When moving to London from America families often have a long list of places they want to visit during their stay in England.  While many of the locations are within London a few of England’s most noteworthy historical sites are outside of the city and require a little planning to make a family trip work.  Once such favorite day trip for any family moving to London from America is Stonehenge.

The easiest way to get to Stonehenge from London for families moving to London from America without a personal vehicle is to take the train to Salisbury.  Once in Salisbury a bus can take families directly to the monument.  There are several buses each day to and from the historical site.  Taxis are also available for any family not wanting to wait on a bus.

Stonehenge is over five thousand years old.  Prehistoric people erected the monoliths over the period of about one thousand years.  Wood was also used but has long since decayed.  Although no one knows the real purpose of the site many experts believe it was built for rituals, religious purposes or to study astronomy.  Archeological excavations have been routine in and around Stonehenge for many centuries.  Today, it is still an active archeological site with new discoveries still amazing tourists.  Any family moving to London from America will have a thrill of their lives experiencing the excitement and wonder of visiting one of the world’s most intriguing mysteries.

Today Stonehenge is protected by the British government and managed by English Heritage which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.  The park is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Hours of operation vary depending on the season and prices are very reasonable.

Families moving to London from America should not miss the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience what many only dream about.  Stonehenge is one the world’s most beloved and discussed mysteries.  Many claim the rock formation has mystical and healing powers and many say they experience such powers upon visiting.  If looking for a memorable day trip for one’s family after moving to London from America Stonehenge should be at the top of the list.

Many people moving to London from America decide to use public transportation instead of either bringing or buying a vehicle.  This choice is highly recommended as it is actually quicker and easier to move about the city via the Tube or bus.  For longer or more emergent trips a cab can easily be found.  While many moving to London from America may be used to public transportation a large chunk of the US hardly relies on it at all. For them, a breakdown of London’s transportation system is described below.

Moving to London from America – the Tube

The Tube is the equivalent of the New York subway system or Chicago’s ‘L’ train.  Tube stations are located throughout the city for convenience.  There are several lines of the Tube so one will have to check rigorously at first to ensure they are on the right Tube train.  It’s not a bad idea, at first, for those moving to London from America to keep a map of Tube stations and routes handy while exploring the city.

Moving to London from America – Buses

Buses are a major component of London public transportation.  While they may not be as fast as the Tube they are an affordable option for those traveling a short distance.  2012 unveils a new bus prototype for London which is a redo of the iconic double-decker bus so many associate with the streets of London.  The new bus will be a hybrid with all the conveniences a modern bus can offer.  It will also be handicap-accessible.

Moving to London from America – Taxis and minicabs

There are two types of cabs in London for personal use.  The first is the Black Cab with the ‘Taxi’ sign proudly displayed on top of the car.  These are the only vehicles that can be hailed throughout the city.  The other option is a minicab.  To increase safety and reduce the number of illegal cabs on the road all minicabs must be ordered in advance.  All taxis and minicabs should display their number and show customers their ID.  Paying mind to safety is the number one rule when using a taxi or minicab.

For many families making the big move to London for corporate relocation letting go of a personal vehicle can be a scary thing to do.  With some research before hand and not being afraid to ask for help or directions the transition can be made smoother.  London relocation agents are available to help with all London transportation helping those moving to London from America experience the best of the city without the stress of learning the transportation.

Families and individuals moving to London from America often feel overwhelmed at the prospect of finding a suitable rental property to live in during their stay.  While it’s understandable to feel confused, especially if moving to London from America and having never visited before the move, there are some easy ways to lessen the confusion and prepare for the rental process so as to reduce unexpected surprises.

Before moving to London from America a list of mandatory and desired attributes in a new home should be created.  This list should not be a casual mark-up but rather time and thought should be devoted to guarantee all of a person’s needs are met after moving to London from America.  Depending on the number of people in the family and ages of said family members the items on the list will vary greatly.

Work Location – No matter if one is moving to London from America by themselves or with an entire family knowing the new location of one’s job is the first step in narrowing down the rental property search.

Home Size – If an expat is making the move to London by themselves there will be very few flats too small for them.  If one does require a larger flat they should make sure to note the smallest size they will accept.  Families need to be realistic in their demands and understand that homes in London are much smaller than the typical American home.

School Locations – Families must do a bit of research into schools before finding a rental property.  Once a school has been found, depending on the age of the child and their ability to ride the Tube alone, the home search can be narrowed down to include nearby neighborhoods.

Activities and Hobbies – The last consideration when looking for a rental property in London should be its proximity to leisure activities.  Examples of this would be a home’s proximity to a park if one is an avid walker or has young children.  Or if an individual plans  on enjoying London’s nightlife a flat near popular clubs may be a good decision.

While rental property cannot always be in the exact London neighborhood one wants it can be relatively close if a family or individual is willing to make some concessions.  After making a thoughtful list of requirements a call to a London relocation service is due.  They will be happy to discuss the upcoming move and help find a flat for anyone moving to London from America.

Shortly after confirming an international relocation families often buy a map of London neighborhoods to help prepare for the upcoming move.  While that can never hurt it is best to truly understand what the map says and how to use it best once the plane lands and a family is left to fend for themselves in a new country.  One of the most useful maps a family can get is a Tube map of London neighborhoods.

One of the first challenges facing families fresh to London from a corporate relocation is the lack of a personal vehicle.  In America almost every family owns at least one car, often with every member of the family over sixteen owning their own car.  In a city the size of London that is just not possible. Even if a family does have a car in London it will probably spend most of its time in a parking garage. That is why a good Tube map of London neighborhoods is a must-have.

Anyone moving to London having never relied on public transportation will have an adjustment period where map usage will be necessary.  For the newcomer to the Tube (or any major system for that matter) the first glace at a Tube map of London neighborhoods will look like a colorful display of lines and they’ll probably think they will need an engineering degree to ever make sense of it all.

Do not despair new Londoners.  Learning to make sense of a Tube map of London neighborhoods will come eventually and then become second nature.  The first rule of thumb for those new to London transportation is to not be afraid to ask for help.  Second, figure out far in advance what route one needs to get somewhere.  Lastly, those just moving to London from America should not be afraid to wander out of their comfort zone and explore London via the Tube. They just must remember to bring their handy Tube map of London neighborhoods with them!

For those moving to London from America with infants or toddlers diapers are a very important part of life.  Despite the inconvenience diapers, diaper bags and all accessories may cause for a family may parents, both American and English, choose to use cloth diapers.  There are many reasons parents may choose cloth whether it is environmental, baby skin sensitivity or cost, but whatever the reason most moving to London from America will be pleased to discover cloth nappies are quite the craze.

Depending on what size of a city a family comes from before moving to London from America there may or may not have been a diaper laundry service.  One of the benefits of moving to a city as large as London is several laundry services from which to choose.  Any family with experience washing and drying cloth diapers knows it’s a big commitment and often is delighted to discover a service is available.

For some parents with babies moving to London from America a nappy laundry service is just what they need to convince them to go natural and begin using cloth nappies.  Understandably an international relocation plus new jobs to start plus learning London’s transportation systems plus young children in the home often leaves little time for washing dirty diapers.  By having a service which picks up dirty diapers at one’s front door and exchanges them for clean ones many busy families moving to London from America are finally able to make the Earth-saving switch from disposable to reusable.

The trend of cloth diapers is growing in the United States but many rural areas are still primarily using disposable diapers.  In England it seems more people have converted to cloth nappies making them much easier to find and many more laundry services available.  This is also helpful for families moving to London from America because more competition means lower prices.  One service I found that thoroughly impressed me was Nappy Ever After.  Not only do they sell cloth nappies and provide an affordable laundry service, they do it with a totally electric van. This kind of commitment to their cause is impressive.

Regardless of whether parents have used cloth before or have even considered it as a real option for their baby when moving to London from America at least inquiring into cloth nappies and related laundry services would be a great way to acclimate oneself to the London culture and help reduce waste.

Going through an international relocation during the winter months can be hard on a family but not all is lost after moving to London from America during the cold, dreary days London are famous for.  Rather than stay holed up in a new flat or working extra hours at work newcomers should explore London’s famous parks and landmarks.  If all else fails the cold days and night of January can be spent sipping coffee or a bitter while reading a new book.

Moving

to London from America – a Day in the Park

Londoners are used to the cold and rain therefore it doesn’t keep them from enjoyed their parks.  Even on the dreariest days one can find Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens bursting with life as visitors feed ducks or squirrels, wander down paths or sip tea or coffee at quaint cafes located nearby.

Moving to London from America – Find a Good Book

Home of the English language the United Kingdom is overflowing with bookstores.  London is proud of its literary heritage and in a city where Kindles have not yet taken over one can easily find a cozy bookstore to spend a cold and drizzly afternoon.  Once the perfect book has been located a trip to the neighborhood café or pub is in order to enjoy it.

Moving to London from America – Find a Neighborhood Pub and Friends

They say that a pub is an Englishman’s second home.  After moving to London from America it is easy to see why.  So many days and nights are cold, wet and foggy.  Often enjoying a pint at the neighborhood pub with a few mates is the only way to dispel the melancholy.  Although not born a Brit anyone can find their own home away from home if they keep their minds open and a smile on their face.

These are just a few ideas on how to spend a winter’s day after moving to London from America.  Regardless of how one ultimately decides to spend their time the point is to get out and about.  London relocation agents cannot stress enough to those moving to London from America how important getting out of a new flat is.

One of the biggest shocks for those moving to London from America is how much smaller British homes can be than their super-sized American counterparts.  Of course that all depends on what part of the States a family is moving from. For instance families moving to London from New York would probably find the size of most apartments comparable.  Those from a small town or rural area would probably be very shocked to see how much less home they will get for their money.  That is why it is very important to not only discuss housing requirements with a London relocation agent before moving to London from America but also come to grips with the new reality on a personal level.

Since most experts recommend that families or individuals moving to London from America bring as little as possible with them it is a good time to downsize anyway.  First, families must take an inventory of their current home and determine what furniture and electronics they absolutely cannot live without.  Rooms in British homes are much smaller than American ones and many families moving to London from America are shocked to discover not many pieces of furniture can fit inside.

Once an inventory of must-have items has been determined a family can calculate how much space they need as a minimum.  After that number has been converted to square meters (how the British measure rooms instead of our square feet) a discussion with a London relocation agent is due.  They can give any individual or family moving to London from America a good ballpark range of housing costs dependent upon the size required.

After the move is complete many families have a difficult time adapting to their smaller space.  Rather than harbor ill feelings toward loved ones or begin regretting the international relocation newcomers to London should try and get out of their home more.  There are many lovely parks located in London and with a Tube station at just about every corner many historical and cultural  sightseeing locations at one’s disposal.  Moving to London from America is a challenge but with the right information available while planning the move, it can be enjoyable as well.

Once an American family has made the decision to move to England many grab the nearest map of London neighborhoods to decide on where they should live.  While a map of London neighborhoods does come in very handy in finding the right place to live it should not be the only determining factor in a home decision.  A map of London neighborhoods should be used to determine distances between Tube stations, work and home and schools – not to pick a home or neighborhood.

What a Map of London Neighborhoods Can Tell a Family

For any family moving to London from America and not from a large city (i.e. New York, Chicago, Boston, ect…) learning to use public transportation as the primary mode of transportation takes a while.  Within London people use buses and the Tube (subway) to go about their daily lives.  Until one has learned all the Tube stations for their daily commute and daily activities a map of London neighborhoods should accompany them at all times.

A map of London neighborhoods is also useful when deciding on schools.  Before moving every American family at least knows where they will be working (hence the reason for the move).  Depending on what part of town that may be in other decision can be made.  For instance, if a school for the family’s children is on the opposite side of town from the new job location a family may decide to live near the school despite the long work commute.

What a Map of London Neighborhoods Cannot Tell a Family

To put it simply no map on London neighborhoods can tell someone where the best place to live is.  Even if one is able to get a map with statistical information on demographics of particular communities.  Each American family is different and has different needs.  A young professional might be willing to take a small flat in a rough neighborhood if it is near a lively club scene.  A childless couple may be willing to take a small flat in an upscale neighborhood where rent runs very high.  A family will need to consider schools, safety and accessibility of parks nearby.  No map of London neighborhoods can tell a family which spot in the city is best for their situation.

With the number one New Year’s resolution in the United States being to lose weight it is no surprise that many moving to London from America have resigned to do just that as we begin the January.  Whether one has already moved to London or in the final stages of preparation there are many wonderful groups to help keep one on track with their goal.

For years and years the UK’s fine citizens were generally in better shape than their pudgy American cousins.  Over the last decade, however, Brits have beefed up making obesity numbers increase.  Those moving to London from American should not be shocked to see many ads flooding the air waves and print aimed at losing weight.

Just like in the States individuals moving to London from America will be bombarded by hundreds of get-skinny-quick pills, programs and diets.  Also, just like in the States, the only way to successfully lose weight, get healthy, and keep it off is to make a lifestyle change.  To facilitate that change there are several wonderful groups in the London area for anyone moving to London from America to join.

A good place to start the weight loss journey is on MeetUp.com.  This website is home to many groups arranged by category for those in the London area.  There is a good selection of weight loss themed groups that focus on a fit and healthy lifestyle rather than a wonder drug.  Part of becoming healthy is getting active and there is no shortage of MeetUp groups for that.

Studies have shown that having a community’s support will help anyone lose weight and change their lifestyle.  Especially for those moving to London from America finding a community can be a challenge. By joining a group that meets online and in person that weight can finally come off and friendships can be made to help ease the transition of moving to London from America.

One of the things that shock most moving to London from America is how small the homes and their yards are.  For any expat moving to London from America, especially from a smaller city or rural area, land is taken for granted.  In London, as in much of Europe, land comes at a premium and most homes have very small yards (or gardens as the British call them).  Instead of complaining about the lack of green space those moving to London from America should embrace what space they do have be it a patch of grass behind a house or a patio on a flat.

One of the easiest ways to utilize a small outdoor space is to create a container garden.  These beautiful and practical gardens add color to a patio and can provide homegrown produce year round if cultivated properly.  They also make a wonderful hobby for anyone of any age moving to London from America.  There are many options to choose from when deciding upon the right container garden for one’s family.  Depending on one’s familiarity with growing plants, the hardiness of the plants chosen and the size of the container garden one can grow enough herbs, vegetables or fresh flowers for an entire year.

All containers have one thing in common – a container.  Unlike traditional gardens all the items are grown in a container above ground.  Container size depends on the plant inside it.  There are many wonderful books and internet sites with guides on what size container is needed for each plant.  Those moving to London from America can also seek expert advice from local greenhouses and nurseries. Popular plants for container gardens are strawberries, flowers and herbs of all varieties, tomatoes, carrots, and lettuces.  After a container of the right size is chosen it must be filled with topsoil and fertilizer. At that point the plants are planted the same as if they were in the ground.

Sometimes after moving to London from America individuals need a hobby to devote their free time.  Container gardening is a popular choice and also a good way to meet others in one’s new city.  During harvest time one may chose to can or freeze their excess or simply enjoy it with new friends.  Regardless of what is grown in a container garden anyone moving to London from America will reap the bounty in more than one way.