Living in London: A Relocation Guide
London is one of the world’s great cities to live and work in, and every year it draws professionals and entire teams relocating here from across Europe and beyond. It is exciting, fast-moving and full of opportunity. It is also large, busy and expensive, so knowing what to expect makes the move far smoother.
At Kassoe Housing we arrange furnished homes for people relocating to London for work, so we know the practical side of settling in well. This guide covers what living in London is really like, what it costs, where to live, how to get around, and the honest pros and cons.
What it is like to live in London
London is really a collection of villages and neighbourhoods that have grown into one enormous city. Each area has its own character, which is part of what makes living here so varied. You can move from a quiet, leafy street to a buzzing high street in a matter of minutes.
It is also one of the most diverse cities anywhere, with communities, food and culture from all over the world. There is always something happening, from world-class museums and theatre to markets, parks and live music.
The trade-off is pace and pressure. London moves quickly, the streets are crowded, and the cost of living is high. For most people who move here for work, the opportunities and the lifestyle make that worthwhile.
The cost of living
There is no getting around it: London is an expensive place to live, and rent is by far the biggest cost. How much you pay depends enormously on where you live and how central you are.
Living in the centre, close to the main business districts, costs the most. Move out into the wider zones or into the commuter belt and your money goes much further, in exchange for a longer journey to work.
Beyond rent, your main costs are transport, council tax, energy and everyday living. Salaries in London tend to be higher than in the rest of the UK to reflect this, but it is worth planning your budget around the area you choose. It is also one reason the kind of accommodation you choose matters so much, especially for a fixed stay, which we come back to below.
Where to live in London
Choosing an area is the biggest decision, and the right one depends on your budget, your commute and the lifestyle you want. Here is a broad sense of what is on offer.
Central London, around zone 1, puts you within walking distance of work and nightlife, in areas such as the City, Soho and Marylebone. It is the most convenient and the most expensive.
Just outside the centre, in zones 2 to 3, is where many professionals settle. Areas like Clapham, Islington, Shoreditch and Greenwich offer plenty of life, good transport and a strong sense of community at a slightly lower cost.
For green space and a calmer pace, leafy areas such as Richmond, Wimbledon, Dulwich and Ealing trade some of the buzz for good schools and more room to breathe. They are popular with people relocating with their family.
If you want more space for your money, the outer zones and the towns just beyond London are worth a serious look. Places like Reading, Watford and Luton offer fast trains into the city while keeping rents lower, which is why many people who work in London choose to live just outside it.
Getting around
London has one of the best public transport networks in the world, and most people who live here do not need a car. Your main options are:
- The Underground (the Tube), the quickest way across the city
- Buses, which reach everywhere the Tube does not
- The Overground and the Elizabeth line for wider, faster connections
- National rail out to the suburbs and the commuter towns
The network is divided into travel zones that radiate out from the centre, and your fares depend on how many you cross. You simply tap in and out with a contactless card or phone, with no need to buy tickets in advance.
It pays to think about transport and rent together, since a longer commute from an outer area often buys you a larger, more affordable home. When we match someone to a furnished home, the nearest stations and the journey to work are part of the conversation.
The pros and cons of living in London
Like anywhere, living in London is a balance, and it helps to go in with eyes open. The upsides are considerable and the frustrations are real, and knowing both before you arrive makes them far easier to plan around..
The upsides:
- Career opportunities that are hard to match anywhere in Europe
- Endless culture, food and nightlife
- Excellent public transport
- More green space than most people expect
- Brilliant global connections, with several major airports nearby
The downsides:
- A high cost of living, rent above all
- A competitive housing market
- Homes that are often smaller than you may be used to
- A fast, sometimes intense pace
- The famously grey weather
For most people who move here for work, the upsides win. The competitive housing market is one of the few real headaches, and it is exactly the part we take off your plate.
Settling in and finding somewhere to live
Once you have chosen an area, the harder part is often finding somewhere to actually live. London’s rental market is fast and competitive, and the usual route means long contracts, large deposits, unfurnished flats and the hassle of setting up utilities, all while you are trying to start a new job.
This is where serviced, furnished accommodation makes a real difference, particularly if you are relocating for a project or a fixed period. A home that is fully furnished and ready to move into, with utilities, wifi and the everyday essentials gathered into a single bill, takes most of the stress out of the move. You can read more about what we offer.
At Kassoe Housing this is what we do across London and the rest of the UK. We have been arranging furnished accommodation since 2018, and we work with companies and their teams to handle every detail, from finding the right home in the right area to the paperwork and ongoing support during your stay.
You also deal with real people throughout. Our UK team knows the local market and is there to help, rather than leaving you to a booking platform. Whether you are one person here for a few months or a company relocating a whole team, we can put together accommodation that fits. You can also browse all the UK locations we cover.
If you are still weighing up where in the country to base yourself, our guide to the best places to live in the UK is a good place to start.
In short
Living in London asks a lot, but it gives back even more. Choose the area that fits your work and your budget, get to grips with the zones, and sort a comfortable home before you arrive, and you will be well set up to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
If you are moving to London for work, tell us what you need and we will help you find the right place to stay. For larger or recurring requirements, you can also make a tender request.