Tips for Relocating to London for Work

London is a big draw for the world’s professionals. It’s vibrant and multicultural, with dozens of languages widely spoken across the city. Salaries are high, and many of the world’s largest multinationals have made their home here. For certain industries, it’s the world’s foremost location, and thus for certain professionals, it’s the place to be.

If you’re thinking of relocating to this part of the world, however, there are a few tips worth bearing in mind.

Be flexible with property locations

London is notorious for the competitiveness of its property market. You’ll want to research your options thoroughly and choose a location that suits your lifestyle and your commute. Since this isn’t a process that should be rushed, it’s worth settling into one of London’s serviced apartments in the interim. You might pay slightly more in the short term, but you’ll also avoid making a decision that you may regret for years.

Plan your commute

For most Londoners, the most reliable way of getting from A to B daily is with the help of the underground system. Once you’re acclimatised to the city, you’ll think nothing of jumping on the tube and swapping lines midway through your journey. It’s worth looking at where you’ll be commuting in advance. If you understand the route, you’ll be able to adapt it slightly according to your circumstances. Ideally, you’ll also get plenty of walking into your working day – and a commute is a great way to do this.

Work out the cost of living

It’s a good idea to have an idea of how much you’re going to be spending day to day and over a month. That way you can determine whether your move to London is financially feasible, and how much of a cash buffer you’ll need to accumulate before you start the move. It might be that your income will change as life goes on, which makes having some room for comfort that little bit more essential. It’s also worth thinking about the rate of inflation, and how that might affect your budget in the years to come. 

Learn more about London

Before you arrive in London, it’s worth getting to grips with the local weather, culture and history. That way, you’ll know if you’re a good fit for the city before you get started. If you’ve already visited London, then it might have been your first trip that persuaded you to make the move. 

If your only exposure to the city comes from television and the internet, however, then why not plan a holiday in London before you move? You can make time to see all the major attractions and get a flavour of what it’s like to live and travel in the city.

Photo credits: Coworking London

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