Things to know before moving to London

Why do people move to London?

It’s not so much a question of why do people move to London, as why don’t they? There’s so much going for it as a city.

It really is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the world. And so, not surprisingly, many people move here every year. Whether you’re looking for a new career opportunity, a great place to study, or to build a happy and fulfilled life for yourself - you’ll find plenty of reasons to move to London, just like so many others have, from all over the world.

Great job prospects in the city

Like many others, you may be drawn to London for its job prospects. With over 80,000 new jobs being created in the city every year, there’s plenty of opportunity. Some of the world’s most successful companies and industries operate in London, particularly in the media, finance, manufacturing and technology sectors. So, if you’re hoping to make a career in one of these fields, you have a good chance of finding the right role for you. Plus, with a number of co-working spaces available across the city, there’s plenty of opportunity to network and find work.

The history

London is just steeped in history. One article simply isn’t enough to discuss a history that extends over 2000 years: a history that starts with the Romans. In that time, it has become one of the world's most significant financial and cultural capital cities. It has withstood the Great Plague (1665-66), the Fire of London (1666), the Civil War, the Blitz, terrorist attacks and riots. All of these events have helped shape London into robust city it is today.

There are so many historic buildings to visit from the Tower of London to Hampton Court in the west of London. Plus, there are a host of galleries and museums – whether it be National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, Museum of London, Imperial War Museum, The National Gallery or Royal Observatory at Greenwich.

Education

London is home to a large number of schools, colleges, vocational institutions and a prestigious University with its many colleges. Many people move here to provide their children with a better education, or to find one themselves. Many students in the age group of 18-25 years come to London from overseas and the whole of the UK to acquire education in their favourite subjects.

The lifestyle

London is a huge city with a number of different boroughs. Each comes with its own price tag, when it comes to renting or buying. And each comes with differing and attractive lifestyles. But overall London offers a great lifestyle with so many choices in food and cuisine, sports and entertainment, arts and culture, history, huge green parks, and a very well-connected transport system. Essentially it has everything you could want from a major city. Of course, its diversity and choice in lifestyles comes from it being one of the most multicultural cities on earth.

How many people move to London each year?

In the decade before 2020, London saw more people leaving the capital for other places in the UK, but saw a positive balance for net international immigration, as London attracts more international new residents than leave the city every year.

How many people live in London?

The current population of London is 9,648,000: a 1.12% increase on 2022, and a 1.31% increase on 2020 when the population was 9,304,000

Which is the best area to live in London?

Every area of London has its own qualities to recommend it. Whether those appeal to you will depend on your own finances and taste. Some areas are a great deal more expensive than others, and may be prohibitively costly - areas such as: Chelsea, Mayfair, Richmond or Hampstead. And this expense is often due to the houses, good transport links, quality schools and lovely green spaces.

• North London has a friendly family feel, and can be quirky despite its more established routes.

• South London can be more affordable, and benefits from large green spaces like Crystal Palace Park and Greenwich Park.

• East London has undergone quite a regeneration, and is now alive with trendy bars, galleries and restaurants. Many young professionals settle here and enjoy easy access to Canary Wharf, the Docklands and the City of London.

• West London, with some stunning architecture, tree-lined streets and open green spaces has some of the most expensive places in London to live, as well as some of the best shopping.

To help you choose where to live and give you an idea of costs, we put together “The best places to live in London” and “An overview of the cost of living in London”

When is the best time to move to London?

London is not known for the best weather in the winter, especially in January and February. But funnily enough these are the best months to arrive in London, after the Christmas and New Year crush. There will be fewer tourists, and public transport is less crowded. Plus, there may be better deals on accommodation.

How to make friends in London

Moving to a new city where you know no one can be a daunting experience, even if you’re moving with family. Despite having a population of over 9 million people, London can be a lonely place if you don’t make the effort to get out and meet people. If you’re working or studying in London, you will meet people that way - but here are some other suggestions :

House sharing

If you’re looking to rent in London, rather than live alone in a bedsit, consider house sharing. Through websites like Spareroom, you can find new flatmates with similar interests and personalities - helping you find a great living situation, and some friends along the way. Make use of the ‘buddy up’ search feature and build a group of people, and develop friendships, before you even find a property.

Frequent cafes or pubs

Find a cafe or pub that you like, and by becoming a regular you can soon build familiarity and bridge the gap between small talk and a genuine friendship. You don’t need to make a friend straight away. If they’re regulars too, you’ll probably see them again, and you can build a friendship - or even a social group - over time. Many pubs have social events, such as quiz nights, or games evenings. That’s a good way to get involved.

Join a sports team

A tried and tested way to meet new people is to join an activity-based social group. Whatever your preferred sport, there are teams that play weekly matches all over the capital. Not only are you guaranteed a regular meetup, but many of London’s sports teams tend to hang out to socialise afterwards. If you like sports, why not explore Go Mammoth?

Attend events and conventions

The best way to find enduring friends is to find people you share an interest with. And where better than at conferences on subjects you’re passionate about? These will connect you with those who have a similar enthusiasm. Whether it’s Comic Con, the EGX gaming convention or London Craft Week, there’s something for everyone.

What’s the weather like in London?

It’s often said that the Brits start any conversation by talking about the weather. And this may be true, as it’s so changeable and so very topical. It’s hard to plan anything. Mention that you’re having a barbecue at the weekend, and the heavens are sure to open.

The summer average maximum temperature for London is around 23 °C - but last year in 2022, it actually reached 40°C on a couple of days. London is not built for heat - so hot weather can be unbearable. A January maximum average temperature is 8.42°C with a minimum of 2.6°C.

So, should I move to London?

As discussed in this article London has so much going for it. Excellent job prospects, amazing art, culture and history, great restaurants, bars and many green spaces. But, best of all, for someone moving from abroad, it’s a very welcoming, diverse and multicultural city: a city that allows you to express yourself, and be who you want to be.

Of course, It can be an expensive place to live, but as it’s so large, there are always more affordable places to call home in London. And, with a great transport system, even if you live on the edges of London, you can quickly be in the centre.

WorldRemit makes living abroad easier

If you do decide to move to London, or any other city, we can be there to support you, and help you stay connected to those you love. If you need to send money back to family and friends, we offer an excellent, low-cost, online money transfer service: one that allows you to send fast and secure transfers.

And, if you need any more information on the different aspects of living abroad, you can also refer to our blog for a host of interesting articles.

So, why not sign up to WorldRemit, and make a money transfer today?

The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.