So, You’re Moving to London? Here Are 10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me

One: How to Find a Rental Without Getting Scammed or Losing Your Sanity

Don’t live with your landlord.

Sure, it might seem like a budget-friendly option, but it often comes with blurry boundaries, passive-aggressive notes, and awkward kitchen run-ins. Proceed with caution (and yes, I learnt this the hard way).

Always visit the place before you commit.

If that’s not possible, at least arrange a video call. And never, ever send money without seeing the space. Trust your gut—if something feels off, it probably is.

Here’s how I (and a few friends) found solid rentals:

• SpareRoom (website): I used this for both my rentals. Straightforward, and allows you to rent a room in someone’s property. The one I currently rent is an affordable 8-bedroom apartment with other young professionals in their twenties. Loads of fun, fully furnished – I just moved in with my suitcase.

  
  

• “Aussies in London” Facebook page: Great for community recommendations. Being Facebook, there can be a few scams, so definitely view the place if possible before transferring money.

  
  

How much should you expect to pay?

If you're flying solo, expect to shell out anywhere from £600 to £1,200 per month. Couples? £1000 to over £2000 per month. Some places include bills; others don’t – so always check the fine print. 

Two: What to Prioritise When Looking for a Rental

What matters to you back home most likely won’t apply in London. Here, space is a luxury and not a guarantee. What actually matters:

• Transport links: Be no more than a 10-minute walk from the Tube or Overground station.Trust me, you’ll thank yourself in winter, especially if you are a solo female. It gets dark at 4pm in winter, and you don’t want to be walking in the dark for long stretches if possible.

  
  

• Location: Cheaper rentals in zones 4–6 may look good on paper, but commuting costs add up fast. If you can find a spot in zones 1–3 within your budget, take it.

  
  

• Rent: The less you spend, the more you have for travel and exploring. London will eat your money fast. Don’t opt for the expensive fancy apartment over the cheaper more practical one.

  
  

• Safety: Research the area before committing. What seems cute in daylight can feel sketchy at night. Local forums or Facebook groups are great for honest feedback. But let’s be real – every borough can feel a little dodgy after dark. If you feel uneasy visiting during the day, it's probably not the place to call home. For example, in Notting Hill, I lived on a street next to a bridge and rowdy pubs, and I hated walking there at night. The East London borough I'm in now isn't as trendy or glamorous as Notting Hill, but I actually feel safer – it’s on a busy street and close to the Tube.

  
  

• Flatmates: Even the nicest flat won't matter if your flatmates aren't your vibe. Meet them beforehand if possible – even a quick chat helps. I hit the jackpot with my housemates, they are all amazing and super fun to live with. Keep in mind what you’re looking for when choosing your room. Are your housemates an older couple who like a quiet home? Are they other young professionals who like a social home? Do you want a quiet home or cosy movie nights? Disclaimer: I lived alone in Australia so I thought I’d want a quiet home in London. I was totally wrong. After a day at work, I adore coming home to other young people, hanging out and then going out together on weekends.

  
  

• Heating and insulation: Old homes can be freezing and expensive to heat. Ask how it stays warm in winter. Double glazing and a decent boiler make a huge difference. (My current room has a drafty window – thank god for electric blankets. It also gets ridiculously hot in summer, so I have a bedside fan).

  
  

• Shower pressure and hot water: Seriously. A weak trickle of lukewarm water is not the vibe. My first rental didn’t have hot water, even though I was paying nearly £1,000/month. In winter, this matters way more than how big the kitchen is. Trust me.

Where Should I Live?

A few expat-friendly boroughs (from my experience or friends):

• Hackney/Clapton (East London): Cheaper than neighbouring boroughs like Islington, with plenty of green spaces like Hackney Marshes. Still well connected to the rest of London via Overground and bus routes.

  
  

• Stratford/Mile End (East London): More affordable while still being quite central. Stratford has excellent transport links (including the Elizabeth line) and access to Westfield and the Olympic Park. Mile End is quieter, with great access to Victoria Park and Regent’s Canal.

  
  

• Clapham (Southwest London): Mid-range rentals and always buzzing. A firm favourite with Aussies, Kiwis, and young professionals. Loads of cafés, pubs, and a big common for outdoor hangs. Best place for summer picnics.

  
  

• Canada Water/Surrey Quays (Southeast London): Mid-range prices with lots of green spaces and waterfront walks. Feels a bit calmer, but you're still just a quick Tube or Overground ride to Soho or Shoreditch for your nights out. 

  
  

• Brixton (South London): Lively, multicultural, and full of personality. Good transport links, and slightly more affordable than nearby Clapham.

I started in Notting Hill (super cute and picturesque) but I was commuting to East London daily. I’m biased – but East London is a vibe. Diverse, creative, and full of energy. Highly recommend it.

Summer picnics in East London

Three: Get Into a Routine—ASAP

The sooner you start living life here, the sooner it’ll feel like home. Start working, eat something green, join a gym or class. (Do your research before arriving. Does your gym back home have branches in London? What’s your weekly workout budget?) Or, you can join the rest of London’s population and start running -- it’s free!

I spent the first three days crying (no shame), but once I found my rhythm, it got easier. It took about six months to feel settled – and it only got better from there. Now? I’m absolutely obsessed with my London life.

Four: How to Make Friends in London

It will be lonely at first – but there are so many ways to meet people. These worked for me:

• Coffee Crawl Society (Instagram page) – Started by an expat, this is a fun weekly event. Every Saturday at 10am, you meet at a new café and go for a walk with other expats who want to meet new people. It starts at the café, but usually ends at a pub – and it's heaps of fun. London Lonely Girls Club (find them on Facebook) The group hosts regular events – including walks, brunches, and social gatherings with an aim to help women build friendships and combat loneliness. And there's over 60 000 members. See? You’re not alone in your search for friends. 

  
  

• Running Clubs – Here are a few: Run Through, London City Runners, Parkrun, Expats Running Club, London Run Club. 

  
  

• Work Events – If you’re in a professional setting, take advantage of after-work socials or networking events. You’ll meet people who are likely in the same stage of life as you. I met my best friends at a work event. 

  
  

• Pub quizzes – Londoners love their pub quizzes. Grab a group, join in, and get to know others while testing your general knowledge. At this stage, my group of friends are experts at coming second last. We try to go every Tuesday night and always have new people coming each week.

  
  

Work function drinks (Vibe Education)

Parkrun, Surrey Quays

Remember: you’re not alone in feeling alone. A huge number of people move here solo, and there are loads of events designed for meeting others in the same boat. I met my two best friends at a work function during my first week, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. A quick google search and you will be bombarded with events and meetups for people who are new to London, or simply want to expand their social circle. Make the most of these, there’s no excuse!

Five: Get a Railcard and Link It to Your Oyster

Do this on day one. You’ll get discounted fares across the city (and beyond). Game-changer. Simple, essential. 

Get your oyster card, and then link it to your railcard (which you can do online at https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/national-railcard-discount). You will need to do it at a major station. I went to Kings Cross, a bit of a hassle, but a must. Not only do you get discounts on daily Tube travel, but also if you go for a day trip to Bath, Brighton or beyond.

Six: London Is F*cking Expensive

Don’t expect to save much. My paycheck goes to rent, TFL, Sainsbury’s meal deals, nights out, and travel. And you know what? That’s okay.

Most of us are here for a good time, not a long time. Make the most of it.

Weekend trip to Paris

Seven: Don’t Panic If You Hate It at First

No one talks about the weird grief of moving to a new city – especially one as intense as London. You’ll feel out of place. You’ll miss your friends. You’ll probably get lost on the Tube (actually, let me reword that. You will get lost on the Tube). 

But you’re not failing – you’re adjusting. Give it time. Go for walks. Sit in parks. Cry if you need to. Then try again tomorrow. It gets better – I promise. Most people I meet expected to stay just one year... and they always extend. London will steal your heart. It stole mine. 

Eight: You Don’t Have to Do Everything All at Once

You’ll feel the pressure to do London. All the museums. All the pubs. All the shows. Markets. Brunch spots.

But remember: you live here now. You don’t need to cram everything into your first month.

Pick one thing each weekend. Wander slowly. Let London reveal itself. I keep a list on my Notes app of all the places I want to see and tick off just one a week. That said – don’t leave everything until the end of your visa!

Nine: Learn the Unwritten Rules

• Stand on the right side of the escalator. Walk on the left. Or you’ll get yelled at by a grumpy commuter.

  
  

• Don’t talk to people on the Tube. (Unless it’s an emergency. Or a dog.)

  
  

• Pints > cocktails. Or go house wine. Or just pre-drink if you’re on a budget. That’s my style.

  
  

• Always carry a small umbrella. Rain is inevitable.

  
  

• Don’t rush station stairs. I’ve tripped more times than my dignity would like to admit.

  
  

• Tesco Clubcard = lifesaver. Tesco and Lidl are the cheapest supermarkets. You’ll never find me in Waitrose doing my weekly shop, unless I’m lost.

  
  

• Avoid assuming anything is “close” on the map. Everything takes longer than expected – unless you’re my mate Isaac, who likes to race us on a Lime bike. When I first arrived in London, I think I was late to everything. I’d leave the house thinking it would only take 30 minutes to get across London. How very wrong I was. 

  
  

Ten: Say Yes (Even When You're Scared)

This is the most important one.

If you’re anything like me – an awkward introvert – there’ll be moments you want to cancel or ghost the event. But if I can push through that fear, you can too. 

Say yes to the awkward work party invite.

Say yes to the quiz night with strangers.

Say yes to the random trip with people you barely know. (I went to Paris in week two with people I’d only met twice – we ended up travelling to 10+ countries together).

This is where your London life begins. This is where the real stories start. The best parts of my time here happened when I just… showed up. As myself. Scared, unsure – but open. And that made all the difference.

A Final Note…

If you’re one of those people who’s always flirted with the idea of moving abroad, then let this be your sign to book that flight. 

Stop waiting for the perfect moment – it doesn’t exist. Life will keep happening, whether you go or not. So go. Move cities. Change your scenery. Be the main character in your own life. You’ll never regret taking the leap – you’ll only regret not doing it sooner.

A x