http://www.uklovesyou.info/american-couple-moving-to-london-rental-advice Your No.1 Guide For Travelling UK Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:48:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.uklovesyou.info/american-couple-moving-to-london-rental-advice/comment-page-1#comment-7063 Shan Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:41:13 +0000 http://www.uklovesyou.info/?p=2824#comment-7063 Have a look at Bow {in the borough of Tower Hamlets) East London. It is an up and coming area, next to a large park (Victoria park) in very easy reach of the City and has many new developments there. I wish you luck. Have a look at Bow {in the borough of Tower Hamlets) East London. It is an up and coming area, next to a large park (Victoria park) in very easy reach of the City and has many new developments there. I wish you luck.

]]> http://www.uklovesyou.info/american-couple-moving-to-london-rental-advice/comment-page-1#comment-7062 jonahbeast Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:04:40 +0000 http://www.uklovesyou.info/?p=2824#comment-7062 My spouse and I moved to London from the US several years ago. Be prepared for sticker shock on all housing! It's incredibly expensive. As a general rule South London and East London are less expensive than the west side and north side. Most of London's boroughs have some rough areas and some nice areas. I'd suggest that when you get to London you walk through some areas and get a feel for them. Look for areas that have lots of people out and about--young women, children, older people. If the streets are filled with those folks it's probably a good area. Wandsworth and Lambeth, just south of the river, are well located and have good areas. In West London the area around Ealing Broadway, Northfields, and Richmond are really nice but they will be more expensive (Ealing borough). A couple of things to watch out for when looking for housing...First, most apartments are rented through estate agents (like realtors). You have to register your details with several agencies to get the best variety of apartments to view. (Unlike realtors, estate agents won't show you a property they aren't listing.) Also, be aware that you will have to pay "council tax" in addition to your rent. This can be several hundred dollars per month, depending on the size/value of your apartment. Landlords don't normally pay this unless you are in a flat share. If you have your own place you will have to pay it directly to the council. Estate agents should be able to give you the amount of council tax though they sometimes resist--probably don't want you to know exactly what the place is costing until you sign the paperwork. Good luck! My spouse and I moved to London from the US several years ago. Be prepared for sticker shock on all housing! It’s incredibly expensive. As a general rule South London and East London are less expensive than the west side and north side. Most of London’s boroughs have some rough areas and some nice areas. I’d suggest that when you get to London you walk through some areas and get a feel for them. Look for areas that have lots of people out and about–young women, children, older people. If the streets are filled with those folks it’s probably a good area.
Wandsworth and Lambeth, just south of the river, are well located and have good areas. In West London the area around Ealing Broadway, Northfields, and Richmond are really nice but they will be more expensive (Ealing borough).
A couple of things to watch out for when looking for housing…First, most apartments are rented through estate agents (like realtors). You have to register your details with several agencies to get the best variety of apartments to view. (Unlike realtors, estate agents won’t show you a property they aren’t listing.) Also, be aware that you will have to pay “council tax” in addition to your rent. This can be several hundred dollars per month, depending on the size/value of your apartment. Landlords don’t normally pay this unless you are in a flat share. If you have your own place you will have to pay it directly to the council. Estate agents should be able to give you the amount of council tax though they sometimes resist–probably don’t want you to know exactly what the place is costing until you sign the paperwork. Good luck!

]]> http://www.uklovesyou.info/american-couple-moving-to-london-rental-advice/comment-page-1#comment-7724 Ciara Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:10:31 +0000 http://www.uklovesyou.info/?p=2824#comment-7724 There's an American letting agent in London who might have some good advice - London Relocation http://www.londonrelocationservices.com There’s an American letting agent in London who might have some good advice – London Relocation http://www.londonrelocationservices.com

]]> http://www.uklovesyou.info/american-couple-moving-to-london-rental-advice/comment-page-1#comment-7061 thegreatone Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:22:41 +0000 http://www.uklovesyou.info/?p=2824#comment-7061 Look it up online before you go. Look it up online before you go.

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