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Relocating to the bright lights of London or another city in the UK is something that most of us experience at some point in our lives. Whether you’ve landed a dream job or want to return to an area you lived before, a city move can be the ultimate career opportunity, an exciting decision for a young family or a bold idea if you fancy starting afresh.
The prospect of city-living offers undeniable attractions for people of any age and at various stages of life. The thought of shortening your commute, of finding an ideal home in a bustling district in London, is just as appealing as picturing yourself living closer to great sports facilities, cultural venues and fantastic museums.
However, the thought of swapping rural tranquility or leaving a village where everyone knows you to live in a hectic hub can feel daunting and challenging. Whether you’re searching for a perfect home, looking forward to settling in soon or still considering where to go, planning your city relocation, therefore, requires some pre-planning.
These steps might help you to pick a perfect area that aligns with your work, lifestyle, budget, and personal circumstances.
Moving to a major city for work, family, or personal reasons represents one of life's biggest challenges, especially for young adults, which is why doing some research before you move can help. According to UK reports, 4 to 5% of the population move to a different city or county each year and the capital sees 200,000 people annually arrive from other towns and villages.
Meanwhile, the scale and unfamiliarity of city life means you’ll want to find a place and property that suits your personal preferences. At first, the prospect of relocating might feel overwhelming especially if you have a time frame to relocate by. If this is the case, search for specific area guides that cover London or other city areas in detail, particularly if you’ve not been before.
In order to get a realistic feel for a place you’re really interested in, try and go in person a few times to look beyond remote property viewing. While online searches and Google Street View are helpful, it’s much better to walk around, visit local cafés, shops, and markets to gauge the community atmosphere. If you can, plan ahead and consider the following:
Chat with locals to get a sense of how safe an area is.
Assess the vibe and culture of the area, considering parks, community centres, and other appealing amenities.
Evaluate the proximity to underground stations, tram or bus routes, and bike storage solutions.
If you can, plan a few visits to discover the distinct characteristics, demographics and amenities in a locality that catches your eye. If you're used to the familiarity and like the comfort of living in a small town or village, cities have pockets that can feel village-like, so a proper stay before you move is advisable.
Before you’ve accepted a new job or marketed your house, you’ll likely have some idea of the rental costs or mortgage repayments you expect to pay. You’ll want to factor in that the cost of living is probably going to be higher than where you’re moving from.
While it’s no surprise that London commands the highest price, popular cities, such as Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester, also have varying living expenses. Any forward-thinking research will help when working out price points for cities that align with your work, budget and lifestyle requirements.
If you’re moving with your family and young children, you’ll be keen to find out and ask around about school catchment zones, nurseries, childcare facilities, and playgrounds. These are often concentrated in particular areas and do influence property prices.
One major consideration wherever you live is the transport network, what a daily commute might be like and if you’re able to walk, hop on a bus, or cycle to work. Of course, in most cities, the public transport is typically great although there may be variables when it comes to reliability, the age of metros, and the reality of journey times or costs. These details and the reliability vary significantly between routes, what the weather is like and times of day.
Moreover, if you’re leaving a quieter town or village, or even a home that came with a parking space or driveway, the chances of parking might be a challenge in a city. You’ll want to think about residents' permits, limited spaces, and additional costs if you’re buying a car, investing in a new bike or will need to buy a railcard.
Alternatively, if you can live without a vehicle, perhaps a city move signals an opportunity to switch to being an eco-friendly commuter who travels on public transport, cycles or the occasional car share; a healthier and cost-effective option.
Likewise, given the proximity to greenery, safe cycle routes and nature is good for your physical and mental health, look for a city location that will have a positive impact. This means prioritising being within walking distance of parks, woods, or communal gardens. The anonymity of city living can sometimes feel lonely and be detrimental to your wellbeing, so also be sure to check out if there are groups, gyms, or leisure centres in the vicinity before moving.
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