Our Top Tips for Moving to London

Finding great student housing is a challenge. London will be easy to navigate with these moving tips and tricks.

Moving to a new place may seem daunting, but your study abroad experience shouldn’t be. For students looking to spend their time overseas in London, you’re in luck. Not only is London an exciting place with lots to do and plenty to see, it’s also a welcoming city with many international visitors each year.

Here are our top tips for finding your perfect student housing. Londonliving has never been easier!

Get Organised Before You Go

Communication: Staying in contact with friends and family back home is key while living abroad. With a variety of free apps like Skype and WhatsApp, it’s easy to keep in touch with far-away loved ones, no matter what time zone you’re in!

Visas: Before you pack your bags and head to the airport, there are a few things you need to organise for your trip – especially if you’re an international visitor. Do some research to figure out if you need a visa for your stay, and make sure you leave enough time to do all the paperwork. Visa processes can take a while, so it’s better to do this sooner rather than later.

Student Accommodation

Before you know it, it will be time to find your perfect student housing. Londonoffers a wide selection of housing options, which is great for those looking to find a good location for their stay in the city. Many student houses in the city specialise in short-term residences and provide all the luxuries of home, like Wi-Fi, a kitchen and living areas.

Travelling

It’s time to figure out your transportation options once you’ve sorted out your student housing. London transport options include the tube, buses, the Thameslink and the over ground. Each of these options will require you to purchase a single-ride ticket or an Oyster card, though some places offer contactless payment options. With a little research, you can figure out how to navigate your way around the city in no time.

If you end up living in Central London, you might be able to get away with walking everywhere you need to go as long as the weather’s nice! But don’t forget to bring an umbrella just in case.

Free Activities

If you live in central student housing, Londonwill be yours to explore, since the city is full of fun things to do. Parks, museums and many art galleries are free to the public, so be sure to make a list of all the things you want to see during your trip abroad. Be sure to check out the world-famous British Museum, Tate Modern Art Gallery and the V&A (Victoria & Albert) Museum.

Where to Eat

Dining Out: Lucky visitors to the area will get to feast on some amazing international cuisine. While England is famous for dishes like fish and chips and pie and mash, there’s a huge variety of international restaurants to choose from all over the capital city.

Eating In: Dining out all the time can be expensive, so take advantage of many of the supermarkets in the city and make a meal to eat in your student housing. London food hall favourites include the speciality stores at Harrods and Selfridges, or check out some of the independent markets at Borough Market or Portobello Road for some cooking inspiration.

No matter where you choose to live in the city, there is something for everyone. Follow these helpful tips and you’ll be ready to start off your study abroad experience right away.

Author Plate

Sophie Smith works as an independent consultant and offers advice to young people looking for London-based student housing. London has a wide range of options when it comes to student living, and Sophie’s helpful suggestions make deciding where to stay even easier. Her expert tips and tricks stem from her first-hand experience studying in the city and living on a budget, so she is more than qualified to support others doing the same.

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