Posts Tagged ‘west london’
Wednesday June 1st, 2011
Living In London – Mallrats- Image via Wikipedia
If you’re living in London and experiencing a bout of homesickness for the massive American style Malls then you don’t have to go home for a long weekend, you can head just a little way out of London and enjoy the covered Malls and shopping centers. Most Americans moving to London find it a refreshing taste of home, and you are sure to find other American expats living in London there as well. There certainly are a number of advantages to shopping in a shopping center. There is no chance of getting wet in a sudden London downpour, and if you take a car then you won’t have to lug your purchases home on the train.
Shopping Centers and malls have not really gained a huge amount of popularity over the years, but slowly, people are coming round to accept that they are here to stay and area great way of spending the day out.
If you live in West London then the latest Mall experience in the Westfield Centre. It is easily accessed from four major tube stations and with over 300 stores to choose from, you won’t be leaving empty handed. The Westfield centre also focuses on the entire shopping center experience with several excellent restaurants and great fast food places so you can fill up on the go.
North London has the Brent Cross Shopping Centre with 120 stores and free parking and if you’re living in South London then you can choose between the Whitgift Shopping Centre which is one of the oldest malls in London and the Centrale Shopping Centre which is an ultra modern centre with over 70 stores. The two shopping centers are connected with a pedestrian walkway so you may as well visit them both while you’re out for the day.
In terms of massive malls, there really is only one choice: Blue Water Mall which is quite a way from London in the county of Kent. This is a true super mall and offers a huge range of activities, including cinemas, an adventure course and a rock climbing wall. Wherever you are living in London you’ll find that your local high street has most of what you’re looking for, and you may find that you prefer the more community based and friendly atmosphere of shopping locally after all.
Tags: American expats living in London, american moving to london, Americans moving to London, living in London, London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London Underground, Moving to London, relocating to London, west london
Posted in:
Relocating to UK: Visas, Banking, & Other Logisitical Issues, Shopping in London Places
No Comments »
Monday May 9th, 2011
Living In London – London Neighborhoods – West London Part II- Image via Wikipedia
Moving to London is not just about moving to a massive city, you can find hidden residential areas with different characteristics depending on your price range and what you’re looking for. West London is the choice of many an American moving to London and most Americans and Canadians living in London tend to stay to the west of the city.
West London – Maida Vale
Maida Vale is a unique part of London in that it right next to Little Venice, an area crisscrossed with canals and waterways. There is nothing like taking a barge up and down the canals and stopping wherever you choose at any of the magnificent pubs and restaurants lining the banks. Again, this is another face and facet to a fascinating city and the atmosphere living in Maida Vale is markedly different from any other area in London. A small London apartment will set you back about £1000 and you’re looking at paying about £ 4000 per month for a three bedroom home.
Council Information: Mayfair falls under the Council Borough of Westminster with annual taxes ranging from £500 – £1400.
Transport: Maida Vale station is on the Bakerloo Line of the London Underground and falls into Transport Zone 2. The closest overland train station is Paddington Station. There are several buses running from Maida Vale into the city and back, and you’re no more than 20 minutes away from all of the top tourist attractions while you’re living in London.
Shopping: Lots of shops and a quaint village atmosphere on many of the streets in Maida Vale, you’ll also find Sainsbury’s and Tesco in the neighborhood and Waitrose a little out of the suburb. Many of the grocery stores deliver to your home in the city of London so be sure to book your delivery through the website, to ensure you’re not hassling with groceries on the tube.
Doctors: The Maida Vale Medical Centre is found on Elgin Avenue and there are a number of surgeries in the suburb. The closest hospital with an A&E is in St. John’s Wood.
Other Amenities: If you’re living in Maida Vale, your right in the middle of three great parks: Hyde Park, Queen’s Park and regent Park, as well as having the canals and waterways as a fabulous way to spend a day out of your new London rental.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Bakerloo Line, England, fun facts about london england, living in London, London, london apartments, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, London Relocation Services, Maida Vale, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, relocating to london england, Waitrose, west london
Posted in:
Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
No Comments »
Monday May 9th, 2011
Living In London – London Neighborhoods – West London- Image via Wikipedia
Many an American moving to London looks at the suburb of Mayfair as the first choice in residential accommodation. West London, being central London in effect, is the closest to many of the top tourist attractions and many of the suburbs have a famous history as well as famous inhabitants.
West London – Mayfair
Although Mayfair falls into the area called West London, it is actually the most central London suburb in the city. It is certainly one of the most expensive areas of the city, but if you have cash to splash then W1 is the premium address in London. A studio London apartment in the suburb of Mayfair will set you back £1000 -£ 4000 per month. Homes can costs you up to £10 000 per month.
Council Information: Mayfair falls under the Council Borough of Westminster with annual taxes ranging from £500 – £1400.
Transport: Although there are no overland trains in W1, the London Underground has several stations including Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Regents Park and Bond Street. W1 has the most amounts of buses and night buses in the city of London.
Shopping: Not just one branch of the popular grocery stores in W1, this area of London has two or more of the top grocery stores in England. Tesco Express, Tesco Metro as well as Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer’s are but a few of the top shopping destinations in this area. It is also within walking distance of some of the up market high street shopping experiences in the world. Bond Street, Oxford Street; this is a place where the rich and famous drop their dosh on designer labels, jewels and priceless art and antiques.
Doctors: When you are registering for a GP in Mayfair you’ll have a number of surgeries to choose from. Mayfair is the home of doctors with the famous Harley Street being right in the middle of this suburb. The Mayfair Medical centre can be found on Weighhouse Street in Mayfair. If you’re looking for private specialists, than this is the area of London that you’ll find them.
Other Amenities: There are over 40 primary schools and number of excellent state secondary schools in the area, with dozens of amenities including some of the biggest parks in London. Hyde Park, Regents Park and Green Park make up a border of green spaces and open land for the city of London. You’re within walking distance of many of the London hotspots when you’re living in London W1.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, Bond Street, canadians moving to london, canadians moving to london uk, England, Harley Street, living in London, London, London Living, london move, london moving, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation, Mayfair, Moving to London, moving to London England, Moving to London from US, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Regent's Park, relocating to London, west london
Posted in:
Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Shopping in London Places
No Comments »
Thursday April 28th, 2011
Living In London – London In-Depth By Area – West London Part III -Image via Wikipedia
Living in London is all about finding the London rental in an area that caters to your needs and what you like to do. London is a diverse and fascinating city, and with a bit of time you’ll be able to find the perfect London apartment in a neighborhood that you call home.
West London – Shepherd’s Bush
Shepherd’s Bush offers great places to rent and it is filled with visiting Aussies and South African’s. It’s not all about the student life in this area of London. There are some great schools and parks and the suburb has a laid back and relaxed feel to it. Must be the smell of barbecue’s every weekend thanks to the obsession with outdoor barbequing that Aussies and Saffers bring to the city of London. Rentals are somewhat cheaper in this area of London, ranging from £750 for a flat to about £2500 for a luxury home with that rare of rare finds in London: a back garden.
Council Information: Shepherd’s Bush falls under the Council Borough of Hammersmith and Fullham and annual taxes range from £800 – £ 2300.
Transport: With three tube stations found at Shepherd’s Bush Green you will always be able to find a ride into the centre of London. Oxford Circus will take you about 10 minutes and a journey to King’s Cross will take you about 30 minutes during peak times on the London Underground. Buses run throughout the day from Shepherd’s Bush into the city and the N207 is a night bus for late night city revelers.
Shopping: The usual mix of Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose but many people are flocking to the Westfield shopping centre which is the largest inner-city mall in Europe. You’ll find mall’s few and far between in London, so if you feel the need for one-stop shopping then this is the place to be.
Doctors: In keeping with huge number of Aussies in the area, one of the most popular medical surgeries is called The Bush Doctors, and you will also find excellent medical services at the Shepherd’s Bush Medical Centre.
Other Amenities: Shepherd’s Bush Market is a fantastic and eclectic open air market found between Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road. The theme is predominantly Irish and Afro-Caribbean and you’ll find loads of music and interesting food stalls to keep you busy while you enjoy the market atmosphere.
Tags: Americans moving to London, England, living in London, London, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London Relocation, london relocation agent, London Underground, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to London England, relocating to London, Shepherd's Bush Market tube station, Shepherds Bush, tips on living in london, Uxbridge Road, west london, Westfield London
Posted in:
Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Transportation, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
No Comments »
Friday March 18th, 2011
Living in London – Out and About- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
London is considered to be one of the best and most beautiful capital cities in the world. Given the history and the advanced engineered structure of the city, even Julius Caesar wanted to relocate to London in 55 BC, its small wonder that people from all over the world are attracted to it.
There are various tales from the pages of history about the city of London and it is a centre point of tourist’s attraction as it has almost 2000 years of history. Every time you visit London, you will find something new, rewarding and interesting that will inspire you to visit London sights repeatedly. There are beautiful streets, various museums and historical monuments in London that are to be seen. Young or old, first time visitor or seasoned Londoner: the city has a new treasure for you to discover every day.
London is also a paradise and a world-class destination for food-lovers having multi-storied restaurants, marvelous pubs and bars along with nightclubs that provide wholesome entertainment. The choices are staggering but there really is something to suit all tastes. The Lord Mayor building which is situated next to the Hay Galleria is an architect’s wonder. The building is in the shape of a golf ball and you are able to view the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge from the top.
Hampstead is another mesmerizing place located in North London, with its lush greenery it is a peaceful and relaxed spot to visit in London. Belsize Park and Primrose Hill are far-flung from the hustle and bustle of the city and have become a visitor’s paradise. Many historical monuments as well as breathtaking view sites are found in Hampstead and one should not miss this area when getting out and about.
London is continually changing every day and you will never want for something to do, somewhere to go and some place to see. Living in London is like living in the world’s biggest playground, so get out of your new London rental and discover your world.
Tags: american expats in london, Americans moving to London, Belsize Park, canadians moving to london, fun facts about london england, Hampstead, Julius Caesar, London, london apartments, london facts, London Living, london move, london moving, London relocation specialist, Lord Mayor, move to London, Moving to London, moving to london england from canada, Moving to London from US, north london, Primrose Hill, Tower Bridge, west london
Posted in:
Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture, Moving to London: Weekend Excursions, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
No Comments »
Wednesday March 16th, 2011
Living in London – West End Wonders- Image via Wikipedia
Author: Belinda
West London is a part of Greater London and lies on the west side of the central area. It is considered an economically upscale area and is the location for numerous government organizations and offices which makes it a desirable spot for a London flat. West London is also home to the busiest airport in the world. Heathrow airport is the window to Europe for visitors, tourists, business people and expats. West London caters for the various districts that are available around the M4 motor highway.
River Thames is very near to the West London and the area is full of parks and green areas which give it a distinctly village feel. The city of London is well into the planning stages for more development of the transport infrastructure of this area, various new railways lines are being laid, and it is expected that a few more boroughs and villages are likely to join the region of West London. Shepherds Bush, popular for fashion is also located in West London. There are major carnivals and festivals celebrated yearly by the Caribbean residents of this area and they are considered the largest festivals in the world that are celebrated on the streets of West London. Around two million tourists and local people take part in this celebration. The famous antique market that is located in Portobello Street is in West London.
In this area, the transportation system normally includes cars and then public transport into the centre of the city, which caters for all you transportation needs. There are mainly three type’s of transportation links available in West London and they are central line and the district lines. The third line being the Piccadilly line, which is the underground metro system. All these lines are served by three main hubs in West London namely Ealing, Richmond and the Hammersmith. Other than these transportation links there are two more systems that help in transporting people: The over land railway system and the West London trams.
Living in West London is a lot like living in the suburbs. Good schools, great parks and wide-open spaces, and you are minutes away from the city.
Tags: Americans moving to London, americans moving to london uk, canadians moving to london uk, Caribbean, Ealing, England, Hammersmith, Ken Livingstone, London, london apartment, Moving to London, moving to London advice, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocating to London, Shepherds Bush, things to know about london, tips on living in london, transport, west london, west london relocation
Posted in:
Living in London, London Neighborhoods, London Relocation & What People Say About Us, London Relocation Guest Bloggers, Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Thursday March 3rd, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, here comes the harrowing conclusion to my series of personal journal entries upon first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here)…okay, maybe I exaggerate how high-level of interest this may be, but it really is what I wrote. Sorry if I wasn’t an exciting expat writer at the time…or ever since. In any case, written about my first month
living in London, these entries have covered my three-week experience staying in short-term accommodation in London hotels as well as the torturous two weeks that I spent viewing
London apartments without the help of a
London relocation agent, which would have saved us tons of time and money (hint-hint). And now, if you’ll kindly give me a drum-roll, I’ll share the remainder of the miscellaneous observations I had made as a brand new American expat in London (emphasis on “miscellaneous”):
27.10.08
Other random observations/doings in our first weeks: Where television is concerned, we haven’t had that much exposure, but enough to surprise us over how much U.S. Presidental coverage there is (and, of course, we arrived here just as the economic shite was hitting the fan everywhere in the world) and enough to engross us in a new favorite realty show, “Coach Trip.” Further, the Cadbury “Twisted” candy bar commercial holds ridiculous power over me, actually managing to break through one of my infamous cold shoulders and render me giggling uncontrollably. Regarding the shops, if you eat in at Starbucks, you are served in an actual ceramic mug, there is a T.J. Maxx equivalent named T.K. Maxx (for whatever reason), and we have found our grocery options to be Marks & Spencer (higher end, but great ready-to-cook/serve prepared meals), Sainsbury, Somerfield, and Tesco. I had a giggle the other night when I opened our carton of eggs to see, plastered to the side of one, a white feather—these English eggs must come straight from the chickens’ vajayjays! We have found a Home Depot equivalent in Homebase, where we purchased topiary boxes and plants to plant ourselves for our window ledges. Perhaps my most precious shopping experience so far, though, has been the purchase of a special little bear from Darkest Peru at the real Paddington Station. I also bought a fabulous scarf at a little boutique on Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
Well, for whatever in the heck that’s worth. 
Just thinking of that Cadbury ad still makes me giggle, and it wasn’t long after gifting my nephew the Paddington Bear that month that I found myself back at the official kiosk in Paddington Station purchasing another one as a Christmas gift for his mother, who might have otherwise stolen it out from under her own kid in his sleep. I still find feathers on my eggs now and then, and I continue to *heart* Portobello Road and Notting Hill in general, as it’s the fabulous locale of London Relocation, but of course, and honestly a big fave of American expats moving to London—we show London apartments there all the time! Now, my journal does go on to chronicle some local UK weekend excursions that we made early on, but I think you can use a break from my “Dear Diary,” no? I thus conclude my lil’ “Moving to London: The American Expat in London Diaries” series and hope it at the very least showed you some glimmer of my sincerest, deepest felt empathy for you as you make your own London move.
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london lettings agents, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, west london
Posted in:
Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Wednesday March 2nd, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m starting to wind down this series in which I share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here). Written about my first month
living in London, these entries have so far covered my three-week experience staying in short-term accommodation in London hotels as well as the two weeks that I spent viewing
London apartments on my own, regrettably without the help of a
London relocation agent that would have saved a tremendous amount of time and money. Who knew? (Hopefully YOU do by now!) And so, as I now present the penultimate post to this series, I’ll share the miscellaneous observations I made as a brand new expat in London:
23.10.08 [continued]
Random observations that I’m for whatever reason compelled to document: the crazy, cussin’-n-spittin’ old man that I thought would knock me down in the Brompton Cemetery (the first of many crazy old men talking to themselves encountered on the streets); the bitter American woman loudly proclaiming to her male companion (husband?) at the pub that the English are “arrogant bastards,” as she then exits dramatically, expecting her man to be right behind her, but who instead dumps her remaining beer into his own glass and chugs it, and then follows her out with a too-small-for-his-stature backpack slunk onto one shoulder; the recurring fashion—black opaque tights with denim skirts, skinny jeans tucked into boots; two sightings of paramedics tending to a victim lying on the sidewalk/street (I don’t know, I just think it’s strange I’ve never seen this before, but now have twice in my first 3 weeks weeks here); a drunk guy kicking a moving car in Piccadilly Circus and the driver flying out to knock said drunk down on his ass in one blow (he actually skidded on the asphalt, and the argument ensued for longer than the dudes’ respective woman friends and rest of traffic would have preferred).
Ah, yes. Gotta love the London nightlife in its most touristy spots. Piccadilly Circus is certainly not one of my favorite spots, though I do enjoy venturing to London’s theatre district for live performances as well as just reveling in the vibe of the bright lights, restaurants, and theatre-goers (our next show will be Flare Path, starring Sienna Miller). And for the record, I do not share that boozy American woman’s sentiments! But I was dying of curiosity as to what happened to piss her off so much…
But my gosh, in reading this entry over, I’ve painted a violent picture of London! Please take my word for it that these are not things I’ve seen in abundance since then. More likely, this was the perspective of a sheltered gal who was getting used to living in a city again after a few years in the suburbs. Anyway, join me tomorrow as I conclude my “Moving to London: The American Expat in London Diaries” series with more of the randomness that followed my London move.
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london lettings agents, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, west london
Posted in:
Moving to London: Tips & Culture
1 Comment »
Tuesday March 1st, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and while not the most chronological of records, I’m trying to keep it consistent by topic. My first posts kicked off with my relatively lazier days staying in short-term accommodation in London. By “lazier days,” however, I don’t think I’m giving myself due credit, because without the assistance of a
London relocation agent, a significant chunk of the first weeks was spent hitting the pavement to view
London apartments all on my own. It can easily take that long when you’re unfamiliar with London, its neighborhoods, and its lettings agencies…so in all honesty, it took me nearly
two weeks to see the number of
London apartments London Relocation can show in
one day:
23.10.08 [continued]
Just waiting for the British Gas repairman to return from the shops with what will hopefully be the solution to our towel rack/radiator issue. It is so freaking cold in here in the meantime…I’ve started to get fit again with all this city walking, with walking to and fro London real estate offices and properties a dominant activity that first week and a half. Thanks to all of those numerous lettings agencies for playing a role in the process of looking for and, yes, finding a home. After viewing 23 flats, #23 was, in fact, the charm. It was so close to being #22, but we finally saw past that one’s balcony to fully see the traffic, the lesser storage space, the smaller bathroom, the crappier entryway, the questionable furniture. Our abode now, on the other hand, is off a side street. It has a lovely entry with well-preserved period banister and fixtures (moldings, etc., even in the unit). It has a huge bathroom on a lower level that I guess used to be the kitchen, and the kitchen, now off the main room, is newly refurbished—I find it so interesting that they place washing machines in the kitchens. Suppose it makes great sense, doesn’t it, when there isn’t a special room or closet for such. Much better than hauling crap down to a communal facility. No balcony, but access to a communal garden on the next block. Our boxes are supposedly in transit on the sea and will arrive by the first week of November. Meh. In any case, it is definitely pleasant to now have a place to call home, and I am nesting .
I won’t lie. There were some doozies among all the London lettings agents I worked with. One in particular twice took me into a flat in which the tenant wasn’t expecting us—when one woman opened the door in her bathrobe, the first thing the guy thought to say to her was, “Nice legs.” Umm…You don’t really know quite what you’re getting into when you set foot inside one of those estate offices. My uneducated search simply began at the first one I saw down the street from the hotel, and I just hopped along from there. Some have integrity and represent only quality flats, others just scramble with what they can get and will say whatever they must to get you to sign the lease so they can get paid—they don’t necessarily care about you, because you are not the one paying them (except in administrative fees); the landlord is. So they’ll be nice to you until you’ve signed on the dotted line and transferred all your money; whether they’ll have your back after that remains to be seen.
That’s what distinguishes the London relocation agent from the lettings agent. In addition to sifting out the good from the bad agents and properties, our promise & guarantee states,
“YOU come first until you’re happily settled in your new home. We stand by you. We care.”
To read more about making the relocation versus lettings agent decision, please read my posts, “London: Relocation 2” (guest post at Lotus Events’s website, our recent client!) and “Top 5 Reasons to Use a London Relocation Agent Vs. Doing it on Your Own.”
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london lettings agents, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation agent versus lettings agent, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, west london
Posted in:
London Apartments: What to Expect in a London Flat, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Monday February 28th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the previous posts starting from
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and while not the most chronological of records, I’m trying to keep it consistent by topic. My first post kicked off with my experience of those first lazy days staying in
short-term accommodation in London…which ended up being longer-term than we’d expected thanks to how long it took to search
London apartments on our own without the help of a
London relocation agent (never again!):
23.10.08 [continued]
Basically every night has been a night out at some pub or restaurant given that we’ve only recently acquired a kitchen and still need to do some grocery shopping. I tried to subsist during my days at the hotels on granola and fig bars, Nutella, bread, and bananas (and then the countless croissants I’ve eaten almost daily), so am now looking forward to some real homemade meals (hmm…therein lies the challenge…). I suppose I should mention that we shifted down the street to the Premier Inn on Knaresborough for our 3rd week to change things up a bit. Wise decision. Our room was much bigger, warmer, and overall more accommodating, and, better yet, we didn’t have to face the reception staff of Enterprise anymore. That was getting so old, leaving and retrieving the key at their desk, getting called after constantly to settle the bill when I myself had no power to do so sans credit card (I cut them all up prior to coming here…a test in spending control) and Ryan (the one with the credit card and UK debit card) for whatever reason was free to go each morning unhindered. Those women were just so smug…not like the friendly staff at Premier, who so kindly stored all our shite that one day to free us up for a mini-weekend trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
Ha, I’d totally forgotten about how bitter I got toward the hotel staff . Not their fault, really, it just compounded my feelings of vulnerability in being so limited in so many ways those first weeks. As if it’s not unsettling enough to not yet have a place to call home, where there’s no credit history, there’s no credit card either. My husband and I lived here about a year before we finally got our UK credit cards after, logically, establishing some UK credit. And though my husband was issued his debit card by our bank straightaway, his second-class citizen of an accompanying spouse had to jump through hoops and wait several weeks to get hers. Grrr!! Yes, I still had my American debit card, but, as I said above, no credit cards, which I suppose was my fault, but I was trying to be responsible in leaving any and all U.S. balances at ZERO once we moved and I was unemployed in the UK for a while.
A huge section I’ve skipped over in my journal here related to night after night out with our friends. Needless to say, as isolated as my first weeks as a London expat did feel, we had a surprising number of friends from the States who already lived here or were traveling through on business. Paths criss-cross like mad here in London, I swear, so please read my post “This is Your London Life” for a glimpse of the surreal interconnectedness this city can offer just when you’re fearing a London move will sever your ties!
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, long term hotel accommodations in london, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, short stay accommodations in london, west london
Posted in:
Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Friday February 25th, 2011
Author: Colleen
Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia
For those
relocating to London, I’m continuing to share my personal journal on first
moving to London in 2008 (see the two previous posts
here and
here). These entries were actually written
after my first month
living in London, but retroactively cover what those initial few weeks were like…and the more I delve back into this journal, the more I see I was all over the place in the memories
. Not the most chronological of records, but I’ll try to patch my chicken scratchings together by general topic. Today’s, then, speaks to a lot of the London sightseeing I did as I allowed myself to be a London tourist before it registered I was now a London resident!
23.10.08 [continued]
I suppose in resuming my recap of the past weeks, I’ll continue to extract from my mock entry last time. “Wandered around…Got lost.”…my day of wandering brought me to an intriguing cemetery off Old Brompton Road. It is huge, and become a sort of inspiration for me; it is so serene, yet full of life in the walkers and joggers that pass through and the squirrels and crows that reside there. Other walks have taken me to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, where I once sat to watch a little kids’ football practice, by all the shops along the main streets of each local area, like Kensington High Street, by a warm and inviting bookstore glowing orange on a black, rainy night when I legitimately was lost and soaked (which I later figured out was Daunt Books on Fulham Road). Just having stopped in for a break from the cold and wet, I left without purchase and continued to meander my way back to Earl’s Court. A couple days I went to the city to walk the South Bank that I love and view the Tower, successfully then losing myself in the business district and looking to St. Paul’s as my guide.
I cut out the part where I was obsessed with a book I wished I had bought at Daunt, but couldn’t remember the title or where the bookstore was—so funny to think how disoriented I used to be on streets I know so well now! Mixed in with my wanderings those first days was of course also the practical, first and foremost looking to rent a London apartment. And as a trailing spouse who moved to London for my husband’s job, it was only a matter of time before I had to look for one of my own. All in due time, however. If you’ll be in a similar situation after your London relocation, if you’re able to take some time to just acclimate and “be” for a while, don’t feel guilty doing it. It’ll make make you and your partner happier in the long run the more familiar you are with your new environment, feeling a part of it and taking the time to make your London apartment into a London home, which my journal will speak to next week.
Tags: american expat in london diaries, Americans moving to London, canadians moving to london england, expat moving to london, flats to let in london, london apartment, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, London Underground, long term hotel accommodations in london, moving to london as an accompanying spouse, moving to london without a job, relocation specialist, rent london apartments, short stay accommodations in london, west london
Posted in:
Moving to London: London Sightseeing, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Wednesday December 15th, 2010
Author: Colleen
Continuing on with our London Relocation version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to make your London move festive, the next line in the original is: “On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two turtle doves.”
Please join me in now singing our London Christmas carol:
“On the second day of Christmas, London gave to me…
a pub named DOVE…
Situated in the West London neighborhood of Hammersmith, the Dove dates back to the 17th century and has warmed bellies of the likes of Ernest Hemingway. This is a quaint lil’ spot that should tempt you out of your London apartment for a stroll along the adjacent river.
And now, to continue caroling:
“…and a Partridge’s Kraft Mac-n-Cheese.”
Tags: american expats in london, colleen, dove pub hammersmith, expat london blog, flats to let in london, london apartment, london apartments, London Relocation, moving advice blog, moving to london england from canada, moving to london from america, Moving to London from US, relocation advice blog, rent london, student flats to rent in london, tips for moving overseas, twelve days of christmas, west london
Posted in:
London Food & Beverage, London, England History, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
2 Comments »
Tuesday December 7th, 2010
Author: Colleen
Well, well…it’s been a while since I’ve revisited neighborhood overviews on where to rent London apartments! Now, if you’ve been following this series, understand that London neighborhoods are too many in number to detail out one-by-one, so I’ve been approaching this on an overall area-by-area basis and highlighting those neighborhoods most popular among expats. As I’ve mentioned before, there’s a difference between where you’d live if you were settling down for the long-haul versus getting the London experience for a few years, so most expats desire to stay central, in the middle of the action, with the exception of families who out of necessity need to go further out for more space, better schools, etc. And there are also city neighborhoods that just aren’t that great—they’re unsafe, not well maintained, or simply don’t have much of anything going on or for them. So that caveat aside, I do hope this overview is helpful as you narrow down where to live in London.
So now, for the Southwest postcodes:
SW1 – Belgravia, Brompton, Millbank, Pimlico, St. James’s, Victoria, Westminster
SW2 – Brixton, Brixton Hill, Streatham Hill
SW3 – Brompton, Chelsea
SW4 – Clapham, Clapham Park
SW5 – Earl’s Court
SW6 – Fulham, Parson’s Green
SW7 – Brompton, South Kensington
SW8 – Nine Elms, South Lambeth, Vauxhall
SW9 – Brixton, Stockwell
SW10 – Chelsea, West Brompton, World’s End
SW11 – Battersea, Clapham Junction
SW12 – Balham
SW13 – Barnes, Castelnau
SW14 – East Sheen, Mortlake
SW15 – Putney, Putney Heath, Putney Vale, Roehampton
SW16 – Norbury, Streatham, Streatham Park, Streatham Vale
SW17 – Furzedown, Summerstown, Tooting
SW18 – Earlsfield, Wandsworth
SW19 – Collier’s Wood, Merton, Putney Vale, South Wimbledon, Southfields, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park
SW20 – Bushy Mead, Copse Hill, Cottenham Park, Raynes Park, South Wimbledon, West Wimbledon
As you might figure, SW1 is very much central and in the thick of tourism—yes, it’s Westminster as in Parliament and the Abbey, and Victoria as in Victoria rail station. This also puts you in close proximity to Buckingham Palace and some theatres. While hotels and businesses are abundant in this area, there is nonetheless some nice housing tucked away on surprisingly quiet streets not far from Victoria station. I believe SW3 also captures Knightsbridge, which is the posh shopping area where Harrods is located with just as posh (a.k.a., nice, but super expensive) housing. A lot of expats with medium to high-end budgets (say, £325+/week) in southwest London tend to live in postcodes SW5-10—Earl’s Court, South Kensington, and Chelsea are very popular with Americans as they have a classic London aesthetic of white-columned Victorian terraced houses and feel quietly residential while still close walking distance to gobs of shops and restaurants. Lady Diana used to live on Old Brompton Road when she was courting Prince Charles, just a block or so from the site of Beatrix Potter‘s home (author of Peter Rabbit) in the very upscale blocks known as The Boltons (where the houses are still actually houses, not cut up into flats like where the rest of us live ).
Going west of Earls Court, the area around West Brompton station gets a bit more urban and deteriorated, yet eventually Fulham Broadway delivers a great hub of locally-owned restaurants (including Bodeans, which is American-owned and serves up BBQ and plays American sports on TV!), pubs, shopping, cinema and the nearby Chelsea Football Club. Going yet further into SW6, you enter into more residential, family-oriented neighborhoods that offer pretty walks along the Thames river and an abundance of green space, including Wandsworth Park, Bishop Park, Walham Green, Eel Brook, and Parsons Green. This is also where the famous Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race takes place, from Putney Bridge to the Fulham Football Club (one of the oldest, if not the oldest football clubs in London). Overall, the Putney/Parsons Green area feels almost suburban with very quaint high streets and good access to the City.
SW11 is a little more urban and rougher around the edges in spots than the above, but still a good value and increasingly middle class with some new, trendy venues. The historically industrial Battersea offers a lot of reasonably-priced newer construction for those not seeking period renovations, and its enormous Battersea Park off the river is a delight to stroll, run, bike, and even paddle around (Clapham likewise offers its Clapham Common). And as we start heading out toward SW20, we really get into more of a suburban sprawl. Wimbledon is well-known for its tennis tournament, but the surrounding area is also very conducive to families and those on a budget, providing a high quality of life with access to its own town center of all the high street amenities to keep it self-sufficient, as it’ll be more of a jaunt to access the City (probably at least 45 minutes to its center via tube, though overground rail is also an option). Other favored locations in this general Southwest area on the outskirts of London are Richmond and Kew, which, like Wimbledon, are absolutely lovely and ideal if you’re settling down for a while and want more space for the money. Green space reigns with Richmond’s river-walk and Richmond Park, and Kew is the site of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Hopefully this is helping you get one step closer to finding that ideal London apartment (which, of course, is a guarantee if you further consult London Relocation Ltd.‘s expert services!). Join me next time as we wind it down with Southeast London.
Tags: advice on where to live in london, apartments in London, best places to live in london area, best places to live in london for families, best places to live in london for students, colleen, london apartment, london expat blog, London lettings agency, london neighborhoods guide, london neighborhoods map, london neighborhoods where to live, london relocation agency, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, map of london neighborhoods, moving to London advice, moving to london where to live, north london neighborhoods, rent london, south west london, west london, where should I live in london, where to live in London
Posted in:
London Neighborhoods, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
1 Comment »
Tuesday November 30th, 2010
Author: Colleen
Well, if it’s forecast to snow in London this week, if you already live here you may as well make use of the winter backdrop and do something Christmas-y!
London Christmas markets abound, including at the following locations:
* Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – 19 November – 4 January
* Christmas Market at London’s Southbank Centre – 19 November – 23 December
* Greenwich Christmas Market – 24 November – 31 December
* Paddington Christmas Market – 29 November – 3 December
* Real Food Christmas Market at London’s Southbank Centre – 3-5 and 17-19 December
* Belgravia Christmas Sunday – 5 December
* The Chocolate Festival at London’s South Bank Centre – 10-12 December
* Christmas at Kew – 11 December – 3 January
And of course, as I wrote about before in my “Dashing Through the Snow…-less London Streets!” post, you have a few Santa-themed runs to choose from (though the weathermen are looking to make a liar out of me where that post title is concerned…).
Also not to miss is the tree-lighting at Trafalgar Square on 2 December, and if you want to really make spirits bright, you might consider volunteering for Crisis at Christmas.
Keep warm in the meantime, everyone! If you haven’t yet found your London apartment, London Relocation Ltd. will make sure it’s a speedy process that keeps you out of the cold as we drive you door-to-door and help you get a move-in date soon so you can mix up some hot toddies and snuggle within the comforts of your new London home (in case the weather becomes too frightful for those markets ).
Tags: american expats in london, americans moving to london england, canadians moving to london uk, christmas shopping in london, colleen, Greenwich Market, Kew Gardens, london apartments, london christmas events, london christmas markets, london holiday events, london holiday festivals, london move, london relocation agent, London Relocation Services, london south bank, Moving to London, rent london, shopping in london, twelve days of christmas, west london
Posted in:
London Food & Beverage, London Recreation, Moving to London: Tips & Culture
No Comments »
Tuesday November 9th, 2010
Author: Colleen
Okay, to keep this London party-train rollin’ as we look for where to rent London apartments, we’re off to the well-known West side today:
W1 – Chinatown, Fitzrovia, Hyde Park, Marylebone, Mayfair, Piccadilly, Soho, West End
W2 – Bayswater, Hyde Park, Paddington
W3 – Acton, East Acton, South Acton
W4 – Chiswick
W5 – Ealing, Little Ealing
W6 – Hammersmith
W7 – Hanwell
W8 – Kensington
W9 – Maida Hill, Maida Vale, Warwick Avenue
W10 – Kensal Town, Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington
W11 – Holland Park, Notting Hill, Westbourne Green
W12 – Shepherd’s Bush
W13 – West Ealing
W14 – West Kensington
Given West London’s popularity, it continues to be a pricey area in general. Closest to Central London, as we see on the map, is W1, and from this proximity we should infer that the area is still largely within the tourist track. Every city has a Chinatown, so from this you can expect the same range of ethnic restaurants and shops that makes for a fun (and delicious!) cultural night out. Soho is a hopping shopping and clubbing scene, and, in combination with Piccadilly as part of “the West End” in general, captures a good deal of Central London’s theatre district. Mayfair is as posh as it gets—this and the area just East of Hyde Park have astronomical housing prices. The famous Oxford, Regents, and Bond Streets are located here, rendering this area a top-notch shopping district. Heading just off Hyde Park’s Northeast corner toward Marylebone, we see a different side to this neighborhood characterized by Edgware Road, whose immigrant population has yielded a continuous strip of amazing ethnic restaurants representing Turkish, Lebanese, and Iranian cuisine among a multitude of others.
Moving westward into Paddington we see some lovely residential areas tucked around its commercial aspect surrounding the famous Paddington Station, where Paddington Bear was discovered on a platform . Bayswater and W10′s Ladbroke Grove are an appeal for those wanting to live near Notting Hill more affordably. Its W11 neighbor of Hugh Grant-film renown (what’s it’s name again? 
) hosts a mix of the young and trendy and established and affluent, with a like mix of eclectic and posh boutiques and cafés. Holland Park feels like a leafy suburb with beautiful residences, shops, and green space, and I would say the same for W9′s Maida Vale—rents can be high given the quality of housing, yet reasonable deals can still be found the less central you get. It’s the centrality of W8, however, that continues to make Kensington popular like Notting Hill, with the benefits of being close to the open space of Kensington Gardens and High Street Kensington shopping. Speaking of shopping, W12′s Shepherd’s Bush houses London’s gigantic Westfield shopping center, only a couple of years old, and to which W6′s Hammersmith also has good access in addition to its own abundance of amenities and entertainment (the Apollo is huge for UK comedy)—and along the river in the Hammersmith and Ravenscourt Park area almost feels like a quaint, nautical village. Moving farther out West will bring you to predominantly residential neighborhoods that are more like suburbs; thus, you’ll see lower rent prices, though will be a further haul to the city center—one bonus, however, is being close to Heathrow airport, which is useful for expats who visit home frequently or receive out-of-country guests.
Hopefully this is helping you get one step closer to finding that ideal London apartment (which, of course, is a guarantee if you further consult London Relocation Ltd.‘s expert services!). Join me next time as we circle down and see what Southwest London is all about.
Tags: advice on where to live in london, apartments in London, best places to live in london area, best places to live in london for families, best places to live in london for students, colleen, london apartment, london expat blog, London lettings agency, london neighborhoods guide, london neighborhoods map, london neighborhoods where to live, london relocation agency, London Relocation Services, London relocation specialist, map of london neighborhoods, moving to London advice, moving to london where to live, north london neighborhoods, rent london, west london, where should I live in london, where to live in London
Posted in:
London Neighborhoods, Rent in London: London Apartment Tips
2 Comments »
Direct: 
.svg)
