Being an expat in London is a unique adventure. The cultural life is hectic and you will never be short of things to do. London attracts many people from all over the world. It is a cosmopolitan city with a very rich heritage and an unprecedented open-mindedness. But it is also "the most expensive city in the world". So how can one survive financially and socially in London? How to organize your departure?
First of all, it is very important to plan your departure. Finding a job in London is not as easy as it seems. And there are administrative procedures to be expected.
An up-to-date passport
It makes perfect sense, but how many times have you heard the story of the person who bought their tickets and forgot to check the expiry date of their ID card or passport? No matter what ID you use, it needs to be valid more than 6 months before the expiry date.If you leave in July and your passport expires in October, you will not board! Indeed, transport to England is very serious.
Regarding the choice of transport, different options are offered to you.
The car to start. Especially if you bring your pet, this is the only option for a safe trip. Make sure you have the chip and vaccinations up to date, as well as a visit to the veterinarian who will administer a dewormer valid a few hours before leaving. Without it, your pet will be refused. It is also imperative that he has a passport.
The Channel Tunnel is convenient and takes little time as the crossing takes 30 minutes. Book in advance to avoid unpleasant price surprises.
The Eurostar, which departs from Lille, Paris or Calais by France, is probably the most expensive option but the train takes you directly to the heart of London. This avoids logistical problems once there.
The plane is fast, but takes you outside of London, which means paying for an extra shuttle depending on where you land, it's around 30 euros from Heathrow.
Finally, the ferry is very affordable and you can take it by car or on foot. You can bring your pet but he will be forced to stay in the vehicle, which is not recommended when it is very hot or cold.
The National Insurance Number
You must make an appointment in a job center so that the administration assigns you a NIN. Without it, you won't be able to work.
An English bank account
If you are staying for more than a few months, it is highly recommended to open a local account. Without it, you will pay a lot of interest with your euro account. Lloyds Bank accepts expats easily without asking for too much proof of residence. To make transfers from Euros accounts to Pounds sterling accounts, the Transferwise platform takes a very small percentage, usually 2 pounds per transaction (against 35/40) by the bank for the same amount!)
A transport card
Transport is very expensive in London. It is advisable to take a monthly or annual metro pass that will save you a lot of money, even if it is always very expensive at the time. The oyster card will allow you to travel without having to buy a ticket for each journey (4.90 pounds le single).
Accommodation
It's always handy to start with Airbnb or the hotel to have time to find accommodation. Many colocation sites exist and generally, it is very quick to find a place to live. Flatsharing is an art in London! If you are looking for accommodation as a couple or alone, it will surely be more complicated, plan more time and especially a substantial budget (agencies usually take 500 pounds of fees, you will then be asked to pay 1 sometimes 2 or 3 rents in advance and a deposit).
Note that it is usually complicated to find accommodation with an animal. Avoid agencies and you will have much more chances.In London, living in zone 1 is almost mission impossible as rents are expensive (count 1800 pounds for an apartment with one bedroom). Zones 2 and 3 offer decent rents and are nevertheless very accessible. Before signing for housing, take into account the Council Tax which is quite high depending on where you live. You'll need to add this to your rent, usually between £100 and £200.
A job
Remember to work on your English and present a CV in English without mistakes! Whatever environment you want to work in, always present yourself appropriately for an interview. Don't forget to be well prepared, London offers a lot of jobs but there are also a lot of people!
Once you've found housing and a job, you can start enjoying all that London has to offer. Life is very expensive so do your calculations before embarking on the adventure.
London is also an opportunity to attend all types of possible events. From the film festival to the Athletics World Cup, all worlds are represented.Living in the most cosmopolitan city in the world also means having the chance to see Adele in concert before going to the PokerStars Festival in London to admire the greatest champions of Poker. It's the chance to admire the mounted guard taking out the horses in Hyde Park on their way to work, it's also the chance to meet Jude Law on the terrace of a pub or Kate Moss shopping.
This article is a good starting point to organize your arrival in London but also everywhere else in England!Safe travels!
