Many people make the decision to move to London due to the incredible career opportunities there. They also might want to move there because their friends have. However, while moving to London is an exciting and fun time, there are a few things you will need to do before you make the move. Whether you are trying to find a short term let or a more permanent property, the following tips will make sure that money shouldn’t be a problem.

The basics

Before you move to London, put aside some money to cover any of the basics and the emergencies you may have to face. You can’t pack everything into a bag, so have some money kept aside for take-outs (for the first night in your new accommodation) and toiletries and so on. You will also need to have money to hand for travel. On top of that, you may need to buy some bedding too, so we suggest that you have an ‘emergency fund’ of around £250-300 to cover the first week or so in the city.

Got a job?

Many people move to London because of a job opportunity that has come their way. But at the same time, people do move there to look for new opportunities, which means that they will hit the city while unemployed. You won’t last five minutes in London without some income, so we recommend that you pack away some money that will allow you to live while you are searching for a job. Essentially, if you are able to bring around 3 months’ worth of income with you, you won’t have the pressure of having to find a job fast. That often leads to people taking any job, which won’t help in the long run. Take 3 months of income and then you can choose the opportunity that suits you best.

Transport

When you are looking for a place to live, even if it is a short-term let, you will need to be able to travel around London to find places and visit them. This means using London’s extensive and very inexpensive transport system. The best thing you can do when you reach London as regards transport is buy an Oyster card. These cards are absolutely indispensable.

Grab yourself an Oyster card and you’ll soon see the benefits. Travel is cheaper, and you can save some serious money if you are travelling on the Underground a lot.

Short term lets

This is a common solution for many of the millions of people who flock to London every year. The good news is there are plenty of options when it comes to short-term lets. Take the time to work out which is the best place for your stay, and then check out the short term lets in London. There are plenty of options here, and you’re likely to find an affordable and desirable spot near where you need to be for your employment and leisure requirements.

As long as you have money ready, and a clear idea of what you need for accommodation, you should find your London experience to be a fun one.