10 things to know before moving to London

Getting around is (usually) easy

London is a very well connected city, thanks to the steady stream of tubes, trams, buses, taxis and bike rentals. Although, the further out of central London you get, the harder it is to walk between places.

Tapping in and out of TfL services using a contactless card - or your smartphone - ensures you get the lowest price offered whilst never exceeding the price of a weekly Travelcard.

There is life outside zone 1

The bright lights of Zone 1 will no doubt be a big attraction in your first few weeks in London. We get that. However, after being charged £30 on a round of three drinks, you may soon reconsider JUST how appealing it is. 

Try hanging out in your local neighbourhood and the surrounding areas; there are so many hidden gems that are located outside the City centre.

Reconsider the Tube in summer

You might have already heard tales, but there is no way to fully comprehend how bad it can be until it gets to mid-July and you step off the Central Line looking like you just got pushed in a pool wearing your clothes. 

Where possible, why not consider walking or going for a better-ventilated option such as a bus? Or even jump on a Santander Cycle and take in some sights in a less conventional way to commute; it may even be cheaper than your usual tube fair.

There is always something to do

If New York is the city that never sleeps, London can't be far behind. 

With countless well-known live entertainment venues spread across the capital, there is something to do all year round. Maybe you want to catch the darts at Alexandra Palace, attend an intimate gig at the Roundhouse or watch a cup final at Wembley. Regardless of your preference, there is always something happening in London. 

London can quickly get expensive

Before booking your removals company and moving in, you’ll already know how much your rent costs. Despite this, the realisation of how steep living costs can be probably may not set in until you get here, and live entertainment comes at a price.

You can save money by opting for a flatshare (read more here), but remember one thing - not everything in London costs money! With a seemingly endless list of free museums, exhibitions and festivals, you should never be short of something to do. 

Make the most of the green spaces

Once the sun comes out, if you're anything like us, you'll make a beeline for an open, green space to relax in. Try Green Park (Zone 1) if you want to bask in the proximity of Buckingham Palace, whilst Battersea Park (Zone 1) has something for everyone, and Primrose Hill (Zone 2) offers one of our favourite views of the London skyline. 

Are you heading further out? Why not check out Hampstead Heath (Zone 2/3) or Richmond Park (Zone 4)?

You’ll move house a few times

For most of us, there is virtually no chance that your first London home will be your only London home. Instead, you may find yourself moving from area to area until you find a corner of the capital that you can call home.

In a city so broad and diverse, it will take time for you to find your favourite areas, you may realise friends live too far away from you, you could gravitate towards one borough, or maybe the commute is just too much in the morning. Don't be afraid to test the waters in a couple of different places to find what works for you.

Go for a walk

London is around 2,000 years old. Throughout two millennia, countless historical events have taken place, and many more fascinating people - ranging from the likes of Charles Dickens to Bob Marley, Jack the Ripper and Elton John - have called London home at one point.

With countless walking tours available, you can get guided through some of the places that helped put London on the map or wander on your own accord and take in the sights yourself - which is also a great way to learn more about the area you live in - who knows what you might discover?

Take advantage of the food scene

Put down your Uber Eats app and step away from the phone! Depending on your school of thought, London could now be considered the food capital of the world, so why not make the most of it? 

If fine dining is your thing, then you're in luck; London is home to well over 60 Michelin-starred restaurants dotted throughout the City. Although, you don't have to have a craving for caviar to capitalise on what's on offer in London.

Some of our favourite places to head for food include Borough and Spitalfields Markets, whilst your neighbourhood may host a weekend food market of its own, showcasing the best of the independent places in your area. 

Be mindful of ULEZ

46% of Londoners don't own a car and if you have ever got stuck in rush hour traffic, you may have some idea as to why this figure is so high. 

However, if you own one of the 2.56m cars in the capital, you need to be cautious of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and make sure your vehicle meets the emission standards; more than four out of five vehicles already meet the emissions standards. To see if your vehicle meets the ULEZ emission standards, use the vehicle checker. If not, you risk paying the £12.50 daily fee every time you drive.

The ULEZ is expanding across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023.