FAQ for moving to/living in London

This thread is the place to look for advice on how to prepare for moving to London, what you need to do when you get here and where to get advice or information. If you have any questions or useful advice/links, please post them in this thread.

There is an archive of the former FAQ thread posts here, containing a lot of useful details of people's experiences. A lot of older threads have been merged here.

When you first move to London, there are a number of things you'll need to do. This list should not be considered exhaustive, but if you follow the advice below you should at least have the basics covered. You may also want to check other guides such as the
London Irish Centre Moving To Ireland Guide or the LondonTown.com London Survival Guide.

Topics:

• Travelling to and from London
• Find somewhere to live
• Get a National Insurance Number
• Get a bank account/make financial arrangements
• Find work
• Get a mobile number
• Register with a doctor
• How to get around

Travelling to and from London:

The usual way to get here is to fly - there are several London airports, including:

• Gatwick
• Heathrow
• Luton
• Stansted
• London City

There's also alternatives like London-Oxford or London Southend, but you're probably best off ignoring them unless those locations are particularly convenient for you. You can find information on how to get from/to each airport at their website.

One thing to note about travelling to and from airports is that if you're using National Express buses to get from one of the airports to London, they will let you on any bus, even if you booked a later one online.

Alternatively you can look up services like SailRail (combined train and ferry service between Ireland and the UK) or other ferry services. From Visitlondon.com: "The fastest routes for ferry travel between Ireland and London are Dublin-Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead. On both routes, high-speed vessels operate alongside normal ferry services. Services are operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line and journey times are as little as 110 minutes on the high-speed vessels and 3 hours 15 minutes on the traditional ferries. Stena Line also operates a crossing from Rosslare to Fishguard with journey times of upwards of 120 minutes. And Irish Ferries has a route from Rosslare to Pembroke, which takes 4 hours."


Find somewhere to live:

You'll probably want to distinguish between short-term accommodation that you use while getting yourself set up and long-term accommodation where you live once you're settled in, if you can. You can use sites like Gumtree, Craigslist or AirBNB to look for short-term lets, though obviously you should keep your wits about you when doing so. In particular, be careful when paying any sort of deposit as there have been a number of deposit-theft scams operated from various similar sites.

When looking for longer-term accommodation, the first thing to do is pick where you want to live. There are lots of areas of London with different qualities - a good starting point might be to check out the sites below and read about areas you're interested in.

BeALondonder.com Area Guide
London Councils information
Police.uk (for information on crime rates, etc)
Irish Post Guide to Irish Communities in London

Things to consider include:

• What's your nearest transport?
• End-to-end, how long is your commute?
• Where's the nearest supermarket?
• What's the local nightlife like?
• What are the local amenities (parks, gyms, cinemas, theatres, live music venues) like?
• What's the council tax like?

Once you've picked an area, have a look around to see what's available. Some good sites to start with are:

• SpareRoom
• RightMove
• Gumtree
• FindAProperty
• PrimeLocation
• SpeedFlatmating
• London Guardians Available Property List

Estate agencies will often advertise on those sites; not all agencies are equally good as they are not strongly regulated (though this will soon change). A lot of agencies leave good-looking/cheap properties on sites long after they're gone to lure you in, and some will pay very little attention to your requirements and try to get you to take any property they have on their books. In order to avoid potential legal issues, this forum cannot allow any naming and shaming of individual agencies; however, if you want to ask for people's personal experience of agencies in a given area you can do so.

Be aware of your rights as a tenant; most importantly if you are signing an assured shorthold tenancy agreement your deposit must be placed by the agent or landlord into an approved deposit protection scheme within 2 weeks of you paying it. This serves as an escrow service of sorts, to minimise the chances of a dispute with your landlord at the end of the tenancy where your deposit is withheld. Go here to see more details. If you have issues with an estate agency or landlord, you should consult the Citizen's Advice Bureau as a first step.

It is important to note that if you rent a room in a property with a resident landlord, the landlord is not required to pay your deposit into an approved protection scheme (see here for details).

If you're renting through an agency, you'll probably need the following:

• Work reference stating salary
• Previous landlord reference
• 3-6 months banks statements
• Deposit of ~ 6 weeks rent

Some agencies will require a background check through private companies like Maras.

It's also worth stating that weekly rent should correctly be defined as (52/12) x (monthly rent). Not all landlords are numerically competent, however, and occasionally you may see listings where (monthly rent) = 4x (weekly rent). It is best to assume that weekly = (52/12) x (monthly) though; you'll avoid nasty surprises that way.


Get a National Insurance number:

Since this can sometimes take a while, you should get the process of requesting an NI number started as soon as possible. Go
here for more detailed information on how to do this, but the basics are as follows:

"If you're looking for work, starting work or setting up as self-employed you will need a National Insurance number. If you have the right to work in the UK, you will need to telephone Jobcentre Plus on Tel 0845 600 0643 (lines are open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday) to arrange to get one. They may require you to attend an 'Evidence of identity' interview - see section 'What happens when you apply for a National Insurance number'."

Although you need to have a National Insurance number to start work you don't need to have a plastic National Insurance number card.

What happens when you apply for a National Insurance number?

Jobcentre Plus will arrange an 'Evidence of identity' interview for you or send you a postal application. If relevant, they will confirm the date, time and location of your interview and what information/documentation you need to support your application.

What to expect at the 'Evidence of identity' interview

The interview will usually be one-to-one (unless, for example, you need an interpreter). You will be asked questions about why you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstances.

You will also have to prove your identity. Bring as many 'identity documents' (originals, not photocopies) as you can to your interview. Examples of documents which count are:

valid passport (UK or foreign)
national identity card (UK or foreign)
residence permit or residence card including biometric immigration residency documents
full birth or adoption certificate
full marriage or civil partnership certificate
driving licence (UK or foreign)

If you don't have any of these - or other - identity documents you still must go to the interview. The information you are able to provide might be enough to prove your identity.

During the interview a National Insurance number application form will be completed and you will be asked to sign it.

What happens next?

If you were asked to provide additional information you will need to do this by the agreed date. Jobcentre Plus will write and let you know whether your application was successful and, where appropriate, tell you what your National Insurance number is.

If relevant, tell your employer your National Insurance number as soon as you know it. Do not share your National Insurance number with anyone who does not need it as knowledge of your number might help someone to steal your identity.

It is important to keep the letter telling you what your National Insurance number is safe as it is a useful reminder of your number. However, the letter on its own cannot be used to prove your identity and you do not need it to start work. It's the National Insurance number itself that's important.

More information is available here.

One boardsie's described their experience of the NI process as follows:

1. Ring Jobcentre Plus on 0845 600 0643 (open between 8am and 6pm) and tell them that you are looking to apply for a national insurance number. They will try and arrange a location, a time and they will give you a reference number. They will also post you a letter in the post which will arrive a few days later with this reference number on it.

2. Arrive at the centre with documents which might help you to prove your identity such as passport, drivers license, birth cert, letter with proof of employment, your PPS number (I didn't realise this until today and I managed to search through my GMail for it on my phone) and your proof of address (I got a bank statement sent from Ulster Bank to my house). `

3. When you arrive tell the person at the desk that your National Insurance interview is today and leave your letter with them. They will call you and give you a number and tell you where to wait for a staff member to talk to you.

4. When you find the waiting area your number will be called and you will be asked to essentially show the documents and give the relevant information. They will fill out your application and ask you to sign the relevant section. They will ask you to sit down while they give your passport back. For some reason it took me longer than the other documents to get back, presumably they are doing some checks to ensure that it is valid and genuine.

That's it, I'm told I should expect my National Insurance Number in the post in 2 - 4 weeks time. I was also given a phone number in the event that this doesn't happen.

Get a bank account/make financial arrangements:

This may prove tricky; you'll need proof of address and may have to sign up for a chargeable account, depending on the nature of your move to the UK. If you're a student your university welcome pack should feature information on how to sign up for a bank account suited to your needs.

Otherwise, a good starting point is to get your existing bank account updated with your UK address (even if it's temporary) and ask them to send you a statement with the new address. You should be able to use this as proof of address.

UK personal banking providers include:

• HSBC
• Halifax
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Natwest
• Lloyds TSB

There are some online/telephone-only bank services, but bear in mind that this will make resolving any problems much harder as you won't be able to talk to someone in person.

It's worth noting that most UK banks are now pushing for standard debit/ATM cards to have RFID technology built in by default. If you keep your bank card in the same wallet/holder as an Oyster card, the two will interfere with one another. Furthermore, there are substantial security considerations affecting the NFC standard currently used for RFID-enabled bank cards. When opening an account, it's worth checking this and demanding an RFID-free card - most banks will provide this if you're insistent.

Below are some anecdotes from boardsies regarding setting up accounts with the various banks:

I rang up Ulster Bank in Newry and they began the process of setting up a (fee-free) sterling current account for me over the phone using my ROI address. They post down the application forms which you sign and post back along with bank statements & bills (proof of address) and photocopy of passport signed and stamped by any ROI branch of Ulster Bank. Obviously this process takes a bit of time posting things back and forth but judging by the problems some people have had setting up accounts when they arrive I thought it is a good option for people to know about.

Santander don't look for proof of address when opening an account (just a passport), quite handy when you're new to town.

You can open an account with Lloyds with just a passport and they won’t charge you anything: Lloyds New To The UK Info

There's some general advice on bank accounts from the government here. You can use sites like MoneySupermarket to compare the benefits of various different current accounts.

If you receive the dole in Ireland (the one where you have been working and paid stamps) you can transfer it to London (or any European country) for 13 weeks while looking for work. They pay it straight into your bank account. The only stipulation is that you have to have been receiving it in Ireland for 4 weeks. You may also be able to sign up to get Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

For converting/transferring currency, you can also use services like CurrencyFair, TransferWise and the Post Office as alternatives to bank transfers. For large IBAN-type transfers between UK and Irish banks, this may save you a substantial amount in fees – as always, you should ensure that the service you are using is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

You can use websites like UK Tax Calculators or Listen To Taxman to checking what you should be paying in tax. You should also consult the HMRC for information on tax-free allowance and tax bands.


Find work:

If you're moving over without a job lined up in advance, you'll want to have your CV ready to send to any companies you're interested in. You may want to apply to temping agencies as well, or you may want to target job sites like:

• Jobsite
• JobIsJob
• Guardian Jobs
• Monster
• Jobs.Ac.Uk
• EFinancial Careers
• [url=htt://www.linkedin.com]LinkedIn[/url]

Depending on your field there may well be specialist recruitment sites or agencies that are worth using.

If you plan to get work with children (nursery, preschool, primary, high), in the health, medical or social care field as well as some other areas where you will be working with vulnerable people, you must have a CRB check (a Garda clearance basically). You cannot legally apply for this as an individual, so if you are job hunting for work in this field, register with an agency who will apply for it on your behalf (some will charge you for this process), such as Hays, Carefirst, Prospectus etc

From Directgov: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Startinganewjob/DG_195809

Quote:
Can I start work before my criminal record check is completed?
This will depend on the employer and the role you have applied for. For example, sometimes for care worker jobs, a check of the lists of people barred from working with vulnerable groups will be made. You will still have to be supervised until your check is processed and completed.

Check with the person who is recruiting you.

Similarly, some security clearance procedures may require a utility bill; it may be possible to use a mobile phone contract for this purpose but check before signing up if you weren't already planning on doing so.


Get a mobile number:

If you have an unlocked phone, you can get a PAYG SIM pretty easily, or if you prefer a cheap 30-day rolling contract from the likes of 3. You will need an unlocked handset for this. Bear in mind that getting an Irish handset unlocked in Ireland is much easier than doing so in the UK - you're basically dependent on local shops for phone unlocking in the UK, as there's no legislation requiring mobile networks to provide the information.

Alternatively you can sign up for a contract straight away when you move here, but doing so without a credit history can be tricky sometimes, especially if you're looking for a shiny new handset to go with it. It's worth noting that a lot of networks here are now pushing for 18 months as the minimum contract term, with some offering the best deals only on 24-month contracts.

Another thing to bear in mind is that no network in the UK offers good coverage for the whole island, and some of them can be extremely poor in certain areas. Check coverage in your area! No network is great for coverage across all of London, so check before you pick a network. If you sign up for a contract without checking coverage in your area and then try to cancel, you will have to pay a penalty fee.

If you have a Vodafone phone (bill pay or prepaid) and sign up for Vodafone Passport (no extra charge) people in Ireland can call you as if you were in Ireland and you don't pay any roaming fee to receive the call.

The main UK mobile providers are:

• O2 (Coverage Checker
• Vodafone (Coverage Checker)
• Three (3G only; Coverage Checker)
• Everything Everywhere (Coverage Checker)

Other providers like GiffGaff, Tesco and GiffGaff provide services as well, but they are effectively reselling access to one of the networks listed above.


Register with a doctor:

No matter what anyone from either the US or the Conservative Party tries to tell you, one of the truly great things about both London and the UK is the NHS. You have the option of private care, but you've also got the safety net of the NHS providing you with a good and affordable baseline standard of medical care. You should register with a GP as soon as you can, to avoid hassle in the event of becoming ill - you can find more information about the process here. You can find out your local NHS options here.

The NHS covers some, but not all, dental care procedures in the UK. As a result it can be a lot harder to register with an NHS dentist than an NHS GP, and even if you do manage to get registered with an NHS dentist you should resign yourself to being referred for non-optional yet non-NHS-covered dental hygiene sessions after most dental checkups. You can get help finding an NHS dentist here.


How to get around:

The first site you'll want to check is Transport for London. It has information about all the main London transport services like buses, the Tube, and the Overground. You can get a PDF copy of the current Tube map here.

If you're living in London, you'll almost definitely want an Oyster card - you get significantly cheaper travel (a little over £1 for a bus trip, £2 for the Overground, and between £1.90 and ~£4 for the Tube depending on the time of day, at the time of writing). There are FareFinder and [url= TravelCard pages that you can use to work out the cost per journey and whether a better weekly, monthly or yearly option exists, and thus figure out your expected monthly costs.

If you're commuting by rail, you'll want to be looking at National Rail initially to work out your route. It is worth noting that you'll save money and hassle by booking season tickets; your workplace may offer a subsidy plan for purchasing annual season tickets (which offer a substantial saving on weekly or monthly tickets). It's also worth checking sites like The Train Line for tickets as you can often get cheaper prices for booking in advance.

If you have a car and want to bring it with you, bear in mind when working out your budget that you'll probably have to pay the Congestion charge. You'll also have to request a parking permit from your borough council. The process for doing so varies from council to council, but you can find some information on how to do so from this site.

You have to register the car in the UK within three months of arriving. This involves some form-filling and you have to take the time to visit a DVLA office during work/office hours. Naturally there are fees involved, but nothing too prohibitive. One possible issue is that, if your car's speedometer is km/h, you will have to get it converted to mp/h before you'll be allowed to register it here. For more information, go here.

If you're interested in cycling, TFL have some useful information for you here. You might also be interested in the Barclays Bike Hire scheme operated by TFL, or the Cycle Scheme - if your employer is part of the scheme you can register and buy a bike tax-free.