Posts Tagged ‘London Underground’
Wednesday May 4th, 2011
Living In London – London Neighborhoods – Bethnal Green- Image via Wikipedia
This is the East End of London and you’re going to be staying in one of the most culturally diverse and interesting areas in London. While many Canadians moving to London choose not to live in the east End when they’re moving to London, it should be considered a good choice if you’re looking for a London rental flat that is reasonably priced and good value for money.
East London – Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is right next door to the City which is the heart of the financial district in London. Traditionally an extremely poor area of London, real estate values have jumped in the last two years and it’s now becoming one of the trendier spots to hang your hat. A one bedroom rental London flat in Bethnal Green can cost you up to £1000 per week and family homes start from £ 17000 per week.
Council Information: Clapham falls under the Council Borough of Tower Hamlets with annual taxes ranging from £800 – £2500.
Transport: Bethnal Green Tube Station is on the central Line of the London Underground and you can be in the West End in less than 30 minutes if you’re on a night out. Trains and buses run all the time and the transport in this area of London is excellent.
Shopping: Bethnal Green has all the big names as well as some more interesting boutique stores and the Co-Op Food Store in the Mile End which has more unusual grocery items and fresh food.
Doctors: The Blithehale Medical Centre is right in the centre of Bethnal Green and if you’re looking for an A&E, then The Royal London Hospital is a few streets away in Whitechapel.
Other Amenities: Bethnal Green, like many neighborhoods in East London, is incredibly culturally diverse. From the young, upwardly mobile city traders, to the bohemian artsy types, lots of fun types to meet when living in London. There are a number of excellent schools in the area and its becoming the choice for families as well, making it an ideal place to look when moving to London. It might not look as well heeled as other parts of London, but if you’re looking to buy property as an investment, then this is seriously the place to start looking.
Tags: Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, East End of London, east london, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, Royal London Hospital
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Tuesday May 3rd, 2011
Living In London – London Neighborhoods – South London - Image via Wikipedia
When you’re moving to London your first decision is going to be where to live. Do you get an ultra modern London apartment or a cute Victorian London rental home? Which area you live in is also important in terms of amenities, schools, and the transport system. You can do a lot of research before you touch down in London, and be sure to ask your colleagues at your new job to give you advice and recommendations about places to live in London.
South London – Wimbledon
Many people have heard of Wimbledon as it hosts the most famous tennis tournament in the world. The suburb of Wimbledon has a lovely village atmosphere to it, the streets are full of family homes and there are a number of excellent schools and shops in the area. Wimbledon is in South/West London and the you can rent a small London flat here for about £800 per week ranging up to £ 2500 for a terraced family home.
Council Information: Clapham falls under the Council Borough of Merton with annual taxes, ranging from £1000 – £3000.
Transport: Wimbledon tube station is on the District Line of the London Underground and your Transport Zone for ticket prices is in Zone 3. It’s about 30 minutes by tube from Wimbledon to the centre of London and about 15 minutes if you take the train from Wimbledon station to central London, Waterloo Station. There are loads of buses for transport in and around Wimbledon.
Shopping: Sainsbury, Tesco and Marks and Spencer’s all have branches in Wimbledon and Tesco’s offer a delivery service in the area.
Doctors: If you’re looking for a doctor in the Wimbledon area you can use the NHS website, which also has a handy section on symptoms and non-emergency medical care. You can call the NHS Direct hotline on 0845 4647 for any health care questions and advice
Other Amenities: There are a number of restaurants and pubs in the Wimbledon area. Great family food and traditional British fare in this country village right in the city of London. Many expat choose to live in Wimbledon if they have young families and if you’re looking for great schools then Wimbledon is your choice for living in London
Tags: american moving to london, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, relocating to London
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London Neighborhoods
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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
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places
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Thursday April 28th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – West London Part III -Image via Wikipedia
Living in London is all about finding the London rental in an area that caters to your needs and what you like to do. London is a diverse and fascinating city, and with a bit of time you’ll be able to find the perfect London apartment in a neighborhood that you call home.
West London – Shepherd’s Bush
Shepherd’s Bush offers great places to rent and it is filled with visiting Aussies and South African’s. It’s not all about the student life in this area of London. There are some great schools and parks and the suburb has a laid back and relaxed feel to it. Must be the smell of barbecue’s every weekend thanks to the obsession with outdoor barbequing that Aussies and Saffers bring to the city of London. Rentals are somewhat cheaper in this area of London, ranging from £750 for a flat to about £2500 for a luxury home with that rare of rare finds in London: a back garden.
Council Information: Shepherd’s Bush falls under the Council Borough of Hammersmith and Fullham and annual taxes range from £800 – £ 2300.
Transport: With three tube stations found at Shepherd’s Bush Green you will always be able to find a ride into the centre of London. Oxford Circus will take you about 10 minutes and a journey to King’s Cross will take you about 30 minutes during peak times on the London Underground. Buses run throughout the day from Shepherd’s Bush into the city and the N207 is a night bus for late night city revelers.
Shopping: The usual mix of Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose but many people are flocking to the Westfield shopping centre which is the largest inner-city mall in Europe. You’ll find mall’s few and far between in London, so if you feel the need for one-stop shopping then this is the place to be.
Doctors: In keeping with huge number of Aussies in the area, one of the most popular medical surgeries is called The Bush Doctors, and you will also find excellent medical services at the Shepherd’s Bush Medical Centre.
Other Amenities: Shepherd’s Bush Market is a fantastic and eclectic open air market found between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road. The theme is predominantly Irish and Afro-Caribbean and you’ll find loads of music and interesting food stalls to keep you busy while you enjoy the market atmosphere.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, living in London, London, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, relocating to London, Shepherd's Bush Market tube station, Shepherds Bush, tips on living in london, Uxbridge Road, west london, Westfield London
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Wednesday April 27th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – West London Part II- Image via Wikipedia
When you’re deciding on where to live in London, you’ll need to a comparison on the prices, the transport systems and the amenities in the area. Living in London for the first time can be a challenging experience and you’ll want to get settled into your new London rental as fast as possible so you can start enjoying all that the city has to offer
West London – Bayswater
Bayswater is an extremely centrally located suburb of London. Bordered by Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, the area is a perfect choice if you don’t want to spend ages travelling to work. Having two of the most magnificent parks in London on the doorstep has meant that prices in Bayswater are rather more pricey than other central areas, but you can find some excellent London flats to rent if you’re prepared to look around. You can expect to pay from £1350 for a one bedroom apartment to about £9000 for a four bedroom home.
Council Information: Bayswater falls under the Council Borough of Westminster and annual taxes are reasonable for the city of London, ranging from £500 – £1500.
Transport: The first stop on the London Underground from Bayswater is Paddington which is one of the largest train stations in the country. The Bayswater Tube Station is found on the Circle and District Line and a journey to the city, even in peak time will not take you longer than about ten minutes. The number 94 bus runs to Piccadilly Circus 24/7 or you can catch the 390 to Notting Hill for a day out.
Shopping: All the big shopping brands are represented in Bayswater. Marks and Spencer’s and Waitrose have large stores in this suburb for all of your shopping needs. Contact the stores directly through their websites to find out about the cost of home delivery.
Doctors: The Bayswater Medical Centre is an excellent local surgery and if you’re looking for dentists then the Paddington Dental Centre provides NHS dentistry for all your dental needs.
Other Amenities: Bayswater amenities are mostly found in the Queensway area and you’ll love the Whiteleys Shopping Centre with its range and mix of food stores and fashion stores when you’re looking for some retail therapy after a hard day’s picnic in Kensington Gardens!
Tags: Bayswater Tube Station, England, Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, Notting Hill, relocating to London, Travel and Tourism
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing
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Tuesday April 26th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – West London- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re moving to London you’ll want to get a good idea of what is available in the different areas of this massive city. Your choice of London rental will be determined by how far you need to commute to get to work every day, if you have kids and of course, how much you are willing to pay.
West London – Notting Hill
If you’re going to be living in London then Notting Hill is one of the most famous suburbs in West London. Everyone remembers the movie starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, and this has brought the prices of London rentals in this area to a premium. You can expect to pay £1200 per week for a small London flat to £8000 per week a large family home. Very close to central London though which makes for an easy commute into work this is one of the most vibrant suburbs in London.
Council Information: Notting Hill falls under the Council Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and annual taxes range from £1000 – £ 2400.
Transport: there are many trains and tube stations in this area and you can use the Notting Hill Gate Station on the District and Circle Lines, of the London Underground as well as Shepherd’s bush and Holland Park which are close to Notting Hill. Central London in less than 15 minutes means this is a great suburb for commuters. The number 954 bus from Notting Hill takes you right into Piccadilly Circus.
Shopping: You can find a number of Tesco grocery stores in the area as well as a Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food in Notting Hill Gate.
Doctors: The Portobello Medical Centre and the Notting Hill Medical Centre both have excellent surgeries with a full range of healthcare professionals on the NHS.
Other Amenities: The Notting Hill carnival is an annual event that takes place during the late summer. Portobello Road is the street where Hugh Grant had his bookstore in the film and it is filled with interesting stores and stalls in one of the most famous and fascinating flea markets.
Tags: fun facts about london england, Holland Park, living in London, London, london apartments, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, Notting Hill, notting hill carnival, Portobello Road, relocating to London, relocation agents, rent london apartments, things to know about london
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Thursday March 24th, 2011
Living In London – You’ve Got A Car, Now Where Do You Park It?--Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
Living in London is a fascinating, exhilarating and often frustrating experience if you are a newcomer. London is a busy cosmopolitan city and you’ll love living here once you’ve adjusted to the pace and dynamic. If you’re moving to London then you’ll have heard all about how impossible it is to drive a car in the city. Not only does rush hour seem to last all day, the government charges you fees to drive. While the public transport system in London is efficient as well as good value for money, if you absolutely insist on having a car, there’s a couple things you’re going to need to know.
How To Find Parking Near Your London Flat
Finding a parking space close to your new London rental can be a little like looking for buried treasure. You know it’s there somewhere and yet you never seem to find it.
- For travel into London you should find out about the streets with free parking that are located close to the major tube stations. You can use your mobile phone to get a street reference. If your destination is not close to a tube station, then you can always rent a parking space from various companies that offer their services on the web. Mush less than you’d usually pay, but still a hefty monthly charge for the convenience of being able to park in the street three blocks away from a station!
- You might be able to find parking close to your London apartment by contacting your local council for a map of the controlled parking zones. Most areas inside the congestion zone have residential parking options available for a fee.
- If you’re going to leave it to chance, then you’d best get a London A-Z (everyone has one). It will tell you everything you need to know about streets that have parking zones and when you are allowed to park in each.
Even if you do manage to find the mythical free parking spot on any given day, you’ll have to expect that it’ll still be quite a walk from where you want to be. Just because you’ll have a car doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in a good pair of shoes!
Tags: Belgravia, but still a hefty monthly charge for the convenience of being able to park in the street three blocks away from a station! • You might be able to find parking close to your London apartment by contact, England, exhilarating and often frustrating experience if you are a newcomer. London is a busy cosmopolitan city and you’ll love living here once you’ve adjusted to the pace and dynamic. If you’re moving to Lo, Hyde Park Corner tube station, if you absolutely insist on having a car, Knightsbridge, Living in London is a fascinating, London, London Underground, Parking, the government charges you fees to drive. While the public transport system in London is efficient as well as good value for money, then you can always rent a parking space from various companies that offer their services on the web. Mush less than you’d usually pay, then you’d best get a London A-Z (everyone has one). It will tell you everything you need to know about streets that have parking zones and when you are allowed to park in each. Even if you do manage , there's a couple things you're going to need to know. How To Find Parking Near Your London Flat Finding a parking space close to your new London rental can be a little like looking for buried treasure, transport
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Tuesday March 8th, 2011
Living in London – A Place In History-Image via Wikipedia
Moving to London means that you are living at the very centre of the world. Though living in London you see up close that London has experienced a long and tumultuous history, it has always emerged from its struggles as a pioneering and vibrant city. Throughout the years, London has been at the forefront of the world’s political, cultural, and literary movements, and each series of change leaves its mark on this continuously evolving city. Whether fighting off barbarian invaders, resisting the Great Plague (or Great Fire), or rebuilding after the Blitz of World War II, London has remained a strong, resilient part of the world. This fortitude manifests itself today in London’s incredible ethnic and cultural diversity, its countless museums and theatres, and its exciting nightlife. It is hard to say what the London of tomorrow will be like, but, based on its past, one would expect a strong, diverse city with citizens who expect their voices to be heard, and no stoppage of people moving to London. Before focusing on your integration and attaching to the life imagined here are some home truths.
No one nation is perfect, and as a Londoner you must learn to love and embrace your city because it is impossible for any country to satisfy all your expectations and imaginings of it. If you are moving to London from abroad believing that the sun will shine every day, and the locals will all welcome you with open arms will not necessarily be what you end up seeing. One can’t say that there is no crime, no poverty, no undercurrent of dissatisfaction amongst some sectors of society and that no one will ever try and rip you off; it is a metropolis. If that’s your line of thinking your love affair will sour very quickly as you are awoken very rudely from your dream. There are issues all over the world and by learning to separate the good, the apathetic and the bad, and make peace with it all then you can turn living in London into an incredibly wonderful reality.
It may seem like an unachievable aspiration, but by choosing to be honest with yourself, be open, be accepting and allow your new life after moving to London to become all that you had hoped, just know that no one nation is perfect…you have to learn to love your new nation for what it truly offers you. Living in London and living the dream in this beautiful city will be worth it.
Tags: England, Great Fire of London, London, London Underground, Mayor, Travel and Tourism, World War II
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Living in London, London, England History, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Tuesday March 1st, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and while not the most chronological of records, I’m trying to keep it consistent by topic. My first posts kicked off with my relatively lazier days staying in short-term accommodation in London. By “lazier days,” however, I don’t think I’m giving myself due credit, because without the assistance of a
London relocation agent, a significant chunk of the first weeks was spent hitting the pavement to view
London apartments all on my own. It can easily take that long when you’re unfamiliar with London, its neighborhoods, and its lettings agencies…so in all honesty, it took me nearly
two weeks to see the number of
London apartments London Relocation can show in
one day:
23.10.08 [continued]
Just waiting for the British Gas repairman to return from the shops with what will hopefully be the solution to our towel rack/radiator issue. It is so freaking cold in here in the meantime…I’ve started to get fit again with all this city walking, with walking to and fro London real estate offices and properties a dominant activity that first week and a half. Thanks to all of those numerous lettings agencies for playing a role in the process of looking for and, yes, finding a home. After viewing 23 flats, #23 was, in fact, the charm. It was so close to being #22, but we finally saw past that one’s balcony to fully see the traffic, the lesser storage space, the smaller bathroom, the crappier entryway, the questionable furniture. Our abode now, on the other hand, is off a side street. It has a lovely entry with well-preserved period banister and fixtures (moldings, etc., even in the unit). It has a huge bathroom on a lower level that I guess used to be the kitchen, and the kitchen, now off the main room, is newly refurbished—I find it so interesting that they place washing machines in the kitchens. Suppose it makes great sense, doesn’t it, when there isn’t a special room or closet for such. Much better than hauling crap down to a communal facility. No balcony, but access to a communal garden on the next block. Our boxes are supposedly in transit on the sea and will arrive by the first week of November. Meh. In any case, it is definitely pleasant to now have a place to call home, and I am nesting 
.
I won’t lie. There were some doozies among all the London lettings agents I worked with. One in particular twice took me into a flat in which the tenant wasn’t expecting us—when one woman opened the door in her bathrobe, the first thing the guy thought to say to her was, “Nice legs.” Umm…You don’t really know quite what you’re getting into when you set foot inside one of those estate offices. My uneducated search simply began at the first one I saw down the street from the hotel, and I just hopped along from there. Some have integrity and represent only quality flats, others just scramble with what they can get and will say whatever they must to get you to sign the lease so they can get paid—they don’t necessarily care about you, because you are not the one paying them (except in administrative fees); the landlord is. So they’ll be nice to you until you’ve signed on the dotted line and transferred all your money; whether they’ll have your back after that remains to be seen.
That’s what distinguishes the London relocation agent from the lettings agent. In addition to sifting out the good from the bad agents and properties, our promise & guarantee states,
“YOU come first until you’re happily settled in your new home. We stand by you. We care.”
To read more about making the relocation versus lettings agent decision, please read my posts, “London: Relocation 2” (guest post at Lotus Events’s website, our recent client!) and “Top 5 Reasons to Use a London Relocation Agent Vs. Doing it on Your Own.”
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london lettings agents, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation agent versus lettings agent, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, west london
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London Apartments: What to Expect in a London Flat, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Monday February 28th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and while not the most chronological of records, I’m trying to keep it consistent by topic. My first post kicked off with my experience of those first lazy days staying in
short-term accommodation in London…which ended up being longer-term than we’d expected thanks to how long it took to search
London apartments on our own without the help of a
London relocation agent (never again!):
23.10.08 [continued]
Basically every night has been a night out at some pub or restaurant given that we’ve only recently acquired a kitchen and still need to do some grocery shopping. I tried to subsist during my days at the hotels on granola and fig bars, Nutella, bread, and bananas (and then the countless croissants I’ve eaten almost daily), so am now looking forward to some real homemade meals (hmm…therein lies the challenge…). I suppose I should mention that we shifted down the street to the Premier Inn on Knaresborough for our 3rd week to change things up a bit. Wise decision. Our room was much bigger, warmer, and overall more accommodating, and, better yet, we didn’t have to face the reception staff of Enterprise anymore. That was getting so old, leaving and retrieving the key at their desk, getting called after constantly to settle the bill when I myself had no power to do so sans credit card (I cut them all up prior to coming here…a test in spending control) and Ryan (the one with the credit card and UK debit card) for whatever reason was free to go each morning unhindered. Those women were just so smug…not like the friendly staff at Premier, who so kindly stored all our shite that one day to free us up for a mini-weekend trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Ha, I’d totally forgotten about how bitter I got toward the hotel staff . Not their fault, really, it just compounded my feelings of vulnerability in being so limited in so many ways those first weeks. As if it’s not unsettling enough to not yet have a place to call home, where there’s no credit history, there’s no credit card either. My husband and I lived here about a year before we finally got our UK credit cards after, logically, establishing some UK credit. And though my husband was issued his debit card by our bank straightaway, his second-class citizen of an accompanying spouse had to jump through hoops and wait several weeks to get hers. Grrr!! Yes, I still had my American debit card, but, as I said above, no credit cards, which I suppose was my fault, but I was trying to be responsible in leaving any and all U.S. balances at ZERO once we moved and I was unemployed in the UK for a while.
A huge section I’ve skipped over in my journal here related to night after night out with our friends. Needless to say, as isolated as my first weeks as a London expat did feel, we had a surprising number of friends from the States who already lived here or were traveling through on business. Paths criss-cross like mad here in London, I swear, so please read my post “This is Your London Life” for a glimpse of the surreal interconnectedness this city can offer just when you’re fearing a London move will sever your ties!
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, long term hotel accommodations in london, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, short stay accommodations in london, west london
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Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Friday February 25th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the two previous posts
here and
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and the more I delve back into this journal, the more I see I was all over the place in the memories
. Not the most chronological of records, but I’ll try to patch my chicken scratchings together by general topic. Today’s, then, speaks to a lot of the London sightseeing I did as I allowed myself to be a London tourist before it registered I was now a London resident!
23.10.08 [continued]
I suppose in resuming my recap of the past weeks, I’ll continue to extract from my mock entry last time. “Wandered around…Got lost.”…my day of wandering brought me to an intriguing cemetery off Old Brompton Road. It is huge, and become a sort of inspiration for me; it is so serene, yet full of life in the walkers and joggers that pass through and the squirrels and crows that reside there. Other walks have taken me to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where I once sat to watch a little kids’ football practice, by all the shops along the main streets of each local area, like Kensington High Street, by a warm and inviting bookstore glowing orange on a black, rainy night when I legitimately was lost and soaked (which I later figured out was Daunt Books on Fulham Road). Just having stopped in for a break from the cold and wet, I left without purchase and continued to meander my way back to Earl’s Court. A couple days I went to the city to walk the South Bank that I love and view the Tower, successfully then losing myself in the business district and looking to St. Paul’s as my guide.
I cut out the part where I was obsessed with a book I wished I had bought at Daunt, but couldn’t remember the title or where the bookstore was—so funny to think how disoriented I used to be on streets I know so well now! Mixed in with my wanderings those first days was of course also the practical, first and foremost looking to rent a London apartment. And as a trailing spouse who moved to London for my husband’s job, it was only a matter of time before I had to look for one of my own. All in due time, however. If you’ll be in a similar situation after your London relocation, if you’re able to take some time to just acclimate and “be” for a while, don’t feel guilty doing it. It’ll make make you and your partner happier in the long run the more familiar you are with your new environment, feeling a part of it and taking the time to make your London apartment into a London home, which my journal will speak to next week.
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, long term hotel accommodations in london, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, short stay accommodations in london, west london
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Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Thursday February 24th, 2011
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
If you’re relocating to London and didn’t read my post yesterday, I’d initiated the major sucking up of pride and privacy to share my personal journal on first moving to London in 2008….maintained until living in London began to feel more like the everyday than a vacation.
The first entry is a continuation of the one before, and necessary context is as such: adding to the transitions of quitting a job and relocating abroad is the fact that we were just married that June and maintained our long-distance relationship between Chicago and New York until moving to London! That’s right, London is the first city my husband Ryan and I have lived in together since Chicago in 2004, if you can believe it (I still can’t).
21.10.08 [continued]
…See, now in extracting those details I have found myself unexpectedly reliving my first couple weeks at the The Enterprise Hotel, Ryan’s and my first home away from home, where we first arrived on a shockingly sunny, gorgeous day. September 28th, to be exact, as we flew overnight. The lobby and restaurant of the hotel seemed updated and nice enough, yet the rooms evidently retain their English charm…in that they are tiny and cold. Whatever, it suited our needs (even though our luggage consumed half the room, even with 2 pieces stored downstairs), and the location was excellent. Hogarth Road extends directly from the Earl’s CourtTube station and is accessible to pubs, shops, cafes galore. We became so smitten with the area, in fact, that we’ve decided to stay here and, thus, just moved into a flat of our very own (our first together) yesterday.
More details on that later. I actually need to dash right now to catch the Tube to the city for my 2nd religion/science debate at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Last week’s debate centered on the Big Bang, and tonight is Evolution. That being said, gotta go so I get a seat.
23.10.08
The St. Paul’s debate the other night was great – unlike the prior one, there was an atheist in the panel, so that stirred things up. As did the clearly more ornery crowd who kept moaning about the echo – to a good end, though, as they did rectify the sound issue that had likewise been present last time. Next week is Body & Soul, i.e., debating whether there is a place in the human genome for the soul. I admittedly tend to tune out whenever anyone has been talking too long, and focus is even that much more of a challenge when the eye has a massive dome and intricate mosaics, sculptures, and paintings to wander about. A surreal kind of solitude even in a room filled with people. The intellectual, the curious….
A friend has teased me for my crush on Paul—yes, as in the cathedral—because I tend to mention it a lot in my blog posts. Well, this entry here is a clue as to why. I explain it in my “Found Your London Flat? Now Find Your London Deep.” post, but will say again here that, regardless if you’re religious or not, finding a quiet time and place for thought and reflection is invaluable after a London relocation when you may be re-evaluating a whole new personal and professional game plan going forward (prevalent among trailing spouses like me). St. Paul’s was that place for me at that critical time, and I’ll always carry that peace and introspection with me. May you find the same after your London move, and stay tuned tomorrow for another installment of “Relocating to London: The American Expat in London Diaries.”
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, finding a short let apartment in london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, long term hotel accommodations in london, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, short stay accommodations in london, St. Paul's Cathedral
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Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Tuesday February 1st, 2011
Living In London – ‘Super-Seven’ List Of Things To Remember-- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
You have settled into your new London rental and you are starting to make your way around the city. The best part about moving to London is that you’ll have the chance to really explore the city and immerse yourself in the cultural melting pot that is London. Just when you think you have figured London out, she throws you a curve ball and you get to start learning all over again. This is my ‘super-seven’ list of things you might not have thought about, but really should know about living in London.
- Avoid the tube during rush hour as much as possible. If you do not have to get to work then you can wait just a few minutes to avoid most of the early morning or evening crush on the London Underground.
- Tube Map. Be aware that most of the maps of the Underground are not to scale and the actual distances from station to station vary considerably. It might be easier to get off the tube and walk. It will certainly be faster if you are travelling at rush hour.
- For all the charm of London it is still a big city and that carries its fair share of petty crime. Be very aware of pickpockets, and don’t display your wallet and other documents. Keep your wits about you and don’t leave your handbag or briefcase unattended for any length of time.
- Look the other way. The British drive on the left hand side of the road, so you should pay careful attention when crossing the road as a pedestrian while walking in London. It will be the opposite of what you are used to, and while London is well signed, you still have to take extra care when crossing at intersections.
- If you have just arrived and want to explore London and see all of the tourist sites, then you should get an Oyster Card. It handles all of your travel payments so you don’t have to get tickets for the bus/tube/train and a Pass that allows you to enter different tourist attractions, for much less that you would pay for a single ticket, as well as letting you avoid most of the queues (lines) to get in.
- When walking in London; really walk. Londoners walk fast, they don’t amble and they get irritated quickly with people who stroll along like they have nothing better to do with their time. Really irritated. Keep it moving even when walking up escalators.
- Living in London is expensive. You need to find savings wherever you can. Many stores operate great voucher and coupon programmes and you will find that most companies and even restaurants have specials offers at certain times. Grab them when you can, it will make a huge difference.
Don’t be afraid to get out and experience London as a tourist. You will only see things for the first time once, so take loads of photographs and write about your adventure of moving to London. The memories will last a lifetime.
Tags: canadians moving to london, England, London, london facts, london moving, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to london from america, Oyster card, relocating to London, Rush hour, things to know about london, tips on living in london, transport, Transport for London
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Living in London, London Transportation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Wednesday January 19th, 2011
Living in London – Negotiating the Tube- Image via Flickr
Author: Belinda
Although London looks quaint and charming on a picture postcard, it is one of the biggest cities in the world and it has share of ‘big-city’ attributes that will keep you on your toes. For the most part, you will find that people will try to live slightly outside of London and your rental apartment in London will be in a more suburban setting, which means you might face a commute every day to get into the city for work. No one who lives in London will recommend that you get a car to make your way through the city streets during rush hour, and most Londoners prefer to use the extremely efficient rapid transit system that is known as the ‘Tube’. The Tube is like the subway system in America and is a network of underground trains that will take you right into the heart of the city.
The London Underground system was developed to provide a mode of rapid transport as an alternative to overland transport. London was the first city in the first city in the world to develop an underground railway system and the first section opened in 1863. Today, it everyone in London uses it as one of the cheapest, fastest and safest ways to get around. From daily commuters to travelling tourists, the ‘Tube’ as it has become known, is the foundation for getting around London. Serving over 270 stations, you will always be able to find one that is a short stop from where you want to be. It is managed and run by London Transport or Transport for London. TfL is an umbrella company that makes sure transport in London is relatively inexpensive and efficient. The tubes do not operate 24 hours a day, due to maintenance and cleaning, but the earliest tubes run from about 4.45am and the latest until about 1am.
Tube Tips
London is split into six travel zones, in a roughly circular layout, Zones 1 and 2 being in central London and Zone 6 serving the outer edges of the city. ‘TfL’ produces free maps to help you navigate the tube system and you can get one at any Station. It’s an easy to read and useful map that shows the direction of the tube (north, south, east or west) and the interchanges. Try to avoid travelling at rush hour if you can and always stand on the right when using the escalators. Even though they overtake on the left hand side here, if you are not walking up or down the escalator, you will see signs asking you to stay on the right. The best way to get around on all London transport is to purchase a Travel Card and/or an Oyster Card. It is a pre-paid electronic smart card that you can load with an amount of money of your choice which means that your transport is pre-paid, interchangeable with most modes (buses, trams, tubes and nearly all National Rail Trains) and great value for money.
Living in London means that you have to get to grips with the underground. Give it a week or two and you’ll be a seasoned commuter, newspaper and brolly (umbrella) waiting for the morning train.
Tags: Americans moving to London, Belinda, canadians moving to london, London, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, National Rail, Oyster card, relocating to london england, transport, Transport for London, Travel Card
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Living in London, London Transportation
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Wednesday December 1st, 2010
Relocating to London:Top London Transport Tips – Taking The ‘Tube’ -Image by Boxman via Flickr
Author: Belinda
The ‘Tube’ is the popular name for the rapid transport system that is officially called The London Underground. It is one of the best ways of finding your way around the city if you are relocating to London. No one wants to feel as if they are confined to a small area due to transport issues, and the great thing about being in London is that all of the world’s most famous sights are on your doorstep.
Take The ‘Tube’
The London Underground Transport system was developed in 1863 and London was the first city in the world to develop an underground railway network. It is an alternative to the overland transport system of trains and buses and today, everyone in London uses the ‘Tube’ to get around as it is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to get around London. It is the basis of all travel in London and it is filled with daily commuters and tourists all making their way around the busy city. The Tube is managed by Transport for London (TfL) which ensures that all routes are efficient, safe and that the Tube experience is satisfactory.
The ‘Tube’ joins over 270 stations around the city and you will be able to hop on and off at destinations that are a short walk away from the station. The underground is not open 24/7 because they have routine maintenance and cleaning services that work during the night. The earliest tubes run from about 4.45 am and the most popular routes are open until past midnight. Relocating to London can be a daunting task and the sooner you get to grips with the way that the Tube works the better equipped you’ll be to really enjoy some of the fantastic sights that London has to offer.
‘Mind the Gap!’
This phrase is associated with the tube, has been used in many songs and films, and has become part of the lexicon of modern London language. The best way to get on board one of the tubes is to purchase a Travel Card and an Oyster card. This form of ticketing is a pre-paid electronic card that can be pre loaded with any amount of money for your travel in London. The best thing about an Oyster Card is that it is interchangeable with other forms of London transport including buses, trains across England, as well as the tram system. Having a Travel Card means that you really do have the freedom of the city. You can make as many tube journeys as you want to per 24-hour period and it is far cheaper than purchasing a ticket at the station. A travel Card can be loaded onto your Oyster Card for maximum convenience and value for money.
Zoned Out
The Zone that you are travelling in governs the cost of getting around London by tube. London is divided into six zones in concentric circles around the city. Zone 1 and 2 are, in the very heart of the city and Zone 6 is on the outer edges of the city. The ‘TfL’ has a number of maps that are available free of charge to travellers so that you can make your way through the different Zones and travel destinations. The maps show the direction of the tube and the stations that it stops at. Most London maps show the proximity of the tube to the various tourist attractions.
Tags: London, London relocation tips, London Underground, Oyster card, relocating to London, Transport for London
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London Transportation
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