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The wondrous capital of the UK is one of the most popular destinations for Americans (including LA residents) to move to for a reason, and here are the things you should know when moving from Los Angeles to London. When moving overseas to Europe, you have to be aware that there will be a lot of differences that will affect your everyday life, and it is a good idea to come prepared in order to adapt more quickly.
Americans Adapt Quickly to Cultural Differences When Moving From Los Angeles to London
One of the main perks of moving internationally to the UK is that there won’t be any language barriers. There are differences between British and American English, but they will not affect your adjustment to the new country. You might find it hard in the beginning to understand the beautiful British accent, but it takes little effort to get the hang of it. All in all, the infamous culture shock that many Americans fear when moving abroad won’t cause much trouble at all.
It Is Best to Search for a Good Guide and Wait for a Reply From an Expat Community Before Booking Movers and Moving From LA to London
As mentioned above, before shipping overseas your possessions and relocating to England, it is wise to acquire as much information as you can. Reading this blog is a great start, but the best way to get acquainted with cultural differences and other challenges that await you is to get in touch with an expat community. These people have already gone through the entire process of booking an overseas shipping company and its packing services and settling in a new environment.
Is London Cheaper Than California? With a Stable Job, You Won’t Have to Worry About the Cost of Living
Truth be told, both LA and the capital of the UK have similar demands and require a healthy financial status, but for an LA resident, that is good news. You won’t have to significantly alter your way of balancing finances abroad. Nevertheless, here are the differences that you should know about:
- Rent – One of the best things about moving to London from Los Angeles is that the average home rent in the capital of the UK is lower than in LA. For a standard one-bedroom apartment, you will need approximately 1,570 dollars, while in LA, it is hard to find anything below 1,750 dollars. Of course, in both cities, prices rise as you approach the city center.
- Home prices – Real estate price is one of London’s main downsides. Unfortunately, the price per square foot is about 200 dollars more than in LA, and it tends to get more expensive in downtown areas.
- Stores – LA is way more expensive when it comes to basic grocery shopping. Just to illustrate, the price of bread is, according to some estimates, 60 percent higher in LA. This is certainly great news for people relocating on a low budget.
- Restaurants – Prices are similar here. However, taking into account all areas, the capital of the UK is more affordable, especially in more suburban areas.
- Utilities – The price of basic utilities can be considered to be another disadvantage. They are higher than in LA. However, remember that the rent is lower, so in the end, everything more or less evens out.
Be that as it may, there are great job opportunities in Europe. If you are relocating because of employment, there probably won’t be anything to worry about. If you are relocating without employment, then it is a good idea to start searching for a job as soon as you have booked an international moving company. The cost of living stats have been taken from the website Numbeo, which specializes in this area, so feel free to do more research if you want.
Before Booking Movers, You Have to Realize That You Are Relocating to a Completely Different Natural Environment
As an LA resident, you have probably gotten used to visiting a beach frequently as LA has one of the most beautiful coastlines. However, the capital of the UK is not located on the coast, and the nearest one is located 45 miles away. On the other hand, London’s green spaces are unparalleled. According to some estimates, the parks take up 40 percent of the city’s area. Some of the world’s most famous parks like Hyde Park, the Regent’s Park, and Victoria Park are located here, and wherever you decide to live within the town, a beautiful park will be within your reach. Nonetheless, when asking – “Is moving to London worth it,” this point should definitely be considered first.
The Popular Representation of Gloomy and Rainy Weather on a Card Is Not True, Yet the Climate Difference When Compared to LA Is Significant
LA’s Mediterranean climate is known for long, hot, and dry summers and mild, rainy winters. You have certainly grown accustomed to wearing a T-shirt throughout the entire year. The capital of the UK has a different climate, but it is not as it is represented in popular culture. Yes, England has a lot of rainfall, but not in all parts of the country. The capital of the UK has a mild subtropical climate. All four seasons are pronounced, but there are no harsh temperatures. You will certainly have to get used to a colder climate during winters, but the temperatures rarely go below freezing.
London’s Public Transportation System Is Much Better Than LA’s
Is it better to live in LA or London? If we look just at the public transportation system, the immediate answer is the capital city of the UK. London’s famous transport system, the Tube, is one of the best organized rapid transit systems in the world. It is well known that Londoners rarely use cars to commute. As an LA resident, you have probably got used to going by car everywhere most of the time. All things considered, public transportation is an important factor when relocating to a big city.
When Relocating to the Capital of the UK, the Cycling System Is One of the Pros
LA’s cycling system has received a lot of backlash in recent years because of poor safety measures. On the other hand, London’s cycling system is constantly improving and is now considered to be one of the better ones in Europe. The Londoners have implemented the so-called “cycling superhighways,” which form their own network. If you are a cycling enthusiast, this could be one of the reasons to move to this wonderful town.
London’s Cultural Scene Is Much More Diverse Than in LA
When it comes to theaters and art galleries, the capital of the UK is one of the best cities to live in Europe. With the Tate Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, National Theatre, and the legendary Shakespeare’s Globe, there is no end to the list of cultural institutions and attractions. The capital of the UK also has one of the strongest music scenes in the world, and just to illustrate, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and Sex Pistol are all from here. LA certainly has its beautiful cultural scene, but it is nowhere near as developed as London’s. Here is a lovely video on some of the most famous museums located in the UK’s capital.
Restaurants and Nightlife Are Different as Well
Relocating across the world means that you will be able to experience different ways of enjoying your free time. Both cities have a lot of different restaurants where you can pretty much try all known cuisines. However, in the capital of the UK, you won’t have laid-back beach bars and clubs. Yet, you will have the traditional English pubs where you can try some of the world’s most renowned beers and eat the iconic pub grub like fish and chips or bangers and mash.
People Who Want to Relocate to This Beautiful City Often Ask the Following Questions
Taking into account that the capital of the UK is one of the nicest places to live abroad, many Americans besides you are thinking about relocating for the first time. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Before you hire an overseas moving company, you need to acquire all documents needed to travel abroad and settle in a foreign country. For the UK, you will need to get a visa. There are different types of visas. The easiest one to get is a work visa, but people also frequently manage to get one when relocating because of academic reasons.
When compared to some countries, it is easy. When compared to others, it is hard. The most difficult situation is when a person wants to relocate without employment. If you want to settle in the UK without a job, you have to prove that you can financially support yourself. Hence, this type of visa is usually only acquired by affluent people. Other ways of getting the necessary documentation are through family ties or educational institutions. However, documentation is not the only issue. You also have to consider all other aspects, like the moving cost from LA to London or international car shipping. Be prepared for a long relocation checklist and a certain level of relocation stress.
Whatever multimillion town is in question, the aspect of safety depends a lot on the neighborhood. When it comes to these two cities, they both have neighborhoods that are considered to be some of the safest in their respective countries, but they also have neighborhoods that you should avoid, especially during nighttime. It is of the utmost importance to research this issue before picking a neighborhood and relocating.
The only person who can answer this question is yourself. There are significant cultural and environmental differences that have to be taken into account. If you are a person who enjoys everlasting summers, sunbathing at numerous wonderful beaches, and having cocktails at the coastline, then LA is probably better than the capital of the UK. However, there are many benefits of relocating abroad, and there is a lot to think about before you make the final decision so take your time.
All Things Considered, It Is Definitely Worth Relocating to This Beautiful European Capital
Deciding to move across the world is, without any doubt, one of the biggest decisions a person can make. However, it is also a decision that can completely change your life for the better. The capital of the UK is certainly one of the locations to think about. Like any metropolis, it has everything that a person needs, but more importantly, it has a long history and its own unique culture.
