tips for moving to london as a young adult

[Curiositykilledthecat113]

Hi I'm moving to London to take a masters degree, my accommodation is sorted so no tips needed on rent. I'd just like to hear any recommendations of restaurants which are reasonably priced, places to visit (Museums, art galleries, theatres etc), how on earth to use the underground and get an oyster and any general tips! Things you wish you knew before moving to London, if you will.

Thanks a lot! :)

Hi I wouldn't bother with an oyster - just use a contactless debit card on buses/trains/tubes ... it's capped at a certain point (£12ish) per day.

I hope everything is open and back to normal soon for you to enjoy London as it's a fabulous place to live.

You'll soon pick up the underground, it's quite straightforward but also have a google for the 'walking underground map' - it shows you the distance between stations if you were walking and it really highlights how close a lot of places are, it's very walkable on a nice day.

@BigSandyBalls2015 Thank you! I only asked about the oyster as I heard there's a student oyster card which might be of good value but contactless might be just as easy. I'd also appreciate any suggestions for night life! I'm not used to london prices so good value bars/clubs would be appreciated :) Also how expensive are taxi fares in and around central London?

Download the citymapper app. Very useful for helping you get around.

Citymapper is a great app for buses and tubes.

All advice pre covid!

There are some amazing unusual museums like Dennis savers house - don't just think about the natural history etc

Lots of museums have late night specials so sign up to their emails.

The globe theatre is a fab experience. Standing tickets are £5

You can do great walks - best way to get to know London.

If you fancy a cocktail book Mr Foggs Mayfair - really cool.

Where will you be living?

Soho and Shoreditch are good night out spots.

Uber is cheap for taxis.

I would definitely look into the Student Oyster as it may be cheaper than contactless (which won't know that you're a student). Re Museums etc, most of them are free and almost all are worth visiting at least once - but be warned that during these weird times you have to book a time slot as they're limiting numbers. Re restaurants/nightlife - I guess it depends which part of London you'll be in.

This is like “ how long is a piece of string” - London is absolutely massive and is full of places to go so it’s really hard to give you a recommendation. Where abouts is your accommodation ? I would be looking for cheaper places near where you live rather than places like the West End which are more tourist focused. Time Out is a good source for what’s going on and you can sign up now for emails.

Ah ok worth looking into student oyster as that will prob be cheaper than contactless

Thanks for advice re the citymapper I've downloaded it. Thank you for the suggestions on Museums I'll definitely be taking that advice. Pleased to know they're reasonably priced. Thanks for the advice for the cocktail place, love a cocktail! I think I will be walking a lot however in my previous visits to London I've found it difficult to navigate, so many streets. Any obvious tourist traps to avoid? @BIWI I'll be living in the Camden area, I'm hoping it's pretty safe and that the commute to central london won't be so bad, online it states only around 10 minutes by the underground. University is in the centre.

On a hot and sunny day, eat your lunch in the courtyard of Somerset House. Feels like you’re in Paris. (There’s a reasonable cafe there, or buy from elsewhere and picnic)

It is worth getting an Oyster if you are getting a season ticket (eg annual bus pass) or qualify for a discount. Not sure how you apply for a student card, but it's probably quite straightforward - look on the TfL/Oyster website

And then that's the card you wave around when you're travelling, keeping your bank cards well buried.

But if you do go with contactless, remember you swipe in and out on everything except buses where you swipe in only (flat fare). If you don't swipe out, it'll charge you the maximum fare - which is annoying but nit the end of the world.

Follow The Londinist on twitter - they have articles all sorts of interesting places to go, places to eat, bits of history etc

@Divebar

This is like “ how long is a piece of string” - London is absolutely massive and is full of places to go so it’s really hard to give you a recommendation. Where abouts is your accommodation ? I would be looking for cheaper places near where you live rather than places like the West End which are more tourist focused. Time Out is a good source for what’s going on and you can sign up now for emails.

Apologies haha because it's so massive that's actually why I'm asking for recommendations because online there is just far too much to look at! I'm mainly looking for places in the centre or in Camden where I'm staying, I've done most of the tourist stuff through previous visits so I'm basically asking for things that only people who lived in London might know, restaurants that are cheaper, museums that are maybe lesser known, places you might not know about unless you knew London well essentially. Thanks for the advice :)

Camden is super easy into central.
Which uni?

I'd avoid Leicester Sq and Picadilly Circus like the plague!

Amazing food in Camden market. You're also next to regents park. (The zoo is there if you like that). Edinburgh castle pub in Camden has a good outside area in the summer.

St Paul's is pricey to get in but it's incredible and museum of London is next to it - a great museum (free).

If you're bright enough to be doing a master's, I guess you'll work out how to use the Underground which is the same as any other transport system. Most students can't afford to take cabs.
The museums are closed at least for the next few weeks.
Some theatres will be reopening as soon as lockdown is over - Bridge Theatre is your best bet and I imagine the National will be back in action directly too.

There is masses of free stuff and no true Londoner ever pays full price.

From Camden, walk and walk and walk! It’s a wonderful city, and I envy you moving and experiencing everything as a student.

Join the audience club (cheap tickets). It’s a mix of really good live events to the truly dire - but it’s great to be able to get tickets for peanuts to see what’s on. There’s usually a waiting list.

Your 'll need to check what's open right now, but assuming that more or less everything will be at least partly open, (but check online in case you need to reserve a time slot). Here are some ideas for free/cheap/worth it:

UCL museums, especially the Petrie
Leighton House museum
National Army museum (which is v close to the Chelsea Physick Gardens)
Kew Gardens - and think about walking back along the Thames Path
Barnes Wetlands
Find a friend and walk the Capital Ring - lots of hidden treasures en route, but bits of it a bit secluded
Olympic Park (ArcelorMittal is a bit pricey, but if it's your sort of thing, then worth it) and you can swim in the Olympic pool
If it survives lockdown financial crisis, learn to kayak/sail on the Thames at Pimlico at Westminster Boating base, filthy cheap if you are u23)

Any of those sorts of things appeal?

ritual.co/order/bun-house-lisle-st-london/e1df?r=BUNHOUSE

Ok - there’s my recommendation for cheap eats - The Bun House for Bao Buns. Afterwards wander in China Town for Japanese ice cream in the fish shaped cones... they cook the cones in the windows. You’ll discover lots of places if you walk where you can.

For getting around, you'll probably use google maps on your phone. Not sure whether you use it much where you are now, but it's very accurate for directions.
For taxis, download the Uber app.
Things that newcomers have issues with are getting NI number and setting up bank a/c. Will you have a tenancy agreement where you live? You can use that as proof of address.

Get a SIM only mobile phone contract when you arrive. That will allow you to build up a credit rating.
There are certain banks which are easier for newcomers to get set up in. Facebook has lots of pages such as 'Italians in London' etc.
You'll likely socialise near your uni I would imagine. You will gradually find your feet.

Take up as many invitations to things as you can so that you build up a friendship network.
Where is your country of origin?

Pick up a TimeOut on a Tuesday from tube station
Sign up for student discounts unidays etc
Ask on student forum or whatsapp group for your course for current trends

There's also an app called Meetup - download that. You put in your interests e.g. hiking, museums, a language etc. and there will be scheduled events then that you'll be notified of.

Central London is actually smaller than the Tube map implies. Therefore, sometimes it’s quicker to walk between tube stations, than catch tube.

Groupon is good for deals.

Everything on this list looks good!

www.ucl.ac.uk/residences/things-to-do-in-London/museums