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Expat Exchange - The Insider's Guide to London 2024
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Barkingside Station in Redbridge, London


The Insider's Guide to London

By Betsy Burlingame

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Summary: Discover the charm of London with our guide to the city's top attractions, culinary hotspots, and vibrant nightlife. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, we'll also help you find the best recreational activities to enjoy, and offer advice on making lasting connections with the friendly locals.

Welcome to London! If you're planning to move to London, congratulations on taking the first step towards a new adventure. While there are many things to think about before you leave, such as visas, housing, and transportation, it's important to remember that once you arrive, the fun really begins. In this article, we'll introduce you to some of the best sites, restaurants, and nightlife that London has to offer, as well as provide tips on recreational activities and making friends in London.

London is a vibrant and exciting city, full of attractions for both tourists and locals alike. From iconic landmarks to world-class museums, there is something for everyone. Some of the most popular sites of interest include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and the British Museum. The Tower of London is a historic castle and fortress located on the north bank of the River Thames. It is home to the Crown Jewels and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch and is a popular tourist attraction. The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames, offering stunning views of the city. The British Museum is one of the world’s oldest and largest museums, with a collection of over 8 million objects.

London is also renowned for its vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. Some of the most popular restaurants include The Ivy, a classic British restaurant located in Covent Garden, and The Ledbury, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Notting Hill. For a more casual dining experience, there are plenty of pubs and gastropubs to choose from, such as The Eagle in Farringdon and The White Horse in Parsons Green. As for nightlife, there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, such as the iconic G-A-Y Bar in Soho and the chic Mahiki in Mayfair.

London is also a great place for recreational activities. Popular activities include visiting the many parks and gardens, such as Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, or taking a leisurely stroll along the banks of the River Thames. For those looking for a more active experience, there are plenty of sports facilities, such as the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. There are also plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, such as the West End theatres, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Southbank Centre.

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Insider Tips from Expats in London: Making the Most of Life and Connections

"Because of the sheer diversity of London's people, simply going down to a local pub will offer you many opportunities to socialise and make new friends," said one expat living in London.

"Become a member of something that interests you, whether a service organization, sport, art, or hobby. For instance, I joined the Royal Horticultural Society, which oversees several gardens in the UK, as well as organizing internationally regarded garden shows, as well as a community ceramics studio," wrote a member in London.

"Expats in London can join a variety of clubs and activities to meet people and make friends. Popular activities include joining a sports team, attending a language exchange, or joining a local meetup group. Expats can also meet people by attending cultural events, such as art exhibitions, music festivals, and theatre performances. Additionally, many expats find it helpful to join online forums and social media groups related to their interests. Finally, expats can also meet people by attending networking events, such as business conferences and seminars," commented one expat who made the move to London.

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"Life in London revolves around work. From my personal experience work is almost the only way to meet and become friends with people. This being if you find work at all, because is you are from overseas employers don't consider you competent enough despite of your flawless English and experience, so you start often at training level. However if you are a citizen of a common wealth country you are treated a little better. I find the English to be very funny, polite, organised and tolerant, but never embrasing. I find that different nationalitys and races live in harmony here but they often don't mix I feel people in London could be more open and friendly. I must say though, that as a gay man in my late 20's I could not ask for more entertainment alternatives and many are offered to the gay market, London is great like that. One last coment, my boyfriend is from New Zealand and our group of friends is formed only by expats, what a shame," commented an expat living in London.

"Life for expats and digital nomads in London is vibrant and exciting. The city offers a wide range of cultural activities, from world-class museums and galleries to theatre and music. There is a diverse range of restaurants, bars, and pubs to explore, as well as plenty of green spaces to relax in. The city is well connected, with excellent public transport links, making it easy to get around. The cost of living can be high, but there are plenty of affordable options available. Expats and digital nomads in London can also benefit from the city's strong job market, with many opportunities for remote work," said an expat in London.

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Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland. Cornerstone is a tech-driven, innovative relocation company. Making relocating to London, UK, Ireland and beyond a happy experience!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

CORNERSTONE RelocationCORNERSTONE Relocation

Home finding, schooling, moving, settling-in and more for UK, London and Ireland. Cornerstone is a tech-driven, innovative relocation company. Making relocating to London, UK, Ireland and beyond a happy experience!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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