BEFORE YOU MOVE TO LONDON

Proper preparations before moving to London are very important because they will help you to settle down quickly and can save you time and money. This chapter gives you the important information you will need to know before moving to London.

There are important things that need to be done in your home country before you move so that it will be easier for you to settle down when you arrive. By the end of this chapter you will also have a rough idea of the cost of living in London. All the information in this chapter will help you prepare and plan better before you move.

Things to do and important information to know before you move to London:

1.      Arrange to open a bank account.

If you have an account with an international bank, talk to your banking officer on how they can arrange to open a bank account in their London branch for you. I suggest you have an account with the HSBC bank in your home country because HSBC has the most bank branches in London compared to the other banks.

 2.      Proof of address in the country you usually reside.

Please bring with you your national identity (ID) card and bank statements (especially international bank statements). You will need these documents, together with your passport when opening a bank account in London.

  3.      Obtain a driving license.

If you are European Community (EC)/ European Economic Area (EEA) national and you plan to drive in UK, it is better for you to get your driving license from your own country. You can then use the EC/EEA driving license to drive in UK.

4.   Study the London transport map. You can download the map at www.tfl.gov.uk and then print it in colour.

 The tube is the London Underground network of railways. It consists of more than 10 railway lines, so it is important to print them in colour, as each line has its own colour. For your convenience I have printed them for you, or you can download them from  www.moving2london.net.

 Most people in London use the tube to go around because it is faster compared to other modes of transport.

 The tube map can help you to decide which zone and area you want to live in. Most people want to stay near to the tube or train station that has rail lines that can take them straight to their place of work. People usually want to stay where transport is easy for them.

 

5.   Oyster Card

The Oyster card is a ‘smart card’ for London Transport; it is designed to make buying tickets easier, quicker and cheaper.

 You can store money as well as weekly, monthly and annual travel passes on an Oyster card. The card is transferable. It is always cheaper to buy rail and bus tickets if you have an Oyster card compared to if you don’t.

6.   London Weather

In London the weather changes very fast. It can be sunny in the morning and raining in the afternoon or in the evening on the same day. Always carry an umbrella with you. On top of that you can have warm weather in the morning and afternoon and very cold in the evening. Always bring a jacket along with you. The weather can also be warm one day and cold the next day. In other words, it is difficult to predict the English weather. For example, in early spring of 2008, it was snowing in London.

 
 Useful Guide

A basic haircut for women in an ordinary salon in London will cost about £15 and for men, a basic haircut at the barber will cost about £8. Alterations to your trousers will cost about £9 and shortening jacket sleeves is about £15. After conversion to your local currencies, the above service charges are more likely to be more expensive in London compared to your home country. So my advice is to get your haircut or any clothes alterations done before you move to London.

   
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