Relocating to London has always been seen as a big change…

Population: 9,176,530

Metro Area: 8,382 km²

Time zone: UTC Greenwich Mean Time, UTC+1 British Summer Time

Currency: British Pound Sterling (GBP)

Government:(Part of a) constitutional monarchy

Number of restaurants with one or more Michelin stars:67

Number of pubs: 3,615

Diversity: 37% of London’s population are foreign-born

Despite recent political changes, the economy is still strong with large organisations pledging their commitment to London, and many start-ups continuing to pick London as the base of their operations. Even though Brexit negotiations are a cause of uncertainty overshadowing the next few years, London has proven itself time and time again resilient to the changing times.

London is one of Europe’s, if not one of the world’s, most important hubs for industries like finance, media, technology, and manufacturing industries. The city has a thriving culture and art scene; is a true “foodie” heaven, and one of the key tourist destinations of the world.

London has long been an attractive place to work and play for people from all around the world, which has led to a diverse population and workforce. English is the main language used by most professionals, but you will hear many different languages in the street.

Public transport in London is excellent and extensive. It is managed by Transport for London, which has a user-friendly, multilingual website with a journey planner, maps, detailed information on every mode of transport in the capital, and live updates on traffic.

The cheapest way to get around London is with an Oyster Card or a UK contactless card (foreign card holders should check for contactless charges first). Paper tickets still exist and although Day Travelcards cost the same on paper as an Oyster or contactless card, using paper singles or returns is substantially more expensive than using an Oyster.

The tube, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), and Overground network are ideal for zooming across different parts of the city; buses and the Santander Cycles are great for shorter journeys.

Uber, black cabs, and other taxi companies operate in the area also.

The cost of accommodation in London is relatively high compared to the rest of the UK but you can expect to find moderately priced accommodation the further out of the city you go. Take your time to check out different boroughs to find the part of the city where you feel at home. Most young people who move to London house share to meet new people and have a lower rent. Expect to pay a deposit of up to 6 weeks rent and agency and reference fees. You can use websites such as Zoopla or Foxtons to find accommodation.

You might be thinking, can I afford to live in London? Here is some guidance on cost of living.

According to ECA International’s latest cost of living report, London has dropped out of the 100 most expensive cities to live in thanks to the weakened British Pound. This is its lowest ranking in a decade, dropping behind Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, and Dublin for the first time in years. However, this still means that London is in line with other capital cities’ cost of living. Few things come for free in London and there is so much to experience that you will notice your money can run through your hands fast. The standard VAT rate is 20%.

Free education is provided in state schools in your local area however, there are also a lot of private institutions. Consult with friends and do some research before you decide. London has a great spectrum of different schools, from nurseries, private, boarding, and international schools but they all come at a price, so be prepared to invest in your little ones.

London is one of the best cities to experience the variety of different cuisines. You will not be short of finding your favourite cuisine in London while trying new flavours in areas such as, Little Italy, Chinatown, Korea town or at the food markets with fare from around the world. There are Street food markets on every corner, weekly Farmer’s markets, and a range of supermarkets as well as many local shops catering to different tastes and price range. You can find many good deals on places to eat around London through TimeOut.

London can be a home away from home as it is blessed with many different nationalities and cultures allowing you to find fellow expats from your own country while enjoying experiencing new cultures for the first time.

However, there are some things that people find challenging when they first arrive in London or the UK. London is very crowded, but you can escape to the parks to get some space and fresh air. London’s tube during rush hour is even more crowded, be patient and follow the TFL’s instructions. Popular places and events will either require you to book in advance or you will need to queue, sometimes hours just to have lunch. In restaurants, wait to be seated; in pubs, remember to order at the bar. Be polite, say sorry in case you bump into someone or need to pass by someone in a crowded place.

London is a fairly safe city for its size, so exercising common sense should keep you secure. If you’re getting a cab after a night’s clubbing, make sure you go for a black taxi or a licensed minicab firm. Many of the touts operating outside clubs and bars are unlicensed and can therefore be unsafe. Pickpocketing does happen in London, so keep an eye on your handbag and wallet, especially in bars and nightclubs, and in crowded areas such as the underground.

In the UK, you have two choices of banking. You can either set up an account with a bank or with a building society. There are also options to do all your banking online.

For personal banking, the account you’ll most likely require is called a current account (perhaps known as a checking account in your home country).

To open an account, you will have to provide documents for proof of ID and proof of address which can be challenging when you have just moved to the UK. Your passport will suffice for proof of ID, and most people use a utility bill issued within the last three months for proof of address.

Monzo bank can be a lot easier to open for expats as all you need is ID and an UK address to send your card to, plus it helps you budget! Lloyds Bank and Metro often have special offers for expats too.

Sterling Pounds, otherwise known as GBP, are the official currency of the United Kingdom. Check local currency exchange for the most up-to-date rate. The Pound is easily transferred from other currencies, with many currency exchanges around London. Alternatively, there are many currency exchange online banking services such as Transferwise.

Healthcare in England is mainly provided by the country’s public health service, the National Health Service (NHS), which provides healthcare to all permanent residents of the United Kingdom and is free at the point of use, as it is paid for from general taxation. In addition to the NHS, there are private healthcare providers, doctors, and hospitals which would not be covered by the NHS.

EU nationals can obtain free emergency treatment (and, in some cases, reduced-cost healthcare) on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card.

Reciprocal arrangements with the UK allow Australians, New Zealanders and residents and nationals of several other countries to receive free emergency medical treatment and subsidised dental care through the NHS. They can also use hospital emergency departments, GPs and dentists. For a full list visit the NHS website. Visitors staying 12 months or longer, with the proper documentation, will receive care under the NHS by registering with a specific practice near their residence.

Travel insurance is advisable for non-EU residents as it offers greater flexibility over where and how you’re treated, and covers expenses for an ambulance and repatriation that will not be picked up by the NHS.

Hospitals
Some hospitals have 24-hour accident and emergency departments. However, in an emergency just call 999 and an ambulance will  be dispatched from the hospital nearest to you.

There are countless indoor and outdoor activities around London, catering to every need and taste. London literally has something for everyone; museums, exhibitions, a plethora of concert venues large and small, theatres, numerous green spaces to enjoy outdoor pursuits, the list is endless. It is safe to say you will not be stuck for options to do. Again, Timeout Magazine is a good starting point to find out what’s happening in the city.

London is a great connecting city to the rest of the UK and Europe, with cheap flights to capital cities and the Eurostar, allowing you to use London as a base of operations to explore.

London is a fashion capital with a range of local independents to large malls (i.e. Westfield) and street markets such as the famous alternative Camden market and fashionable Portobello market. Oxford Circus and Covent Garden are the main shopping hubs in central London with a mix of high street retailers and is also located near high fashion Mayfair area where you can find some of the world’s popular fashion designer boutiques. You will find shopping and high street retailers in every borough and you might even enjoy shopping off the beaten track more than in central London. Highlights are Shoreditch, Notting Hill, Hampstead, and Holborn – to name a few.

The dress code in London is like most cosmopolitan cities – in London you could say anything goes. There is a wealth of creative fashionistas so you will find lots of interesting street style. Most businesses will have a smart casual attire, but you will also find conservative businesses with stricter, more formal dress codes.

In business, a polite demeanour is standard and when meeting someone a handshake is normal practice. Personal space is highly regarded, so the European practice of “social kissing” often leads to awkward moments and confusion whether 1, 2 or 3 kisses on the cheek are expected. Our suggestion is to save it for friends and fellow countrymen.

Most businesses in London have a strong work culture which is very much aligned with a work hard, play hard mentality. Most businesses will expect you to do 9-5, maintaining the work life balance but other organisations can expect an “always on” mentality which is normally compensated with excellent benefits and perks. Most Londoners enjoy a standard leave package of, on average, 23-25 days minimum.