London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧
#617
,
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | London, the capital city of the United Kingdom, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis known for its rich history, diverse culture, and dynamic economy. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 9 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is about 70 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is GBP (£). Approximately 1 GBP ≈ 1.30 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, UK Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commonly used services include Monzo, Revolut, and TransferWise. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies for longer stays. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like Generator London and YHA London St Pancras. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Areas such as Covent Garden, Westminster, and Southbank. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Shoreditch and Camden are recommended for their vibrant atmosphere and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and Spaces have multiple locations throughout the city. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Academics and Monmouth Coffee offer quiet spaces and good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com lists various tech and entrepreneur gatherings in London. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like ‘Expats in London’ host regular events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are popular options. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Boris Bikes (Santander Cycles) and Lime e-scooters are widely available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Brighton Beach is roughly 1.5 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | British Airways offers extensive domestic connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Major carriers include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Key routes include M1, M4, and M25 motorways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | London Waterloo is one of the busiest train stations. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Oyster cards or contactless payment methods are recommended for travel. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains run frequently to cities like Oxford and Cambridge. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Guy's Hospital is a major healthcare facility in London. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Retreat and Triyoga have multiple locations across London. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Chains like PureGym and Fitness First are widespread. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundrettes like Bubble and Dry Cleaners are accessible throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Just Eat are popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Traditional fish and chips from places like Poppies Fish & Chips. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Mildred's and The Gate offer great plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chin Chin Labs and Doughnut Time are famous for desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Markets like Borough Market provide budget-friendly food shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon UK and eBay are the main platforms for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Ocado and Tesco provide grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Shoreditch and Soho are central nightlife districts. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | BrewDog and Camden Town Brewery are popular and offer tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vinoteca and The Good Wine Shop are well-regarded. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food markets like Mercato Metropolitano flourish throughout the city. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Dishes from India, China, and the Mediterranean are widely accessible. |
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-visit destinations. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Paul's Cathedral and the West London Synagogue are notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Events like Notting Hill Carnival and the London Film Festival occur annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Brixton and Hackney are known for their cultural diversity. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The West End is famous for its numerous theaters and spectacular shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Borough Market and Camden Market are popular for local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like O2 Academy and Royal Albert Hall host a range of performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Areas like Shoreditch feature prominent urban art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Places like Leiths School of Food and Wine offer classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Saatchi Gallery and White Cube are notable contemporary art venues. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Tower of London and The Globe Theatre are architectural highlights. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Tudor and Victorian architecture is prominent throughout the city. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Richmond Park is a large park offering natural landscapes within the city. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The South Downs National Park is easily accessed for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Thames Path offers scenic views along the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Shard and Sky Garden provide excellent views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wetland Trust's Barnes and the London Wetland Centre are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Hampstead Heath has areas where bonfires are allowed during specific seasonal events. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Royal Mail and DHL provide extensive postal services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech stores like Currys PC World and Apple Authorized Service Providers offer repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and some parks have table tennis tables available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institutes like the Language Gallery offer various language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The British Library and local public libraries are great for study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Spaces like the Bow Arts Trust and local church halls host community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Platforms like Meltdown offer gaming experiences in a social environment. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Hippodrome Casino and Aspers Casino are popular gaming venues. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £480,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £7,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = £280,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £11,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £660,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = £390,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. £9,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £760,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. £5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = £440,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The corporate tax rate is currently 19%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The tax on dividends is 38.1% for higher rate taxpayers. |
| 🏦 Tax System | UK residents are taxed on their worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on property value in the UK. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty is progressive: up to 12% on properties above £1.5 million. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | The UK offers various tax reliefs, but high-income earners might face higher rates. |