Moving To/Living In London Megathread - ALL QUESTIONS TO GO HERE

Nicoleide

djpbarry wrote: »

Is that your total budget for rent, bills and council tax, or is it just for rent?

no that just for rent for 2 people so to this we will need to add council tax and other bills

steve9859

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hi Steve,

Thanks for very good pieces of advice.

What you mean when you say that Putney doesnt really feel like being in London? What the classical feeling taht London may have that you won't find in Putney. I am quite new to London so for me any piece of info may be essential

I will need to be in sheperds bush around 9/9.30 every morning so I guess that I would be getting the rush hour in its best but if by bycicle putney - sheperds bush is feasible, well why not!
do you think that for 1300/1400 for month can I find something decent around Putney/Wandsworth?

many thanks!

I just mean that Putney has bags of open space, its beautiful beside the river, good parks (just beside Kew Gardens and Richmond Park as well) - just feels less built up. But at the same time, the west end is only a few tube stops away.

You would get somewhere for that. I know for a fact there are 2 bed furnished mansion flats going in Kenilworth Court just by Putney Bridge for 1400 a month. check primelocation.com - that will give you an idea - will have loads of stuff round wandsworth as well. council tax for a flat in that range would be £1000 or just under a year (compared to £1500 for the same flat across the river in fulham)

Country lane

Hi,

Having lived over that way...i'd recommend Chiswick. You have the river, lots of restaurants, parks good transport links, lots and lots of celebs from or live there ranging from Ant & Dec, to Helen Mirron, Phil Collins, Hugh Grant, Dara o'briain, Timothy Dalton, etc. Acton is good if you are into the Antipodean & Polish 20 something party scene.

Putney is also lovely, but you might as well look at Barnes and Sheen too as they are just that side of the river too.

steve9859

Barnes, Sheen will be cheaper as well. You just need to decide how much you want to be on the district line. For me, personally, its priceless having the tube as an option, right there. But you pay for that.....

Chiswick is nice, and am a regular visitor to the pubs there by the river, but was too far out for me.

Fact is, everyone will talk up their own part of town, like I talk up Putney. Get hold of a map, overlay the tubes and overland trains, and pick somewhere that looks connected enough for what you want, fits what you want to be near (parks, river etc), and use that website to check asking prices

Choccie Lover

What's the Boston Manor Area like? Anyone have any opinions?

Nicoleide

steve9859 wrote: »

I just mean that Putney has bags of open space, its beautiful beside the river, good parks (just beside Kew Gardens and Richmond Park as well) - just feels less built up. But at the same time, the west end is only a few tube stops away.

You would get somewhere for that. I know for a fact there are 2 bed furnished mansion flats going in Kenilworth Court just by Putney Bridge for 1400 a month. check primelocation.com - that will give you an idea - will have loads of stuff round wandsworth as well. council tax for a flat in that range would be £1000 or just under a year (compared to £1500 for the same flat across the river in fulham)

Well thanks so much for your tips. I never came across primelocation.com, I will defo have a look at it. Yes I dont know but for what I read, Putney would suit me well; the only concern I have is with regard to the transportation (it seems that everybody hates the district line) and I also would need to stay in a place with good links to the airports in general (for this I mean being not too far from Victoria station for example)

Before I was reading a few people on here saying that you need to know what your priorities are and then accordingly look for a suitable place...well my idea is to find a place where whitin 30 mins or less (even better) I am in work in Sheperds Bush, where a couple of times per week I can play football in a park or go for running, and also it would be quite important for me/us having a good scene in terms of culture, arts and why not good places to drink and listen to some good live music either during the week or at weekends well I know that I am asking for the perfect place that maybe does not exist or very hard to find! however said that, does Putney or places nearby like Barnes have this kind of atmosphere and requirements in your opinion?

thanks so much for helping me out with all these info.

Nicoleide

Country lane wrote: »

Hi,

Having lived over that way...i'd recommend Chiswick. You have the river, lots of restaurants, parks good transport links, lots and lots of celebs from or live there ranging from Ant & Dec, to Helen Mirron, Phil Collins, Hugh Grant, Dara o'briain, Timothy Dalton, etc. Acton is good if you are into the Antipodean & Polish 20 something party scene.

Putney is also lovely, but you might as well look at Barnes and Sheen too as they are just that side of the river too.

what is the closest and best tube station for Barnes and Sheen?
Many thanks for your time!

what do you think of Ealing Broadway as place to live? I read good stuff about it. would you recommend it?

cheers

djpbarry

Nicoleide wrote: »

...it seems that everybody hates the district line...

It’s one of the oldest and slowest of the tube lines and sections are frequently closed for engineering works, especially at the weekends. That said, the trains are probably among the most comfortable.

Nicoleide wrote: »

...and I also would need to stay in a place with good links to the airports in general (for this I mean being not too far from Victoria station for example)

Clapham Junction ticks that box. But then, so would Acton and Ealing (both on the Piccadilly Line).

Nicoleide wrote: »

...also it would be quite important for me/us having a good scene in terms of culture, arts and why not good places to drink and listen to some good live music either during the week or at weekends well I know that I am asking for the perfect place that maybe does not exist or very hard to find! however said that, does Putney or places nearby like Barnes have this kind of atmosphere and requirements in your opinion?

I’m no expert on Putney, but in my experience, it’s a little subdued – I don’t think you’ll find much in the way of live music around there.

Nicoleide

djpbarry wrote: »

It’s one of the oldest and slowest of the tube lines and sections are frequently closed for engineering works, especially at the weekends. That said, the trains are probably among the most comfortable.
Clapham Junction ticks that box. But then, so would Acton and Ealing (both on the Piccadilly Line).
I’m no expert on Putney, but in my experience, it’s a little subdued – I don’t think you’ll find much in the way of live music around there.

Thanks Barry !

Country lane

Ealing is a nice enough spot...but the other areas referred too are that bit nicer, not least because they have the river. You mention playing football, and another benefit of Putney would be that Fulham Irish train there if that is what your after. Ealing is that bit further out, and your considering that sort of distance going out of London...then Richmond would be a better option in my opinion.

Boston Manor is fine, but you would probably find most of your socialising is elsewhere, whereas in the likes of Richmond, Chiswick, Putney even Ealing etc..there is lots to do socially.

Nicoleide

Country lane wrote: »

Ealing is a nice enough spot...but the other areas referred too are that bit nicer, not least because they have the river. You mention playing football, and another benefit of Putney would be that Fulham Irish train there if that is what your after. Ealing is that bit further out, and your considering that sort of distance going out of London...then Richmond would be a better option in my opinion.

Boston Manor is fine, but you would probably find most of your socialising is elsewhere, whereas in the likes of Richmond, Chiswick, Putney even Ealing etc..there is lots to do socially.

thanks for that

somebody lately was mentioning Richmond as a good place, is it not too out of way? and also I was wondering if staying by Putney Bridge tube station would represent the best spot for a place to rent around Putney area.

cheers

Country lane

Why dont you do some dry runs when you are over? Draw up a final list of say 5 towns, buy daily travel cards and take the tube to all the areas you are interested in over a couple of days? That way you will know where feels right to you. Only you will know that at the end of the day.

Nicoleide

Country lane wrote: »

Why dont you do some dry runs when you are over? Draw up a final list of say 5 towns, buy daily travel cards and take the tube to all the areas you are interested in over a couple of days? That way you will know where feels right to you. Only you will know that at the end of the day.

ah yep this was what I was going to do next week when I ll be over for 3/4 days to sort out the usual stuff (bank,NI etc)

thanks a mil

djpbarry

Nicoleide wrote: »

somebody lately was mentioning Richmond as a good place, is it not too out of way?

I would say so, yes. It's a nice place, but a bit too conservative for me.

As for football teams, they're everywhere in London. If you find a common, you can be sure that there will be several teams playing on it come the weekend.

Nicoleide

Louche Lad wrote: »

@Nicoleide: Which road in Battersea have you been offered a room in? I might be able to advise on suitability.

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

S.M.B.

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

That's definitely not a 23 minute walk. I did that exact route numerous times when I worked by Battersea bridge and it's closer to 7 than 23. Even the platform you'd be going to is on that side of the station (although that entrance seems to be temporarily closed at the moment).

I'd say it's a leisurely 15 minute walk and a decent paced 10 minute walk.

Anyway, don't let googles calculations put you off viewing that place.

Louche Lad

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

Ah, sorry, don't know that bit of Battersea. It looks quite awkward transport-wise. I reckon buses are the only practical means of getting in and out. Just looking at it on Google Maps and Street View, I have a generally uncomfortable feeling but I can't quite put my finger on why.

Nicoleide

S.M.B. wrote: »

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

That's definitely not a 23 minute walk. I did that exact route numerous times when I worked by Battersea bridge and it's closer to 7 than 23. Even the platform you'd be going to is on that side of the station (although that entrance seems to be temporarily closed at the moment).

I'd say it's a leisurely 15 minute walk and a decent paced 10 minute walk.

Anyway, don't let googles calculations put you off viewing that place.

hey cheers for the advice. Tuesday I will view the place myself and I'll stroll around the area to see how it works out for me. The good thing is that just beside battersea park.

thanks!

Nicoleide

Louche Lad wrote: »

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

Ah, sorry, don't know that bit of Battersea. It looks quite awkward transport-wise. I reckon buses are the only practical means of getting in and out. Just looking at it on Google Maps and Street View, I have a generally uncomfortable feeling but I can't quite put my finger on why.

thanks, no worries!

djpbarry

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hey Louche

this should be the road
Battersea Church Road, London SW11 3NQ

it is not that close from clapham junction as I was told in the first place ( only 7 mins...) it should take at least 23 mins according to google maps...

Yeah, that leaves you well over a kilometre from a train station. That'd be too far for me personally. However, I do believe there is a bus from Battersea Bridge Road to Shepherd's Bush. The problem is, if you want to go somewhere else, you'd be a bit isolated.

jazzzzy

Hi all,

I am moving to London with three others at the beginning of June until the end of August to work for the Summer. I am quite overwhelmed with the daunting task of finding a house / flat as it is proving very difficult. Does anyone have any advice on the best way of going about finding accommodation for the three months in the London area? We wouldn't have a very high budget, but I know that prices in London are going to be particularly expensive with the Olympics. We're only students, so the cheaper the better!

Thank you!

djpbarry

jazzzzy wrote: »

Does anyone have any advice on the best way of going about finding accommodation for the three months in the London area?

Where will you be working and what's your budget?

jazzzzy

We'll be working in the area of Zone 1 and 2.

Haven't decided on a set budget, but is it wishful thinking to hope for somewhere under £100 a week?

Louche Lad

jazzzzy wrote: »

We'll be working in the area of Zone 1 and 2.

Haven't decided on a set budget, but is it wishful thinking to hope for somewhere under £100 a week?

Probably you'd have to share a room in a shared house, something like that. Have a look at sites like Prime Location and Rightmove to get an idea of what's out there.

Edited to add: have just re-read your original post - there's four of you, not two, so I guess you mean £100 per person which isn't totally unrealistic.

djpbarry

jazzzzy wrote: »

We'll be working in the area of Zone 1 and 2.

Can you be a bit more specific?

jazzzzy wrote: »

Haven't decided on a set budget, but is it wishful thinking to hope for somewhere under £100 a week?

You might be able to rent a room for that. You could try this site:

http://www.airbnb.co.uk

Choccie Lover

Hey guys,

For those of you thinking of coming over to London or just arrived, I just want to give you the lowdown on setting up a bank account.

I set up one today with Llyods (classic account). It was easy as pie. All I needed was a passport. That was it. There is no fee for the account and it was all sorted out in a matter of ten minutes.

Anyway, that was my experience of it.

iambrazil

Choccie Lover wrote: »

I set up one today with Llyods (classic account). It was easy as pie. All I needed was a passport. That was it. There is no fee for the account and it was all sorted out in a matter of ten minutes.

Anyway, that was my experience of it.

That was my experience too.

My girlfriend set up an account with the Co-op when she moved over here in 2010. Three months after opening it they shut it down without telling her. She just went to take out money from an ATM and wasn't allowed. Having a passport, National Insurance number, letter from her employer, letter from her landlord etc. still wasn't enough for them.

who the fug

iambrazil wrote: »

That was my experience too.

My girlfriend set up an account with the Co-op when she moved over here in 2010. Three months after opening it they shut it down without telling her. She just went to take out money from an ATM and wasn't allowed. Having a passport, National Insurance number, letter from her employer, letter from her landlord etc. still wasn't enough for them.

many moons ago a certain bank lost my account, with my first months salary cheque in it

woof im a dog

Didn't realize how easy it is to open a bank account with Lloyds. I had awful hassle trying to open a bank account when I first got here, even with proof of address and national insurance number.

xtina89

Hi all,

I'm moving from Ireland to the UK with work for a year and have been given the option of being paid through either the UK or Irish tax system, i'm on a salary of under €30k so am just wondering if anyone on a similar salary knows where i'd be better off paying tax to? ie less tax.

any info would or advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

also does anyone know anything about the relocation tax benefit offered by the UK?

djpbarry

xtina89 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm moving from Ireland to the UK with work for a year and have been given the option of being paid through either the UK or Irish tax system, i'm on a salary of under €30k so am just wondering if anyone on a similar salary knows where i'd be better off paying tax to?

The UK tax system will make deductions totalling about 21% of your income. The Irish equivalent would be about 16%.

Nicoleide

Hi guys,

Just to confirm a couple of things that might be useful for people going over to London:

A) Bank account: in fairness the most straightforward request to open a bank account can be placed with Lloyds TSB. Before going to their branch just beside Notting Hill Gate, I went around many branches of other banks based in Sheperds Bush ( which is the area where I will be working). Snatander, HSBC, Barclays, Natwest etc. for one reason or another, I was refused to open a bank account on the spot. Llloyds did it in 30/40 mins and when I left I had my online banking set up perfectly.

B)To get the National Insurance number is a very smooth process: ring up the number 0845 600 0643 they will ask you if you already are living in the UK and then they will set up an interview to check your identity. I received an appointment 2 days later and everything was sorted on the day of the appointment as they don't send a card anymore but only a letter where you can take note of your National insurance number and pass it on to the employer. They told me that they stop to send cards out.


Thanks to all for the advice I received. Very helpful!

in terms of area where I will live I think I am going to try to stay either in Hammersmith or Chiswick (I really like but in terms of connection to the rest of London (central and east) is a bit out of the way and the district line is really a pain in the ass). However from now until June 1st I will be just off the Battersea bridge. Not too far from Clapham junction (15 mins walk). It's only temporary though.

I did not like at all Acton and partially Sheperds Bush.

I would be happy to hear opinions about Hammersmith or Chiswich or tips about these places, if anyone has any.

Cheers!

djpbarry

Nicoleide wrote: »

I would be happy to hear opinions about Hammersmith or Chiswich or tips about these places, if anyone has any.

Chiswick is a nice area, as is neighbouring Ravenscourt Park. Few decent pubs and restaurants around there. As you mention yourself, the main drawback is a total reliance on the not-very-reliable and slow-at-the-best-of-times District Line.

Choccie Lover

Nicoleide wrote: »

Hi guys,

Just to confirm a couple of things that might be useful for people going over to London:

A) Bank account: in fairness the most straightforward request to open a bank account can be placed with Lloyds TSB. Before going to their branch just beside Notting Hill Gate, I went around many branches of other banks based in Sheperds Bush ( which is the area where I will be working). Snatander, HSBC, Barclays, Natwest etc. for one reason or another, I was refused to open a bank account on the spot. Llloyds did it in 30/40 mins and when I left I had my online banking set up perfectly.

B)To get the National Insurance number is a very smooth process: ring up the number 0845 600 0643 they will ask you if you already are living in the UK and then they will set up an interview to check your identity. I received an appointment 2 days later and everything was sorted on the day of the appointment as they don't send a card anymore but only a letter where you can take note of your National insurance number and pass it on to the employer. They told me that they stop to send cards out.


Thanks to all for the advice I received. Very helpful!

in terms of area where I will live I think I am going to try to stay either in Hammersmith or Chiswick (I really like but in terms of connection to the rest of London (central and east) is a bit out of the way and the district line is really a pain in the ass). However from now until June 1st I will be just off the Battersea bridge. Not too far from Clapham junction (15 mins walk). It's only temporary though.

I did not like at all Acton and partially Sheperds Bush.

I would be happy to hear opinions about Hammersmith or Chiswich or tips about these places, if anyone has any.

Cheers!

Yeah, have to stress again, that setting up an account with Llyods was so easy, so anyone coming over should definitely consider it.

Like Nicoleide, my NI interview was very straightforward. I had it today. (I had to wait a week for my appointment though).They just wanted my passport. That was it. I should get my number in the next 2-4 weeks.

I'm temping at the mo in Chiswick. It's a lovely area, but apparently quite expensive to rent there, based on some chats I've had with the locals.

S.M.B.

Nicoleide wrote: »

I would be happy to hear opinions about Hammersmith or Chiswich or tips about these places, if anyone has any.

I work in Hammersmith but I'm not sure how interested I'd be in living there. My knowledge of the area is pretty much confined to about 2 streets and a shopping centre though.

djpbarry

Choccie Lover wrote: »

I'm temping at the mo in Chiswick. It's a lovely area, but apparently quite expensive to rent there, based on some chats I've had with the locals.

I wouldn't have said Chiswick is particularly expensive. Certainly not relative to more central areas.

S.M.B. wrote: »

I work in Hammersmith but I'm not sure how interested I'd be in living there. My knowledge of the area is pretty much confined to about 2 streets and a shopping centre though.

That's pretty much all there is to Hammersmith.

caesar

I second what others and Nicoleide have said regarding the bank account.

I was convinced you needed proof of address to open an account. I wasted weeks trying to sort the change of address and statement re-issue on my Irish account, not to mention the fees I was paying for withdrawals. With Lloyds TSB you just need passport, it took 15-20mins to sort during lunch on Monday. Got my bank card yesterday.

Fiii

Hey guys

Just wondering if anyone can help with any ideas on this...
I just moved to London yesterday, have myself a 7month work contract, so staying for the duration (maybe longer).
Just in regards to paying a deposit/ first months rent when sorting a place to stay - how did everyone go about doing that?
I can't set up a bank account without an address (not proof of address, just an actual address to give them), but I can't make a bank transfer etc for the rent without a bank account!
Can an Irish cheque be paid in to a bank account over here?

Any advise much appreciated.

F

djpbarry

Fiii wrote: »

Can an Irish cheque be paid in to a bank account over here?

Not unless it's a Euro account (which it probably isn't) - you have to pay sterling into sterling accounts.

This may be of use:
http://www.currencyfair.com

Lump

You can pay to transfer the money from your irish bank account - Costs €25 from memory + The exchange rate etc.

djpbarry

Lump wrote: »

You can pay to transfer the money from your irish bank account - Costs €25 from memory + The exchange rate etc.

Yeah you can do a for-ex transfer, but it's usually far cheaper (and often faster) to use a third party. Banks charge absolutely ridiculous fees for international transfers.

JasonBourne1

Hi all,

So i'm moving over to London next week, very excited!

I've worked out a budget and after rent/bills/train ticket and money for my loan is taken out of my account i'm left with about £650 a month. I'm panicking a little as this doesnt seem like a lot.

Am I being realistic here? I wouldnt be doing any more than the average person - i.e. few drinks, cinema maybe a new outfit once a month. I've a pick of somewhere to live either in Liverpool St or further north and the one further north would save me the train fare but I'd rather be somewhere central if I can afford it!

Thanks!

Lump

Living in Liverpool street would be my idea of hell! It is so central you'd probably never sleep.... it'd be like living on O' Connell street on crack!

£650 a month after bills rent etc is more than enough.... if it isn't you're living well beyond average in my opinion. If you're worried do a big online shop at the start of every month, then at least you've taken care of the basics.

djpbarry

JasonBourne1 wrote: »

Am I being realistic here? I wouldnt be doing any more than the average person - i.e. few drinks, cinema maybe a new outfit once a month.

I might be completely out of touch here, but a new outfit once a month does not strike me as average.

ballsymchugh

djpbarry wrote: »

I might be completely out of touch here, but a new outfit once a month does not strike me as average.

def not out of touch..... i hope! :eek:

who the fug

djpbarry wrote: »

I might be completely out of touch here, but a new outfit once a month does not strike me as average.

Are we to long in London

djpbarry

who the fug wrote: »

Are we to long in London

Or not long enough, perhaps?

Choccie Lover

Just thought I'd give a breakdown of my NI number timeline for others who are planning on applying for theirs.

I called the Central Job Centre number on Friday April 20th, had my interview exactly a week later on Friday April 27th and got my number today Friday May 4th, exactly a week after my interview.

So pretty quick!

rbag

Hi great thread
I'm moving over in September. Was a tad scared until I came across this.

I'm hoping to find work around Holborn as I'm in the legal field.

If anyone can recommend an area to live that would be great. Moving over on my todd so would prefer a studio.

Bluezar

Hey guys,

I have recently moved over to London after finishing college. Got lucky and got offered a job already in the city of London (beside Bank tube station) so starting there in a few weeks. Looking for somewhere to live and would appreciate any advice ye could give me on best way to find an available room in London.

Does'nt have to be right in the center of London as i'm aware how expensive it is so something commutable in would be grand. Budget is about £400 a month.

Cheers for any help ye can give me