Posts Tagged ‘move to London’
Thursday March 17th, 2011
Living in London – More River Rambles- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
While some people avoid ports and harbours as a place to stay, when you are living in London some of the most exclusive London apartments are found in the docklands. The Docklands are situated in the east of London and include a mixture of small towns and boroughs such as Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Greenwich and Newham. The existing port has been considered to be one of the largest in the world. With the ever-changing landscape of London, the Docklands are also being transformed into a residential and commercial area. The name Docklands was first used when the government plans were being finalised in 1971 and subsequently Londoners have taken up the name in their daily use.
The Dockland area is spread along the river Thames and includes a number of dockyard complexes namely, Surrey Commercial Docks, Regent’s Canal Dock, St Katherine Docks, East India Docks, Mill Wall Docks, Royal Docks and London Docks. These docks are used for shipping goods and services. The history of the Dockyards began during the Roman period with ships arriving at the quays. In that time a lot of trouble was experienced with local residents and thieves as well as congestion with the excessive number of ships landing at the pier.
Fast forward to 1696 when the Howland Great Dock was erected to increase the limited space and provide security against the thieves. The area was then further developed by various rulers and it was known as the London Dockyard. There are three types of docks which include Wet Docks, Dry Docks and Dockyards. Unloading and Loading of ships took place at the Wet Docks, Dry Docks were used for repairing ships and Dockyards were where the ships were built.
These docks have also been referred to by great authors and in movies as well. Charles Dickens refers to the riverside and docklands in his novels. Joseph Conrad also describes the docks, its buildings and people in his book. Phillip Pullman has also referenced the docklands in his novel The Ruby in the Smoke. The docklands have also found their way into the movies and were featured in the movie 28 Weeks Later by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london uk, East India Docks, Greenland Dock, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, learning about london england, London, London Docklands, London Docks, london facts, London relocation specialist, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Moving to London from US, packing to move to London, relocating to London, Royal Docks, Surrey Commercial Docks
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, London, England History, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions
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Wednesday March 16th, 2011
Living in London – See The City On The Water- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
You are living in London and by now, you have realised that there are as many things to do as days in the year. Getting to know London is a lifelong experience and is a fascinating journey into history, art and cultural magnificence. London has a variety of parks, historical monuments and cruises available.
If spending time on the water is your ‘cuppa tea’ then these London cruises are right up your alley. Bateaux London offers lunch and dinner cruises with a combination of live entertainment, excellent customer services and luxury dining. Restaurant cruises range from Classic Three-Course Lunch Cruise to a Five-Course Elite Dinner Cruise to a Sunday Lunch Jazz Cruise. Dinner Cruises include live entertainment and after dinner dancing. One of the best ways for you to experience and view London’s famous landmarks is to sign up for Bateaux London cruise for incomparable views of the capital.
The Ultimate London Speedboat Ride is another option for experiencing a day out on the River Thames. It is an exhilarating opportunity see to the city at high speed. You are given a choice of 3 tours, which include the Ultimate Spy Experience with a James Bond movie soundtrack playing on board, the Canary Wharf Experience and the Greenwich, O2 and Thames Barrier Experience. The Greenwich, O2 and Thames Barrier Experience offers an adrenaline filled London speedboat blast, which is like a roller coaster on water! One minute you will be cruising gently under Tower Bridge the next you are full throttle at a rate of 50 knots!
The Canary Wharf Experience offers more of London in just less than an hour than any other conventional sightseeing trip – this thrilling speedboat tour represents fantastic value for money. Be captivated by the history of London as you take in views of the a some the many landmarks including The Globe Theatre, Houses of Parliament and HMS Belfast, The Globe Theatre. The 3rd option is the Ultimate Spy Experience which not only includes London sights, you will also be entertained with fascinating anecdotes and true stories about the life and times of author Ian Fleming, the history of the British Secret Service and their counterparts and James Bond. These tours push the world’s most famous river into a high-speed league of its own.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Bateaux London, canadians moving to london, Canary Wharf, England, fun facts about london england, Globe Theatre, HMS Belfast, London, london facts, london moving, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, River Thames, Thames Barrier, things to know about london, Tower Bridge
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Tuesday March 15th, 2011
Living in London – North vs South: The Great London Debate- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
If you are looking for rentals in London and simply cannot afford the more central areas then you should consider heading north. North London is an important area that is located north of the River Thames. This particular area consists of various small towns that are commonly referred to as boroughs such as Barnet, Islington, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Harrow and Camden. Most of underground transportation networks are found in this area of North London. The small towns are situated on the north side of river Thames that include, Brent, Havering, Dagenham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing Hillingdon and Hounslow.
South London is a part of Greater London and situated on south side of the River Thames. South London has the following major towns: Lewisham, Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Southward, Wandsworth Sutton Bromley, Croydon, Kingston and Merton. There are a high number of residential flats and a smaller number of businesses in comparison to North London. These areas are under developed and poorly maintained as opposed to those in North London, but the area has been undergoing something of a cultural revolution. House prices are still low and you can pick up a bargain that will increase in value over the next few years. South London is home to a number of significant institutions and historical monuments such as Tate Art Gallery, South London Press, Globe Theatre, Lambeth Palace, Saatchi Art Centre, Battersea Park, Hayward Gallery and Power Station. These significant spots are surrounded by the Waterloo Bridge. Other features in South London include amusement centres and parks.
The obvious disparity between North London and South London is the underground metro stations. North London boasts about 245 metro stations as opposed to the 30 odd for South London in spite of the fact that the populations are approximately the same. South London is known for its popular entertainment activities for instance Brixton is famous for hosting live music sessions and well known clubs. One of the world’s oldest picture galleries is located in Dulwich, which is located in South London. Along with all these, Richmond Park is also located in South London and is considered the biggest park in Europe.
The world famous Wimbledon sport arena, located in South London attracts just about everyone during the Tennis Open from tourists and locals to your well-known celebrities to witness this annual sporting event.
Tags: americans moving to london uk, Battersea Park, Business and Economy, England, Lambeth Palace, London, london move, london moving, London relocation specialist, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London England, moving to london england from canada, packing to move to London, Recreation and Sports, Richmond Park, things to know about london, Waterloo Bridge, west london relocation
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Living in London, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Tuesday March 15th, 2011
Living in London – A Compass Guide To London- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
When you have found that perfect London rental, you will be living in one of London’s 33 districts. The best known major districts and boroughs of London are West End, Central London, East London, South London, East End, City of London, White Chapel, West London, Docklands, North London, Bloomsbury and Mayfair. These districts and major boroughs do not have any established boundaries but they play an important part in London’s tradition.
The locals often refer to the very centre of London as “the City”. It plays a big role in the financial sector and is the financial capital of the UK. The city and district is governed by London administration and has distinct restrictions. The Docklands are also regarded as an important location in London. This base has an assortment of Canary pier centres and also known to be the financial hub of London. Westminster is considered the governing area and holds a variety of business centres that are focussed on politics and politicians.
The west end district of London is famous for entertainment and caters for all types of shopping. This west end district is located in central London, which is also area of Westminster. Other important places in this district include Leicester Square, Oxford Street and the world famous Piccadilly Circus. This district is one of the expensive areas of London and the major cities located in this district are Kensington, Notting Hill and Chelsea, which is famous all over the world for premier football leagues.
The East End district is located in the eastern part of London. It’s port caters to shipping and many immigrants normally settle in this district. This district is under developed when compared to other districts of the London. This district is a gateway to London through the Thames River and plays an important role. It will also be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
London is not only considered the largest city in Europe with regards to its population but also the wealth of history, the significance of its landmarks as well as the role it has played in the world to achieve its status today. Living in London is like living in a world of countries. Cosmopolitan, exciting and a true cultural melting pot.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london uk, London Living, London Relocation, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, moving to london england from canada, things to know about london
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London, England History, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Saturday March 5th, 2011
Moving to London – Finding Accomodation - Image by wallyg via Flickr
You’ve taken the leap and decided that you’re moving to London. Before you start looking at ads for accommodation, you should contemplate conducting research from people already living there and ask them to recommend affordable places in the area. The internet and advice from others might seem like the ideal solution but you are the best judge in determining which area would suit your needs. It is advisable to wait until you arrive to find accommodation. You can stay in short term accommodation; possibly a serviced apartment while searching for a suitable place.
You can also make use of the services of a relocation agent and arrange to come to London for short visit on a flat-hunting trip prior to moving to London. Since the relocation agent will be familiar with your needs and what London has to offer in terms of accommodation you can search for a place to live with ease. You will be able to see the neighbourhoods and get a sense of the surroundings to see if they are compare with your needs. You must ensure during the flat-hunting process that you take notes about which neighbourhoods, streets and buildings you like and the ones you might want to steer clear of as that can make a distinct difference in finding your new home.
If for example you are relocating from the United States be aware that London housing costs are significantly higher in comparison. You may find a flat costing £600 per week which is the equivalent of US$4000 per month including council tax and utilities. So ensure that you conduct effective research as there areas in London that are cheaper to live in but would still be considered expensive in US terms.
London accommodation caters for people with varied needs and backgrounds and thus offers an extensive assortment of flats which include studios, two bedroom flats to five/six bedrooms for your convenience. Finding accommodation in London can be pretty overwhelming and even though friends and the internet might mean well, your needs would be best served doing the groundwork yourself.
Tags: Apartment, flats to let in london, London, london flat, London flats, London Living, london move, London Relocation, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, move to London, Moving to London, Westminster Abbey
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Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Wednesday February 16th, 2011
Living In London – American Schools in London- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
With thousands of Americans moving to London and Canadians moving to London all of the time there are a number of schools in London that have been established to cater to families who wish their children to continue with the American style of schooling. If you are moving to London with our family, this may affect where you choose to rent an apartment in London and the transport factors in getting your children to school. If you have young children, it might be wise to let them attend a local school so they can make friends with children of their own age and integrate more fully with the community. For those who have children that are older, you may choose to continue with the American style of schooling especially if they are nearing college age and are intending on going to a college in America.
The American School in London is probably the best-known school in London that follows the American syllabus and the school terms. Their mission is to provide an American standard of education that has a uniquely global perspective. It is not only Americans who attend this school; many of the scholars are from different parts of Europe and indeed the world. It is an expat community school more than a distinctly American school. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Be aware though that this is a private school and the fees reflect that.
You could also consider sending your children to the American School in England, which is a private school in Surrey, which is just outside London. The American School in England offer both the American high School Diploma as well as the International Baccalaureate diploma and has a boarding school option for students from Grade 9 – 12. Another option is the ACS International group of schools. This is a group of three international schools that are also situated outside of London at Hillingdon, Egham and Cobham which offer the American High School diploma as part of the curriculum. These are truly international schools and have people from all over the world attending the prestigious campuses.
Choosing a school for your children is an important part of moving to London, but it is also important to remember that there are many fine English schools in London, both state run and private and you may be giving your child one of the best experiences of their lives if you let them integrate into the British way of life. They will e able to make friends in their neighbourhood as well as gain a richer understanding about the city that is their home.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, Education, High school, IB Diploma Programme, International, International Baccalaureate, London, london moving, London Relocation Services, move to London, Moving to London from US, National Association of Independent Schools, things to know about london, tips on living in london, United States
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues
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Wednesday February 16th, 2011
Living In London – A Taste Of The Tate- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
Moving to London means that you are living in the middle of one of the finest art centres in the world and you should spend some time exploring the art galleries that are found across London. Even if you are not that interested in art, you will be able to appreciate the scope and scale of these fine galleries and the history and the artistic endeavour that they represent.
Tate Britain
This is not only a gallery in London, but it has been one of the centres of the British art world for nearly 500 years. There are four Tate galleries across the country with the largest being in London. Situated in Milbank, this gallery is a ‘must-see’ on any tourist list and a ‘have-to’ if you are living in London. Tate Britain offers the visitor a fascinating insight into all facets of art and creative installations. If you want to make a day of it then take the ‘Tate to Tate’ which is a tour that covers both the Tate and the Tate Modern. The tow galleries are linked by a short cruise up the River Thames between the galleries. The Tate contains worlds of all of the most famous artists including the sculptor Auguste Rodin whose iconic sculpture, “The Kiss” is well worth seeing.
The Tate Modern is found in Bankside and is a riot of modern art. Exhibitions that will challenge you and enthral you. Housing art since 1900 there is everything to see and many of the exhibitions are interactive. There are important works by many of the world’s most famous modern artists including Picasso and Dali as well as Jackson Pollock and Joan Miro. The Tate Modern also supports the development of modern British artists and designers and is firmly entrenched in every Londoner’s life.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Art museum, Auguste Rodin, British art, canadians moving to london, fun facts about london england, Jackson Pollock, London, London Relocation Services, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to london from america, Tate, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, things to know about london, tips on living in london
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Living in London, London Recreation, London, England History, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Tuesday February 15th, 2011
Living In London – The Best Places For Expats To Live In London- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
If you are considering moving to London, then your first search is going to be to find a place to live. You will want your cosy little London rental to be in an area that is central and close to the major transport hub as having a car in London is neither practical nor necessary. Expats tend to congregate into certain areas depending on where they originate and while it may be comforting to be able to walk down the street and hear a familiar accent, you might decide to cast off into areas that are not traditionally associated with the large expat community in London.
Many American and Canadian expats who are considering moving to London will want to have a certain degree of familiarity, at least at first and if you have children who will be attending and American school then one of the best areas to live in has to be St. John’s Wood. It is also one of the more pricey neighbourhoods of London; certainly, it attracts a fair share of celebrities and the ultra wealthy. St. Johns Wood, though, is one of the friendliest and safe suburbs of London and having the American School in London means that it is a huge draw card for Americans with young families. There are beautiful homes in St. Johns Wood as well as a number of parks and green areas, quaint shops and outdoor eateries lining the tree lined avenues.
Notting Hill on the other hand is the trendy spot for Americans and other expats to live in. It was made famous by the film of the same name that starred Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts and many expats are drawn to the lifestyle as opposed to specifically enjoying the area. It is also an expensive area to live in, but it is so charming, bohemian and quirky that you will fall in love with it immediately. The homes in this neighbourhood are small; do not expect wide lawns and gardens here. If you want to escape the bustle of Notting Hill then the closest park is the exquisite and beautiful Kensington Gardens that are nearby. Notting Hill is home to the famous Portobello Road flea market and it is a lively sopping experience for anyone who is new to London. The neighbourhood is young, trendy and definitely up and coming. It is a fabulous place to get out and meet new people from all over the world who have flocked to this city for the time of their lives.
Meeting new people in London is easy. London is a city of travellers and has a large population of expats from all over the world who will be as interested in learning about as you are in learning about them. That is the key really: Get out there and start having fun in your new city. London is one of the best places on the planet to live in.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, flats and apartments to rent, Flats in london, flats to let in london, fun facts about london england, Kensington Gardens, London, london apartment, london apartments, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, rent london, things to know about london, United States
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Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
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Monday February 14th, 2011
Living In London – Taking A Break- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
The public holidays in London England are quite generous and you will find that you have some great long weekends where you can take of and explore the city or ever further afield. Living in London will be one of the most exciting times of your life. You’ll get the chance to experience this cosmopolitan city and immerse yourself in British culture and the way of life. When you have settled into your new job and your new London rental then you might want to take some time off to explore the city and your new home.
Public holidays in England are called bank holidays and all schools and most businesses do not work on the day. Banks are also closed but there shops and grocery stores open across the country, especially in London. If the bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday then the Monday will be given as a substitute making a rather nice lengthy weekend for you to get away for a mini-break.
Public, or bank holidays are rather different from holidays in the rest of the world. For example, Thanksgiving is not celebrated in England, although many expat Americans and Canadians celebrate the day with all of the traditional trimmings sourced from stores that cater to the expat population in London. The public holidays can also change each year: In 2011, there is a special bank holiday on the 29th of April in honour of the Royal Wedding.
Bank Holidays in 2011:
1 January: New Years Day
22 April: Good Friday
24 April: Easter Sunday
25 April: Easter Monday
29 April: Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding
2 May: May Day Bank Holiday
30 May: Spring Bank Holiday
29 August: Summer Bank Holiday
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
27 December: Christmas Day Bank Holiday (because Christmas day falls on a Sunday)
Having these little breaks throughout the year gives people the chance to relax and enjoy their off time before and after the long summer holiday, which is when most people in England take their annual holidays. The summer holiday is usually between June and August with schools and businesses returning to work in the first week in September. Many Londoners try to get out of London claiming to be avoiding the massive influx of tourists, but if this is your first year in London then you stay and take advantage of all of the great tourist attractions that are laid on. Living in London means that you will know the city already and you will be able to head off to visit some of the Best of British during the summer.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, boxing day, canadians moving to london, Christmas, Easter, Easter Monday, England, London, london facts, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Royal Wedding, things to know about london, tips on living in london
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Living in London, London, England History, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Monday February 7th, 2011
Living In London – Pubs - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
If you are living in London then you have to have a ‘local’; it’s what the locals call their neighborhood bar. Think ‘Cheers’ without Ted Danson, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of the pull of the local pub. Everyone has a favourite pub or club (if they’re part of the trendy set in London) and they frequent them on a regular, if not daily basis. As soon as you are settled into your London home, you’ll need to get out and experience the pub culture that England is famous for. Ask around at work and go out as much as possible until you find one that suits you. You’ll have a great time meeting people and drinking some of the beers and ales that make the pub such a great place to be.
In the past the pub, or publican house, as it is historically known as, was a place that only sold drinks. Today, many pubs have excellent restaurants and offer great outdoor facilities for families. The English are quite strict about children in pubs so if you do have a family then choose a pub that has facilities that cater to children as it is against the law for young children to be in an establishment that sells alcohol. When you live in London you will hear much about the subject of the closing times of pubs and bars in the country, and compared to the rest of the world they do close early. The last drinks are allowed to be sold at 11pm with most pubs closing their doors at about 1.30 pm. Although there has been a relaxation of the laws and many establishments in the city have permission to be open later, most pubs still close before midnight.
Pub Grub
This is the name given to the food that is served in pubs. Although London has a number of what they like to call ‘gastro-pubs’ which serve food of an international standard, there are still hundred of pubs that serve traditional food with their beers. Pub grub is traditionally quite hearty and will certainly warm you up on a cold winter’s day. Steak pies and chips. Or pies with peas and gravy are considered traditional pub fare. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, then head to one of the more modern pubs in London.
One of the most fun things to do in London is to go on a tour of the most famous pubs in London, there are a number of pubs who had extremely famous patrons and you’ll be able to get a little taste of history while you’re oiling your elbow! Just take care though, the English beers, ales and lagers are rather stronger than those that you find in the States or Canada. They are also served slightly warmer (at just below room temperature) which might be a little different when compared with the icy beers back home.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Beer, Business and Economy, canadians moving to london, England, fun facts about london england, London, london facts, London Living, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to london from america, Public house
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Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Recreation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Thursday February 3rd, 2011
Living in London – Tipping-- Image via Flickr
Author: Belinda
When you have been living in London for a while you will automatically know when and how much to tip the people that serve you in various occupations. It can be hard though, at first to get used to the different percentages and amounts to tip. Moving to London will be a great experience and you’ll have the opportunity to see many new things and meet new people. This guide should give you a general run down of who to tip and the approximate amount. Of course, there are some people that choose not to tip, but many people in London do tip and generously.
Restaurants
It is common in the United Kingdom to tip the person who has been serving you your meal a tip of about 10% of the bill. You can of course tip more, but tipping less than 10% is not polite, unless you have had lousy service. Contrary to popular belief, waiters and waitresses do rely on their tips to round up their salary which can be pretty low, so you’re bound to get good service wherever you go. Be aware though, that some establishments add a service charge to the final amount. This can be anywhere between 10 and 15 % and it will say so at the bottom of the bill when it is presented to you. You do not have to tip your waitron if the service charge has been added to the bill.
Taxi Drivers
This can be tricky. It is common to round up the tax fare to the nearest pound, so £4.30 would become £5 including the tip. If however the fare is £4.90 then you should round it up to £5.50. Giving a tip of 10pence is an insult to the cabbie and he may chuck it back at you. On an £8 fare it would be acceptable, generous even to give the cabbie a £10 note and tell him to keep the change.
Other Services
If you have take out delivered to your home or groceries, then it is customary to tip the delivery person £1. Hairdressers are also tipped about £1 after you have finished. If you are ordering drinks in a pub then you do not have to tip the barman pouring the drinks, but if you are in a bar where a waiter takes your order and brings you the drinks to your table then you should follow the same rule about tipping as you would do in a restaurant.
In most cases you should use your common sense. Great service should be rewarded no matter where you are and bad service should be reported as unacceptable immediately.
Tags: Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london, England, Etiquette, fun facts about london england, London, london facts, London Living, london move, move to London, moving to London England, Relationships, tip, Tipping, United States, Waiting staff
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Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Recreation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Thursday February 3rd, 2011
Living In London – How NOT to look like a tourist- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
If you are moving to London and are intending on living there for a while, you’ll want to get settled as fast as possible, and that means more than just moving into a London flat and starting a new job. You should spend some time seeing many of the London tourist sites, but don’t be tempted to live like you’re on holiday all of the time. For one, it can get very expensive, and you don’t want to live on take out every night. For another, you’ll want to immerse yourself as much as possible in the English way of life. It’s not like you are moving to a small village; London is a cosmopolitan city and is filled with people from all over the world, you’ll be able to meet people from different cultures and countries and have the opportunity of making friends from all over the world. Getting to grips with life in London is not as difficult as it seems if you give it everything you’ve got.
Tourists from the Far East, and Americans in particular, have received some bad press about the way that they do anything when they are abroad. Some of it is undoubtedly a little unfair, but if you want to blend in as much as possible then you need to get rid of the tourist mindset, or you might come in for some ribbing from the English.
Spend some time getting used to the language. While you might assume that American English and British English are the same, there is a world of difference when you hear it spoken. Regional accents, even in London can make is very difficult to understand what is being said. If you can, you should try and watch some English films before you leave to get your ear attuned to the local cadence.
There has been a lot said about the way that tourists dress when they are on holiday. Nothing screams tourist more than shorts and sneakers. That said, thousands of Londoners rush outside in shorts and flip-flops at the first ray of spring sunshine. Another mistake is to wear a bum bag or fanny pack. In a busy city like London you are just asking to be pick pocketed or have your bag ripped off your body. Keep your wallet in your pocket like you do at home. You don’t need to carry your passport with you at all times when you are living in London.
For the most part, once you have mastered the underground, and learned a little about the area in which you are staying, you’ll fit right in. English people are friendly and will want to ask you loads of questions about where you come from and what life is like on the other side of the pond. Avoid talking about the weather, (complaining about the weather is strictly for citizens of the country for some reason) and you’ll be considered a Londoner in no time at all.
Tags: Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, England, Far East, fun facts about london england, London, london facts, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, Paris, Trafalgar Square, United States, Westminster Abbey
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Living in London, London Language Barriers, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
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Wednesday February 2nd, 2011
Living in London – Financial Factors-- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
When you are moving to London, you will find that there are a number of factors that might be a little different and frustrating, one of the frustrating things about financial matters is the fact that England and most of Europe operate on a chip and pin system for their credit cards and debit cards. You might have moved into a new London apartment, but the last thing you need is to go to the grocery store and have your credit card or debit card refused on account of the fact that it does not have a chip and pin installed.
What is Chip and Pin?
The chip and pin system is a way of ensuring that all credit card and debit card transactions are secure. Instead of just swiping your credit card and signing the receipt, you will be required to enter a code number as well. It is an innovative way of ensuring that there is much less use of stolen credit cards. The problem is that the United States is a little ways behind the technology and does not operate on this system yet. You will find that many smaller shops will accept the US cards that just have the magnetic strip at the back, but automated teller machines and other automated systems will reject your card. It can be frustrating when you are trying to catch a train, and there is a long line of people in front of you paying for a ticket with cash, and your card won’t work at the ticket machine.
While you are waiting to get a bank account, or know that there will be some delay in getting a bank account, then the best thing that you can do is to get yourself a travel card that is pre loaded with cash from a US bank, and comes with the chip and pin system. You will easily be able to transfer money onto the card and use it like you would use a debit card. It might also be a good idea to alert you bank in your home country ,as to the fact that you will be travelling overseas and they do not have to issue a fraud alert when they see a £10 charge for some groceries at Tesco! Most banks rely on software that triggers an alert when your spending patterns deviate wildly, and they will be on alert if you are suddenly buying very different things in a different country.
If you are moving to London for work then you should ask your new employer to help you set up a bank account as soon as possible. They will be able to provide the proof you need to get one opened immediately, which will mean that you can get a debit card with the magic ‘chip and pin’ installed.
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Wednesday January 26th, 2011
Living in London – Education and Schooling: Private Schools- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
Moving to London with a family means that you will be thinking about education and schools. The state schools system delivers an excellent all round education for pupils between the ages of five and sixteen, but to attend a certain school you have to live in the catchment area of the school. If you are looking for something more specialized for your children, or they have been attending a private school at home and you would like to continue with that type of education, then there are a number of excellent private schools in England that accept children on a fee-paying basis. Just be aware of the fact that private education in England is exorbitantly expensive.
Private AND Public Schools In London
If you are moving to London then you might hear the term “public school”, this is just the term that is used to describe private schools in England; schools run by the government are referred to as state schools. England is home nearly 3000 private schools, of which about a thousand are boarding schools. There are five categories of private schooling in England.
- Pre-Preparatory and preparatory Schools take children from the ages of four until thirteen. Senior Schools accept pupils form the ages of thirteen until eighteen. There are a number of Sixth form or A-level Colleges that accept pupils for the express purpose of writing their A-levels to be able to attend a university in England. There are also a number of International Schools in London that follow a different curriculum and you may want to consider one of them.
- You do not have to live in the area of a school to be able to attend it. As long as you can pay the fees, then you may apply for enrollment to a school. Just be aware though, that some schools have quite stringent rules and regulations as well as academic requirements that have to be fulfilled before they accept pupils.
- Due to the expense of private schooling in England and London, it is vital that you spend some time researching the best schools that will be beneficial to your child. Some schools offer specialized education, while others have extremely long waiting lists; we’re talking years not months here!
If you are looking for something a little more familiar, then there are a number of fine schools in London that follow the American curriculum and structure their schools around an American social system, They even function following the American school year dates. There are also schools that cater to the European community in London, offering the International Baccalaureate instead of GCSE’s. There are a number of websites that are devoted to the grading and listing of the best private schools in London, and while state schools are not supposed to be graded or ranked, you’ll find a great deal of information on the internet regarding the better state schools. All of which may be beneficial in helping you choose a London home for you are your family while you are living in London.
Tags: Americans moving to London, fun facts about london england, london facts, London Living, move to London, Moving to London, moving to London advice, relocating to london england, things to know about london
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Wednesday January 26th, 2011
Living in London – Education and Schooling: The State School System- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
It can be a bit of a challenge if you are moving to London with children of school age. Schooling will be of paramount importance, and the fact that children have to attend the school that is closest to where they live, will have an impact on where you decide to live in London. Attending school outside of the catchment area is nearly impossible, and there would need to be very specialized circumstances for a child to be allowed to attend a school in another district.
State Schooling in England
For the most part state schooling in England offers and excellent education and prepares children extremely well for university and college. Over 90% of all children in England are educated through the state school system which is split into four areas of learning and education.
- Primary Schools: These are schools for children between the ages of five and eleven; they are usually mixed gender and can either be secular schools or based on religious principles. They offer a general education and a well rounded education preparing children for secondary school.
- Secondary Schools: Children attend secondary (high) school from the age of eleven until the age of sixteen, although some areas offer a middle school which takes pupils from the age of nine until eleven, when they move onto secondary school. Most secondary schools in London are comprehensive, which means that they do not select pupils on academic merit, and they do not stream pupils according to ability. In some parts of London and England there are grammar schools which require pupils to write an entrance exam so that they are placed in classes according to their ability. It is common for families to send their children to a grammar school if they are intending on applying for further and higher education. Pupils normally sit for the GCSE exams in their 16th year, writing up to nine subjects if they are considering continuing on to do their A-levels
- Further Education: Although pupils may leave school at the age of sixteen, there is a compulsory two years of A-level education if a pupil is applying for university or college. They usually take 3 subjects in a field that they are intending studying to ready themselves for university standards.
There are a number of schools that are available for children who have special needs, or who require a specialist education. These are also free, but you will have to be sure that you fall into the catchment area to be able to attend one of these schools. Children are assessed at the end of every year, but are only assessed according to National Curriculum Standards at the end of Year 2, Year 6 and Year 9.
State schooling delivers a rounded education and prepares pupils for further education as well as vocationally. Different areas have better or worse schools, so your choice of London rental home should be well thought out if you have children who will be attending school in London.
Tags: England, General Certificate of Secondary Education, London, london facts, london moving, move to London, Moving to London, Moving to London from US, National Curriculum, School, Secondary school, State school, things to know about london
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