Hey there, future Londoner! Ready to spice up your life with a dash of British charm? Before you do, make sure you are ready by knowing all the essentials! From housing, to starting a new job, and even navigating the bank scene. I've got all the insights you need to know before making the move to make your London dreams a reality without the stress. 🇬🇧✈️
When I first moved to London back in 2019 I had to figure it all out on my own. And, it was not easy, a lot of things take time, you'll have to prove your legal presence in the UK a lot, which is not that easy when you are new in town.
1. Get your UK Phone number
You'll need a UK phone number for almost all formalities in London, as it's a proof that you actually live in the UK. The main providers requires a check, which is not easy to pass if you have just moved, so your best bet is to start with an online subscription sim card like Voxi. It's very easy to set up, you'll just need an address, and they'll mail you your sim card within a few days, for as low as £10 a month.
2. Get your UK online bank account
Opening a bank account with one of the standard physical banks (Lyods, HSBC, Barklays, etc.) is not easy as they require background check and multiple prood of address, and when you barely moved, it's quite hard to comply with their requirements (I didn't until years of living in London) so your best option is to sign up with an online bank. The best one in my opinion is Starling bank, from my experiene they are amazing, from the app to their customer service, I've never had any issues, better than a physical bank to be honest.
3. Apply for your NIN (National Insurrance Number)
If you already have a job set up, you will need an NIN, it's your UK social security number. It can take some time to book in an appointment so it's best to start early. You can start to work without it for a few month, but it's best to have it as soon as possible for tax purposes and other formalities. You can apply HERE on the Gov UK website.
4. Find a room, flat or flatshare
Finding housing in London is quite tricky, it can sometimes be as difficult as finding a job. Depending on your critierias and budget it can take up to 6 month, as a LOT of people are trying to move to London. The main site to use is Spareroom, but there is also Rightmove and Zoopla. You can also check with agents directly, but agencies don't always have the best reputations. There are a lot of Facebook adds on marketplace, but you should be careful with these as there are a LOT of scams, so don't sign and pay before you've seen the place. There are also a lot of private Facebook groups that have great options like London House/Flat/Spare room or Hackney Wick Spaces, but can be quite competitive. You need to be very quick, I've had viewings canceled just 20 minutes before because someone saw the place that same day and paid the deposit directly, the 'trick' is to be the first to visit. Take room viewings as a job interview!
5. Getting around, tube & bus, railcard
The best and easier way to get around london is via public transportation. Getting use to the way the tube and bus works is not always easy. If you have a contactless bank card, you can use it to tap in and tap out. The other option is to get an Oyster card and top it up at one of the machine. If you are planning to use the trains like the Thamslink and Northen to travel outsite of London you can get a Key smart card and a Railcard for discounts, you can also get a ticket at one of the machines, but they are not always easy to figure out and if there is a line you might miss your train.
6. Groceries, shopped ranked, and loyalty card
There are a few grocery stores in the UK, which are for most not anywhere else in Europe, so it can take some time adjusting too, I know I did!
Depending on where you live you might not have a lot of options, when looking for a place I always make sure to see what grocery stores are close by, as it's quite an important criteria in my opinion. Some of the stores have a smaller version for the city center, these will usually say 'local' at the end, they are good for quick shop and if you are missing some items. Some of the stores also have loyalty programs, where you can earn points for discounts, the best one being Nectar (Sainsbury's loyalty program).
There are not a lot of big locations unfortunately, although they are the best, there are mostly sainsbury's locals in the city, which are way smaller and prices vary
They have good options for small shops, good quality and prices
They have a loyalty program which you can sign up for for £1.
Good options, sligthy 'lesser' quality, but amazing prices!
It's the go to place for Londoners on a low budget, so try to avoid rush hours as it can get quite busy.
Not available everywhere, but good options and prices, they do specialty weeks with products from Italy or France during the year, for great prices!
Good options, and quality, lots of higher end products but on the pricier end
Good options, and quality, lots of ready meals options, but quite pricey.
Good for quick buy, but not a lot of options, I personnaly just by water from there as they often run discounts, they also have a loyalty program you can sign up for.
Discounted store, good for buying cheap cleaning products or kitchen utensils.
Other things you might find useful...
Library: As a resident in London you are entitled to a free library card, you can sign up with your local library by showing proof of address, you can also sign up for a library pass at the Brittish library. It's a great option if you are looking to read, work or study.
NHS: As a resident (student or worker) you are entitled to free public healthcare. You can sign up with the NHS and register with your local GP for care.
Local Council: Every neighboorhood will have a local council. They all work differently, but once you know the area you will live in you can check your council's website and see what types of assistance and perks you can get. For example, if you need any assistance regarding any housing issues you are encountering you can place a case with them so they can investigate any type of issues of lack of care you might have with your landlord or letting agency.
I hope you can find some of these helpful, good luck with the move! And please share feddback, I would love to hear your experiences. London can be tricky to move to, but it's full of opportunities with a bit of time.