Since I’ve said that we’re up and leaving it’s amazed me how many readers have a story about London – moving there, living there and leaving there.
E (my husband) brought home a pile of brown boxes on Friday declaring it was time to start packing. I’ve gone from “We’ll just put everything in storage” to “Okay, we’ll leave the washing machine in the apartment while we rent it out” to “Okay, let’s get rid of everything.”
I gotta say – the idea of a 2 week deadline is bringing out the minimalist in me.
Our topic of conversation over the past few days has included packing, moving and the first few weeks after we arrive – finding a place and settling in.
One of my lovely readers Tara sent me an article called 50 things you should know about London. I was so happy to get it! I’ve loved finding out the most basic of things that I’m sure will help once we arrive.
Have you done this before? Moved from one country to another? Spent time in London? Do you have any tips about moving to or living in London that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them!
Image credit: Dornob
SHOP HERE
May 10, 2011 at 9:47 am
Get an oyster card for the tube
And an A-Z!
May 10, 2011 at 9:49 am
Congratulations on your move, and what perfect timing! You will have to opportunity to experience London at it’s best, summer time brings all the joy and happiness out in people, and everyone comes out in their t-shirts and shorts even if it’s only 16 degrees! Ages ago I wrote a little post on my blog on some of my favourite parts of London: http://www.viendamaria.com/?p=412. In this instance I only managed to cover off the East part mainly…. there is so much more!
When it comes to meeting people and making friends, as in any big city, it takes time but a friendly smile and a few kind words are always the way forward. Also, most people here bond in the local pub over a few glasses of wine, so that’s always a great way to make new friends.
Enjoy London (I’m missing it terribly at the moment) and have fun in your new city (P.S. Please say hello to Topshop for me!)
May 10, 2011 at 11:13 am
No, but GOOD LUCK Clare! I hope to make the move to London one day soon, too!
May 10, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I lived there for three years with my husband and I found that some Brits loved Aussies, and some really didn’t want us there at all.
I’m one of those people that adopt accents really quickly (without knowing I’m doing it or wanting to), so before long I had a Birmingham accent (never been there – but worked with loads of people who were from there)…anyway – things got better after that.
Easier to find jobs and be hired, cabbies didn’t try and rip me off by going the long way, I wasn’t served last at lunch.
Not to say you should bring on the english accent, but I certainly found it helped me.
ohh, and pick up their slang…personally I love it and still use alot of British slang words
Other words of wisdom – work out the long weekends in advance and make sure you book your super dooper cheap flights for a European getaway, never eat at a greasy spoon, baps are bread rolls!, travel as much as you can – you can never go to Paris too many times!
Hope that helps!
Jen
May 10, 2011 at 3:40 pm
Ah how exciting! I’ve been home for 18 months after living in London for 6 years. Had such a great time and accummulated so many terrific experiences (including work related) that would be near impossible to get at home.
Opening a bank account can be tricky – you need an address before they’ll open an account, but you need a job before you can get an address, and you need a bank account before you can get a job…. I opened a UK account with HSBC before leaving Melbourne through Thomas Cook, which included a UK credit card too. Made life so much easier.
Only take out enough travel insurance to cover your trip from Brisbane to London – travel insurance in Australia is really expensive compared to that available in UK. When you get there, you can get a comprehensive annual multi-trip policy for around £60pa. Bargain.
Good luck!
May 10, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Actually, if you have a platinum credit card, you may get free travel insurance if you use it to book your airfare, so check it out!
May 10, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Meike, I remember ‘meeting’ you just as you’d arrived home! Time flies!
May 10, 2011 at 4:02 pm
You can never go to Paris too many times! I love this quote and think I shall live by its wisdom over the next few years. Thanks for all your tips Jennifer!
May 11, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Hi Clare,
I can’t believe you only have a couple of weeks to get all sorted! How exciting!
Having just moved back over for a second stint in old London town it has been great to come back to things that we (my husband and I)have missed and also discover the new.
Agree with Madison, one of the first things I packed for our trip back was my A-Z and our oyster cards, after 18 months away they still worked!
Buy some wellies! It has only rained twice in the last 4 weeks but they will come in handy!
A few other things I’d recommend..
Take a stroll through Hyde Park, it’s beautiful no matter what time of the year. Enjoy a curry on Brick Lane, they’ll stand out and barter you for your business (free papadums!). Check out the Borough Markets on the weekend, delicious fresh food and all sorts of goodness. Have a pint at a pub on a sunny weekday afternoon standing with the crowd on the street. Take a cruise down the Thames and spend an afternoon visiting Greenwich. Shopping, shopping, shopping. Covent Garden, Carnaby St, Soho, Knightsbridge, The Strand…..Did I mention shopping?
Head to Cambridge and go punting, a lot of fun once you get the swing of it! In winter go Ice-Skating at Somerset house, magical.
Plan trips to Paris, Rome, Spain!! Anywhere! There are always travel specials going especially over bank holidays (public holidays) so we tend to plan out extra long weekends in advance.
If your going to rent a place, make an offer on the price regardless of what it is advertised for, as they’ll put it to the owner and normally you can get it for less. Some include bills in the rent, electricity, heating, internet etc, or a combination of and some don’t, so make sure you ask. Test the water pressure when looking at a flat, it’s one thing that can be a bit hit and miss over here too!
There’s s lot to love about London. There is just so much to see and do. Lastly, just enjoy, suck up every minute and make the most of it. You’ll depend on each other like never before, but that just makes it all the more worthwhile.
I hope that helps – good luck!
May 11, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Ren, I can’t believe it either!?!
Thanks so much for all your advice, I really appreciate it.
Love the sound of wellies, Hyde Park, Borough Market, ice-skating, cheap travel… All of it really!!
Also, thanks for the rental advice – that will be the first thing to conquer. Will let you know how we go and will be in touch!
May 13, 2011 at 2:10 pm
I am following your move with great interest since I am making the same move (although not from Aus, and not to London, but rather rural Wiltshire) so I am all set to embrace my green wellies. Going to check out that 50 things to know about London now..exciting times eh? I have about 6 weeks left until we go, so a bit longer than you
May 17, 2011 at 9:56 am
Try not to get sucked into the black holes that are Topshop and H&M – the first time I discovered Topshop, I think I spent about 4 hours there!
I have not lived in London but I seem to remember friends advising to register for a National Insurance number before you leave, as it can take a while in the processing.
May 17, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Thought of a few more tips for you Clare…
1) Make a rough plan for your trips when you first arrive.
This may sound a bit over-enthusiastic but you’ll want to make the most of your 2 years, and keep in mind you’ll only be on that side of the world for 2 St Patrick’s Days, 2 Oktoberfests, 2 ANZAC Days, etc. I made a list of my must-see festivals/events and planned my travel around that so I didn’t miss anything. You might also want to make a plan to escape to somewhere warm in Winter!
2) Do not leave your luggage unattended. Ever.
Sit with your luggage on public transport or if that’s not possible keep a close eye on it. Many times I’ve seen people have their bags whisked off the tube only to realise after the doors have closed, because they were sitting at the opposite end of the carriage. Scary.
3) You might get a bit fat.
By now you have probably heard of the dreaded “Heathrow Injection” – http://heathrow-injection.com. This unexplainable phenomenon seems to strike even the fittest of Australians who do a UK stint. I was a regular at the gym, walked a lot, and still came back a bit chunky. Must have been all those chip butties.
4) Be wary of cheap meat.
Mad cow, foot-and-mouth, and salmonella have been big problems in the UK. The scale of the factory farming operations over there is frightening and the standards are far lower than here in Australia. You’ll be able to find NZ lamb in the UK but be prepared to pay for it!
5) Never pay full price.
Because there is so much competition, there are countless websites offering amazing deals for dining, theatre tickets and entertainment. Two of my faves are http://www.lastminute.com and hwww.toptable.com.
6) Don’t let the weather stop you!
It doesn’t rain as much as you hear, but it does get overcast.. and cold! Try not to let the weather interfere with your plans, there are so many fantastic museums, galleries and musicals to see when it’s too miserable to be outside
Have fun, looking forward to hearing all about your adventures!