Brexit is on everyone’s minds with the rights of EU citizens in Britain and British nationals in the EU still being hotly debated. But let us take a step back from all the turmoil and remind ourselves why London is still one of the most popular expat destinations in the world.
The powerhouse of the UK economy
London offers many career opportunities in popular sectors including finance, business, law, IT, Medicine and Engineering. Expats in the media, fashion or creative industries will also find many job opportunities in this dynamic city. But with Brexit looming, it would be prudent, if you are an EU citizen and considering immigrating to England, to wait a few months to establish what your rights in the UK will be.
A culturally rich community
London has an enormous and thriving expat community and it’s impossible to feel like an outsider in a city where the people sitting next to you on the Tube are more than likely just as foreign as you are. The large well-established expat communities include Asians, South Africans, Australians, Americans and Caribbean immigrants.
Friendly locals
Once you move outside your expat circles, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover the locals are very friendly. The UK was named “top location for expats straying outside expat circles and socialising with locals over fellow expats” in HSBC’s 2015 Expat Explorer Survey.
Free education
London has some of the best state schools in the whole of the UK and as the education is free, it is a huge benefit for expats who are relocating with their family. There are two standard types of schools in London – state schools that are funded by taxes and public schools, which are fee-paying schools. Admission to state schools is subject to a catchment area, so if you want your children to go to one of the top state schools, it is important you research where the best state schools are before you choose where to stay.
Easy transport
Yes, some of the tubes are a little on the worn side, but London is a city where you really don’t need a car at all. If you do have one, traffic jams and parking permits can be the bane of your life. Rather choose to just step outside the door and grab the nearest bus or walk a few metres to a tube.
Something to do every day
No matter what the time of day or day of the year, there is always something happening in London. Whether you choose to visit one of the amazing free museums, which include the Tate Modern and the famous British Museum or stroll through the buzzing markets. Here are some top suggestions from visitors to London:
- Visit Hyde Park
- Stroll through Broadway Market
- Visit the Hackney Picturehouse
- Stroll through Apostrophe, Europe’s largest inner-city shopping mall
- Visit the Natural History Museum
- Shop or browse in Oxford Street
- Watch a bit of theatre in Shakespeare’s Globe
- Shop in Camden Market
- Visit Tower Bridge
- Educate yourself at the Science Museum
If you’re a South African immigrating to London or any other country and you need advice about your financial migration, contact us today and we’ll help you on the path to financial freedom in your new home.
[contact-form-7 id=”6581″ title=”Blog post (call me)”]