London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#617
51.507445, -0.127765
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, is known for its dynamic culture, history, and economic significance. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 9 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 90 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | GBP (British Pound), 1 USD ≈ 0.73 GBP |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Vodafone, EE, and O2 |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common options include HSBC, Barclays, and Revolut for banking |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Spotahome, and various serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely including contactless payments. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Homestay, and local rental agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include YHA London and Generator Hostel. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork locations across the city like WeWork Southbank. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Attendant, a coffee shop with ample seating and a good vibe for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com features various professional events across many industries. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in London' host regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt operate widely in London. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Santander Cycles (Boris Bikes) and Lime scooters available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Brighton Beach, approximately 1 hour by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | British Airways operates many regional routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Heathrow and Gatwick serve numerous international carriers. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | M25 and various A roads providing connectivity. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | London King's Cross and Waterloo are major stations. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Oyster card for discounted travel on Tube and buses, weekly and monthly caps apply. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services like Southeastern and Thameslink connect to surrounding areas. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | St Thomas' Hospital is highly regarded. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Calm Yoga Studio and Triyoga provide excellent wellness options. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Popular gym chains include PureGym and Fitness First. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundrette services like The White Laundry in various boroughs. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats are widely used. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Fish and chips, with favorites like The Golden Hind. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Mildreds in Soho offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Peggy Porschen Cakes, famous for its Instagram-worthy desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Borough Market for fresh produce and street food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK is the primary online marketplace. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Tesco and Sainsbury's offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Shoreditch is known for its vibrant nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | BrewDog is popular, with locations across the city. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Noble Rot offers excellent wine selections. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Kerb markets and street food festivals are prevalent. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Dishoom for Indian cuisine is a must-visit. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The British Museum and Tate Modern are must-visits. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Notting Hill Carnival and the London Fashion Week. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Covent Garden and Shoreditch are vibrant cultural hubs. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The West End offers numerous shows and performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Camden Market and Borough Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The O2 Arena and Roundhouse host various performers. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Borough Market and Brick Lane for vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Cookery School offers various culinary classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Whitechapel Gallery and Saatchi Gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The British Museum showcases diverse cultural heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Richmond Park and Hyde Park provide beautiful escapes. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | North Downs and Epping Forest are within reach. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Thames Path and Regents Canal offer scenic routes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Sky Garden and The Shard provide stunning views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wetlands Centre in Barnes is a great spot. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some parks allow bonfires, check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Royal Mail and DHL offer parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and local repair shops are widely available. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Bounce, a bar with table tennis tables in Shoreditch. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | London Language Exchange provides various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The British Library is a prime study location. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Local councils have community centers for events and meetings. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming cafes like Meltdown London offer gaming experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £12,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = £360,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £8,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = £255,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £10,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = £500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £7,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = £375,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £9,000 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = £630,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £6,500 per m² (e.g., 70 m² = £455,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 19% (as of 2024) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No withholding tax for companies in the UK. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residence-based taxation, tax on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% for incomes above £150,000. |
| 🧾 VAT | 20% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applies to UK residents. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Council Tax based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp Duty Land Tax varies by purchase price. |