Posts Tagged ‘Portobello Road’
Sunday, November 6th, 2011
Relocation to London – Sunday Brunch is Here! - Portobello Road Market - Image via Wikipedia
The most fabulous thing about your relocation to London is the fact that “brunch” is indeed an international phenomenon. If you were worried about what will happen to your tradition of Sunday Brunch after your international relocation, never fear, London is ready for you.
Even though we are heading very firmly into the winter months, it’s still a superb way to spend a Sunday morning after your relocation to London. If you’re living a little way out of the city center, just hop on a tube: Sunday is a great time to practice your tube travel if you’re just arrived and are somewhat apprehensive about the whole ‘Tube’ thing.
You can walk up a good appetite by taking a meander through one of the Royal Parks and then head off for some early season Christmas shopping and then a hearty brunch at one of the bistros and eateries that specialize in the brunch experience.
Traditional Elegance or Modern Trends – The Choice is Yours
Dean Street Townhouse is a rather elegant boutique hotel that does a superb, if pricey, Sunday brunch menu. It’s up market and trendy, while retaining a certain timeless British splendor. You will have to book in advance; it’s terribly popular with the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, yet still buzzing, and a venue where you can enjoy a relaxed brunch, then head to Electric Brasserie on the Portobello road. Fabulously trendy with both indoor and outdoor seating, this restaurant is firmly established on the brunchy map.
Again, it might be wise to book in advance to ensure a table, but a Sunday brunch and then a stroll through the famous Portobello Road Marketmake for a great way to spend your Sunday. Try as much as possible to spend time exploring the city after you’re relocation to London. Don’t be put off by the winter weather; Londoners are out enjoying everything that this fabulous city has to offer, every day of the year.
Tags: England, international relocation, London, Moving to London, Portobello Road, relocation to london, Sunday
Posted in International Relocation, Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, Relocation to London, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Londoners shop 'til they drop along Notting Hill's Portobello Road Market - London Relocation Services - Image via Wikipedia
A relocation to London is more than just moving from Point A to Point B and having new experiences. It’s also accomplishing the same everyday stuff you’ve always done and will still need to do. Ask any expat: figuring out where to buy what is tough. Luckily, London Relocation knows the best places to shop and can advise on what’s available in the area of your new London apartment.
Clothing
Most London neighbourhoods have what is called a “high street,” which is a main street lined with mainstream chain stores. To centralize your shopping, Westfield has massive malls located in Shepherds Bush and now Stratford City in London. Designer and vintage boutiques likewise scatter the city—it’s all a matter of knowing where to look, from the fanciest to funkiest of neighbourhoods. You’ll discover so much on your own, but your London Relocation agent can point some out in advance during your flat search.
Groceries
Top London grocery chains include M&S Simply Food, Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and The Cooperative. Expats from the States also seek out stores like Partridge’s that import American foods. (London has specialty stores accommodating many other cultures, too, so let your London Relocation agent know your food requirements.) Another alternative that makes for a pleasant outing is finding fresh produce and meats at any of London’s farmer’s markets—most renowned is Borough Market near London Bridge.
Best Values
High streets usually feature clothing shops like H&M, Zara, and Topshop that offer the latest trends at reasonable prices. Market stalls can offer cheap deals on clothing, too. Consider those on the east end around Brick Lane, in the west along Portobello Road, or north at Camden Market. UK online shopping sites like ASOS.com sell clothing at less than retail prices. Grocery chains like Asda, Morrisons, and Iceland offer cheaper prices, as do online grocery shops like Ocado.com that keep prices competitive. Online discounts also abound to keep London groceries affordable:
www.hotukdeals.com
www.supermarketvouchercodes.com
shoppingcodes.co.uk
www.savacode.com
supermarketcoupons.co.uk
www.nectar.com
Best Quality
Some of London’s poshest clothing shopping to be had is found on and off streets like Regent Street, Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, and the Kings Road. For food, the world’s largest Whole Foods is located on Kensington High Street. M&S Simply Food and Waitrose arguably offer highest quality bang for the buck versus non-chain specialty food stores.
There’s loads more shopping alternatives out there, though. And quality, prices, and locations will vary, so your London Relocation agent will let you know what’s available in your specific London neighborhood.
Tags: Camden Market, international relocation, Kensington High Street, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, london shopping, Marks & Spencer, Moving to London, office relocation London, Portobello Road, Regent Street, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs London, relocation to london, relocation uk, shopping in london uk, Tesco, Waitrose, where to shop in london
Posted in Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »
Monday, August 1st, 2011
Lots Road Auctions - London Relocation Services - Image by Monica Arellano-Ongpin via Flickr
Author: Colleen
One very cool thing indeed about moving to London and setting up shop in a new London apartment are the vintage possibilities. In a very old city that has accumulated a lot of very old stuff, there is a constant turnover of furnishings and decor as it’s out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new…or in-with-the-old, for that matter.
Turn on the telly and you’ll see that antiquing is a classic British pastime. The UK is where the “Antiques Roadshow” was born, and shows like “Flog It!” reflect the popularity of auctions. You can go highbrow at one of the Christie’s fine art salerooms on King Street or Old Brompton Road in London, or just take antiquing at your own pace without the competitive pressure of bidding with a stroll through any of the famed Portobello Road shops. If you’d like to give the live auction scene a try, though, check out Lots Road in Chelsea. Located just off the King’s Road, this massive saleroom auctions hundreds of lots every Sunday. Both antique and contemporary goods are for sale, which you can browse at their website or just visit first-hand.
My husband and I wandered over to Lots Road yesterday, just to sift through other people’s old crap for the heck of it; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say. It’s fun to think about what valuable or sheerly conversational pieces we might one day collect for when we repatriate to the States and need to fill a new house. (Afterward, we treated ourselves to brunch at the darling Megan’s Deli nearby on the King’s Road. Its quaint, country vintage atmosphere inside and garden out back preserves the charm of one’s antiquing afternoon.)
Just another option to consider if you’re in the midst of an international relocation to London and leaving your furnishings at home. Even furnished London apartments may need an extra piece here and there. Or maybe you’re simply interested in collecting the fine or quirky items the UK has to offer, wishing to join the natives in this cultural ritual. Going once, going twice…you’re SOLD! on the idea already, I can tell. 
Tags: Antiques Roadshow, buying antiques in London, furnishing a london apartment rental, international relocation, London auctions, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, Portobello Road, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs London, relocation to london, relocation uk, rent london apartments
Posted in International Relocation, London Recreation, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips, Shopping in London Places | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Moving to London – Think about Where you want to Stay.- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re moving to London and your London relocation agents are on the hunt to help you find a place, then it’s always handy if you have a basic idea of what you’re looking for. That’s assuming that you haven’t gone over to get a firsthand view of what’s available. There are a number of areas for you to move to move to suit your needs.
Notting Hill is a start. Largely because of the movie, obviously. But the area also has more to offer besides the locations featured in the movie (though Portobello Road would be a likely first stop for many Americans given how prominently it is featured as a location). Notting Hill also has many things to do during the day, it has a vibrant nightlife, and you can also visit Kensington Gardens to take in a fresh air experience if you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of it all.
If you’re looking for something that will allow you an easy access to London’s nightlife, look to the West End. It’s certainly a more upmarket location, but if you do live there, you would have your choice of restaurants, theatre shows and other aspects of the London nightlife.
As an American, St John’s Wood might hold special appeal for you seeing as it does have an American School (the only American School located in the city of London). St John’s Wood already has an established community of Americans living there, so moving there should be particularly attractive given that the presence of your countrymen should help you to acclimatize.
Moving over with your family means finding an area to accommodate your needs. Barnes, situated right across the River Thames from Hammersmith is a suburb that has a growing community of young professionals. There are primary schools, nurseries and London city itself is easily within reach given the convenience of public transport.
That’s only four areas, but we’ll be exploring some of the most popular neighborhoods that have been identified by expert relocation companies to consider if you’re moving to London. Regardless of you final choice, always remember that you and your London relocation agents should always consider your situation and your best interests when moving.
Tags: Americans moving to London, international relocation, Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, london relocation agent, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Notting Hill, office relocation London, Portobello Road, relocating to London, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk
Posted in Americans Moving to London, Living in London, London Apartments: What to Expect in a London Flat, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Relocating In London, Relocation In London, Relocation London, Relocation to London, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips | No Comments »
Friday, June 17th, 2011
The London stage for star-spotting isn't always in the theatre - it just might be on your sidewalk after your London move. Image by AndyRob via Flickr
Author: Colleen
Now, if you’re just completing your relocation in London, you’ve probably had up to this point more pressing matters on your mind than star-spotting. So now it’s time to get out of that London apartment you’ve spent so long settling into (thank goodness it didn’t take you long to find it in the first place thanks to the London relocation agents at London Relocation Ltd.!). If you literally want to star-gaze (or should I say, “lit-rally,” like the Brits), you can head over to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. But if you’re after the stars of this earth, the ones that trod on the ground with us with heavenly bodies of their own (eh, sometimes), then London is the place.
What I like about London is that it’s the Hollywood/Washington D.C./New York/Chicago/San Francisco of England, all rolled into one. People in the States will head to LA to join the paparazzi in star-spotting, but not everyone necessarily comes to London to do so, because this city serves so many additional functions beyond that. As a result, the celebrities seem more comfortable stepping out of the woodwork to enjoy a relatively more normal way of life. Not that England is without it’s share of the paparazzi—tabloids are just as if not more ridiculous here than in the States—yet somehow celebs can make it outside without being constantly bombarded.
So what I have learned in my personal experience living in London so far is that one of the best ways to spot the stars is at the cafés of trendier neighborhoods. What is also key is to not be trying to find them; they’ll turn up when least expected. So far I’ve sat right next to Maggie Gyllenhaal at 202 Café in the London neighborhood of Notting Hill on Westbourne Grove, and just last Thursday I think Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson held the door open for me at Caffè Vergnano 1882 (near the Leicester Square tube station on Charing Cross Road, London’s theatre district). London Relocation colleagues came to work one day telling me how they saw Woody Allen sitting right inside Notting Hill‘s Beach Blanket Babylon, where he was filming on the street right outside with Naomi Watts and Antonio Banderas—I recall having to scoot through their set really quickly coming in to work that day before they shot a rain scene (as if they couldn’t have just waited another couple hours for London to provide one of its own )! My friend recently brushed past Jason Schwartzman amidst the shops and cafés of Portobello Road, and another had seen Jude Law at a Starbucks in Hampstead (also spotted in Hampstead: Ricky Gervais). And I must say getting a glimpse of the royals during the Royal Wedding was quite exciting; those attending Trooping the Colour last weekend would’ve gotten a second chance at that, and we now know from the local papers how much Will and Kate love hanging out on the Kings Road and other locations in Chelsea, Kensington, and Knightsbridge…at least they did before when still living London, but it sounds like they’re coming back soon to live at Kensington Palace (by the way, like how I just equated royalty with celebrity? Is there a difference anymore?).
But if you’d like to have more control over when destiny brings you and the stars closer together, then definitely take in a London show where the A-listers step out on stage. So far since moving to London, I’ve seen theatre performances by Kevin Spacey, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley, Elisabeth Moss, Ellen Burstyn, and Carol Kane, right from the first few rows where you can actually see the spit when they deliver their lines. You can also register with the Applause Store and get tickets to be in the studio audience of locally-produced television shows. Or do what one of my friends does—sign up with a casting agency to be an extra and spend a day or so on the sets of movies filmed in England (my friend has played a witch in the last two Harry Potters!)
Maybe this stuff isn’t your thing, or maybe you’re ready to be star-struck. Either way, “the world is a stage,” so your international relocation to London will put you in the spotlight of an exciting new life. Contact us if our London relocation services can help cast your fabulous new London apartment rental!
Tags: Beach Blanket Babylon, Charing Cross Road, international relocation, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Keira Knightley, Kensington Palace, london relocation agents, london relocation companies, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, office relocation London, Portobello Road, relocation agents, relocation companies, relocation company, relocation in london, relocation jobs, relocation jobs London, Relocation service, relocation service london, relocation services, relocation to london, relocation uk, Woody Allen
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods | 2 Comments »
Monday, May 30th, 2011
Living In London – It’s All About You Part I- Image via Flickr
The most important part of your search for that perfect new London rental is going to be your personal circumstances. You may be thrilled by the idea that you are moving to London, but the hunt for a neighborhood, will not just be determined by the fact that ‘everyone’ lives in Notting Hill! You cannot approach living in London by looking at the neighborhood alone. A better way to start looking for your new home is to make a list of YOUR needs. It’ll narrow down the search substantially and you’ll be able to find a London apartment that caters to all of your requirements.
Working It!
This is going to be the biggest factor in choosing an area and London rental home when you are moving to London. Where you work is the first item you need to look at. If you have a job lined up before you are moving to London, you need to look at how long you are prepared to commute each day. An average amount of time spent on a one-way journey to work is about an hour. If you’re prepared to spend more time getting to and from work then you may be able to live further out of London and enjoy some of the countryside. If you can’t stand the idea of spending an hour on the tube each morning, then you may have to live close to your work so it’s only a short bus ride away.
Simply Social
If you already have friends living in London then you may want to live close to your social circle. This is quite important if you are an American moving to London. You’ll want to be able to mix with people from your own country and it might be easier, certainly at the beginning, to rent a London apartment close to your countrymen. Remember that London is a massive city, and even if you do have friends living in London, the sheer scale of the place might make it difficult to get together regularly. If you’re friends form back home are important to you then you should talk to them before you arrive about finding a new London rental close to them.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, living in London, London, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Moving to London, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, relocating to London, Travel and Tourism
Posted in Living in London, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
Shopping in London after a London move - Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
Moving to London from the US has made me realize how much there is to see in this fine city and how much simply cannot be seen during a single visit. Every time I have a guest in town, I’m overflowing with ideas of what we could see and do based on my own faves and their interests, but we can never cover it all.
But I’ll be damned if we’re not tryin’ this week! As I’ve been chronicling so far, this American expat in London and my good friend visiting from the States are painting this town red, white, and blue in the spirit of the Union Jack and our Star-Spangled Banner. Yesterday, we tackled the big stuff central to London tourism, and today we decided to get our shopping thang on in west London.
To start, the iconic red double-decker bus is always a nice transport option to have your guests try at least once, and make sure they sit up top! It sounds cheesy, but when you haven’t ridden on one before, you really do get a kick out of the elevated perspective as well as how those drivers manage to maneuver through the twists of these narrow streets. So I chose this option for getting to Notting Hill so that my friend could take in the scenery that one misses in the Underground. Hopping off at Notting Hill Gate, Portobello Road was my friend’s request to scope out the famous market and its antiques, fashions, and foods to be had. In addition to me pointing out the usual sites from the film Notting Hill (the fake travel bookshop, the real travel bookshop, the house that no longer has the little blue door…), my friend acquired a couple fabulous bags, a necklace, and properly hokey Royal Wedding souvenirs for friends and family. Score!
Given our not-so-early start this afternoon, we then decided to high-tail it to the British Library so we could see its manuscript room before it closed (my friend is a librarian in Los Angeles, so just as bookish as I am if not more!). The tube was our best bet for transport in this case: Central line out of Notting Hill Gate to Holburn, where we could connect to the Piccadilly Line to Kings Cross Station. Once you pass the impressive, almost Candy Land-ish St. Pancras station/hotel/London apartment building, the library is just at the next block, where you can see several stories of books (literally) on walking in, and across the atrium and to the left you’ll find the room of literary treasures that includes Jane Austen’s writing desk, Charlotte Bronte’s handwritten Jane Eyre, Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” the Magna Carta, back-of-the-envelope lyrics (again, literally) of The Beatles, star charts, and religious texts including the Gutenberg Bible. And it’s free.
But enough of the intellectually and culturally significant. It was time for more shopping. We returned to Kings Cross and hopped the Victoria Line to Oxford Circus for the famous Oxford and Regent streets—for an American frame of reference, I’d liken this area to NYC’s 5th Avenue and Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Feeling a little peckish, though, we first bopped over to the Soho branch of Pho for some healthy Vietnamese cuisine and my previously-blogged-about weasel poop coffee. You heard me. And what can I say? It was on my friend’s must-do list!
Next on that list: Liberty of London. Ahhh…we spent such a nice amount of time there. Liberty has an abundance of beautiful, beautiful items—clothing, books, furniture, homewares, toiletries, crafts, fabrics (of course!), and on and on—but just being inside there is an experience, and you’ll likely find yourself suddenly desperate to purchase something tattooed in one of its famous fabric prints just to be able to carry a bit of that specialness home with you. It makes me wish I could bear blowing my nose into cloth so I could one day finally justify buying one of those pretty handkerchiefs… Bah! I just don’t think I could do it.
So, once again, we find ourselves home at my London apartment and kicking our feet up with a glass of wine to decompress from another day of covering a lot of London ground. What tomorrow holds the UK weather might just have to determine for us… I’ll be sure to keep you posted should you find any of our excursions remotely in keeping with what you might like to do yourself once you relocate to London!
Tags: British Library, Gutenberg Bible, London King's Cross railway station, London Relocation Services, Magna Carta, Moving to London from US, Notting Hill Gate, Portobello Road, relocating to london uk from us, rent london apartments, shopping in london, west london relocation, where to shop in london
Posted in Living in London, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Living In London – Notting Hill – The Portobello Road Flea Market - Image via Wikipedia
When you’re living in London you’ll find loads of interesting places to visit on your exploration of the city. It doesn’t matter where you decide to live when you move to London, everything is within an easy tube or bus ride away and you’ll be hard pressed to spend any time in your new London rental when you’re living in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Notting Hill – Portobello Road Market
You’ve seen the film, now it’s time to step into the streets of this famous area in London and discover the Portobello Road Market that is held every day of the week except Sundays, which is when Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts sit on their bench in the garden! The best way to really explore the Portobello Road Market is to start at the entrance which is near the Notting Hill Gate tube station. The market stretches along the road for nearly two miles and on a Saturday it take you a few hours to make your way through the throngs of tourists and traders. You’d best come with plenty of time and a bit of cash to splash at the diverse stalls and shops in the market.
During the week, the Portobello Road Market is where the locals in the area shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, which is usually found between Westbourne Park Road and Colville Terrace. They offer a range of the freshest fruits sourced from all of the countryside. On Friday and Saturday the funky street fashion designers come out to play with a huge range of stalls selling everything from the latest street fashions to retro vintage wear with a modern London twist. Also on Saturday is the antiques market where you can see some splendid examples of antique furniture, and bric-a-brac.
It really doesn’t matter which day you visit the Portobello Road Market – if you’re living in London, you’ll want to come more than once anyway- there are always outdoor cafés and restaurants serving international food and light meals. Living in London is an adventure and visiting the Portobello Market is a great way to get accustomed to the accents and the way that Londoners live life.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, Kensington and Chelsea, living in London, London, london apartment, london facts, London flats, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, Moving to London, moving to London England, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, relocating to London, rent london, Sundays, things to know about london, tips on living in london
Posted in Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods, London Recreation, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Shopping in London Places | 2 Comments »
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
Posted in 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 | No Comments »
Friday, March 11th, 2011
Living in London – Not Notting Hill-Image via Wikipedia
London has had an influx of American nationals being shipped over for professional reasons, this accounts for the large population of Americans moving to London. As a result there are some areas in an around London that are overrun by US expatriates i.e. South Kensington, Notting Hill and Chelsea, all offer London rentals, London flats, and London apartments. There are other neighbourhoods in London that have been overlooked and have proved to be low-cost and above-board. These would include Marble Arch with housing prices estimated to be 25 percent less than those in other commonly situated expatriate populations, the same of which can be true for London rentals in those areas. Edgeware Road is located in Marble Arch and two blocks south of that road is an assortment of flower shops, wine merchants and cafes. It might be considered by some to be a boisterous main road but it essentially gives the area a unique buzz which is further complemented by an abundance of remarkable Middle Eastern restaurants to what might otherwise be an average charming neighbourhood.
In central London, West of Marble Arch is another residential London rental neighbourhood known as Bayswater. Bayswater boasts enchanting surroundings with its collection of awe-inspiring picturesque squares which are almost completely unchanged from the time of their original construction. It is located in an ideal spot where you are able to explore the most famous London market, Portobello Road as well as areas offering shopping, restaurants and colourful Victorian architecture i.e. Westbourne Grove Road and Notting Hill. Bayswater also features several appealing white-faced Victoria townhouses which serve as B & Bs and hotels intermixed with London flats. Notwithstanding its villagey pockets, Bayswater may not be the upmarket Notting Hill but it will acquaint you with Britain’s loveable distinctive features where the bona fide Londoners live, eat and drink.
Now that you have decided you are moving to London get ready to be part of the cultural exchanges and connections, as there are a number of interesting places to visit and things to do, all within easy striking distance of central London and not all of them overrun by tourists. So let your adventurous new life moving to London begin!
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” —Samuel Johnson, 1777.
Tags: Bayswater, Edgware Road, London, Marble Arch, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, South Kensington, Westbourne Grove
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips | 4 Comments »
Monday, February 21st, 2011
Cover of The Forgotten Garden: A Novel
Author: Colleen
Those of you who are researching your London relocation or simply fancy the city and all-things-UK may have caught my previous posts on novels and films I’ve first stumbled upon or appreciated with new interest since moving to London myself. (If not, you can get caught up at our “London Literacy” category). Well, today will be no different as your hopelessly bookish blog author has done it again (please, do not start singing Britney Spears…I did not say “oops” once in that sentence, mind you…although I guess I just said it now, oops! My mistake).
To get on with the program here, I cannot help myself from gushing over a book I just read—loved it so much, I bought another novel by the same author on the same day I finished the first—as well as others I’ve picked up between Heathrow Airport and the Cotswolds that are standing by in the pile. So here it is, my latest reading list (beginning with the one I just finished) in case you want to have a read and immerse yourself in the aesthetic delights and Gothic fancies of London and the English countryside before or after your London move:
The Forgotten Garden – This novel by Australian author, Kate Morton, takes place in both Australia and England. Following a woman’s quest to discover the truth of her identity, the book skillfully weaves through generations and crosses oceans as its protagonist becomes a UK expat herself to ironically repatriate to her origin. UK locations include London and Cornwall, the latter the setting of an expansive estate with a hedge maze and, you guessed it, forgotten garden bearing as many secrets as fruits. It’s like a more accessible Possession (A.S. Byatt) meets The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett) with the Gothic tones of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca (also set in a Cornish estate—both the book and Hitchcock film starring Laurence Olivier are marvelous for atmosphere and mystery).
The House at Riverton - Kate Morton’s debut novel, this one likewise travels through time between the decadent pre-war Edwardian ’20s and end of the 20th century. Looks like another family mystery will be unearthed as a modern-day filmmaker seeks to document the events surrounding a poet’s suicide at Riverton Manor in 1924. Like the previous, the setting is a grand English stately home.
A Week in December - Set during modern-day London (2007, to be precise), Sebastian Faulks’s novel intersects seven Londoners’ lives, who represent a vast demographic spectrum, to explore urban themes such as “Greed, the dehumanising effects of the electronic age and the fragmentation of society” (book summary) and evidently with scathing wit.
Brideshead Revisited – This 1945 novel by Evelyn Waugh takes place in part at Oxford before whisking us away yet again to a mansion in the English countryside (no surprise that this is one of Kate Morton’s favorite books, one that I’d picked up as a first edition in a Cotswold bookshop last fall) to explore tensions of class, religion, and family.
The English Ghost – All right, this one should probably embarrass me to admit, but I couldn’t resist when I spotted it on a table at Notting Hill’s immortalized Travel Bookshop (the real one, not the space appearing in the film Notting Hill). England is a very haunted country, people, and Peter Ackroyd’s book is a handy compilation of some of the nation’s best-known, most interesting ghost tales of reported encounters through history. Explore how beliefs in the supernatural vary regionally and determine whether your new London apartment might have a resident spirit or two…wooOOOooooo…
Tags: american expats in london, americans relocating to london uk, book recommendations, British authors, british literature, british stately homes, cornwall, English countryside, excursions outside london, london apartments, london books, london move, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Notting Hill, oxford england, Portobello Road, relocating to london england from usa, rent london, travel bookshop
Posted in 'London Literacy' - our poet's corner! | No Comments »
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
Posted in Living in London, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips | 3 Comments »
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Author: Colleen
When’s the last time you payed $60 just to see a movie with your sweetie? Well, that’s how much you might expect to pay when you relocate to London. Belinda mentioned in her Tuesday post, “Living in London: ‘I’m an Englishman in New York’” that we expats moving from countries with currencies weaker than the British pound should immediately drop the habit of converting after moving to London. It’s a mental torture that is not necessary if you’re working in the United Kingdom and earning your wages in GBP—at that point, it all becomes relative.
Nonetheless, we had fun shocking our family and friends with our most recent movie bill when we were home for the holidays, as though it’s some parlor trick to play, “Convert the GBP to USD!” In our case, we were seeing the latest Harry Potter soon after it came out, so we were concerned about getting decent seats. So we paid an extra £ or two apiece to attain “VIP” tickets that allowed us to reserve specific seats. That plus the online booking plus the original cost of two adult tickets during what was admittedly a prime time offering no discount, our ability to enter that theatre and watch the film cost close to £25 pounds. We then somehow managed to spend nearly £15 on refreshments—simply a medium popcorn, large water bottle, and my requisite Peanut M&Ms. So, on doing the math, that would bring our grand USD total to roughly $60. And my husband ended up not caring much for the movie.
‘Tis why, then, we don’t go out to the cinema very often, but there are certainly ways to save on doing so. If your schedule is flexible, you can obviously obtain discounted rates on non-peak times, like weekday matinees. And some movie theatres in London might offer membership rates. Cineworld, for example, which has theatre complexes in multiple areas around London, offers a card with which you can view unlimited movies for only £13.50 per month (exceptions, of course, apply, so read the fine print).
Yet sometimes you just might be willing to pay a premium. London Relocation‘s stomping grounds—the Notting Hill neighborhood of London—for example, is also home to three of the prettiest, most historic picture houses to be found. The Coronet and Gate Cinemas are neighbors right on Notting Hill Gate road, mere footsteps from the tube station, and Electric Cinema is nearby on the famous Portobello Road. These single-screen beauties may only offer one or two movie options and with limited viewing times, so you’ll want to book in advance. The Coronet offers £3.50 Tuesdays, which is pretty cool, and even its other two counterparts might cost slightly more at peak times, they offer spacious seating with 2-person “loveseat” options and tables for food and drink (including alcohol). The Electric in particular has leather chairs with foot rests, so, along with the interiors of vintage opulence all three theatres share, going to one of these is really about the total experience, not just the movie.
And then there’s the option of just renting a flick on-demand and kicking your feet up within the greater comforts of your London apartment. 
Tags: americans moving to london uk, Arts and Entertainment, Cineworld, colleen, electric cinema, flats to let in london, gate cinema notting hill, gbp to usd conversion, london apartment, london move, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Notting Hill Gate, Portobello Road, rent london, renting london apartments, the coronet
Posted in London Recreation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Author: Colleen
Since moving to London, I’ve made great effort to know the city through exploration and guidebooks, but one place I never intended to encounter it so much was on my own bookshelf. I select books if their summaries sound of interest, if I’ve read something else by an author that I liked, or simply if they’re a gift from someone else. That’s it. I’m not trying to read about London via fiction, but here are a few recent reads I’ve had where that clever little mistress keeps turning up:
Portobello, by Ruth Rendell – This was a Christmas gift last month from my mother-in-law, who knows that London Relocation‘s office in Notting Hill is a mere 2-minute walk from Portobello Road. The nearby streets of Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Villas also make an appearance in this modern tale of Notting Hill residents whose lives unexpectedly intersect. A character-driven novel, Portobello does well in conveying the broad socioeconomic spectrum that can be found in this popular London neighborhood.
Juliet, Naked, by Nick Hornby – I happened to pick this one up at the Durham, England rail station in anticipation of a long journey back to London. A humorous yet insightful novel by the author of High Fidelity (known best by Americans as the movie starring John Cusack and set in my hometown, Chicago, but the original book was actually set in London!), most of the book is set in a tired, northeast England seaside town, though Marble Arch, Notting Hill, and Kings Cross make their appearances. Involving a mix of British and American characters and settings, it’s a decent one for the London expat. My overall response to this one is, “eh,” but I did enjoy Hornby’s writing style and loved the Cusack film, so High Fidelity will probably be next on my list to experience the story in its original London setting.
Snobs, by Julian Fellowes – By the same author as the Gosford Park screenplay, it’s not surprising that this novel would contain some shrewd observations of social classes in England. A middle-class American woman working in the London neighborhood of Chelsea meets and marries a British earl, who whisks her away to a stately home in the countryside (his family owns estates in East Sussex and Norfolk, England). A satirical commentary on the stubborn (and increasingly unfounded) traditions of Britain’s upper classes, Snobs makes for a decent light read and, again, is one an expat relocating to London might identify with where culture clashes are concerned.
Of Human Bondage, by W. Somerset Maugham – Starting in Kent, England and journeying through Heidelberg and Paris on the Continent before settling in London, this hefty read is said to be the author’s most biographical book. It follows its protagonist from childhood to adulthood, through studies and employment, dreams and realities as he engages in a downward spiral of a love affair. I had picked this one up along with Snobs on a table of employee recommendations at London’s bookstore chain, Waterstones. Not for those seeking a quick read nor fast-paced action; I, on the other hand, prefer literary fiction, so while this classic isn’t topping my list of favorites, it was a satisfying read into a fully developed character.
On Beauty, by Zadie Smith – Straddling the U.S. and U.K. like Juliet, Naked, this novel by the same author as London-based White Teeth takes place mostly just outside Boston, but ventures in part to Highgate and Hampstead. Based on EM Forster’s Howards End, Smith follows two families in conflict on the bases of politics, morality, nationality, and class in a dramatic yet lightly humorous fashion. This one I’d actually picked up one or two years before relocating to London, just had never read until I was here! I did like it for its richly developed characters and cultural insights, though acquired a bit more of such from White Teeth, which I read back in grad school.
So that’s part of my London bookshelf. You can bet I’ll be updating on further London reads as I go along and invite you to share yours as well whether you’re making the London move yourself or simply fancying the city at this point .
Tags: american expats in london, americans relocating to london uk, book recommendations, British authors, british literature, colleen, london apartments, london books, london move, London Relocation Services, Moving to London, Nick Hornby, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, relocating to london england from usa, rent london, W. Somerset Maugham
Posted in 'London Literacy' - our poet's corner!, Moving to London: Tips & Culture | 3 Comments »
Sunday, December 26th, 2010
Living in London – Shopping in Different Places: - Image via Wikipedia
Author:Belinda
Once you have settled down into your London flat, and you have seen most of the tourist sights, braved the crowds on Oxford Street on a Saturday morning, you can start moving further afield and begin exploring the fascinating markets that London is famous for. Moving to London should be all about making this city your home while having as much fun as possible and there is nothing more interesting that the London flea markets, each of which has its own character and identity.
Portobello Road
Portobello Road is found in the Notting Hill area of London, made famous by the film Four Weddings and A Funeral. Fruit and vegetable stalls are open all week but the main market is open on Saturdays from 8am -5pm and specialises in antiques of all descriptions, and the second hand market runs on a Friday at the same time. The market is based along two miles of Portobello Road, which is lined with a variety of independent boutiques and antique shops. If you are interested in antiques look out for the PADA sign on shops and stalls. This stands for the Portobello Antiques Dealers Association and ensures prices are always displayed and good accurately described. The Association also has a stand where you can get maps and up to date information and suggestions about where to find that elusive antique you’ve been searching for. Speciality stalls include vintage clothing, handbags, sports equipment, books and jewellery. Grab a bite to eat from one of the food stalls in the middle of the market, which feature fine foods from around the world. Portobello gets very busy and is best visited in the morning as many of the stallholders start packing away at 4pm. The nearest tube station to the antiques end of Portobello road is Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove.
Petticoat Lane
Petticoat Lane is the scene of one of London’s biggest clothing markets, in the Tower Hamlets area of London. It is open on Monday-Fridayfrom10:00am-2:30pm and on Sunday from 09:00am-2pm. Although Petticoat Lane itself has been renamed(Middlesex St), the Petticoat Lane market is still devoted to clothing of all varieties from designer to outré club and street wear, leather goods and bargain buys of all varieties. The market specialises most in women’s clothing, and there are a variety of fabric shops and stalls selling CDs, luggage and electrical goods. Most of the clothes are at knockdown prices, and this is a genuine market for locals, not just a show for tourists! Bear in mind that you may struggle to find a stall where you can try clothes on. The top end of the market, near Aldgate East is where the leather jackets and other leather goods can be found. There are some traditional Jewish food places around here, and the ties to the local Jewish community explain why the market is closed on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Main tube stations are Aldgate, Aldgate East and Liverpool St, and this market is fairly close to the markets at Brick Lane and Spitalfields.
Tags: Business and Economy, England, Ladbroke Grove, London, london facts, London Living, London Relocation Services, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, Petticoat Lane Market, Portobello Road, Relocation London, tips on living in london
Posted in Living in London, London Food & Beverage, London Neighborhoods, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places | No Comments »
