Living In London – Manners Maketh The Man – Especially On The Tube- Image via Wikipedia

When you’re living in London, you’re going to spend quite a bit of time commuting around the city and there are some unwritten guidelines to tube etiquette and manner. Most of them are common sense, but Londoner’s are an impatient lot, so it you don’t want to be the brunt of a busy Londoner’s burst of anger then you may want to take a look at the tube travel tips we’ve assembled for you.

Top Tube Travel Tips

• The most important aspect of travelling by tube is how to stand on the escalators. The tube is an underground rapid transit system, so you will be spending time on escalators as you descend to the very depths of London. If you’re not charging up and down the escalator, always make sure that you stand to the right. The left hand side of any escalator is always reserved for busy Londoners in a rush!
• Make sure you have your tube ticket or your Travel Card ready before approaching the ticket turnstiles. There is nothing more frustrating than rushing to catch a tube and being held up by someone frantically searching for their Oyster Card while blocking dozens of people behind them.
• On this note, when you pass through the ticket turnstile, walk onwards for several feet. Stopping dead in your tracks as soon as you are through indicates a lack of manner for the thousands of Londoner’s behind you. Of course their response will probably indicate a lack of bad manner overall… But you have been warned.
• If you are in a crowded tube carriage and standing close to the doors. It is common to get off the tube to allow people behind you to disembark. Just be certain you don’t get elbowed out of the way by Londoner’s in a hurry to get onto the tube

You don’t have to be alarmed by all of the rules and regulations seeming to govern tube travel while you are living in London. Just treat people the way that you’d like to be treated but try to never cross the yellow line on the platform, and do “Mind the Gap!”

Living In London – A Travel Card Or An Oyster Card?- Image via Wikipedia

If you’re an American moving to London, then you’ll have to get used to fact that you’ll be using public transport while you’re living in London. Having a car in London is almost out of the question; not only is it exorbitantly expensive, it is also completely unnecessary. The Tube, which is the name for the London Underground (subway system) carry most of London wherever they need to go. Combined with an excellent train system and hundreds of buses, you’ll never be stuck without transport in London.

You might have heard about a Travelcard and an Oyster Card, and are wondering about the difference between the two. Most people living in London use the Oyster Card system. An Oyster Card will always be cheaper than a Travelcard in the long run but a Travelcard can be combined with some fantastic special offers if you’re new to London and want to explore the city before settling into your new London rental.

A Travelcard is a temporary card and you do not have to pay a deposit for the card. When you’re Travelcard expires you can just throw it away and get a new one. There are a number of special offers and you can take advantage of the 2 for 1 admission to the some of the biggest London tourist attractions. If you’re travelling for 5 or more days in London then a 7 day Travelcard is better value for money than the same fares on an Oyster Card. However in the usual British tradition of making things confusing, a 7-day Travelcard comes loaded onto an Oyster Card!

An Oyster Card is a pay-as-you go card for all forms of London transport, and it is a permanent card that you can use as and when you need it. If you’re living in London and going to be a regular commuter then you can load your pre-paid Oyster card with cash amounts or with Travelcards to take advantage of the cheaper fares.​

Image via Wikipedia

Author:  Colleen

Hiya, Weekend Warriors preparing for the big London move! I’d departed from my usual Saturday moving tips sheh-jule for a while to indulge the April A-Z Blogging Challenge – that was fun, wasn’t it? But now I’m back to offer another word of advice to you as you research and execute your London relocation.

Today’s topic is inspired by a recent discussion thread in our London Living social network, in which an American moving to London asked for neighborhood suggestions based on where his office is located. I’ve blogged time and again about how lettings agencies in London do not operate with MLS (multiple listing systems), so you’re best off researching in advance where exactly in the city you’d like to target your London apartment search. This is absolutely necessary if you look for London flats to rent on your own, but it will also contribute to an educated discussion with a London relocation agent, who can advise on the merits/feasibility of the options you’re considering as well as offer additional suggestions based on the criteria you’re looking for.

Many expats relocating to London choose their neighborhood based on aesthetic, convenience, safety, affordability, family-friendliness, pet-friendliness, and so forth, but obviously your commute is an important factor as well. There will always be trade-offs, and it’s up to the individual whether you’re willing to take on a longer and perhaps more complex commute for your ideal London apartment and neighborhood or if it’s absolutely imperative that you be able to get to work quickly without any train/bus changes or maybe even be able to walk there. What brings people to London varies, and some who are here temporarily for a work assignment or studies are more concerned with keeping that particular, short-term priority their central focus, versus other lifestyle elements that a longer commute could offer.

At any rate, you can’t be moving to London without knowing what’s bringing you here, right? In order to have a visa, you have to have a job lined up or school to attend, and hopefully you already know where those are on the London map, right? So the next obvious step is looking at the surrounding London neighborhoods and gauging their proximity to your work/school. Seeing what they’re near—a major tourist attraction or a large park, for instance—could readily tip you off on what is or is not conducive to live by. Then you need to dive in a little bit further. I highly, highly recommend delving into our blog archives under the “London Neighborhoods” category, where Belinda and I both have been speaking to the characteristics and pros and cons of different areas popular with London expats or unfamiliar to/underrated by them. Calling a London relocation agent can then supplement this information based on your specific questions.

Next, you can already get a sense of what your commute could be like from any of these neighborhoods in terms of duration, modes of public transport, and number of line changes. As I’ve recently blogged about, TFL (Transport for London) is an awesome online resource for mapping out the best way to get from point A to B: www.tfl.gov.uk is the main website, and journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk is the Journey Planner tool that will customize your routes.

A lot of considerations go into a London move, and deciding where to live in relation to where you’ll work in London is not least among them. Don’t get caught in the stress of the last-minute; do your research now when you can find the time and call on London Relocation to offer any additional advice.

Living In London – Get Yourself An Oyster Card As Soon As You Land--Image via Wikipedia

Author: Belinda

As soon as you know you are going to be moving to London you should start learning all you can about getting around your new city. The biggest aspect of living in London is learning about how the transport system works. Don’t bother to think about cars in London, when you arrive your first job is going to be getting around London using the public transport system.

London is a massive city and the transport system is made up of trains, buses, the underground subway system and some of the river services. You might have to take one or more type of transport to get to work or into central London. Having an Oyster Card is the most convenient way of navigating all three without having to manage cash and tickets.

The recognizable blue Oyster Card is like a credit card for all of your transport around London. It can be loaded with money like a pre-paid card so you do not have to pay cash for any of your travels around London. Not only are you saving time by avoiding the long queues for tickets on the tube and train stations, it is also cheaper to use an Oyster Card.

Once you have established where you need to go and how you’re going to get there, you can by a season ticket for your daily travel that will slash your cost and keep you on the move without having to buy a paper ticket. The Oyster Card is also great if you have just moved into your rental and you want to get out and explore the city. Many of the top London attractions are very close to public transport, and you can combine your Oyster Card with London Pass that will get you into the attraction with just one swipe of your card.

Living in London is going to be one of the most exciting and fascinating times of your life, you don’t have to worry about not having a car, they are really more hassle than they are worth if you live in central London. You’ll soon be catching the tube and trains without any hassle at all with an Oyster Card that can be purchased from any station using cash or a credit/debit card. You can also purchase an Oyster Card at many shops or even order it online and have it delivered to your home.

Living In London – The True Cost of Driving in London--Image via Wikipedia

Author: Belinda

It’s been said a number of times that living in London is expensive and driving in London is a nightmare. If you do have a car though, and the ​wherewithal to brave the traffic, there are a number of extra costs you’ll have to factor into your budget. Fortunately, there are quite a few ways that you can save money if you’ve got your London smarts about you.

If you’re considering hiring a car when moving to London, you should be aware that one really isn’t necessary. The public transport system is efficient and offers a great value for the price. It is, however, nice if you want to get out of your London apartment every now and again to see a bit of the countryside that England is so famous for.

The costs of owning a car in London:

• Congestion Charge: If you are going to drive in the city, you’ll have to cough up at least £9 for each day that you drive in central London. This fee can be paid online from the comfort of your London flat before midnight on the day before you travel. TfL (Transport for London) has a great website where you can make arrangements to pay online and pay in advance for up to 90 days.
• Car Tax: You will additionally be charged a tax depending on the type of car that you own. If you have a newer model electric car or an eco-friendly car, the rate is substantially less than the £155 annual fee for older cars.
• MOT and Insurance: BEFORE you can get around to paying car tax, your vehicle has to have passed a roadworthy test (MOT) and be fully insured. If you have insufficient insurance or an overdue MOT, you will not be allowed to pay your car tax and therefore not able to drive it. Remember too that an MOT test is required every year for vehicles older than three years.

Once you’ve figured out how to keep your car on the road while you’re living in London, you’ll need to find out how to park it, and that is a topic for another day altogether.​

Living in London – Licensed to Thrill-Image via Wikipedia

You have decided you’re moving to London and are weighing your options in terms of means of transportation to and from your London rental. Living in London means you will not really need a car given the usually efficient public transportation system, the congestion on London roads and lack of parking, (rarely does a London flat offer parking). You can however apply for a foreign driving license should you decide to buy a car or in instances where you are required to drive a car for various reasons.

If you want or need to change your driving licence for a foreign driving licence, you can visit your nearest Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA for short) and complete the D1 application form. This form is also available at your nearest Post Office. There are many things about moving to the ​U.K. to fall in love with, but one that probably won’t charm you is the British penchant for regulations, the form must be accompanied by your original documentation and a photograph that should be the same size as your identity card or passport. Once the form is completed you will be required to send your completed application, the enclosed documentation and the required fee to the DVLA offices.

The other license of interest is the International Driving Permit (IDP). This type of license which is normally issued to tourists serves as proof that you hold a valid driver’s license in your own country. And it provides a translation into almost a dozen languages, mainly so that police and other authorities in other countries can read your license in their own language. The permit is intended to overcome the difficulties drivers might have while travelling in other countries that may have widely varying licensing requirements. It also has the advantage that in more than 40 countries worldwide you cannot rent a car at all unless you have an IDP.

An IDP cannot be post-dated, extended, or renewed, and is valid for only one year from the date of issue. Each time a new IDP is required, the driver must repeat the entire application procedure. The IDP must be applied for in the country of origin and cannot be used there in place of a regular driver’s license. Be aware of scams doing rounds on the internet and in print media with people offering to arrange the license for exorbitant fees. It is advisable that reputable motoring establishments be approached when needing to obtain an IDP. Before you go always research modes of transport in your city be it private or public as criminals do try and take advantage. Happy motoring.

Living In London – ‘Super-Seven’ List Of Things To Remember-- Image via Wikipedia

Author: Belinda

You have settled into your new London rental and you are starting to make your way around the city. The best part about moving to London is that you’ll have the chance to really explore the city and immerse yourself in the cultural melting pot that is London. Just when you think you have figured London out, she throws you a curve ball and you get to start learning all over again. This is my ‘super-seven’ list of things you might not have thought about, but really should know about living in London.

1. Avoid the tube during rush hour as much as possible. If you do not have to get to work then you can wait just a few minutes to avoid most of the early morning or evening crush on the London Underground.
2. Tube Map. Be aware that most of the maps of the Underground are not to scale and the actual distances from station to station vary considerably. It might be easier to get off the tube and walk. It will certainly be faster if you are travelling at rush hour.
3. For all the charm of London it is still a big city and that carries its fair share of petty crime. Be very aware of pickpockets, and don’t display your wallet and other documents. Keep your wits about you and don’t leave your handbag or briefcase unattended for any length of time.
4. Look the other way. The British drive on the left hand side of the road, so you should pay careful attention when crossing the road as a pedestrian while walking in London. It will be the opposite of what you are used to, and while London is well signed, you still have to take extra care when crossing at intersections.
5. If you have just arrived and want to explore London and see all of the tourist sites, then you should get an Oyster Card. It handles all of your travel payments so you don’t have to get tickets for the bus/tube/train and a Pass that allows you to enter different tourist attractions, for much less that you would pay for a single ticket, as well as letting you avoid most of the queues (lines) to get in.
6. When walking in London; really walk. Londoners walk fast, they don’t amble and they get irritated quickly with people who stroll along like they have nothing better to do with their time. Really irritated. Keep it moving even when walking up escalators.
7. Living in London is expensive. You need to find savings wherever you can. Many stores operate great voucher and coupon programmes and you will find that most companies and even restaurants have specials offers at certain times. Grab them when you can, it will make a huge difference.

Don’t be afraid to get out and experience London as a tourist. You will only see things for the first time once, so take loads of photographs and write about your adventure of moving to London. The memories will last a lifetime.

Living in London – Negotiating the Tube- Image via Flickr

Author: Belinda

Although London looks quaint and charming on a picture postcard, it is one of the biggest cities in the world and it has share of ‘big-city’ attributes that will keep you on your toes. For the most part, you will find that people will try to live slightly outside of London and your rental apartment in London will be in a more suburban setting, which means you might face a commute every day to get into the city for work. No one who lives in London will recommend that you get a car to make your way through the city streets during rush hour, and most Londoners prefer to use the extremely efficient rapid transit system that is known as the ‘Tube’. The Tube is like the subway system in America and is a network of underground trains that will take you right into the heart of the city.

The London Underground system was developed to provide a mode of rapid transport as an alternative to overland transport. London was the first city in the first city in the world to develop an underground railway system and the first section opened in 1863. Today, it everyone in London uses it as one of the cheapest, fastest and safest ways to get around. From daily commuters to travelling tourists, the ‘Tube’ as it has become known, is the foundation for getting around London. Serving over 270 stations, you will always be able to find one that is a short stop from where you want to be. It is managed and run by London Transport or Transport for London. TfL is an umbrella company that makes sure transport in London is relatively inexpensive and efficient. The tubes do not operate 24 hours a day, due to maintenance and cleaning, but the earliest tubes run from about 4.45am and the latest until about 1am.

Tube Tips

London is split into six travel zones, in a roughly circular layout, Zones 1 and 2 being in central London and Zone 6 serving the outer edges of the city. ‘TfL’ produces free maps to help you navigate the tube system and you can get one at any Station. It’s an easy to read and useful map that shows the direction of the tube (north, south, east or west) and the interchanges. Try to avoid travelling at rush hour if you can and always stand on the right when using the escalators. Even though they overtake on the left hand side here, if you are not walking up or down the escalator, you will see signs asking you to stay on the right. The best way to get around on all London transport is to purchase a Travel Card and/or an Oyster Card. It is a pre-paid electronic smart card that you can load with an amount of money of your choice which means that your transport is pre-paid, interchangeable with most modes (buses, trams, tubes and nearly all National Rail Trains) and great value for money.

Living in London means that you have to get to grips with the underground. Give it a week or two and you’ll be a seasoned commuter, newspaper and brolly (umbrella) waiting for the morning train.

Living in London – Getting Around-- Image via Flickr

Author: Belinda

If you have recently settled into your new London rental apartment after relocating to London, you may still be getting to grips with the city’s transport system. Apart from the underground system, know as ‘the Tube’ and the ubiquitous ‘black cabs’ there are a number of cheap ways of getting around the city. Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore the city by different means, you’ll gain perspective as well as experience.

Bikes and Motorbikes

A unique way of feeling the heart beat of London and ideal for those looking to get around quickly but avoid the traffic or queues at stations. Riding a bike or motorbike around London is a very easy way of getting around, but as a cyclist, you should stay in the marked bicycle lanes that are set aside for use. The Barclays Cycle Hire programme is a public bike system for short journeys around the city. Simple to use, you just sign in, choose a bike and you’re off! When you’re finished, drop your bike back at one of over 400 locations in central London.

You may see some of the daredevil bike messengers getting around London like Evil Kinevil, but remember that London is a busy city and the rules of road must be obeyed. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame really hates bikers and cyclists, so avoid him if possible; he blows things up! With a motor bike, you’ll have to look for parking at your destination, which is an added cost. The advantage of a bicycle is that you can take them on many forms of public transport across London and most tourist attractions have bicycle racks for your convenience.

National Rail

Travelling by train around London is easy, cost efficient and comfortable. London has many stations both underground – the tube, and overland stations that serve London and the rest of England. The railways are well run and for the most part, they run on schedule every day. It can be slightly confusing at first to learn about the different travel zones in London, but there are handy tourist maps for your convenience. Most of the major attractions in London are very close to stations so you’ll be able to get around and experience everything in London that you want to.

The major train stations in London all have their own underground station as well and are interlinked with the tubes to make your travel even easier. In central London, the busiest station is probably Paddington, this is where the Heathrow Express leaves from and it serves a large area of central London as well as the outlying areas of Oxford and into Wales. The most famous station is Kings Cross, but you won’t find the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 and ¾ here! It runs trains right up to Scotland as well as the north of London. Other major stations include Waterloo, Victoria, (the large coach and bus terminus is here) St. Pancras, Liverpool Street and Euston.

Relocating to London – London Sights- Image via Flickr

Author: Belinda

Relocating to London means that you will want to find a place to stay before you get there. It might help to have a better idea of the way that London is laid out before you decide on an area that will suit you in terms of transport, work and schools. London is a massive city, and finding accommodations in London can be a daunting task. You should have a good idea of the borough (district) you want to live in, as well as your postcode, which can be an indication of social standing in London, and even if you want to live north or south of the River Thames.

London Boroughs

London is divided into boroughs, or districts. The borough that you live in is controlled by a council that manages the borough parks and schools and they charge a ‘council tax’ to all residents of the borough. This probably will not have any impact on you if you are renting accommodations in London, but if you buy property in London, or need to be in a borough that has good schools for the children then which borough your property falls under can become very important.

London Postcodes

Your postcode in London says everything about you. Londoners often just refer to their postcode when telling you where they live. Living in the right postcode is very important to Londoners, and you will pay a premium for accommodation in London if you are going to be as ‘postcode paranoid’ as the locals! Postcodes are an indicator of the compass that you live in, but be warned SW1,3,5,6,7 and 10 are actually north of the river and are considered rather more upmarket than the SE and SW postcodes that are south of the river.

The North and South Divide

Every country in the world has had some sort of conflict between the North and South. In London though, you will find advocates of each area, claiming it is ‘the only’ place to live. It might be better to make up your own mind once you have moved to London. It is an unspoken rule that it is more fashionable to live north of the river, and that the transport system is more efficient. Fashionable does not necessarily mean better though and there are some great bargains to be had if you are considering buying property south of the river. Do not let anyone make up your mind for you, and do not let anyone tell you that your postcode ain’t what it should be! The most important thing to remember if you are moving to London is to get out and explore as much of the city as you can, and that includes heading south!