not to throw our dear little piece of paper under the bus (that would be littering 
), but in the London lettings market, time is always of the essence. Your future landlord (and the London lettings agency representing them) might be too impatient to wait for a non-UK check to clear in a London bank. Your best bet in this case is indeed to do a bank transfer, which will be even easier for you if you have your UK bank account already set—this is something London Relocation Ltd. will set up for you the same day as your viewings, so you’ll be covered. And trust me, securing that bank account is no small feat when you don’t yet have a UK address to your name. As for understanding sort codes and such for conducting an international bank transfer, please see my earlier blog post, “Transferring Money: How to ‘Sort’ the bank codes ‘SWIFT’-ly.”
At any rate, if you will be signing on the dotted line of your check to pay rent on your London apartment rental and other bills, then the above image is an example of what a typical UK check looks like. I don’t know, though; a friend of mine just told me yesterday that HSBC had sent her a letter notifying of their checks being phased out (within the year, she thinks), so it remains to be seen if your UK bank will offer this option by the time of your London move—plan accordingly.
Tags: bank transfer, banking, cheques checks phased out in uk, how do I get a UK bank account, HSBC, IBAN, London flats, london flats to let, London lettings agency, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, opening a UK bank account in London, paying rent in london, relocating to London, rent london apartments, SWIFT code, Treasury Select Committee, UK bank account
Posted in Americans Moving to London, Living in London, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips | No Comments »
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
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
Living In London – Number 10 vs. The White House- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re living in London, then you’re also living at the heart of British politics and the seat of the government. While many people consider the Houses of Parliament and Buildings at Westminster to be the headquarters of the government in England, there is another address that is just as important and is well worth a sightseeing visit if you are moving to London.
Number 10 Downing Street is the home of the Prime Minister, much like The White House is the home of the President of America. The scale and size though is remarkably different. While you cannot take a tour of the interior of this most fabled and famed seat of power in the history of the world. You can take a fascinating online peak of what happens behind the unremarkable black door that leads straight onto Downing Street.
Not only is it the home to the Prime Minister of the day, it is also the very heart and inner sanctum of the government of the day. While they are in office, the Prime minister and his family live in a private London apartment on the second floor of the residence which led Margaret Thatcher to comment that it was a little like “Living above the shop”. The cabinet meets every Tuesday to discuss affairs of state in the Cabinet Room. Number 10 is able to handle functions of up to 65 people in the State Dining Room, and an invitation to dine at Number 10 is highly sought after.
Due to the heightened security of recent years, it is not possible to walk up to the door, but in a typical display of restraint and tact there are usually only two bobbies, or policemen on duty outside of the door to Number 10. There are more though, you just won’t ever be able to see them.
One would have expected that the leader of one of the world’s greatest nations would have something bigger, grander and more fitting, but one of the first things you’ll learn when you’re living in London is that tradition is one of the binding facets of English life.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, fun facts about london england, living in London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, relocating to london england, relocation agents, things to know about london
Posted in Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | No Comments »
Monday, May 16th, 2011
Living In London – The Old Bailey- Image via Flickr
While you’re living in London you only ever want to visit the ‘Old Bailey’ as a visitor to marvel and the history, architecture and the proceedings. If you’re attending the ‘Old Bailey’ on business, you’re probably in the dock for something pretty serious, and you need to get lawyered up as fast as possible! If however, you’re interested in learning more about the city of London and your new home town, then get out of your new London rental for the day and head down to the ‘Old Bailey’
The ‘Old Bailey’ is the name given to the Central Criminal Court in London; its nickname is derived from the street in which the main building was built. It is one of a number of buildings in London making up the highest criminal court in the country. If you’re an American moving to London then the Crown Court which is within the Central Criminal Court can be likened to the very highest criminal courts in America.
While the ‘Old Bailey’ is not a conventional tourist attraction, it is one of the most interesting places to visit when you are living in London. The building is built on the site of the ancient Newgate Gaol and has had a tradition in English law for hundreds of years. British courtrooms are much more formal than courts in other countries and traditional dress, which includes the traditional wig, is worn by all advocates, who appear before a judge who is robed. While it may seem at odds with modern times, and has no bearing on a modern legal system, there is actually a good reason as to why the uniform and traditional dress is still worn. In cases heard by a jury, it is not the antics of the lawyer or the dress of the lawyer that should have any bearing on the case at hand. If all court officers are dressed in the same manner there can be no grandstanding or theatrics.
One of the most fascinating aspects of visiting the ‘Old Bailey’ is the chance to watch a trial from one of the public galleries. Children under the age of fourteen are not permitted into the courts, but there is no charge for a visit to the ‘Old Bailey’ and it is another fascinating glimpse into traditional while you are living in London.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london uk, Criminal justice, Crown Court, Lambeth, learning about london england, living in London, London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London relocation specialist, Magistrates' Court (England and Wales), Moving to London, moving to london from america, Old Bailey, relocating to London, Streatham, things to know about london, tips on living in london, United States
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues | No Comments »
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Living In London – The London ‘Underground’ – The Hidden Treasure of London Part IV-Image via Flickr
Tranquility and Calm
Despite its reputation as a massive city, living in London is going to give you an opportunity to live in one of the greenest cities in the world. There are dozens of parks and open spaces. Of course you’ll want to visit the grand parks of central London: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and Regents Park. There are however a number of smaller parks and gardens that are known only to Londoners. A respite from a weary working day or a great place to spend an afternoon in spring time. Some of the real treasures of London are not on the tourist maps.
Culpepper Community Garden
Right in the heart of a busy shopping and business area, Culpepper community Garden is a delightful oasis of tranquility and calm amid the bustle of modern London. The garden is located in Islington and is considered a city park as well as an environmental centre. The garden is focused on the community and is entirely organic. There is a large section of vegetable plots that are maintained by community gardeners and volunteers. These small gardens, including two raised gardens for the disabled are for the local community to enjoy the magic of growing and cultivating a garden. Community groups, school children and people who do not have gardens in the neighborhood, all come to lovingly tend the gardens all year round.
Different habitats and ecological environments have been cultivated to ensure the diversity of the area, and there is an abundance of birds, butterflies and frogs that make up the wildlife in the garden. Culpepper Community Garden hosts a number of functions throughout the year and annual membership of the garden is a paltry £10. You can be as involved as you want to be. From cultivating your own plot, to using the garden as a welcome sport away from the madding crowds in Hyde Park. This garden is truly for the community.
You’ll find that after you’ve been living in London for a while, you are struck by the sense of community that Londoners have for their neighborhoods and their city. You’re one of us now, so join in!
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, communitygarden, fun facts about london england, Garden, Hyde Park, Hyde Park London, Islington, Kensington Gardens, learning about london england, living in London, London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, Regent's Park, relocating to London, rent london apartments, things to know about london, tips on living in london
Posted in 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, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
Living In London – The London ‘Underground’ – The Hidden Treasure of London- Image via Wikipedia
Once you’re living in London, you’ll want to get out of your new London apartment and start exploring the city as a native, not a newbie. When you’ve done all of the big tourist attractions you have to start exploring the hidden facets of fascination that this city has to offer. London has a history that reaches back over 2000 years and the history is plainly written on the cityscape if you know where to look.
This series of articles looks at the hidden side of London; the ‘underground’ not only being a reference to the transport system. If you’re looking for interesting things to do, see and experience then the secret side of London is available to you because you’re now a Londoner. That makes you part of the club and knowing where to go as a Londoner is one of the best parts of living in London.
Each neighborhood in London is a secret treasure trove interesting sites, restaurants, theatres and other quirky attractions. While London is a thoroughly modern city, its history has played an important part in shaping and guiding the city through the ages. From the mighty River Thames that is much a part of London history as any other building or museum, to the parks and architecture that give London its iconic postcard status.
You don’t have to stick to the tourist tracks; much of London’s treasure is in the hidden statues and historical landmarks that are not marked on the maps. The same goes for shops, restaurants and the best eateries in London. It’s not a secret club, but you do have to be living in London to experience the best parts of the city. If you’re an American moving to London, you need to explore your new city like a Londoner to take advantage of what she has to offer. Don’t stick to expat enclaves, get out there and discover the heart of the hidden treasure of London.
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, fun facts about london england, living in London, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London advice, relocating to London, things to know about london
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, 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, Shopping in London Places | 1 Comment »
Friday, April 29th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – North London Part III- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re moving to London, one of the first things you’ll realize about the city is that your entire life will be governed for the most part by which area you live in. You’ll need to establish what you needs are before you begin living in London to give you a good idea of where you should live. For the next couple of weeks I’m going to delve a little deeper into the amenities and services as well as the average prices in the more popular residential areas and what they can off the international Londoner.
North London – St. John’s Wood
This is one of the more expensive suburbs in London, with rentals ranging from £1000 per week for a studio apartment to £10,000 per week for a luxury four bedroom home on one of the better streets. It’s popular with expats and a few celebs. The proximity to central London is an excellent reason to choose a London rental in this neighborhood.
Transport: Located northwest of central London, the tube station is called St. John’s Wood which is found on the Jubilee Line of the London Underground. A trip into the very centre of London is going to take you about ten minutes so it’s great for commuters if you need to be centrally located. There is a 24 hour bus service into Oxford (number 189) or to Victoria (number 82) during the day.
Council Information: St. John’s Wood falls under the Council Borough of Westminster and you can expect your annual council taxes to range from £500 to about £1400.
Shopping: There is a Tesco metro and Tesco Express in St. John’s Wood, but Marks and Spencer’s or Waitrose are located outside of this suburb. Great news though – you can have your groceries delivered right to your kitchen counter from many of the large grocery stores.
Doctors: You can find NHS doctors at The Abbey Medical Centre and St. John’s Wood Medical Surgery.
Other Amenities: You’re close to Regents Park and Primrose Hill and there is an excellent public library on Circus Road – the St. John’s Wood Library. There are a several excellent restaurants and bars in the suburb and you’ll have problem finding a local watering hole. The international mix of residents has meant that there are a number of very good state schools and public schools in the area.
Tags: american expats in london, Jubilee Line, living in London, London, london apartments, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to london england from canada, Moving to London from US, north london, Primrose Hill, Regent's Park, relocating to London, relocating to london england, Tesco, things to know about london, Transport Salaried Staffs Association, understanding british history for a london move, Waitrose
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Living In London – Notting Hill – The Portobello Road Flea Market - Image via Wikipedia
When you’re living in London you’ll find loads of interesting places to visit on your exploration of the city. It doesn’t matter where you decide to live when you move to London, everything is within an easy tube or bus ride away and you’ll be hard pressed to spend any time in your new London rental when you’re living in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Notting Hill – Portobello Road Market
You’ve seen the film, now it’s time to step into the streets of this famous area in London and discover the Portobello Road Market that is held every day of the week except Sundays, which is when Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts sit on their bench in the garden! The best way to really explore the Portobello Road Market is to start at the entrance which is near the Notting Hill Gate tube station. The market stretches along the road for nearly two miles and on a Saturday it take you a few hours to make your way through the throngs of tourists and traders. You’d best come with plenty of time and a bit of cash to splash at the diverse stalls and shops in the market.
During the week, the Portobello Road Market is where the locals in the area shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, which is usually found between Westbourne Park Road and Colville Terrace. They offer a range of the freshest fruits sourced from all of the countryside. On Friday and Saturday the funky street fashion designers come out to play with a huge range of stalls selling everything from the latest street fashions to retro vintage wear with a modern London twist. Also on Saturday is the antiques market where you can see some splendid examples of antique furniture, and bric-a-brac.
It really doesn’t matter which day you visit the Portobello Road Market – if you’re living in London, you’ll want to come more than once anyway- there are always outdoor cafés and restaurants serving international food and light meals. Living in London is an adventure and visiting the Portobello Market is a great way to get accustomed to the accents and the way that Londoners live life.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, Kensington and Chelsea, living in London, London, london apartment, london facts, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, relocating to London, rent london, Sundays, things to know about london, tips on living in london
Posted in Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Shopping in London Places | 2 Comments »
Monday, April 25th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – North London- Image via Wikipedia
When you’re moving to London you’ll want to get a good idea of the area that you’re going to be renting a London apartment in and what sort of amenities there are in the area. Prices are quite a lot more expensive than the rest of London, but if you are careful about choosing the right London rental you can be living in London in one of the more stylish postcodes for less than you think.
North London – Islington
Rental prices in Islington range from about £1000 per week for a small bachelor apartment to £3,000 per week for a three or four bedroom, semi-detached home. It is close to central London which makes it a popular suburb for people who have to commute each day into the city centre.
Transport: Angel Station in Islington is found on the Northern Line of the London Underground and the Highbury and Islington Station is located on the Victoria Line. A journey into the centre of London will take less than ten minutes from Islington. The most direct buses into the centre of London are the number 205 to Paddington and the 38 to Victoria. There are over 20 bus routes through Islington into London and beyond.
Council Information: Islington falls under the Council Borough of Islington and you can expect your annual council taxes to range from £900 to about £2800.
Shopping: All of the major retail outlets are found in Islington with Sainsbury, Tesco and Waitrose in the area and you can also find a number of excellent health food and whole food stores as well as smaller grocery stores offering a range of foods.
Doctors: If you’re looking for medical centers and dentistry services in Islington then the internet is going to be our best resource. Remember that nearly all GP visits on the NHS are free for all residents, so be sure and register at your local surgery as soon as you have moved into your new London rental.
Other Amenities: As in all of London there are restaurants and bars on many streets in Islington. If you’re looking for great dining try Fredericks or Fifteen, which is the home of top celeb chef Jamie Oliver.
Tags: Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, Highbury & Islington station, Islington, living in London, London, london facts, London flats, London relocation specialist, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to london england from canada, Tesco, tips on living in london, Victoria Line, Waitrose
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions | No Comments »
Thursday, March 17th, 2011
Living in London – The Bizarre, Weird and Wacky- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
When you are living in London it’s not all about pomp and circumstance. England is not only known for its history and architecture but it is home to celebrating the weird, the wonderful, the wacky and the downright bizarre. These quirky traditions make for a great day out of London but you’ll need to have a sense of humour if you’re going to end up face down in the mud!
If you ever wanted to see a different side of the British then join in these fun events to be part of the clan. If you are brave of heart then carrying flaming tar barrels through the streets of a Devon village might be for you, this event is known as Tar Barrels. If you take like duck to water then you can join the Bog Snorkelling where you will be required to swim 2 lengths of murky peat bog using an unknown swimming stroke in an attempt to be the first to reach the finish line.
During the Spring Bank holiday, Devon hosts the region’s oddest and oldest 4 day custom where symbolic characters search for the Earl of Rone who is eventually found on Monday night, paraded sitting backwards on a donkey through the streets, ‘shot’, knocked off his mount and thrown into the sea. Another quirky event is the Bognor Birdman, which takes place at a Sussex seaside resort. In this event, human ‘birdmen’ hurl themselves off the pier to see who can ‘fly’ the furthest. There is a variety of man-powered flying machines and crazy costumes on show.
If bizarre is your middle name and Dorset sounds like your kind of spot then this event is just for you, the World Stinging Nettle Eating Championship. Every June a pub full of brave contestants races to see who can eat the most stinging nettles in an hour. The contest came about when 2 farmers argued over who had the longest stingers. A third man produced a longer nettle and rashly offered to eat it if longer could be found. When the inevitable happened, he kept his word and history was made. Stinging nettles have been used in British cookery for hundreds of years, but here they are ingested raw with their stings intact. There are many other wacky and weird events to tickle your fancy while you are living in London, so join in the fun.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Belinda, canadians moving to london, Devon, England, Health, Herbalism, London, london facts, London flats, london move, london moving, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Nettle, relocating to London, Stinging nettle, things to know about london, tips on living in london
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions | 1 Comment »
Saturday, March 5th, 2011
Moving to London – Finding Accomodation - Image by wallyg via Flickr
You’ve taken the leap and decided that you’re moving to London. Before you start looking at ads for accommodation, you should contemplate conducting research from people already living there and ask them to recommend affordable places in the area. The internet and advice from others might seem like the ideal solution but you are the best judge in determining which area would suit your needs. It is advisable to wait until you arrive to find accommodation. You can stay in short term accommodation; possibly a serviced apartment while searching for a suitable place.
You can also make use of the services of a relocation agent and arrange to come to London for short visit on a flat-hunting trip prior to moving to London. Since the relocation agent will be familiar with your needs and what London has to offer in terms of accommodation you can search for a place to live with ease. You will be able to see the neighbourhoods and get a sense of the surroundings to see if they are compare with your needs. You must ensure during the flat-hunting process that you take notes about which neighbourhoods, streets and buildings you like and the ones you might want to steer clear of as that can make a distinct difference in finding your new home.
If for example you are relocating from the United States be aware that London housing costs are significantly higher in comparison. You may find a flat costing £600 per week which is the equivalent of US$4000 per month including council tax and utilities. So ensure that you conduct effective research as there areas in London that are cheaper to live in but would still be considered expensive in US terms.
London accommodation caters for people with varied needs and backgrounds and thus offers an extensive assortment of flats which include studios, two bedroom flats to five/six bedrooms for your convenience. Finding accommodation in London can be pretty overwhelming and even though friends and the internet might mean well, your needs would be best served doing the groundwork yourself.
Tags: Apartment, flats to let in london, London, london flat, London flats, London Living, london move, London Relocation, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, move to London, Moving to London, Westminster Abbey
Posted in Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
Living In London – Renting Property 2- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
Moving to London means you’ll be looking for a London rental apartment as soon as possible. If your employer is going to find you an apartment for a short while, then you’ll have the chance to look around at the different areas and types of properties that will suit you and your family. This series of articles gives an in depth review of the London rental business, and how to go about renting an apartment or house if you are a foreigner who is moving to the city of London.
There are a number of different types of rentals in London. You can choose to rent an apartment that is fully furnished with all the furniture and kitchen appliances that you will need. If you know that you are going to be living in London for a number of years, and may want to buy property, then this may be the perfect option for you. It will give you the chance to really look around and you won’t be burdened by having to go and buy appliances or furnishings until you are really settled and have found the home that you are looking for.
There are also a number of partly furnished apartments available in London. A partly furnished apartment will provide you with the basic furniture such as cupboards, chairs and tables. Beds are not usually provided, and there are no kitchen appliances provided in a partly furnished rental. An unfurnished rental is exactly that. There are not furnishings at all and you will either have to go and buy everything you need or have you furniture shipped from you home country. It should be noted that kitchen appliances in America and Canada are much larger than the ones that you will find in most London homes. It might even be impossible to get your fridge through the door of most London apartments, and it is not an uncommon sight to see removal companies using a crane to hoist furniture through a top floor window!
You will have to weigh up the cost of shipping all of your belongings to England compared with the cost of buying new ones once you get there. Appliances are not particularly expensive in London and you should be able to pick up what you need quite quickly. If you can then you should try and find some furnished accommodation on a short lease, so that you will be able to look around for a permanent home, and have time to get your belongings shipped to England. If you don’t want to have t do all of this yourself then you should consider using a relocation agent who will be able to take care of all of the details for you, before you arrive so you can just pick up the keys, move in and start to have some fun in your new city.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Apartment, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, flats and apartments to rent, Flats in london, flats to let in london, fun facts about london england, London, london apartment, london apartments, london facts, London flats, London Living, Renting, things to know about london, United States
Posted in Living in London, London Apartments: What to Expect in a London Flat, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips | No Comments »
