It’s not surprising that many Americans searching for London flats believe living in Chelsea affordably is not even an option.  The famous London neighborhood is more known for its glamorous residents than common working folk.  Despite the reputation Chelsea has for being only affordable to those with the most money it is possible for Americans moving to London on a modest budget to find a flat.  If living in one of London’s most beloved neighborhoods is important to you consider the following possibilities as ways for London flats in Chelsea to become a reality.

London Flats and Flat Sharing

This is the oldest trick in the book when it comes to living in London neighborhoods you otherwise couldn’t afford.  If you are unsure about living with strangers it is recommended you use a London relocation service to ensure that roommates are screened and the best fit is made for everyone involved.  A flat share is a great way not only to live in impressive London neighborhoods like Chelsea, but also a way to make friends and begin integrating into London culture.

London Flats and Downsizing

If living in Chelsea is very important to you consider downsizing your belongings as well as expectations.  Try and determine what essentials you will need and what can be done without.  For instance, if you enjoy clothing and fashion think of ways to reduce designer purchases in lieu of knock-offs or secondhand clothes.  By rearranging your spending priorities you will probably be quite surprised at how much more you will be able to afford when looking for London flats.

London Flats and Budgeting

There is nothing more brilliant than being a young professional living in London.  All the fun you are having, however, will put a dent in the pocket book and if living in Chelsea is important to you consider an overhaul of your budget.  There are many places you can cut back to allow for more money to be available for rent.  Try cutting back on pub visits, lunch out, and socializing expenses.  Besides, all your friends will want to spend time at your Chelsea flat instead of at a noisy pub, right?

If you absolutely fall in love with Chelsea while shopping London flats there are probably a myriad of ways you can find a way to make living in one of the most post London neighborhoods a reality.  Instead of letting a perceived lack of money keep you from your dream look outside the box for ways to cut back.  Never forget there are a number of ways to make London flats in expensive neighborhoods a real option for your budget.

Hunting for London Flats

When you actually begin the physical hunting for London flats there are certain rules you should abide by to guarantee your safety and the best possible decision be made in regards to your future home.  Below are some tips that will help both the novice flat hunter as well as the experienced renter navigate the London flat letting scene.

• Don’t go alone – Not only is it not safe for anyone to be wandering the streets of London in search of a new flat it isn’t practical.  Getting another’s point of view (especially if they have nothing to gain or lose by your decision) is priceless.
• If sharing, go together – Anyone who plans on sharing a flat needs to make sure that all flat mates are together, viewing flats together, and make a decision together.  Isn’t someone can’t commit to viewing a flat with you they probably will have commitment issues with moving in as well.
• Bring a camera – Make sure you take a picture with a camera or phone of every flat you see.  For those moving to London from America the day of flat hunting may be a whirlwind event and you may see upwards of thirty flats.  Remembering them all is impossible.  Pictures will help you stay organized.
• Take notes – Ditto for notes as for pictures.  You might be tempted to try and remember all the important information in your head or jot down a few facts on a flyer but the best way to organize flat information is in a notebook.  You can create a format for keeping information pertaining to each flat viewed. Instead of a few scrawled notes on scraps of paper all the information will be together and clearly organized.
• Carefully inspect properties – You should inspect every property viewed for safety as well as functionality.  Door and window locks should be checked to make sure they work properly.  All faucets need to be turned ran.  You need a written guarantee of which appliances are provided as well as their condition.  Communal areas need specification as to who is responsible for their upkeep.
• Get a receipt – When you find a property you like you will most likely be asked to leave a deposit.  Do not give money without receiving a receipt in return! Any landlord who will not give you a receipt is not to be trusted.

Finding an apartment for rent in London can be a stressful experience but with careful planning before ever hitting the pavements you can minimize the anxiety and actually have a productive experience.  Hunting for London flats is fast-paced but with some strategies utilized you can come out of the ordeal the winner of an amazing new flat.

One of the most common concerns Americans have when searching London flats is in regard to how to create a budget for the first month or two.  There are many expenses that will pop up during that time period that will not be part of the ongoing budget so special care must be given to planning for them.  Below are some of the main costs associated with an international relocation to London.

London Flats and Budgeting – Temporary Accommodations

Upon first arriving in London you may not already have a home waiting for you.  If that is the case you will probably be staying a few nights to a few weeks in a hotel or inn.  Plan for that ahead of time and determine how much you can afford to pay before picking a place to stay. If you are working with a London relocation agency you should be given an amount of time you will need temporary housing before you can move into your new flat.

London Flats and Budgeting – Flat Deposits

Just like in the States London flats require a security deposit, usually one month’s rent.  With prices in London rather high you need to be prepared to fork over the first month’s rent plus a month’s rent for security deposit.

London Flats and Budgeting – Household Items

Most people moving to London from America leave their furniture at home; ditto for their household items.  That makes a large outlay of cash necessary once the flat lease has been signed.  Of course, you don’t have to run to IKEA to buy all your goods.  Instead, you can check out second-hand stores and used items in the classifieds.

London Flats and Budgeting – Food

The first few weeks after moving to London are perhaps the craziest.  Between getting used to the time zone change and starting a new job and getting your home in order food drops down on the priority list.  Although it is tempting to go out for every meal you should resist as this can become a serious drain on resources during a time when money will be at its tightest.  Make it a point to plan meals, go shopping at the local grocery and farmers’ market and begin your life in London cooking your meals instead of relying on the neighborhood pub.

Planning a budget while still in the States is difficult without truly understanding the differences in culture between London and most of America, but it can be done.  The search for London flats can be a difficult and expensive experience but by keeping a careful eye on the pocketbook and not letting stress dictate purchasing decisions you can keep your first few weeks in the UK in the black rather push your accounts in the red.

Before shopping for London Flats, Image via Wikipedia

After receiving the news that you will be moving to London it’s tempting to start packing and head overseas to begin searching London flats for the perfect place to call home. Before your feet ever touch British soil there is much to do to ensure you find the best flat for your needs.  Although it’s highly recommended that you hire a London relocation agency to aid in moving to London from America there is much you can do before even talking to them.  Ideally, you should already have in mind how much you can afford in a London flat, what London neighborhoods you are interested in living, and what amenities you need both in your flat and nearby.

One of the best places to gain information about London and London flats is on forums.  There are many forums dedicated to London flats, moving to London from America and London neighborhoods.  By reading through archived forum discussions and starting your own discussions you can relevant information from locals and expats alike. Official tourist websites and books are great for pointing out museums and hotels but are not that helpful when it comes to understanding the vibe of a neighborhood.  You are the only one who knows what neighborhood dynamics will fit you most (or you can tolerate) and only by talking to real people living in those London neighborhoods can you determine what stays on the list of places to see and what gets crossed off.

Newspapers are almost all online today.  Use that to your advantage and begin scanning the classified ads to learn about standard prices for London flats.  Remember, though, that prices often are by the week as opposed to by the month here in the States.  Mistaking the two could cost you big bucks!  Relocation services are very helpful in deciphering advertisements but for just a general idea of what the market is doing you can keep an eye on local papers.

Even if you are on a tight budget there are certain amenities you will need after moving to London.  If you are a single woman safety should be your top concern.  If you are only staying for a short time you might need a furnished flat.  If you have a family close proximity to a park and playground will be necessary.  All of these amenities, both inside and outside of the flat should be listed and shared with potential landlords or your relocation service to avoid looking at London flats which absolutely will not work for you.

There are many wonderful London flats and chances are you can find one that is perfect for you and your family no matter what your budget may be.  With that said you must do your part in researching the market, keeping tabs on London neighborhoods and being vocal and persistent in your demands.  The move to a new country is stressful enough without the added hassle of choosing from London flats you know nothing about.