Covid-19 has changed the way many of us live, maybe you are looking to move to the capital for the first time, or are moving back after a hiatus. Whatever your reason, we’ve collated our top five tips when considering a move to London.
1. Area is King
London is vast and the list of areas to consider when moving to the city is extensive. We recommend breaking London’s different areas down by what they offer and how they suits your individual needs and lifestyle.
Do you want to live in a part of town with a younger audience, with a fun atmosphere and lots of bars and restaurants? Consider Clapham.
Or do you want to be somewhere with an abundance of outdoor space, good schools and scenic walks? Consider Richmond.
Or do you want to be right in the thick of it and take daily strolls down the Thames? Consider Tower Bridge.
Which area you live in can often make or break your London experience so be sure to do your research and visit before moving if you can. If you're making the move to London from elsewhere, our tips to moving house will help you plan and make your relocation stress-free.
2. Accommodation
Another key consideration is the type of accommodation you are going to opt for.
Are you renting? If so then key things to consider are flat and house shares, renting privately which we do always recommend doing via a certified estate agent for safety. Or whether you would consider a build to rent development where everything is catered for you?
Or are you looking to buy? If so there are many options to choose from, family homes, apartments with roof terraces and balcony, new builds, properties with character. We’d recommend contacting an estate agent within your local area who can help you to navigate the property market within each individual London postcode area. Before committing to buying a property in London, make sure to ask as many questions as possible to ensure you don't miss anything. Our article on the top questions to ask when viewing a house
We’ve included some of our top property picks below to help provide you with a flavour of the London property market. If you're renting with your pet, our complete renting with pets guide will help guide you and give you all the essential information you need.
3. Cost of Living
The cost of living in London is higher, often a lot higher than expected for a lot of first time Londoners. We recommend not maxing out your budget when it comes to housing to ensure you have enough left to really enjoy and explore all that the city has to offer.
4. Travel Times
As we’ve mentioned London is vast and often it can be a surprise to many just how long it takes to travel from one point to another in the city. Therefore we recommend researching all of the main train and tube lines near where you have decided to reside. Ensure you have a handle on how long the morning commute may take. As well as travel times to major airports and other landmarks of importance to you.
5. Pace of Life
London is fast paced and full of energy, make sure you explore the city and feast on everything it has to offer but also bear in mind that it can often feel cramped, busy and full on. We recommend scheduling some key breaks away during your first year in the capital in order to get away from the hustle and bustle and decompress every so often.
London Properties
Why not check out all the properties that we have on the market in London.
