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My wife and I will be moving from NYC to London around yearend and will stay there for the foreseeable future.
We are looking for suggestions on how to integrate in the city and build a lively social circle, with a good mix of local and foreign friends. We’d welcome you suggestions on what neighborhoods would suit us best, and on how to get to know the locals (e.g. activities, clubs, etc.)
Here is some info about ourselves to narrow down the request:
- We are 30 yr old, no kids now but that will likely change in the next few years
- Currently we live in the East Village / LES area, and love the variety of restaurants and bars
- I lived in London for a few months at a time in the past, and while I have quite a few friends there only a couple are “locals” (i.e. mostly expats from EU / US. Also, most of my colleagues will be expats)
- I will be working in St. James, and would like to keep the morning commute to ~30min door to door
- We are looking for a 1 to 2bd flat, at around GBP2,000 pcm. Could go higher if needed but would prefer to stick to the budget
The priority for us is to actually “settle-in” rather than live as expats. This means that we are willing to step out of our comfort zoneto get to know people. Suggestions welcome!
£2000 per mo could get you a generous one bedroom or reasonable two bedroom near to a tube station along the south bank, which may be to your liking. Very vibrant, though a development hub with risk of rising rent prices in the coming years. A riverside apartment may cost you in excess of 2400 per month, though you may get lucky and find one for cheaper.
Thanks guys. I don't know the South Bank all that well, except for the area surrounding Battersea Park (feels like a sleeping community) and the area around More London (not very "neighborhoody"). To what areas are you referring?
So far we have been thinking about Islington / Clerkenwell, Camden / Primrose Hill, and Pimlico (really only for proximity to work). Any feedback on these areas (i.e. are any of the expat enclaves)?
We have plenty of hobbies, especially related to the outdoors, but found it hard to meet people that way in the past. I'd be interested in picking up squash though (any tips on beginners leagues welcome). Looking into gyms and pools we came across the Lansdowne Club, and were wondering if this kind places is a reasonable avenue to get integrated or they are filled with snobs and wannabe-royals.
I am American and have been living in the city for 8 years. You will definitely find your niche eventually by doing what you said above, using your activities and hobbies to find groups of other people that have similar interests. You could join meet up groups (or you and your partner could start your own group) , or if you are religious church is a very good way to mix and get to know others within your community. From what you've posted you are on the right track. Whatever part of London you decide on, you will eventually build a network and make friends.
So far we have been thinking about Islington / Clerkenwell, Camden / Primrose Hill, and Pimlico (really .
As a native Londoner, I'd say they're all good areas. Pimlico would put you closest to work, but none are distant. Re meeting people, hardly unique to London, but I'd say meetup.com is pretty good.
Pimlico puts you within walking distance of the West End/St James's as well as the shopping hubs in Kensington and Chelsea. Aside from the tube, the 24 bus will ferry you to and from Trafalgar Square, just next door to St James's.
For physical convenience, that would be your best bet.
LOVE that movie . I wish AMC or TMC would have a week or month of showing classic British films from the 1940s - 1960s. We made some good ones back then!
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. I wish AMC or TMC would have a week or month of showing classic British films from the 1940s - 1960s. We made some good ones back then!
