Posts Tagged ‘London Relocation’
Friday October 7th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
Moving to London is an exciting undertaking, yet it can easily tread the fine line between thrilling and thriller. Searching for jobs in London, tying up loose ends at home, researching and booking an international moving company, packing, saying goodbye to loved ones, figuring out how/where to rent London apartments, learning where to shop, see a doctor, and so on and so forth comprise a few of many logistics that can make an international relocation hellish. Relocation companies like London Relocation without a doubt are a tremendous help getting you situated into your new London life, and the other blog authors and I constantly dispense relocation advice (we have an exhaustive supply of moving tips in our archives here, so please do make use of our “Search” tool to find the keywords most relevant to your questions, and check out my category, “Weekend Warrior Saturday: What You Can do Today to Prepare for Your London Move”). The more you can make the unseen a known factor, the less scary the process will be.
That being said, there are certainly presences in London that might only scare you more should they manifest as something visible. As a city dating back millennia, this place is like one big giant burial mound, and the dramatic circumstances surrounding so many of its deaths has instilled a rather widespread belief in the otherworldy. After relocating to London, it’s inevitable that you’ll hear some local or other’s account of the places that raise the hair at the back of their necks. I’ve listed several haunted London pubs in particular these last few days, so let’s bring this series home with the end of our apparition alphabet:
Sutton Arms - 6 Carthusian Street, EC1M. This little establishment is graced by the presence of a smiling red-haired ghost affectionately known as Charlie. He apparently likes to sit in the corner quietly, yet has been known to also mingle among patrons.
The Viaduct Tavern - 126 Newgate Street, EC1A. This once-Victorian gin palace stands opposite the Old Bailey and itself was once the site of a debtors prison. Incorporated into its cellar are five jail cells, so this basement has witnessed much poltergeist activity, including the manager getting locked in and a worker getting tapped on the shoulder just before a roll of carpeting was lifted and dropped by an unseen presence.
The Volunteer – 245-247 Baker Street, NW1. Standing on the site of a 17th century mansion once owned by the much-feared Neville family, this pub still shares the original home’s cellars. The mansion had burned down, and, ever since, the ghost of Richard Neville has been reported to still walk about these cellars in his breeches, stockings, and surcoat.
Ye Olde Cock Tavern – 22 Fleet Street, EC4Y. Yes, as in the Fleet Street where the Demon Barber, Sweeney Todd, gave his clean, close shaves…mwah-ha-ha-haaaaa… This ultra narrow, squished-between-buildings pub is said to be haunted by Oliver Goldsmith, a writer who is buried out back behind the pub. A member of bar staff taking the trash out the back door reported that she saw his disembodied head floating in front of her and above the very spot of his grave. WoooooOOOOoooo…
Whispers in your ear, a cold hand at your shoulder, the things that wail and go bump in the night…they won’t be the lies and insincere gestures of London landlords or lettings agents nor the sounds of shoddy plumbing or an unsafe neighbourhood outside your London apartment as long as you have a London Relocation agent at your service. So, before you move to London, get settled in, and finally kick back to enjoy a frosty witch’s brew at one of these local London haunts, who you gonna call? London Relocation!
Tags: Buying agent, Fleet Street, halloween in london, haunted london pubs, haunted places in london, international relocation, London Relocation, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Oliver Goldsmith, Public house, relocation in london, relocation to london, relocation uk, Richard Neville
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London Food & Beverage, London Relocation Agent, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Thursday October 6th, 2011
Image by Ewan-M via Flickr
Author: Colleen
A relocation to London can be a frightening prospect when even the unseen challenges of moving overseas are an ongoing presence weighing on your mind and heart. Hey, I understand—just like all the London Relocation agents, I’ve been there and done that. My relocation to London from the US was fraught with heartache over what I was leaving behind and sheer fear of what would lie ahead; for as much as you can anticipate in advance, there’s always something lurking in the shadows waiting to leap out at you or prey on your mind in the night as you try to sleep. I’ve lived to tell my horror story and love living in London as a result, but it’s a fact that having a relocation company with the heart and soul of our London Relocation agents on your side is an invaluable resource for exposing any monsters hiding under the bed (i.e., shady landlords, lettings agents, or lease terms) and warding off evil through the goodness of expat empathy and genuine compassion.
The stress of relocating to London shall pass into the annals of your own personal history, but the intrigues of London’s past forever lives on in its present. Even London’s pubs have interesting histories, and as I’ve been describing the last couple days, they bear the emotional baggage of some long-term “tenants” of their own… To continue my series, here’s a few more haunted London pubs to check out:
Morpeth Arms – 58 Millbank, Westminster, SW1P. This pub’s cellar used to hold prisoners before they were shipped to Australia and is now haunted by the ghost of a man who died trying to escape. Pub staff feel presences and see cloaked figures.
The Old Bull & Bush – North End Road, North Hampstead, NW3. This 1721 public house has been haunted by a dark Victorian figure for over a hundred years…and no wonder: a skeleton and Victorian surgical instruments were discovered bricked up behind its cellar wall!
The Old Queen’s Head – 44 Essex Road, Islington, N1. Sir Walter Raleigh used to frequent the pub once standing on this site, but the present-day building is haunted by a Tudor woman and her weeping child. Listen for their footsteps running down passageways and look out for doors opening and closing.
The Rising Sun - 38 Cloth Fair, Smithfield, EC1. A former 18th century hostelry, this establishment was, according to local legend, a meeting place for body snatchers. Because of its proximity to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, there are tales that these men used to drug and murder pub patrons to sell their cadavers to doctors, but the truth of this is not known. What staff does know, however, is that there are several presences running about, as experienced through such phenomena as tugging on bedsheets and shower curtains, the feel of an icy hand, and the sound of footsteps.
The Spaniards Inn - Spaniards Road, Hampstead, NW3. 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin’s father was the landlord of this property, so Dick is believed to haunt its upstairs quarters while his horse, Black Bess, haunts the parking lot. The pub is also graced by the spirit of “Black Dick,” a moneylender who was run down by a coach on the road outside and who’s been reported to tug on patrons’ sleeves.
Scared much? Are you going to have to sleep with your nightlight on tonight? Well, London Relocation’s honest and quality service is why its employees can sleep at night, and they’ll give you sweet dreams, too—by dispelling your worries over the nightmare that can otherwise be an international relocation and giving you a lovely London apartment rental for resting your weary head.
Tags: Dick Turpin, halloween in london, Hampstead, haunted london pubs, haunted places in london, international relocation, Islington, London Relocation, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Public house, relocation in london, relocation to london, relocation uk, Walter Raleigh
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Americans Moving to London, London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Thursday October 6th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
If you’re moving to London from the US this month—or have already arrived—and are as into Halloween as I and a lot of other American expats here are, you might be wondering if it’s celebrated in London. Well, it certainly is, but not to the same extent as back home. Last week I listed off some Halloween events in London coming up, and if attending one of those parties, you’ll find that the locals don’t quite grasp our American way of dressing up in costume as anything from politicians to Saturday Night Live characters to abstract concepts like “chick magnet” or “Freudian slip.” What they do embrace, however, is the spooky—you can dress as anything, really, as long as you’re splattered in blood!—and there’s really no better place than London for getting your freak-out on.
And not just at Halloween but any time of year! This place is haunted as hell! Yesterday, I commenced my list of famously haunted London pubs, so let’s continue, shall we?
The Flask Tavern – 14 Flask Walk, Hampstead, NW3. A female spirit haunts this premises, but her identity is unknown. It’s speculated she might be a former maidservant who committed suicide after a love affair gone wrong or perhaps connected to the mysterious bullet that’s lodged in one of the pub’s walls. Either way, she signals her presence with drops in temperature, swaying lights, and moving glasses.
The George - 213 Strand, WC2R. The Tudor facade of this 1930s establishment might seem to trick you into believing it’s an older building, but the truth is that its foundation really does date back to the 17th century. A smiling man in Cavalier dress is said to dwell in its cellar.
The Grenadier Pub - 18 Wilton Row, Belgrave Square, SW1. This pub is world-famous for its spectre, an 18th century guards officer who was beaten to death for cheating at cards. Witnesses claim he’s now the cause of poltergeist activity and the mysterious appearance of cigar smoke.
John Snow Pub – 39 Broadwick Street, W1F. John Snow himself was a doctor who traced the source of a mid-1800s cholera outbreak to a pump that stood outside this site. The ghost haunting the pub, however, is unknown; he sits in the corner and scowls at modern-day patrons.
The London Stone – 109 Cannon Street, EC4. This one isn’t so much about rumored spooks as a deliberate attempt to freak you out with its ghostly and Gothic atmosphere, including coffin-shaped blackboards, fake bookshelves, and a menu of seven deadly sin cocktails. The pub is named for the nearby Roman stone that is thought to have been the original city center, from which the Romans measured all distances.
The interiors of London apartment rentals can be just as scary if you go to just any London lettings agency for help. Lettings agents in London work for the landlords, so they’ll do whatever to seal the deal. London Relocation agents, in sharp contrast, work for you, so they’re highly selective and will show you only the best that’s out there. Maybe your London Relocation agent can’t promise your new London apartment doesn’t have a resident ghost of its own, but he/she certainly won’t let any fears of the unknown haunt you before or after your international relocation where the London property market is concerned. 
Tags: halloween in london, haunted london places, haunted london pubs, international relocation, London pubs, London Relocation, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, relocation in london, relocation to london, relocation uk
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London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocation London
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Wednesday October 5th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
If you’re making an international relocation to London, part of the urban landscape and national culture are the quaint and historic pubs scattered all over the city. Unlike a lot of typical bars in the States, the British pub is not a place where you have to feel sleezy popping in during the afternoon or even imbibe. These classic and picturesque public houses are typically characterized by dark wooden furnishings and trim, floral wallpaper, and overflowing flowerboxes ornamenting their exteriors. They make for an insanely cozy place to warm up and cheer up on a dreary grey day and offer comfort food, tea, coffee, soda, and, of course, ales, wine, spirits, and…well…spirits. And I’m not talkin’ liquor this time.
It’s October, ladies and gentlemen, so what kind of American expat Halloween enthusiast would I be not to hijack this blog for a few days to share with you some of London’s most haunted pubs?! These will be a fine way to treat (maybe even trick, if boozy enough) yourself before Halloween if you’ll have already made the relocation to London by then, but rest assured, these locales maintain their paranormal activity all the year round for your enjoyment. So let’s get our ghost on, starting with:
The Anchor Tavern - 34 Park Street, SE1. Situated near the Globe Theatre on London’s Southbank, this 17th century pub is allegedly haunted by a dog that tried to protect its master from being recruited into the King’s Navy. The poor canine had the heavy pub door slammed on it in response, which severed the dog’s tail and sent it howling into the night, never to be seen again until its ghostly apparition returned to sniff around for its tail and/or master.
The Black Cap - 171 Camden High Street, NW1. This pub bears the baggage of its first landlady, who was accused of being a witch, whose parents were convicted of murdering children via black magic and consequently hanged, and whose lovers met their deaths in suspicious fashion as well.
The Blind Beggar - 337 Whitechapel Road, E1. This pub is notorious for being an east-end gang haunt, and its bloody past includes two murders: one in 1904 between members of a pickpocket gang, in which one guy stabbed another in the eye with an umbrella, and another in 1966 when gangster Ronnie Kray shot his rival George Cornell in the head. Like irony? The song playing on the jukebox at the time of this latter killing was “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.”
The Bow Bells - 116 Bow Road, E1. Originally built in the 1860s, the paranormal presence here employs real toilet humor—in particular, it flushes the toilet in the ladies loo!
That will do for now as your teaser taste of the macabre. If you’re thirsty for more ghostly pale ales (wink-wink), join me next time for a few more of London’s haunted pubs. As for your London move in the meantime, our London Relocation agents have the true “spirit” you need to successfully find the London apartment that’ll become your favorite haunt in no time.
Tags: halloween in london, haunted london pubs, haunted places in london, international relocation, London Relocation, london relocation agents, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Public house, relocation in london, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Americans Moving to London, London Food & Beverage, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Friday September 23rd, 2011
Satisfying your essential needs after moving to London - London Relocation Services - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
In my last series of posts about moving to London with a trailing spouse or partner, I structured the challenges of an international relocation around one’s hierarchy of need, as theorized by Maslow. I’d kept this explanation in terms of the accompanying spouse, who is arguably most sensitive to the changes, but, really, this can apply to anyone making the London move. I figure before I move on to blog about other London topics, I’ll give one more nod to Maslow’s pyramid of needs so that you can see how London Relocation‘s services specifically will satisfy your essential needs as a future London expat.
Referring to the image to the right, let’s start at the base—i.e., our most fundamental physiological needs for survival as well as a sense of security. Well, London Relocation will find you a London apartment rental in the safest of London neighbourhoods and within a short commute from where you will work or attend school. We’ll only advise on neighbourhoods and find flats that are in close proximity to good transportation options to get to and from home safely. And where food, clothing, medical services, and so forth are concerned, we can advise you on where everything is—your London relocation agent, in fact, will point these places out during your property search so you can have your bearings in relation to your new London apartment.
Climbing to the higher layers of the pyramid, we have our social and intellectual needs. London Relocation’s entire process indeed begins with a needs assessment so that we know what type of property you’re looking for, when you need to move in, and which area best serves your commute and lifestyle. If there are particular attractions/scenes that you want to live near, London Relocation will advise on the ideal neighbourhoods for accessing them. Once our relocation agents have worked with you to narrow down those London neighborhood choices, they’ll accordingly map out where you’ll be able to find all the good entertainment options, like restaurants, cafés, clubs, theatres, and other venues. For families, we can likewise advise on schools, clubs, recreation centers, and other opportunities for educating your children and bonding as a loving and supportive family unit. Our empathy as expats alone will offer you peace of mind so you don’t feel alone in this process or this city. We can point you in the direction of support networks just as you’re moving away from those at home. And we’ll, of course, be one of your new support networks, right out the gate as you initiate your move to London.
At the pinnacle of our pyramid, finally, is our sense of self-fulfillment. This could quite possibly be why you’re moving to London in the first place, no? Broadening your mind with new experiences abroad? Meeting new people, exploring new cultures? London Relocation, then, will help you find the right area to feed the soul—the right aesthetic, the right opportunities—so you can maximize your personal and professional growth in this way.
The challenges of the London property market will be enough to fuel your need for us, and our need is to help you make your international relocation to London fast and seamless—so give us a call or fill out our webform, and let’s start your needs assessment now!
Tags: international relocation, London Relocation, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, maslow's hierarchy of needs, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation to london, relocation uk, trailing spouse
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International Relocation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Agent
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Monday September 12th, 2011
Relocation to London: Preparing Your Children for Relocation to London- Part 4
We’ve discussed the London Pass, and that’s a great way to get them to see the sights and get integrated into the city and all its history. But it’s also important to take them to open markets and throughout the new London neighborhood where you’ll be living. Take them exploring so that they can become more familiar with where they are living in London. Now that this is home you want them to feel as comfortable in their new surroundings as possible, and that can only happen with repeated exposure to their surroundings.
In our last post in this series we discussed the importance of letting them keep in touch with friends back home through mediums such as Skype and via the internet. In the beginning this will be more prevalent and something you want to encourage and allow (even though the time difference may keep them up a bit later), until they meet their own new group of friends locally. Attending places and meet ups with other people who have relocation to London experience and if they have children gives you a built in way to meet people you and your children will feel comfortable around. It also gives them the opportunity to share with other expatriate kids their own age who have already acclimated after their relocation to London.
The key is to really put emphasis on keeping the lines of communication open between you and your teens throughout the entire relocation to London and afterwards while living in London. The settling in phase is the most important time and the time of the highest anxiety for them, new friends, new school, new home, new country, it can be very overwhelming for kids, so they will need more positive support than ever. Should your teen take the negative approach to all of it don’t be too surprised, this is just fear of the overwhelming unknown for them, your understanding and patience will be vital at this time for them.
You really need to focus on truly listening to your child. You don’t need to have all the answers or deduce solutions for all that they are feeling and facing, but you do need to listen and be supportive during this time. Regardless of their attitude keeping communication lines open between you is vital. The positive emotions of adventure and excitement during your relocation to London can easily be fear and anxiety, let them know this is normal and that you are experiencing these feelings somewhat yourself at times. Again, it’s about opening up and truly communicating with them so they will talk openly as possible, the overwhelming newness and the lack of support or acquaintances outside the family right now leaves them little choices but to lean on you. This can create anger that they feel they have no one, so be understanding and again, take them out places, get them out of the apartment and integrate them into your new London living as soon as possible. Keep letting them know that you know what a terrific person they are and that soon those they meet their own age will discover that as well.
While this may be a bit overwhelming for you as you have just experienced your own feelings and anxieties about your relocation to London keep your focus on empathy and not sympathy. Being supportive during this uneasy time for them is so important, they really need your support regardless of the fact that they won’t come out and ask for it directly. Remember, they are still teenagers and things still come out sideways most often. Don’t be too surprised if they are rebelling and experiencing a lot of mood swings, this is normal and you will want to prepare for it so you can keep your cool. Those are really just cries for help that you need to help them through the adjustment period.
A great outlet for them to do that is online support from other teens experiencing their own relocation. Ask your London relocation agent where there are family meeting places in the neighborhoods surrounding your London apartment. Many Americans moving to London end up living in just a few boroughs with others from the states. But for online support, have your teens check out sites like “Teenxpates.com” and “TCKid.com”, these are sites with great resources for teens by other teens, all who have experienced similar situations as your kids who have finished their relocation to London.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, living in London, London, london apartment, london flat, London Living, London neighborhood, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, Relocation service, relocation to london
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Relocation to London With Family
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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
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Relocation to London
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Tuesday August 30th, 2011
For a sect of our readers whom I think perhaps don’t get their fair share of posts, I thought I’d begin a series for night spots, clubs, and pubs. Now regardless of age or gender we all like to go out for a few belts sometimes and living in London affords you more than your fair share of places of opportunity. I thought it would be good to start with some chaps that know what it’s like to be an American moving to London. Owning directors
Relocation London: Relocate to the Bar
Steve Locke, Rys Oldfield, and Leigh Miller, all American bartenders who worked back in the states together tending bar for TGIFridays, until just over 10 years ago they moved here and started their own bar empire( the first bit there isn’t firsthand, but the empire is right on!) With 11 locations and one more in the works, I thought even if you’re looking for a place with your mates from work these locations are all about central London( everywhere but North London), and you’ll be close to one no doubt. Heck, if you are a student, or looking for jobs in London after your recent relocation to London, you’ll not have any trouble finding these spots.
B@1 is likely best known for its 190+ drink menu. With all kinds of specialty house mixtures the choices are endless. If you tell your bartender you don’t know what to order, or “what’s good”, they ask you what sorts of flavors or spirits you’re comfortable with. They actually attend a formalized training for 8 weeks, which I find pretty dedicated, but it certainly helps with all those concoctions and countless recipes’. If you’re the kind of person who likes to have a plan when you go somewhere than you can’t go wrong with the results of the top five B@1 mix’s as voted by the patrons.
- Irish Disco Biscuit
- Mojito Especial
- Japanese Slipper
- Junebug
- Beverly Hills Ice Tea
I left the links for the Americans moving to London, in case you want to get a jump on the after work life over here in London. I couldn’t hardly list something like an “Irish Disco Biscuit” and leave it at that. B@1’s 11 locations, some of which are likely in areas your London relocation agents may mention, are :
I’m leaving these links for those of living in London now as they have a mighty nice Happy Hour offer. Two drinks for the price of one, and most locations run it from 5:00-8:00. And for all those budget conscious students who are living in London and open to suggestions as to what to have, they have a “bartenders special” every Wednesday through Sunday nights. Any two drinks the bartender chooses are sold for only 5 pounds all night. I can say that I have been to one or more (not saying how many) of these establishments and I’m kind of partial to some of their more exotic Margaritas. Irrespective of what you order once you get there, B@1 locations are fun spots to go out for a few after your work or school day.
Tags: Americans moving to London, B@1, jobs in London, Leigh Miller, living in London, London, London Relocation, london relocation agent, Relocation service, relocation to london england, Rys Oldfield, Steve Locke
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Americans Moving to London
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Saturday August 6th, 2011
Relocation to London – “It’s Showtime, Folks!” - Image via Wikipedia
Art is definitely in the eye of the beholder. London is at the very centre of the art world and has been for hundreds of years. After your relocation to London you’ll have the opportunity to spend time enjoying the arts and indulging in some serious culture.
Take In A Show
The artistic world in London is not merely confined to galleries and exhibitions. Your relocation to London means that you’re right at the very centre of the theatrical world and no one has really experienced London until they have experienced the West End. Hundreds of theatres with world class shows to entertain you and enthrall you.
The theatre going experience is not merely confined to the West End. London has a rich tradition of theatre, reaching back hundreds of years. Yes, this is the country of Shakespeare, Johnson and other theatrical and literary geniuses who have changed the way that the world views entertainment.
The National Theatre
‘The National’, is the name given to the Royal National Theatre and this has been a part of British life and more importantly, London life since Sir Laurence Olivier took the reign as its first artistic director in 1963. In its home close to the River Thames and right next to the Southbank Centre, the National has become an institution of British culture and a beacon for artistic freedom around the world.
The National is a complete arts centre. Presenting plays and theatrical shows, the National has everything under one roof. If you’re looking for a place to start your cultural experience after you relocation to London then the national has to be your very first stop.
The National Theatre is funded wholly by the British public and does not receive a grant from the government to keep it running. This has meant that the centre has had to continually provide an innovative and exciting program to draw the crowds. From Shakespeare and the classics, to cutting edge modern theatre, the National delivers on tradition and creativity.
You don’t even have to take in a show to enjoy a visit to the National. Every day there are free music programs each afternoon from 5.45pm. You can relax and meet friends at any of the spacious bars, or enjoy the setting sun in the outdoor foyer. Tickets for shows at the National can be booked online or at the centre. Prices vary, and start from about £10 per ticket.
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is even bigger than the National, and is considered by many to be the heart of arts and culture in London today. It has become a trendy night spot for those out on the town, and has a huge program of theatre, arts and music to entertain every taste.
Southbank Centre is made up of a number of buildings. The Royal Festival hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall showcase large concerts, theatre shows and musicals. The Hayward Gallery and the Saison Poetry Library also form part of the massive complex.
Southbank is open 364 days a year and has a number of excellent restaurants, bars and outdoor cafes. This is culture to the max, and Southbank hosts exhibitions, art showings and design shows.
When you are moving to London it is so important that you are able to make time to really enjoy the city. Don’t get bogged down in your daily routine. You’re living in one of the most exciting cities in the world. Get out and enjoy as much of it as you can.
Tags: London, London Relocation, relocation to london, River Thames, Royal Festival Hall, Royal National Theatre, Southbank Centre, Southbank Victoria
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Moving to London: London Sightseeing
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Monday August 1st, 2011
If you have planned your relocation to London well, you’ll be settled into your new London flat a couple of days after moving to London. Having the services of a London relocation services company will go a long way in making sure that your international relocation goes smoothly and successfully. You don’t want to be chasing your tail for weeks after you arrive.
Settling in can take a lot of time and energy, especially if you are waiting for your belongings to arrive and purchasing items to make your life more comfortable. Once you have got everything in its place, you have managed to figure out how to plug in the Xbox and you’re catching the tube each day like a professional traveler, you’re settled!
If you are going to be working as soon as you arrive you may find that the only time you have to explore the city is on the weekend. Use your weekends as a key to discovering the array of attractions and sights that London has to offer you.
Sundays are the perfect day to immerse yourself in the sights and rhythms of this magnificent city. Many attractions are open much later to cater for the summer tourists and you’ll be able to refresh and recharge before you hit the tube running on Monday morning.
Sunday Brunch
English Fry Up! Part of your relocation to London has to be to experience a traditional English breakfast – in England! A traditional English fry-up is the best way to work off a late night Saturday and prepare yourself fully for a lazy day Sunday. If you want to be authentic then take yourself down to your local café. It’ll be an experience in Formica, linoleum and a lot of grease. If you prefer something slightly more up market then there are a number of restaurants that offer the experience without the grime. “Tom’s Kitchen” is in Chelsea and offers one of the best authentic English breakfasts. If you’re looking for something more like home then try the waffles, they’re just as tasty and the ones from Wendy’s!
Not all restaurants are open on Sundays, and the ones that are can get busy. Look for interesting brunch venues in your neighborhood and take a Sunday walk there and back. You’ll not only feel virtuous but you can stroll around the neighborhood markets and pick up so goodies for tea.
Go Green! Whether you’re a serious organic eater or just want to get some greens into your body, the Farmers’ Market in Islington is a perfect place to visit on a Sunday. There are a number of organic markets that are situated all over London. It’s a real treat to see the produce and the whole food stores in the markets. The markets have a distinct London flavor and you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy, even if you’re not a vegetarian!
Sundays in summer are the best time to spend outside, in the park and exploring London on foot. If you are planning your relocation to London now, then save the museums and castles for the long winter weekends after September sets.
Tags: England, London, London Relocation, london relocation agents, Moving to London, relocatio to london, Relocation service
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Relocation to London
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Friday July 29th, 2011
Relocation to London – Manage Your TIME Resources- Image via Wikipedia
Your relocation to London is going to take up a large part of your time, energy and money. When you make the decision that you’re moving to London, you need to make sure you have enough of the time, energy and money resources to make sure that you relocation to London runs smoothly.
Relocation to London: Time
Give yourself enough time to get your affairs in order in your country of origin. For Americans moving to London that means making sure you have the right visa in your passport and getting all of your financial ducks in a row! Yes, that means Tax issues and the tax implications of moving to a foreign country.
Plan your relocation to London with the help of a London relocations services company. The last thing you want to do is spend weeks looking for a London flat after you arrive. Not all landlords rent to foreign national, and having a list of apartments to view within a day of moving to London will make your settling in process much easier.
Use your time to plan ahead by making a comprehensive list of all of your belongings. You’ll save huge amounts of energy when it comes to packing and the physical move to London.
Spend some time researching the city and where you may want to live. If you are using a firm of London relocation agents then make sure they are aware of what YOU need in your future suburb. If you are moving to London for work, then take some time to contact people in your new job. Let them know when you’re arriving and how appreciative you are for all of their help. This will give them an idea of what to expect when you arrive and will help you settle in if you have made contact already.
Your relocation to London is going to be one of the biggest moves you have made in your life. Leave some time in your schedule after you arrive in London to explore the city and get an idea of everything that London has to offer you.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Living in London
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Friday July 29th, 2011
Relocation to London – Manage Your MONEY Resources- Image via Flickr
Your relocation to London is going to be expensive. Even if you have been given a transfer to London through your work, you will still be spending a bit of your own money to get settled and make London your home. Unless you spend a bit of time and energy, you may find yourself spending too much money on your relocation to London.
Relocation to London: Money Savers
The best way to keep your relocation to London expenses down to a minimum is to prepare a budget. Make a list of all the expenses you will have in your country of origin when planning your international relocation. Plan for storage costs, banking charges and even a tax consultant to help you out on both sides of the Atlantic. There may be administrative costs involved if you are going to rent out your property while you are living in London. Consider your storage costs carefully. Do you really need to store every little item? What can you throw away or sell?
Look at spending slightly more money up front, by hiring one of the professional London relocation services agents to handle your apartment search. Not only will it save you money once you get there, but time and energy to boot! If you have not visited the UK before, then it is vital that you have some guidance in where to stay and what sort of areas to live in. London relocation agents have a wealth of knowledge and can help you save money when you are moving to London.
Don’t waste your money on goodbyes. Remember that you are not moving to another planet, just overseas. You need to conserve your money as much as possible while still at home, so when you get to London you can splash your cash and discover the treats that London has in store for you.
Stick to your budget at home and make a budget for the first few months that you will be living in London. Ensure that you have enough money to cover deposits, opening accounts and getting settled in. being careful with your relocation to London budget means that you will have more time to play when you arrive.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Living in London
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Friday July 29th, 2011
Relocation to London – Manage Your ENERGY Resources- Image via Wikipedia
Moving to London is a big decision, but once you have made it, it is time to focus on all the aspects of your international relocation. You need to ensure that you’re not burned out before you start your relocation to London. You need to save some of that energy for touring London when you arrive.
Relocation to London: Energy Savers
The easiest way to save your energy for the big move is to delegate some of the details to the professionals. Choose one of the London relocation services agencies to help you plan your relocation to London. London relocation agents are not moving companies, although they will recommend several movers to you. Relocation agents are experts in all of the details and aspects surrounding an international relocation.
Finding a place to stay will probably be right at the top of your list of things to stress about when you are moving to London. If you’re going to go it alone, you may not find the best places easily. You might spend weeks looking for an apartment only to find that they don’t rent to people without a UK bank account.
When you get someone else to do the legwork for you, you’re not only saving your energy, but a lot of time. Time that you can use exploring your new home!
You can also save your energy and lower your stress levels by organizing a professional mover to pack and move your belongings to London. You won’t have the stress of having to bubble wrap every trinket and you’ll be assured of receiving your precious belongings on time and in perfect condition.
When you are planning for your relocation to London, you need to decide what aspects you will have to handle in person. Bank accounts, personal taxes, visa applications, storage and managing your belongings, are a few of the items that should you do yourself. Delegate the details of the move and getting settled after arrival to professional London relocation agents. They know where you are coming from and where you want to go!
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Living in London
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Thursday July 28th, 2011
Relocation UK – Your Top Guide To Public Transport in London – Part 5: Tube Tales- Image via Flickr
Just when you think you’ve got the tube sorted! Your relocation to London and tube education involves more than learning the difference between an Oyster Card and a Travelcard. When you are moving to London you need to learn to act like a Londoner and that means getting a bit of Tube savvy and ‘know-how’ so you are comfortable during your daily commute.
Taming the Tube
If you absolutely have to stand on the escalators, please make sure that you stand to the right side at all times. People move fast in London and while they are accepting of tourists ambling around the tube stations, you’ll only understand just how frustrating it is to be stuck behind a group of stragglers when you only have 30 seconds to catch your connecting tube in the morning.
Don’t claim your personal space as if you have a right to be there. There is nothing worse than someone with a newspaper spread out, legs taking up half the carriage and an attitude to match. You can fold your newspaper up in such a way that it does not disturb everyone around you.
Don’t lean on the poles in the center of the tube carriage. They are there for several people to hold onto at the same time, not for you to rest up against like the trunk of a tree. While we’re on the subject of picnics, it is not considered good tube etiquette to much away on your food in front of the entire carriage. If you must snack then make it something like a candy bar, not an egg mayonnaise sandwich.
Try to carry as little as possible on the Tube in terms of luggage. Backpacks tend to get in people’s way if you insist on keeping them on your back. Rush hour on the tube in London can get very crowded, bring a book, listen to music, (through your earphones!) and try to keep your wits about you. Relocation to London can be a challenge, especially if you are not used to living in a big city. Once you have the hang of how to use the tube, you’ll never be able to imagine using anything else.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, Living in London, London Transportation
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Thursday July 28th, 2011
Relocation UK – Your Top Guide To Public Transport in London – Part 4: The Oyster Card and Travelcards- Image via Wikipedia
When you ask your London relocation agents for a list of things you need when you’re moving to London, a bank account and an Oyster Card are going to be right at the top! You can use your Oyster card to pay for tickets on all forms of public transport and you’ll save time and money by making sure that you always have the right amount of money for your ticket.
Of course you can purchase a ticket using cash at any of the ticket booths in all stations but an Oyster Card gives you the freedom of the city by allowing you to travel where and when you want to.
The Difference Between Oyster Cards and Travelcards
A Travelcard can be loaded onto your Oyster Card, but an Oyster Card is completely separate from a Travelcard – No one ever said that your relocation to London was going to be simple!
An Oyster Card is a plastic smart card that you can use to cover all of your travel requirements in London. You can load your bus tickets, Travelcards and train tickets onto your Oyster Card. To use your Oyster card you simply hold it over any of the yellow Oyster sensors when you are walking through a ticket barrier. You can also load money onto your Oyster card to pay for fares if you do not have a Travelcard loaded. It is a pay-as-you-go system that ensures that you are not caught up in any queues at the station, or have to carry cash to pay for tickets.
A Travelcard is a way of paying for your tube tickets by Zone. If you need to travel from Zone 1 to Zone 6 every day, then you can get a Travelcard loaded with a discounted ticket for all travel in those Zones. Your Travelcard can be bought monthly, weekly or daily. You then load your Travelcard details onto your Oyster Card for convenience.
Your relocation to London will only be considered a success if you can navigate from one side of the city to the other using and Oyster Card on a train, tube and bus without having a nervous breakdown! It can be done! You’ll soon be able to impress your overseas visitors with how easily you manage the public transport and you’ll wonder why you ever thought it was complicated.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, living in London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
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Americans Moving to London, International Relocation, Living in London, London Transportation
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