Moving to London đŹđ§
Itâs been 6 months since I moved across the pond from Canada to the UK and itâs been the most fulfilling experience, to say the least. Before we can skip to the good part in terms of working abroad, travelling Europe and meeting new friends youâll likely face some daunting âadult adminâ to deal with. If youâre contemplating moving or have recently moved to London here are my top 10 things to consider.
Your Right-to-Work
Whether youâre doing a transfer through your existing workplace, joining a new company based in London or coming over with no job youâll need to consider your right-to-work and how that impacts your visa requirements.
If youâre between the ages of 18-30 and a Canadian citizen I would highly recommend getting the Tier-5 Youth Mobility visa which gives you the flexibility to work and/or live in the UK for up to 2 years (perks of being part of the Commonwealth đ). The only requirement is to have a minimum of ÂŁ2,500 in savings, for more information visit the government website here. (FYI - The age limit is increasing to 35 years for 3 years on January 31, 2024)
The process is straightforward once you fill out your online application, make an appointment at the visa office at Bay & Bloor to get your biometrics and photo taken. Youâll receive your passport and visa in the mail within 3 weeks (mine came in 2 weeks). Once youâve landed in the UK pick up your biometrics card within 10 days from your local post office (this acts as your ID) as well as apply for your NIS number (the equivalent to your SIN in Canada) online which youâll need to provide to your employer for tax purposes.
For any potential tax questions, itâs best to consult your accountant but a helpful resource is this Facebook group called Canadian and UK Taxation which is moderated by Alex Barber, a CPA who has a lot of experience with Canadian and UK tax laws. Just CTRL+F what questions you might have someone has probably already asked it!
Snapshot of my entry Visa (you have 3 months from when you are approved to enter the country!)
2. Hunting for a Flat
The thing to note about flats in London is that most of these victorian homes were built before Canada even became a country! Therefore itâs really important to visit a flat in person before you sign any paperwork to ensure itâs of the quality you expect (listing photos can be deceiving!) - I would check if the windows are single or double pane, if the carpets are clean, the plumbing works and if furniture is included. I would advise against signing a lease from out of the country so you can do a proper inspection but also to avoid any potential listing scams.
See below for the best resources to find a flat:
Spareroom - Great if youâre on a budget, looking to rent 1 bedroom and donât have any flatmates in mind/are willing to join an existing lease. Thereâs a paid premium option that gives you priority access in terms of messaging the listing agent/tenant/landlord which can be worth the money given all the demand.
Rightmove - Most listings for entire 1-3 bedroom flats are listed here - perfect if you want to live solo or already have a few friends in mind youâd like to rent with.
Facebook Groups - if you donât want to go through an agent or are looking for something more short-term you can browse the copious amount of Facebook groups like London Sublets, London Rooms to Rent, and London Rent Room. Youâll need âapprovalâ to get into the groups but if you go this route please be mindful of potential scammers!
Aside from rent, some other important things to consider are:
The Borough - London is made up of 32 boroughs and each has its own culture, community and architecture. Itâs easier to get a sense once youâve visited in person but if youâre struggling to conceptualize you can take this online quiz to determine which area might be best for you.
Council Tax - Unlike property tax in Canada (which the landlord pays for) tenants are responsible for paying Council Tax in the UK. You can find out your tax band and if youâre eligible for a rebate here. (Pro tip: if youâre a student you donât need to pay Council Tax and if you live alone you get a 25% discount)
Bills - Is water, electricity and internet included? or do you have to pay for them yourself on top of the rental amount? It might be worth negotiating to see if thereâs any flexibility with your landlord especially given the rising cost of electricity in the UK.
Proximity to the Tube - London has an amazing tube network but if convenience is important to you think about where youâll need to be most often (work/school) and how youâll get there to identify your ideal tube stop and commute time. Citymapper is my personal favourite when it comes to navigating the Tube.
Listing photo of my London flat!
3. Ca$hflow
Banking in the UK puts the Canadian banking system to shame in terms of flexibility, agility and convenience. If youâre looking to go the digital banking route I would suggest first opening a Wise account (which provides preferential rates for transferring money between currencies i.e. CAD to GPB and vice-versa. Use my referral to transfer up to $800 fee free) and then open one of the following bank accounts: Monzo, Revolut or Starling. If youâre a boomer and want to have access to a physical branch consider opening an HSBC international account. One important factor to consider when moving to the UK is that most companies pay their employees monthly, meaning you need to have enough savings to settle within your first month before your pay cheque arrives.
Since youâre starting with 0 credit history in the UK it can be difficult to get approved for a credit card. However, if you were previously an American Express cardholder you can take advantage of the Global Transfer Program that allows you to apply for a UK credit card leveraging your Canadian credit score. If youâre interested in getting the Gold Rewards Card which is free for the first year, use my referral here to get an additional Membership Rewards bonus. (This is my disclosure where I say I work for American Express đ
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If you donât get Londonâs backwards obsession with debit cards and are looking to get rewarded for using a credit card check out Yonder (get 3 months free + a ÂŁ50 experience credit). Itâs probably the best no-fee, no Fx rewards card in the competitive landscape at the moment.
4. Staying Connected with Data
Youâll soon realize how much youâve been overpaying for your cellphone plan when you move to the UK and discover how cheap and abundant data plans are (power of competition!). If you donât want to deal with the hassle of getting a SIM card on arrival consider applying for a free GIFF GAFF SIM card which can be mailed to your Canadian address. You can then activate it on arrival at the airport so that you have service as soon as you land. (Use my referral to get ÂŁ5 in credit). I currently pay ÂŁ10/month for 16GB and have the ability to roam like home for free within the EU. Other cellular providers you can look into include EE, Virgin, Vodafone, Three and O2.
You can roam like home when you travel to all of these countries!
5. Electricity âĄď¸
Leave your hairdryer and rice cooker at home as those devices wonât work in the UK unless you get a transformer/converter. The UK uses plug type G which operates on a 230V supply voltage (vs. 120V in Canada). Instead of getting an adapter for all your devices, Iâd recommend switching out your brick for a compatible one or getting a multi-adapter which can be handy if you travel to the EU and use a type C plug. Hereâs a list of my favourite power solutions:
Apple World Travel Adapter Kit - If you have a Macbook this is the best solution as it comes with seven AC plugs that fit different electrical outlets around the world. You can swap them in and out easily thanks to Appleâs superior product design!
Dual USB plug adapter - The dual USB plug is great for charging two devices simultaneously like your phone and watch overnight. I also like how itâs portable enough to carry in my bag to work.
Power Bar Adapter - This is a good solution if you have a lot of devices that need an adapter like a toothbrush charger, or Google home and can be stationary.
Compact Travel Adapter - My holy grail of travel adapters, itâs very small making it convenient to travel with if you only need USB ports for charging.
A visual difference between the EU and UK type plugs
6. Packing List
The reality is you can buy virtually anything you need in the UK but here are a few things that come to mind in terms of what you should pack vs. what to leave at home.
Pack:
A good raincoat - My Patagonia raincoat is amazing for running errands or going on hikes. When I moved to the UK I also purchased a waterproof trenchcoat from RAINS (a Danish company that makes all things waterproof) that looked more professional for work.
Vessi Running Shoes - If you donât have a pair, now would be the time to invest as the Cityscape is the perfect walking shoe for getting around London - saving your feet from getting wet in the event of surprise showers.
Makeup & Skincare Products - If you have any favourite beauty products I would recommend you stock up as Sephora does not have a location in the UK (edit: the 1st one has just opened in White City but there are usually lines + overpriced) and American brands tend to be more expensive.
Snacks & Food - Whether itâs Maple Syrup, Kraft Dinner, dried shitake mushrooms or Cheetos (Youâll be mindblown to learn that they sell these for ÂŁ10 at the American Candy Store) - if you know youâre going to miss it I would consider making room to pack some comfort foods that you wonât be able to find easily in the UK.
Leave:
Home goods - Most flats in London come fully furnished so you wonât have to worry about getting a bed, sofa, table and sometimes even cutlery and crockery.
Electronics - As mentioned above I would avoid bringing anything that wonât work on 230V this includes appliances like a hairdryer, rice cooker and instant pot. You can bring a hair straighter as those will work with an adapter.
Bedsheets - Oddly enough the UK has different mattress sizes compared to North America - they skew smaller on all dimensions so if you bring your own sheets there will be a lot of excess fabric.
Cash - The UK and London specifically is a cashless economy meaning many places donât accept cash, especially after the pandemic. (Even a lot of buskers and homeless people take tap!)
Trying on my RAINS trenchcoat. A great way to look chic and dry!
7. A Thrifty Queen
London ainât cheap (especially when you first move and are constantly doing the mental conversion to Canadian dollars) - so if youâre keen on saving money I'd check the following before buying anything new:
Facebook Marketplace - If youâre looking for anything itâs probably on Facebook Marketplace. This is the first resource I browse when it comes to buying something used as the user interface works seamlessly with Facebook Messenger making it easy to message and coordinate a meet-up.
Olio - This app connects you with neighbours & local businesses who list items theyâd like to give away for free. Everything from furniture to sliced bread. I have push notifications turned on as the good things tend to get scooped up quickly! I personally have gotten a set of lamps, Lonely Planet books, a mouse pad and hangers from this app.
Gum Tree - Your classic classifieds - think the sister to Kijiji
Free Cycle - This is a grassroots non-profit whose mission is to keep things out of landfills by creating a network where people can give/receive goods. Membership is required but itâs free!
Charity Shops - a.k.a a thrift store but unlike those huge Value Village box stores these are smaller boutique-type stores that sell a curation of clothing, accessories and home goods. Popular ones include Cancer Research UK, Oxfam, Second Chance and Salvation Army.
Money Saving Expert - Browse the website or subscribe to Martinâs weekly newsletter to get a list of tips, tricks and sales to save money.
8. Your New Identity
Moving country means you can start over as a new person - this especially rings true when it comes to signing up for free trials and new member deals! Hereâs a round-up of the best ones by category
Grocery
Getir, Gorillas, Gopuff , Zapp - All are quick grocery delivery services that offer delivery within 15 mins (đ¤Ż) the only downside is the selection of produce and items are limited given their warehouse model delivery system.
Amazon Fresh - Sign up for a free 1 month Prime Membership and then take advantage of their Amazon Fresh promo (spend ÂŁ60, get ÂŁ20 off your first order).
Ocado - Backed by big grocery stores like M&S and Waitrose you can buy anything you would normally get at a supermarket online. At the time of this writing, I ordered groceries at 1 pm on Sunday and they were delivered at 6 am on Monday! (I used promo code VOU5089741 to get ÂŁ20 off my ÂŁ60 order)
Meal Boxes
Gusto - Similar to Hello Fresh this is a weekly meal prep kit that gets delivered to your door. Get 65% off your first month with a referral code
Nonna Tonda - Ever wanted fresh pasta delivered to your door? Look no further to this couple who started a fresh pasta subscription which offers 2 different types of pasta every week. Get your first 4 deliveries at half price with this referral link
An inside look at my first Nonna Tonda box - everything was fresh and delicious!
Fitness
Classpass - Is the perfect way to try different studios and gyms to find out what you like. Get 1 month of credits when you sign up with a new phone number.
Intro Membership at all gyms - There are so many gyms in London and they all have their own intro offer - you could probably spend a good chunk of time moving from gym to gym if you really wanted to!
9. Friendship Networking
Moving to another country as an adult can be a lonely experience which is why itâs extra important to put yourself out there! Along with reconnecting with acquaintances and meeting friends of friends you can also expand your social network through the following platforms:
Meetup - A platform that allows you to meet other people who share your interests through online and in-person events. This could be through a pub meetup, picnic in the park or even on a hiking trail.
Bumble BFF - Known for its dating app you can switch the app to BFF mode which uses the platformâs interface to match you with people of the same sex. Once you both swipe right you both have 24 hours to initiate a conversation.
Canadians in London Facebook Group - Join over 8000 other Canadians who have moved to London. Itâs an active group that post about Canadian news, advice for newcomers and organize occasional meet-ups for the group.
Canadians in London group is a great online community to join even before you move to London!
10. Europe is your Oyster
London is an amazing hub to travel around the United Kingdom and Europe. Even post-Brexit and COVID the ease of being able to travel to another country over the weekend never gets old.
Locally
Oyster card & Railcard combo - Although you can tap your credit card when using the Tube opt to get an Oyster Card and 26-30 Railcard which gives you a 30% discount on off-peak Tube rides and 1/3 off on all rail fares. My personal favourite booking platform is Trainline.
Borough Scratch Map - On weekends when youâre in the city make an effort to explore a borough youâve never visited before. I love visiting the various different markets, coffee shops and randomly walking through the streets.
Hop On and Off Bus - Wait for a friend to visit and then book one of the Hop on and Off Buses (The best value when I went was the Toot Bus). This is a great way to see London above ground on a double-decker bus! The audio guide is also surprisingly informative and funny.
Abroad
Secret Flying - I only have push notifications turned on for Whatsapp, Olio and Secret Flying! Similar to YYZ Deals the app will send you a notification when there are cheap airfare deals from your departure airport. Iâve booked a ÂŁ17 round trip ticket to Spain and a $350 ticket to Toronto thanks to this app.
Eurostar - Instead of flying consider taking the Eurostar to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. This high-speed train can get you to Paris in 2 hours and best of all itâs city to city so you can avoid the airport stress + bring all the liquids you want!
Alllll the push notifications of airline deals from Secret Flying!
Hopefully, this blog post has convinced you to pack your bags and move to London! See you on the other side of the pond.
