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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Author: Colleen

Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia

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.

Author: Colleen

Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia

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.

Author:  Colleen

Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia

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.”

Author: Colleen

Relocating to London - Image via Wikipedia

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 3^rd 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!