London’s a great city. It’s bustling, cosmopolitan, full of unfound corners and secret spaces, but if you’re newly arrived it can also be really, really intimidating. There’s the issue of where to live, who to live with, how on earth to even begin to find your way about.
We know: we’ve been there.
So, with that in mind, we took to the streets to ask a few young (but already experienced) Londoners if they had any sage advice for people coming to live in London for the first time.
What tips would you give to someone moving to London?
“You’re in one of the biggest and most exciting cities on the planet. It’s a place that can make you feel huge one minute, and tiny the next.”
DIANA VON R.
Social Media Manager
“London is an expensive city, but it also has lots of free activities so you don’t always have to pay to have fun. Also, you should know that the TFLunderground map doesn’t show the distance between places – sometimes it’s easier to walk than to change lines.”
JON WILKS
Real Kombucha brewer & enthusiastic proponent of English folk music
“If at all possible, make sure you know someone before you move to London – someone you can ping and meet up with when you’re feeling blue. Moving to a new city can be a very exciting thing, but it can also feel incredibly lonely. Imagine that feeling multiplied by a zillion when you’re in one of the biggest and most exciting cities on the planet. It’s a place that can make you feel huge one minute, and tiny the next.”
DAVE DONAGHY
Lead Creative, Marshall Amplification
“Buy a map and try and walk everywhere. London is no more than a large group of villages stuck together, so most places can be easily found on foot rather than using expensive public transport. Plus, you get to discover a ton of cool stuff you’d never see if you were stuck underground!”
MIRIAM NICE
Food writer & illustrator
“The main thing about London is you absolutely have to make the most of it.
It is expensive, noisy, occasionally smelly and you will spend a very large proportion of your time stuck in someone else’s armpit listening to what ever dross is leaking from their headphones. Really: you will be there most of the time. Learn to keep calm and imagine you’re somewhere else. Podcasts help.
Explore… without getting lost. I remember coming to London with a list of what I wanted to see and a pocket A-Z. It was a stressful nightmare. Lots of roads don’t have signs, so following a map is almost completely impossible. The best advice I can give is to download Citymapper the minute you arrive. It has been a lifesaver in helping me get from one obscure place to another and navigate the myriad transport options.
“You will spend a very large proportion of your time stuck in someone else’s armpit listening to what ever dross is leaking from their headphones!”
Go to the most random sounding stuff you can. Get on apps like Y Plan or hunt out secret cinema happenings. Really make the most of it: find cheap fringe theatre and comedy. Even the bigger theatres will do cheaper tickets when a show is in preview. If you’re into food, look for pop-ups and supper clubs. And don’t forget the parks, many of which have weekly free 5k parkrun events, or casual five-a-side and cricket games you can ask to join.
Head to bridges to check out the views. Don’t stop bang in the middle so everyone falls over you – don’t be that type of tourist. You’ll dislike those very quickly (and that’s when you know you’ve become a proper Londoner).”
ANISHA KOHLI
Lawyer & blogger at Fashion & Frappes
“There are many many things you will be able to do in London that you will not be able to do in any other city in the world. The access to fantastic theatre, art, architecture, history, fashion, concerts, plays, street performances, pop-ups, dining and drinking options, sports, travel options, etc, is mind boggling. Make sure to try out everything before you judge anything, and make sure you take advantage of it all.”
LIVIA SOLUSTRI
Food & Lifestyle Writer
“If you have friends in London, move in close to them! The city is big and you’d be surprised how hard it is to stay in touch. If you have no friends in London, be fearless! Going to supper clubs on your own can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the most enjoyable ways of making friends. Not to mention…food!”
BETH CARPENTER
Designer
“Do your research on areas to live. It’s important to find your place. Be aware that everything’s quicker, so be prepared to for the hustle and bustle. When you can’t take the stress anymore, enjoy the parks on a summer evening.”
“Always cheer a broken glass/ plate in a bar/ restaurant!”
STEPHEN FIELD
Product Designer
“Most of my advice is train-related, but essential. Firstly, pretend you’re driving a roller coaster by getting a front seat on the DLR. Always remember to ‘tap out’ on the Tube (otherwise you’ll end up paying a high-priced penalty fare). Learn that you can walk between almost all Tube stops faster than actually getting on the Tube, but never speak to anyone on the tube… ever. That way you’ll become a real Londoner very quickly. Oh, and always cheer a broken glass/ plate in a bar/ restaurant.”
ReeRee
Owner at the ever-so-fabulous Rockalily salon
“London is so much bigger than you’ll believe, so taking time to really appreciate how far apart things are, and how varied all of the boroughs are, is critical. Research, Research, Research!”
MARK ELLIS
Creative Director at Manifesto Digital
“It’s hard to get an idea of the scale and how all the small parts of London link up. The Tube map totally distorts location and distance, so get on a bike and spend a lot of time in the first few weeks discovering how neighbourhoods join together. It’s the best way to discover hidden gems too. TFL has some good routes to get you started. My favourite is from Deptford to Tower Bridge, following the Thames as close as possible. Views, history and great pubs.”
JOSH
Boxman Driver
“Of course I’m saying this with my Boxman hat on, but do not attempt to use public transport to move your stuff around. You wouldn’t believe some of the stories we hear about house moves gone wrong! If you can’t find a place straight away, put your stuff in storage until you’re ready. Keep it in storage until you’re comfortable, then call each box back one at a time so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.”
EMMA BOYNS
Food Photographer
“If you’re moving into an unfurnished place or are in need of the odd piece of furniture but don’t have a huge budget, I’d recommend having a look on Gumtree; they have a ‘Freebies’ filter under the ‘For Sale’ category and I’ve seen some really great things listed; nearly-new John Lewis and Habitat sofas that people simply need to get rid of quickly, as well as smaller bits and bobs that can be easily transported and can soon add up in price if bought brand new.”
“If you have a railcard this can easily be added onto your Oyster card to save 1/3 off single fares.”
“Also, If you have a railcard this can easily be added onto your Oyster card to save 1/3 off single fares. Just ask a member of staff at the nearest underground station and they can authorise it at the machines. Make sure to register any Oyster cards you use online; this way if they’re lost or stolen you can claim back any balance that may have been on there!”
EMI TANAKA
Reiki practitioner & artist
“Find a good restaurant and shop that sells food from your home country (and you’ll often find you’ll get lots of information about your country’s London community through those places too). Try all kinds of museums, and check local events – often they’re free. There’s always something inspiring to do. Find your favourite parks – London is full of green spaces. Carry small change in your pocket for the buskers and performers who paint vivid colours on your way. Walk everywhere, if you can. London is full of surprises and you’re sure to find a nice route through the city (and keep fit in the process!)”
ELIZABETH PICK
Creative Director & Choreographer
“Throw yourself into everything and anything going on in London. The people you will meet and the journey they’ll take you on is bound to be special. Be bold and courageous. Opportunities are endless here but you have to be willing to see the possibilities and go for it. Keep that mind of yours open! Make your own work and be in control of your future.”
KARISS LEIGH AINSWORTH
Blogger
“Get out there and try everything! You’ll find tons of websites and magazines showing you what’s going on in London from week to week so try what interests you, even if it’s out of your comfort zone. Find your thing and make new friends. Be open-minded and try as many new things as you can.”
If you’re new to London - welcome! We hope you settle in quickly but if you find that you need some of your things stored away until you find your feet/ find a bigger place/ finish moving, Boxman can help. How does it work? Well, it’s simple. We’ll deliver our sturdy boxes to your door, leave you time to pack them up (and log the contents digitally, too!) and then, when you’re ready, we’ll return and whisk them away to our storage facility. You can get things back just as easily. Oh, and we can help you move house too! If you’d like some more information, click through the website here or give us a call. We like to chat.