Is London a Good Place to Live?

London has over 18 million visitors per year, making it the second most visited city in the world. There are arguments for and against living in London, such as UK weather, expenses and cultural differences. It’s a very popular place to visit for many reasons, but is it a sensible choice to live there permanently?

The population of London is constantly increasing with it being the most moved place in the whole of the UK. Around 200,000 people move from elsewhere in the UK to live in London per year, while only 25,000 move the opposite way. This number only increases when you consider those from outside the UK.

Taking a look at the cost, travel and safety of the different areas of London can help you make an informed decision on whether it’s the right move for you. Luckily, this guide will explore the pros and cons of living in London to help you decide.

Pros and Cons of Living in London

Pros of Living in London

London is a place of high culture with plenty of historic landmarks and financial opportunities. It’s important to understand the reasons why London might be a good place to live, so let’s take a look at some of these:

Job Opportunities: There are many major businesses and corporations in London, which makes it one of the best places in the UK for job opportunities. London is the second largest technology hub in the world, which makes it the perfect place for technology industry jobs.

Plenty of Activities: With the city being so expensive and large, it means there is so much to do with endless possibilities. Galleries, museums, markets, libraries, car boot sales and more, you won’t lack things to do. It’s well renowned for shopping locations with Oxford Street and Covent Garden being perfect retail therapy destinations.

Great Public Transport Links: The city’s full of life and the great public transport links are to thank for this. Whether you’re navigating the London Underground or hopping on one of the many famous red buses, there are plenty of ways to navigate the city. You can even take the river bus for an extravagant way to travel. London city centre car parks can also be expensive, so having good public transport is very important.

Green Haven: One of the big benefits of moving to London is that there are lots of green spaces and public parks to explore. Almost 20% of London is made up of these public parks so you aren’t limited in your choice. London is the greenest city in Europe, with enough trees to meet the United Nations’ definition of what makes a forest.

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Cons of Living in London

London is far from perfect, as it has its flaws. When you’re deciding to move to the city, you must understand the negatives of making the move before you go ahead with it. Let’s explore some of the drawbacks of living in London:

Expensive: Living in London can be costly due to how popular it is for tourists and how many people want to make the move to the English capital city. There are far cheaper major cities to live in the UK, such as Manchester or Newcastle. If you want to live in London on a budget, it’s going to be difficult.

Poor Air Quality: Almost 40% of London is made up of green spaces, but the air quality is still very poor. There is so much pollution in the city with road vehicles being the biggest culprit. If you already suffer from a small lung capacity, it is recommended that you don’t choose to live in London full-time.

Overcrowded: London can be busy and often suffers from overcrowding in its most popular areas. There are roughly 14,500 people per square mile, which can lead to many stressful situations. If you’re not a fan of being around people, this city might not be the move for you.

Tourist Trap: London attracts many tourists and is far more expensive than other cities in the UK due to high demand. These are often found around the most popular tourist destinations throughout the city, such as Big Ben and the London Eye. If you want to live in London, you should realistically avoid moving to these areas.

Living in London as a Foreigner

Over 40% of London residents were born abroad, making it a hotspot for expats to live. This has created a vibrant cultural scene within the city and has only increased the business opportunities that are found within London. As a foreigner, there is perhaps no better place to live in the UK.

UK Work Visas

Many people move to London for work and if you’re considering this, you will need to get an official work or business visa. This can include work opportunities for skilled tradesmen, global business workers and even startup founders. The range of these visas range anywhere from one to five years, depending on what the work is.

You will need to meet the following UK working visa requirements:

Valid Passport
Sufficient funding proof
Employment letter
High proficiency in the English language (B1 or B2)

If you are unsure about the rules of gaining a valid work visa, you should seek advice from the Government website.

Best Places to Live

There are many areas within London where you can choose to live and selecting the right neighbourhood for you is very important. You should aim to live in an area that has a good choice of schools, jobs, entertainment, transit and shopping. Having a strong sense of community can also make a neighbourhood more pleasant to live in.

Here are some areas you should consider when moving to London as an expat:

West London: An increasingly popular destination for expats moving to the capital, West London has plenty of cultural institutions. The Natural History Museum is one of the best attractions in the area and it has plenty of prestigious school choices.

East London: Known for being a trendy place to live, East London is growing in popularity amongst couples looking for a place to settle down in the city. It has a bunch of cool cafes, global eateries and shopping boutiques to help you maintain enjoyment levels.

South London: The main points of attraction for living in South London for expats is that there are plenty of high-quality schools to choose from and some beautiful parks to explore. It has a lower cost of living compared to other areas of London, which makes it perfect for those with less income.

Most Expensive Places to Live

It’s equally important to know where the most expensive places are to live. Unless you have a high budget, finding an affordable place to live is essential in having a good quality of life when living in London. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive places for expats to live in the city:

City of Westminster: The home of some of London’s most famous attractions like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, it is the most expensive to live in London. Millions of people pass through this area every week, making it the primary hotspot.

Camden: Building a reputation of being a ‘cool’ place to live, this area has its qualities but it is very expensive. It’s had an upwards trajectory in terms of popularity due to its trendy cafes, independent music scene and excellent transport links.

Kensington and Chelsea: This area is expensive to live in due to its lower crime rate, excellent school choices and high-quality medical care. It’s also the home to some famous attractions like the Royal Albert Hall and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to live in London is a complex decision that has both benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider all the relevant information before making a final decision. While the city offers numerous opportunities, including a vibrant cultural scene, excellent job prospects, and world-class amenities, it also presents challenges such as a high cost of living, crowded conditions, and potential air quality issues.

Researching the best areas to live in London based on your priorities and preferences will help ensure a smooth transition. Ultimately, the decision to live in London is a personal one that requires careful consideration of all factors.