Introduction
Moving to London on a Skilled Worker Visa is an exciting transition — full of new professional, social, and cultural opportunities. Having done this myself a few years ago, I’ve gathered everything I wish I had known into this practical, actionable guide. Whether you’re arriving solo or with a job already lined up, this checklist-style post will walk you through the essentials — from bank accounts and broadband to council tax and cultural quirks.
1. Before You Arrive / Day One Essentials
📱 Mobile Phone Plans & Connectivity:
- Pay-as-you-go (Prepaid) plans are flexible but slightly more expensive month-on-month. Ideal if you’re unsure how long you’ll stay. You might need this to start as you might not have sufficient credit history in the country to secure a contract, but you can switch later.
- Postpaid contracts (12–24 months) offer better value but lock you in.
- Top Providers: O2, Vodafone, EE (recommended), Three (avoid for central London), and Lebara (great for international calls, popular among expats).
- Broadband Bundles: EE, Virgin Media (good service, higher cost), Hyperoptic (decent speed, occasional 30-min outages), and G Network (solid fibre option depending on your building).
- Tip 1: Most in-store SIM purchases will require your passport for ID, so make sure you carry it with you when you go.
- Tip 2: Ahead of landing in London, you might want to look into E-sim options so you can have data for the first few weeks / days while you figure stuff out. I use GoMoWorld but there are plenty of E-sim options on the market
🏦 Banking:
- Digital Banks: Monzo and Revolut are great for quick setup.
- Note: Revolut may ask for UK address proof. Virtual cards, instant transfers, multi-currency options. Use “pockets” for budgeting.
- Traditional Banks: HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds. Ideal for savings accounts and long-term products. Employer partnerships can ease account opening if you lack credit history. Personally, I use Marcus by Goldman Sachs. They are an easy to use High Yield Savings Account.
- Credit Cards: Consider Amex Gold for perks and travel points (free first year). This is also a great way to build up credit history in the country.
🏠 Temporary Housing Tips:
Stay in short-term accommodation (Airbnb, serviced apartments) for the first month while scouting for longer-term places. I stayed at a serviced flat option in Islington but I would not recommend that building – Islington is great though.
2. Finding Your Feet: Housing & Transport
🏠 Finding Long-Term Housing:
- Platforms: Rightmove, Zoopla, OpenRent.
- Zones: Zone 1 is walkable but pricey; Zones 2–3 offer 20–30 minute Tube commutes.
- Tip: Walkability = peace of mind. Living close to work is a game-changer.
🚇 Transport Basics
- Tube, bus, Thameslink trains accept contactless cards or Apple Pay.
- Oyster Cards are optional but handy, especially if linked to a Railcard.
- Bus fares are flat (£1.75), with weekly/monthly passes if you commute often.
- Railcard: Save roughly a third on national rail fares. It can also discount Tube fares if linked with your Oyster card.
3. Setting Up Your Life: Utilities, Broadband & Essentials
⚡ Utilities: Electric & Gas:
- Providers: British Gas (fixed tariff), Octopus Energy (popular), OVO Energy (more expensive), EDF (affordable).
- If your building lacks a smart meter, you’ll need to submit manual readings, sometimes requiring landlord permission to install one.
🌐 Broadband Providers:
- Virgin Media (fast and reliable), Hyperoptic (good speed with occasional brief outages), G Network (excellent fibre if available).
🏛️ Council Tax:
- Register with your local council online (Find your council).
- Set up Direct Debit for monthly payments. This is crucial proof of residence.
4. Healthcare & Legal Registrations
🏥 NHS Registration:
- Needed for free healthcare services.
- Register with a local GP via the NHS GP registration page.
- Your GP is the first contact for health issues. For emergencies, go to A&E.
- Private insurance through employers is a good backup due to NHS wait times.
🗳️ Voter Registration:
- Optional but recommended as it helps build your credit history.
- Register online at the UK voter registration portal.
5. Money Matters: Banking, Taxes & Pensions
🧾 Taxes:
- The UK taxes global income; understand your tax residency and domicile status (Guide).
- Income tax rates vary by band (Income Tax rates).
- Consider hiring an accountant when you arrive to stay compliant, especially if you have income abroad. I can share referrals!
- Use MoneyHelper for impartial advice.
🪙 Pensions:
- Most employers offer defined contribution pensions, often matching your contributions.
- Pension contributions reduce taxable income.
- UK pensions are portable between UK providers without tax penalties; transfers abroad are complex and limited to recognized schemes.
- If you ever need to transfer to an overseas fund – they need to be QROPS eligible.
- You can check if a fund is QROPS eligible here .
- Access usually starts at 55+.
- UK pensions can be paid to international bank accounts once you retire abroad.
6. Daily Life & Lifestyle
🍎 Groceries & Food:
- Supermarkets: ALDI, LIDL (budget); Tesco, Sainsbury’s (mid-range); Waitrose, M&S (premium).
- Loyalty programs: Nectar (Sainsbury’s), Tesco Clubcard.
- Food delivery: JustEat, Deliveroo (Gold subscription useful if ordering often), Uber Eats.
🏋🏽♀️ Gyms & Fitness:
- Budget: The Gym Group
- Mid-range: Virgin Active, Nuffield Health
- Premium: Third Space
💇🏽♀️ Salons & Treatments:
- Use Treatwell app for discounts
- Toni & Guy haircuts ~£100; affordable chains include Headmasters
- Facial & mani-pedi: Quan Spa (Kensington)
- Affordable eyebrow shaping: Rawr Beauty at Primark Oxford St.
☔ Weather & Dressing
London weather can be unpredictable; invest in a sturdy, windproof umbrella or stylish raincoat. I cannot tell you how many times I have had my umbrella ruined because of the wind because I w
7. Travel & Exploration
🚆 Domestic Travel:
- Use Trainline app to check times and book tickets.
- Railcard saves ~33% on train fares—highly recommended for weekend trips.
🌍 International Travel:
- Eurostar connects London with Paris and Brussels.
- Multiple airports offer budget flights across Europe.
- Schengen visa applications depend on nationality; some countries are more generous than others.
- Use refundable flight tickets and temporary accommodation for visa processes.
8. Final Thoughts
Moving to London is a big adventure — expect bumps and joys. Give yourself time to settle and explore. It definitely is a walking city – and you will be glad that it is. I cannot count the times, I have accidentally taken a wrong turn into an alley and in finding my way back, stumbled on the most gorgeous and tucked away parts of the city.
Have you made the move to London, or are you planning to? I’d love to hear your experiences, tips, or even your biggest surprises about life in the city. Drop a comment below, or connect with me on Instagram — let’s share stories that make The Big Smoke feel a little more like home!
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