Dec '25 (edited) โข ๐[START HERE] Intro
๐ฌ๐ง Moving to London โ The Master Checklist
If youโre moving to London, this is the one checklist you should work through from top to bottom. Bookmark it. Come back to it. Tick things off as you go.
๐ญ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต
Before doing anything else:
- Understand the cost of living
- Learn which areas people actually live in
- Get realistic about rent, transport, and lifestyle
- Join communities (this one ๐) and read real experiences
The more you research early, the fewer expensive mistakes you make later.
๐ฎ. ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ
You must have this locked in before anything else:
- Confirm which visa youโre eligible for (YMS, Skilled Worker, Ancestry, etc.) or if you qualify for a British Passport through family.
- Check age limits, costs, timelines, and restrictions
- Gather documents early
- Book your biometrics appointment as soon as possible
Visa delays = delayed move.
๐ฏ. ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฏ๐๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐
Figure out:
- How much cash do you need before landing
- Monthly rent range
- Weekly living costs
- One-off setup expenses (deposits, transport, furniture, SIM, etc.)
- Your runway - when will you run out of money?
London rewards planning โ and punishes winging it.
๐ฐ. ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ณ๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐
Once your visa is approved:
- Compare one-way vs flexible tickets
- Consider luggage allowances (youโll need them)
- Screenshot accommodation details for arrival day
๐๐ง๐ค ๐๐๐ฅ: Donโt land late at night if you can avoid it. It limits your transport options.
๐ฑ. ๐ฆ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
You wonโt be covered by the NHS (UK's free heath service) immediately. Make sure your insurance covers:
- Medical emergencies
- Hospital stays
- Trip delayshealth
- Lost luggage
This is non-negotiable.
๐ฒ. ๐จ๐ป๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ต๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ & ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐จ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
Make sure:
- Your phone is unlocked
- It supports UK networks
- You can activate an eSIM or physical SIM immediately on arrival
- This should be done in your first 24 hours.
Simify - eSIMS
Prepaid is best at the start.
๐ณ. ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐จ๐-๐๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ
UK CVs are different:
- No photos
- Clear job history
- Short, clean formatting
- UK terminology
Start applying before you arrive.
๐ด. ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐-๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Youโll need somewhere to land while you:
- Open bank accounts
- View flats
- Job hunt
- Learn neighbourhoods
Hotels, hostels, serviced apartments, or short-lets all work.
๐ต. ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
London flats are small. Most movers:
- Bring clothes, layers and things that can't be bought in the UK
- Skip big items
- Buy basics once they arrive
- Bring any cosmetics, medicines or favourite brands with them
- Power adapters
SendMyBag - if you have some stuff you can't live without but don't want to travel with.
Overpacking = regret.
๐ญ๐ฌ. ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป
On arrival:
- Use contactless or Oyster for transport
- Donโt rush โ jet lag is real
- Get settled before tackling admin
- Connect your UK SIM
Citymapper App - all things London travel
Heathrow App - for immigration queue times and transport options.
First impressions matter.
๐ญ๐ญ. ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฎ ๐จ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ป๐
Digital banks are easiest for new arrivals. Youโll need:
- UK address (even temporary)
- Passport
- UK phone number
- Some accounts can be setup before you leave home
This unlocks everything else.
๐ญ๐ฎ. ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ก๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ
You donโt need this to start work, but you do need it long-term (as you'll be paying the wrong amount of tax).
Apply as soon as youโre in the UK. It can take a few weeks to arrive.
๐ญ๐ฏ. ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ ๐๐ฃ (๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ)
Once you have an address:
- Register with a local GP
- Youโll be assigned an NHS number
- This gives you access to healthcare
Do this early โ not when youโre sick.
๐ญ๐ฐ. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ณ๐น๐ฎ๐ ๐ต๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐น๐
Know this before viewing:
- Youโll need a deposit + first monthโs rent
- References may be required
- Competition is high
- Speed matters
Donโt panic-rent the first place you see.
๐ญ๐ฑ. ๐จ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐น ๐ง๐ฎ๐
Council tax:
- Is paid monthly
- Depends on the property band
- Can be discounted (single occupant = 25% off)
Factor this into your rent budget.
๐ญ๐ฒ. ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฝ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐
Most people use:
- Contactless bank card
- Oyster card (optional) - buy at any Tube station, some newsagents and online if you have a UK address.
- Citymapper app
You donโt need a car.
๐ญ๐ณ. ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐
If youโre transferring funds:
- Avoid banks with poor exchange rates
- Use a dedicated transfer service
- Move money in stages if needed
Small fee differences add up fast.
๐ญ๐ด. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ / ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐
Once youโre set up:
- Attend interviews
- Register with recruiters
- Accept short-term or temp roles if needed
Your first job doesnโt have to be perfect.
๐ญ๐ต. ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป & ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ
After the chaos:
- Find your routine
- Explore neighbourhoods
- Join gyms, clubs, and communities
- Make London feel like home
Facebook Groups
This is where the fun starts.
๐ ๐๐ง๐ค ๐๐๐ฅ
This checklist links directly to deeper guides inside the community and lessons in the Classroom.
If youโre unsure about any step, search the group or ask a question.
โก๏ธ Want everything step-by-step?
Access the full Moving to London Starter Kit here
Got some more advice?
Comment below.
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๐ฌ๐ง Moving to London โ The Master Checklist
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