12th September 2023

Living in London: Guide to Jobs, Where to Live & More

Moving to the big smoke? We've put together this handy guide to prepare you for the move.

Living in London is an exciting opportunity filled with amazing things to see and do, plenty of ways to get around and an amazing range of job opportunities.

If you’ve never lived in London how do you make the move? And what do you need to know before you get here? Moving to somewhere new can be nerve-wracking, but if you’ve got all the information, the move can run a lot smoother.

We’ve compiled a complete guide for everything you will need to know when living in London. So, when you finally get settled you’ll already feel like a Londoner.

Where to live in London

The first thing to decide is where in London you would like to live. London is 48 different neighbourhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere and culture.

Some of the most popular places to live in London are:

You can read our full guide to the best places to live in London right here. Or, take a look at our guides to living in different places in London below:

North London

South London

Southeast London

East London

Commuter Towns

One of the best things about living in London is that there is a place for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a creative hub or a family community. London is a patchwork of different cultures, interests and people. Choosing the best place to live is so much more than finding a nice area, it’s also about finding where you belong.

For Creatives

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is not only beautiful but it’s also full of creatives, culture and colourful streets. Enjoy the annual Notting Hill carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture. Explore music venues, boutique shopping and so much more.

South Bank

South Bank is known as London’s centre of entertainment. Explore the Tate Modern and the London Eye, there is plenty to see and do. You can also celebrate London’s creative culture at the yearly Udderbelly Festival. South Bank is also home to the BFI (British Film Institute). Hosting regular screenings and year-round film festivals to enjoy.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch is filled with amazing restaurants,indie shops and bars. Shoreditch is also a great place for those that love music and dancing the night away. It’s a popular place for clubs and nights out with a range of cocktail bars and pubs.

For Families

Richmond

Richmond park is one of the most popular green spaces in London. From the Richmond Performing Arts Festival to the Richmond Park Golf Course. Everyone in the family can find something to enjoy in Richmond.

Greenwich

South of the river, Greenwich is home to the O2 arena as well as Greenwich Park and plenty of museums. Greenwich is by far the most popular neighbourhood for families. It has good schools, excellent transport links and educational attractions.

Chiswick

Located north of the river, Chiswick is a great place for families. Here you’ll find the beautiful Chiswick house and gardens. As well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. You’re also just a short tube ride away from some of London’s biggest royal parks.

For Commuters

Maidenhead

Maidenhead is a market town in the royal borough of Windsor. Here you’ll find everything you need. From high street shops to delicious bars and restaurants. From here you can get to London Paddington station in as little as 26 minutes.
Why not have a look at our range of Maidenhead apartments in our Berkshire House development?

Redhill

Redhill can be found south of London in Surrey. With regular farmers’ markets and access to stunning countryside. Redhill offers the perfect work life balance. From here you can also get to a number of London’s biggest stations in under an hour or less.

St Albans

Regularly voted as one of the best places to live for commuters. St Albans is a beautiful city with a centuries-old cathedral and medieval art. It is filled with rich history dating all the way back to the Romans. From Redhill station, you can get to London St Pancras International in under 25 minutes.

Read our full list of the best places to live in London for commuters here.

How to get a flat in London

Renting is by far the most popular form of living in London. To rent an apartment or house, you’ll need a few documents to hand.

Tenant references - references from previous landlords.
Employee references - your landlord will want proof that you have a stable income. This means they may ask for references from your employer as well as proof of employment.
Proof of income - to make sure you can afford the monthly rent, you will be asked for proof of income. This can be in the form of a valid employment contract and bank statements.
Right to rent - you’ll need to provide documents to prove your identity and legal right to rent and live in the UK.
Guarantor - depending on your income status, you may be asked to provide a guarantor. This is someone that can pay your rent should you fail to make payment. It’s best to have a guarantor in mind just in case.

If you’re interested in making renting easy, why not take a look at our Essential Living developments? Your main bills are included in the price of the rent, helping take the stress out of renting.

How to get around

Public transport in London is some of the best in the country. From regular buses to easy underground links. Transport for London manages the majority of public transport in and around London. If you’re looking for travel times, status updates or information on prices, you can find it all on their website.

The underground

The London Underground is a system of 11 colour coded tube lines that take you to all corners of London. The underground is by far the quickets and cheapest way to travel around the city. You can easily find a map of the underground here or at each station. You can spot an underground station on any map by looking for a red circle with a blue line.

The overground

Some areas of London are only accessible using the DLR and overground trains. These can be easily accessed from most tube stations where applicable. The overground consists of trains that take you to and from many of London’s suburban areas. You can spot an overground station on any map by looking for an orange circle with a blue line. The overground is also visible on the underground map marked with two parallel lines.

Buses

Buses run regularly across London, from central to the suburbs. The buses are an affordable way to get around, costing just £1.65 on average. You can also travel all day by bus for no more than £4.95. There are also a select number of night buses that substitute some tube lines in the evenings.

You can see all the bus stops across London, along with their routes, via this TFL bus map.

Taxis & Black Cabs

Black Cabs are a famous feature of London. Yet, they can be more expensive than public transport. You can explore the tariffs and journey times here. To hail a Black Cab look out for the yellow taxi sign on top. If the light is on, the cab is available.

Be aware that extra charges may apply. Especially if you’re travelling to and from Heathrow airport. Minicabs can be a better alternative but they will need to be booked in advance. You can find a list of TFL licensed minicabs here.

Most public transport can be paid for using a valid debit or credit card. The easier option is to get a pay-as-you-go Oyster Card. These can be topped up with credit and used across all TFL services. To use your bank or Oyster card look out for the yellow disks at stations and on buses. You must touch your card to the disk before and after your journey.

How to get a job in London

London is the base for many of the UK’s biggest brands and businesses. With so many different industries, there are plenty of amazing job opportunities.

Some of the biggest industries found in London are:

Entertainment - theatre, film, music, TV and Radio
Media
Financial Services
Tourism
Retail
Professional Services - legal firms, consulting, accounting etc.
Technology

There are a number of ways to find a job in London, from direct contact to social media. If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity, take a look at the following:

Before applying for a job you will need to make sure you have an up-to-date CV. If you need help, then the National Careers Service has plenty of resources on writing a strong CV. You may also need a cover letter. This is a short letter describing why you have applied for the job and why you think you’re right for the job.

If you’re not a UK national, you will also need proof that you can legally work in the UK. This can be easily done at the previous link via the gov.uk website.

Lifestyle living in London

You can never get bored living in London. There is something to do rain or shine and no matter what your interests are.

Free things to do in London

If you’re looking for free and easy things to do in London then we recommend:

Barbican Conservatory - Finsbury
Columbia Road Flower Market - Bethnal Green
British Museum - Holborn
Public Galleries in the Houses of Parliment - Westminster

As well as these free attractions, you can also visit some of London’s major parks. The biggest and most popular are:

Hyde Park
Kensington Gardens
Richmond Park
Bushy Park
St James’s Park
The Green Park
Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill
Greenwhich Park

All of London’s royal parks have vast acres of lush greenery as well as lakes and plenty of outdoor activities. Richmond Park also has a deer park which is free to walk around. They do ask for a donation for the upkeep of the park and conservation work, but this is optional.

Looking for an evening out with friends and family? Well, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. London is a collaboration of culture serving dishes from around the world. Whether you love Greek food or fancy some sushi, you’ll easily your favourite dishes.

For bar hopping and unique cocktail bars, we recommend a night out in Soho. An area known for its vibrant nightlife. If you’re looking for dinner and a show, then make your way to London’s famous West End. Here you’ll find the very best the world of theatre has to offer.

Events to watch out for

When living in London you’ll have access to some of the world’s biggest and best festivals and events. Make sure you put these in your calendar so you don’t miss out:

Chinese New Year - January
RHS Chelsea Flower Show - May
Pride in London - June
Notting Hill Carnival - August
BFI London Film Festival - October
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park - Novemebr
London New Years Eve at the London Eye - December

Preparing for the weather

If there’s one thing the UK is known for it’s our weather. The best advice we could give for preparing for London weather is to layer up. During the winter months it can be bitterly cold with occasional snow.

On average the lowest temperatures in autumn and winter are around 9°C.
In the spring prepare for rain and average temperatures of around 12°C.

In the summer, London can experience some of the hottest temperatures in the UK, reaching highs of 24-25°C.

Tips for Expats moving to London

If you’re moving to London from a different country, there may be extra tasks to tick off your list. These will include:

Checking your visa and what you are and are not eligible to do when in the UK
To open a UK bank account you will need valid ID, proof of address in the UK and a statement from your current bank. You should be able to do this before arriving in the UK. But, you may be required to provide different documentation.
You may need agreed employment before you move. This is due to the country's new immigration system. This will depend on the terms of your visa.

Since leaving the EU, the UK’s system for Expats has changed. To be sure of what’s required from you. A great website for Expats looking to move to the UK is Expatica. This website has lots of helpful information on documents needed and what to expect from the immigration process.

Why not tick one thing off your list straight away? Contact our team to find your ideal apartment in London. We can help you find an apartment to suit you in some of London’s best neighbourhoods. Take a look at our developments here and get in touch.

Josh Sebastian

Author

Josh is an experienced London resident and stellar local guide. With his finger on the pulse of things to do in London, he's constantly sharing lesser-known tips and recommendations with readers.

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