London, United Kingdom Report of what it's like to live there - 05/20/15

Personal Experiences from London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom 05/20/15

Background:

1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

First tour in Arlington for 3 years. This is our first overseas post.

View All Answers


2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?

Home base is Washington, DC. About an 8 hour direct flight.

View All Answers


3. How long have you lived here?

2 year post. Have been here 1 year (5/2014-5/2015).

View All Answers


4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?

EFM of USG employee

View All Answers


Housing, Groceries & Food:

1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

In transition...

Mostly flats and townhouses. Aside from our own, the flats seem to be much more spacious that I expected. Townhouses are tall and narrow with lots of stairs. Housing is a mix of USG owned and leased. A few families live in houses further from the city (Golder's Green, Putney). Housing is beginning to transition more to Putney (south of the river) in preparation of the new embassy.

View All Answers


2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Lots of options but expensive. Many people order online and have groceries delivered. There are also many options for shopping in person. Lots of local markets that sell fresh fruit and veggies. Food tends to go bad faster here, as there is less preservative use (pro and con). We spend much more money on groceries than expected.

View All Answers


3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

You can get everything you need here. Though if you know you'll have the space, stock up on lots of household items to save money (toilet paper, paper towels, etc). Pickles! I can't find a decent dill pickle here.

View All Answers


4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

We don't eat fast food, but there are many McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Papa Johns around. Lots of restaurants, but most things are very expensive. We've had difficulty finding good Mexican or Korean food here.

View All Answers


5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?

Lots of flowers around bring lots of bees. The are snails on the sidewalks that can cause health issues for dogs if eaten.

View All Answers


Daily Life:

1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?

There is a DPO/Pouch at the Embassy.

View All Answers


2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Available and expensive. The going rate for cleaning and dog walking seems to be 10 pounds per hour. Many families with children sponsor live-in domestic help from the Philippines.

View All Answers


3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?

You could find pretty much anything you wanted but it is expensive. There is a small gym in the Embassy. Plenty of parks for running, walking, etc.

View All Answers


4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

Get a card with a chip. Be careful about the ATMs you use. We only use the ATM inside the Embassy or inside a bank.

View All Answers


5. What English-language religious services are available locally?

Anything you could desire.

View All Answers


6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

It is an English speaking country, but you will have to adjust to accents and local terminology.

View All Answers


7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

The sidewalks here are very slippery when it rains. I think living here would be okay, but would probably present challenges due to small spaces, small elevators, etc if a wheelchair was involved.

View All Answers


Transportation:

1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

They are safe and so efficient. We joke that we have been spoiled by such amazing access to trains and busses. I think the most we've ever waited for either is 5 min and more often it is a 1-2 minute wait. As everything else, it is expensive to use public transportation here. Though, I believe students and seniors travel free.

View All Answers


2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

We don't have a car and have been fine without it. I honestly don't miss it, though we do have parking in our building. Anything too large would be a hassle here. There are many zipcars around. A lot of people use their cars to travel locally and to travel to the military base for cheaper groceries/household items.

View All Answers


Phone & Internet:

1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Available and expensive.

View All Answers


2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

We bought sim cards upon our arrival. We use giffgaff and haven't had any problems.

View All Answers


Pets:

1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?

We brought a dog and a cat. It is expensive to bring them but there is no longer a quarantine if you follow rules closely.

View All Answers


Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:

1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

I don't know anyone who works on the local economy.

View All Answers


2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?

I haven't looked, but I'm sure there are many!

View All Answers


3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

Business to business casual depending on the job. It doesn't seem to be a very trendy city, but most people look nice/put-together when out. I don't often seen anyone out in sweatpants unless it's a designer jogging suit or they're obviously going to the gym.

View All Answers


Health & Safety:

1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Typical concerns of living in a large city. Be self-aware and avoid dodgy areas and you'll be fine. I feel very safe here.

View All Answers


2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

No special concerns. Excellent medical care on the local economy.

View All Answers


3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

Allergies seem especially troublesome here. Lots of black mold. Otherwise, typical pollution of large cities.

View All Answers


4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?

Lots of black mold. Allergies and asthma seems to cause difficulties here.

View All Answers


5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

Since we've been here, it doesn't rain nearly as much as expected. When it does rain it seems to either rain for a few days or pass very quickly. The summers are beautiful and mild 70s to low 80s F. The winters are mild, but the days are short and dark. It can be a bit depressing to deal with darkness at 3pm for long periods of time.

View All Answers


Schools & Children:

1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

There is an American School that families seem pretty happy with. We don't have children in school here.

View All Answers


2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

View All Answers


3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

Many daycare options, though most will not take a child until they are 6 months or older. They are all very expensive and, honestly, not that impressive. Most embassy families seem to sponsor live-in nannies, though there are many rules surrounding that. Childcare has been the most difficult part of being here for us. They do no require vaccines at schools/daycares on the local economy.

View All Answers


4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?

I'm sure you could find anything you desired. There are definitely sports at the American School.

View All Answers


Expat Life:

1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

Large. Morale really varies here. People either seem to love it or hate it. I have seem quite a few curtailments. This is not a close embassy community, as there is so much to do on the local economy and housing it spread out.

View All Answers


2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

Spending time in parks, going to the theater, eating out, museums, travel. You name it and I bet you could find it.

View All Answers


3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

This is a great city for everyone, but it could be lonely for singles. We really don't have embassy friends, as most people tend to do their own thing. The embassy does try to sponsor a lot of events, so attending those would be helpful for singles.

View All Answers


4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

Yes.

View All Answers


5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

None that I'm aware of.

View All Answers


6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?

Having our first child. Exploring different areas of the city. Interesting travel destinations.

View All Answers


7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

Many free museums. Beautiful parks and gardens. Lots of theater options. We mostly just enjoy exploring different areas of the city without much agenda.

View All Answers


8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

Tea sets.

View All Answers


9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?

Easy access to European travel. Mild weather year round. Excellent healthcare available on local economy.

View All Answers


10. Can you save money?

No.

View All Answers


Words of Wisdom:

1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?

That childcare was so expensive that it makes EFM work nearly impossible.

View All Answers


2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

Yes but not when expecting or while having small children, particularly if you're an EFM and want to work.

View All Answers


3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

Swimsuit.

View All Answers


4. But don't forget your:

Passport.

View All Answers


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More