Moving to London

• Your English. As better, it is as easier will be your moving to London. Listen Radio LBC, and BBC Radio 4. Also read a lot, and find someone in the UK to talk or text to. Book your IELTS exam to understand what is your English level. Once you are in London join as a volunteer to one of charity organisation, like RSPCA, Cancer Research, PDSA, or any other;
• Read English History. At least a basic stuff, like Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and II, Victoria, Shakespeare, Dickens, Churchill, Thatcher, Nelson, Wellington, Wren, Darwin, Turing, Diana, Charles III;
• Get familiar with London. Have a look at the borough you would like to move in, use Google Maps to have a virtual walk from your potential area to the supermarket, like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, or Co-op. Find the nearest underground station. Check if there is a parking available, even if you don’t drive, as your guests may do. Parks, and leisure centre, post office. You need to know where they are. Find a night bus, as you may need it when Uber is not available in the nighttime.

• London is a special, warm, comfortable, and magical city;
• It is a home for The Royal Family;
• In London people speak on 307 languages;
• London is actually combined 32 villages and one City;
• The most of the people in London live in town houses;
• London has more than 250 museums;
• In London there are more than 200 theatres;
• London and surrounding areas hold the best set of events, like: Wimbledon, Football Premier League, Royal Ascot, Rugby, Formula 1, Chelsea Flower Show, London Fashion Week.

This list can be endless. But the main advantage in London is the people. London is super multicultural, and opened for all people from around the world regardless their religion, orientation, and so on. We all the same in London, and we are moving to London because we want to contribute our cultural bit to its picture.

The UK is a kind of special club, where its citizens are members and all in care for the club itself. London is our home, and this is our lifestyle. So, again, if you’re moving to London, it is expecting from you to contribute in to our culture, and to London lifestyle. Not only taking advantages from London and its people, but bringing and giving too.

Assimilation is the greatest thing you can do upon your relocation. London is the greatest city not because its beauty happened itself, but because people have been doing so since 43AD. Nearly 2000 years people from around the World moving to London.

• Save as much money as you can. London is expensive, and you need extra money especially when you are relocating;
• See your family and friends before moving to London, as you don’t know when you will see them again;
• Take only necessary items with you, as London has everything you need;
• If you need a visa, find the local immigration lawyer / solicitor, and check if they OISC registered;
• Have a look on London’s property on Zoopla.co.uk and Rightmove.co.uk, and maybe on Openrent.co.uk for the shorter rent. And if you can organise your property before moving to London. We can help you;
• Find a driving instructor if your driving licence only valid for one year in the UK, or if you can exchange it to the UK one, find information how to do it;
• If your first language is not English, maybe it is a good idea to explore the local community from the same background you are. For example, if you are from China, there is a China Town in London, with shops and restaurants in there;
• If you have children, arrange a school for them, included club activities;
• If you need a work, or relocation of your business, plan this in advance too.

• Writing down your new London’s address, include a Post Code;
• Organise in your flat: Council Tax, TV Licence, Gas, Electricity, Heat, Water and Broadband (internet). All must be attached to your new address;
• Register with your nearest General Practitioner or just “GP”;
• Get know where is the nearest Accident & Emergency Unit;
• Explore your local area by walk. Find a Police station, Post Office, Library, supermarket eg;
• Open a UK bank account with one of the mainstream high-street banks, like HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds;
• Get your National Insurance (NIN) number;
• Get your National Health Service (NHS) number;
• Write your will.

This list is only a small part of what you need to do when you’re moving to London. And it can be varied in each individual case. London is so magnetic for the young and ambitious and talented people.