Hello! There is so much helpful information that has been posted here already, which I really appreciate, so thank you all very much for that.
My husband's company has an office in London, and we've decided to accept their package and will be relocating for at least a year (we can stay indefinitely if we like it). We currently live just outside NYC, and will be moving in December.
I was wondering if people would be willing to talk a little more about their experiences with moving to London with pets.
We have a dog (spaniel/collie mix, 35 pounds) and two cats. I've practically memorized the DEFRA website, and they have all been microchipped and have passed their titer/blood test - all the paperwork will be good to go when the time comes, although we are currently in the required 6 month waiting period.
Does anyone have any airline in particular that they would recommend (or NOT recommend) that we fly? We are currently planning on flying them all cargo (we would be on the same flight). I'm leaning towards Virgin, as they have been extraordinarily helpful thus far, but I'm open to suggestions.
We will be renting a place - I understand finding a place with pets is not easy? I saw one person's recommendation of a "resume" for the pets, which I thought was an excellent suggestion, and am planning on doing that. Any other suggestions would be appreciated very much.
We are making an exploratory trip out in a few weeks to check out neighborhoods that we may want to live. So far my list includes
the following (most of these are just tube stations, I don't know what the technical "neighborhood" name is for most of these). I'd love to hear your opinions/impressions, and of course any other suggestions:
Camden Town/Chalk Farm
Mile End
Fulham
Angel
Ealing Broadway
Canary Warf
Shepherds Bush
My husband and I are 30 and 28, no kids (and no plans for them). My husband will be working in the City right next to Liverpool station - I also work in finance, so will likely be working in that area as well. We're looking for an area that is either centrally located, or on one of the tube lines that goes through Liverpool.
I've been looking around for a website that has good descriptions of the various neighborhoods - I like this website, but the info is a bit brief, and I believe it is a few years out of date.
http://www.livinginlondon.net/index.htm
I would appreciate any suggestions on other places to go to research neighborhoods (or books that were helpful to you).
The visa situation isn't completed yet - it is looking like I will be covered under his visa as a "dependant spouse", but if not, I qualify for the HSMP program. If anyone has any experience with either type (I'm having trouble finding out definitive info on the "dependant spouse" clause) I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much! Sorry for the lengthy post - I'm very excited about this move! I lived in London for a time as a student, and really love the country, so the opportunity to live there again has me over the moon. Of course, doing this as a grown-up is way more complicated!
Gwen
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