Moving to London

There’s plenty to love about London: distinct and gorgeous architecture and landmarks, arts and cultural offerings, a storied history, accessible transit options, a robust economy and job market, free public health insurance, and its geographical location. Plus, it’s a diverse melting pot of people from all over the globe.

It’s easy to see why anyone would want to call the city home. But if you’re thinking about moving to London, it’s difficult to know where to start if you live abroad. We’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to make that move and live the life you’ve always dreamed of in London.

Why Move to London?

Everyone is drawn to London for different reasons. Some have personal circumstances pulling them to the city, while others might have a familial or professional connection to the region.

Here are some reasons non-residents might want to call London home.

Career Opportunities

If you’re looking for a professional boost, you might consider a move to London. Among the jobs in the highest demand in the city are:

• Financial sector employees (including management consultants, actuaries, economists and statisticians)
• Software engineers
• Graphic designers
• Chefs and cooks
• Nurses (and other health care positions.)

The creative industries are also a growing sector for employment in London.

Cost of Living

London might be an expensive city, but the pay in many fields tends to be pretty high and livable. The median salary is about 93,300 GBP annually, with the cost of living about 13% less expensive than New York City, not including rent of a bedroom flat. Rent is about 22% lower than NYC) You might be surprised, though, to learn that utility bills are significantly higher — about 65% — than they are in New York.

Family Connections

If your family has English roots or hails from elsewhere in the United Kingdom, you might feel compelled to make the move abroad to London, easily the most vibrant city in the UK. For many, this helps them feel more connected to their ancestors and family history as they learn more about their heritage.

Seeking Higher Education If you’re a student seeking a higher education abroad, the London area boasts some of the best colleges and universities in the world. If you’re enrolling in classes, make sure you consider: Oxford University; University College London; Imperial College London; King’s College London; Queen Mary University of London; London School of Economics and Political Science; and the London Business School.

No matter what you’re studying, you’ll find a high-quality education in London.

Booming Economy

London boasts the largest gross domestic product (GDP) of all UK and European cities. As one of the largest financial centers in the world, a significant amount of international trade occurs within the city, and it’s home to headquarters for more of the top companies in the UK. More than 100 of Europe’s largest companies also have a large presence in London.

Arts and Cultural Offerings

London is one of the top cities in the world for arts and culture. If the visual arts are your thing, you don’t want to miss Tate Modern and Tate Britain, The National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Barbican Art Gallery and Hayward Gallery.

If you’re looking for performing arts, check out musical theater and plays in the historic West End theatre district, The Royal Ballet and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Interest in History

The UK, including London, has a rich, dramatic history and a lot of landmarks — from Buckingham Palace to the Big Ben. History buffs will have plenty to discover in this city.

Health Care

All UK residents receive free public health care through the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS offers residents a range of services from hospital stays, doctor’s visits and mental health care.

Proximity to Europe

Other parts of the UK and much of Europe is a hop, skip and a jump away from London, which can be a major draw for travel lovers. There are trains that travel through the English Channel Tunnel that bring you to cities like Paris, Lille or Brussels for easy day trips. Meanwhile, budget airlines make it easy to fly to dozens of European cities.

Accessible Public Transport

There’s plenty to explore in London and the UK, as well as Europe. The Oyster Card is a travel card that lets visitors and Londoners alike move around the region easily using public transportation.

Marriage

If you marry a Brit, you could find yourself falling in love with a new city if the relationship means a move to London. If you’re relocating to London with your spouse, you’ll have a separate immigration path.

Where to Live in London

At 607 square miles, London is the largest city in England and is twice the size of New York City. There’s a lot to explore, and if you’re unfamiliar with the city, it could be tough to figure out where you want to live when you move. Here are some of the major neighborhoods and boroughs of London.

Pathways for Immigrating to London

If you’re traveling to London for tourism or for just a short period, it’s easy to visit the United Kingdom. If you want to stay longer or permanently, though, the process is more involved. Every non-resident has their own reasons for moving to London, too, which means every path to immigration is different.

Here are some of the common reasons you might move to London and what the immigration process is like.

Make London Your New Home

As you plan your move to London, there’s a lot to be excited about: a new home, new friends, new career opportunities and new adventures. However, it can be overwhelming to make this move abroad where you might not know many people or maybe even don’t know the city well.

It’s important to do your research and get to know the immigration process in the UK — whether you’re a student, a retiree, a business owner or an investor — so that you fully understand the steps you need to take to make this move successfully.

As you prepare for immigration, learn more about how an independent platform like Relocate can connect you with advisors who can provide the resources you need to make your move easier.

Get Started. Get Going. Transcend Borders.