Moving to London may seem just a distant dream to some with rapidly rising house prices as it is, it seems only those more affluent amongst us can afford to live there. But, with many new government backed schemes for affordable property in London and the rapid development of private rental accommodation across the area, means moving to the capital city might not be so difficult after all.
Here is our guide on making the move to London.
1) Location
As London is the biggest city in England, deciding exactly where you want to live may be a hard decision. North London has many areas with affordable housing such as Islington, Highbury and Camden. While the West tends to home the most expensive areas of London such as Chelsea and Kensington which only those affluent amongst us could afford there are still some hidden gems. There are many areas in South London that are becoming more desirable such as Battersea and Wimbledon and you will probably get slightly more space for your money. Finally, East London offers some of the quirkier parts of the city such as Shoreditch and Bethnal Green. However, it is advisable to make a list of all the places you could potentially live and use your internet skills to do some research on the local areas facilities such as schools, hospitals, sports grounds, restaurants and night life. For example, you may wish to live as close to work as possible, as no one wants an extra hour’s commute on either side of their working day.
2) Accommodation
Whether you are looking to share a flat, rent on by yourself or buy your own property, there are loads of different types of accommodation available on the London housing market. Do your research and find out exactly what you need and get an idea on how much you will be required to pay, obviously location and other factors can affect prices. Once you have a rough idea of what you want and how much you can afford you might want to visit an estate agent to get some more professional advice and see what they have to offer and to find your perfect home! If you are renting always remember to read the contract and thoroughly understand what is required of you as a tenant, you can expect to pay up to two months’ rent in advance as a deposit and it is always advisable to take photos when you move in and move out to make sure you get as much as possible, if not all of it back!
3) Transportation
The move to London may seem daunting to some, and while it is a large city London also has one of the largest urban transport networks in the world, with integrated bus, river and road systems spanning the city’s 32 boroughs. If it is your first time living in London it is always advisable to carry around a map or use the GPS on your phone just in case you get lost as using these networks may take some getting used to – especially the tube! London Underground is especially busy around peak times with everybody commuting to work. If you are a fan of cycling than Boris Bikes are located all around the city and can be rented for a small fee for the day. If you are truly stuck you can always hail down a Black cab whose drivers even have to pass an exam on knowing every road in London before they can get their license!
4) Things to do
One of the top people move to London is due to all of the amazing activities available to do! Not only is London full of British Heritage, historical sites and tourist attractions t it also has some of the best night life and entertainment available throughout the year! Whether you want the complete tourist experience sightseeing and want to take an open bus top tour to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London or you fancy a trip to Madame Tussauds or one of the many art galleries or museums, London has a lot to offer. You may also want to visit some of the smaller more up and coming bars, clubs and restaurants with cuisine from all around the world. After hosting the Olympics the sporting facilities are excellent and musicians from all over the world come to play in the prestigious stadiums and venues. London is a diverse city and there are many festivals celebrating culture such as the Famous Notting Hill Carnival. Finally, London is also a favourite for those who love retail therapy with many designer and high street fashion outlets along Oxford Street and many other destinations – or you may prefer to visit an authentic market such as Camden Market.
5) Use a professional mover
Moving all of your personal belonging to London can be difficult if trying to do it by yourself, there is limited parking and road restrictions around the city meaning it may be impossible to simply park a van out the front of your new home and unload your things. By using a removals company, you will have a quality service and they will be able to properly pack your items and move them efficiently and safely in to your new home. Also, reducing the stress of moving for you! When choosing a mover always look for the BAR accreditation to show a sign of a quality mover in the UK. Such as Burke Bros as members of BAR we have over 30 years’ experience as a professional moving company providing removal services to people around the UK and internationally. Why not give us a call on 0800 413 256.
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