London may have dropped down the rankings in terms of one of the top expat cities, but it is still a preferred destination for many expats wanting to combine their career growth with travel opportunities and lots of culture. Here are the top reasons why expats love London:
Reasons expats choose to move to London
1. It’s almost guaranteed to grow your career
If you plan on taking your career a few rungs up the career ladder then London is the place to do it. The employment opportunities are amazing and globally regarded. It is often listed as one of the most desirable cities in the world for job seekers to relocate to. In fact, the latest HSBC Expat Explorer survey placed London in second place when it came to expat job opportunities. The average expat salary is almost 10 percent above the global average and the city is one of the world’s leading financial capitals and home to corporations like Google and Microsoft.
2. The job market is buoyant
London is facing a crisis of scarcity in terms of of skilled workers – this is the combined result of an ageing population, fears about Brexit and the fact that many of the British locals head abroad to experience other countries in terms of both work and travel. What this means, according to Mercer’s latest study on the situation, is that by the end of March 2019 when Britain leaves the EU, London will be facing a potential labour shortage – creating an ideal climate for skilled expats looking for work.
3. Some of the world’s best educational institutions
London has over 40 universities and is one of the best cities in the world in which to study. The University College, London, Imperial College, London and King’s College, London are three of the world’s famous tertiary education options. Whether you are looking to further your education in the arts, business, medicine, media or fashion, London will provide you with a world-ranking degree or diploma.
4. It’s fabulous for travel
If you want to pop over to another country for just the weekend, then London is the city to do it from. Just hop onto the Eurostar train at St Pancreas and you can be in Paris, Brussels or Lille in under 2 hours. There are also many good low-cost airlines like Flybe, EasyJet and Ryan Air that can take you to any European destination at bargain prices.
5. Plenty of free things to do
One of the great aspects of London is that almost every museum is free to visit including The British Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Tate Modern and the V&A. Here you can view anything from Egyptian mummies to the exhibits of famous artists from the past and the present – all without paying a penny!
6. The multicultural possibilities
London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, which makes it attractive to expats from every country. Here you will find an eclectic mix of cultures, people and religions and you can enjoy authentic food from any nation, any night of the week. From the very best Chinese food to Lebanese, Polish and Korean – whatever takes your fancy, you will find it in London.
If you are a South African living in London and would like to know more about how you can maximise your finances through financial emigration, accessing your South African retirement annuity and our tailor-made tax solutions for South Africans around the world, contact FinGlobal today.