Moving to london...!

Question

I'm in the early stages of planning a move to London which will hopefully happen after the new year but I'm not really sure where to start. So I have ALOT of questions. I've bumbered them so its easier for everyone haha.

Ive got the obvious applications, Visa and Passport. I've acquired the right forms - first time passport and ancestry visa.

1) How soon should I lodge those?

I know you have to apply for a passport before you can apply for the Visa so obviously I would do that first.

2) Do I need to have passport photos taken before I lodge the applications?

3) How do I go about finding a rental property? Is it even possible for me to rent in the UK?

4) Is it possible to find fully or partly furnished places?

5) Which are the bad areas on London? (Im 20 years old - Moving out of home, have lived with friends before but never alone).

6) How do I go about looking for a job?

7) How do I apply for a National Insurance Number?

8) How much money do you think I should save before I move to London?

9) Is London and expensive city to live in?

10) Will I need travel insurance if I'm going to live over there or is travel insurance only for holidays?

11) Should I get any sort of medical insurance before I go?

Sorry, I know thats alot but its all so confusing.

Incase theres anything Ive missed...

12) is there anything else you would like to add or you think I should know?

Also, I should add. Ive mentioned before. Im 20 years old. From Australia. Currently living at home, taking time off my University Course (Nursing). Im basically wanting to go to London for a while as Im not sure where I want to go with my life and basically Im just looking at it as an adventure. I think Im at a time at my life where I need to go out and be independant. You should also know that Im not afraid of failing so dont be kind with your comments because I know moving overseas is going to be hard!

Sorry for a long post. Thanks in advance!

Ps. I just thought of something else!

13) What do I do with bank accounts? Can I keep my Australian accounts and open ones in London or do I need to transfer my current ones?

Answer 1

London is a culturally diverse city. There has been an unfortunate rise in knife crime within the city (Not central) . Living in London is EXCEPTIONALLY expense in comparison to other cities. Homes cost around £250,000-500,000 + ($USD 500,000 - 1,000,000 +). Check out some estate agents in London to find out rent prices. You have to have a large amount of cash to live in London, especially central.

Most homes in London should be fully furnished and have modern interiors as the previous property boom which just ended a few months ago saw house prices boom and with that money was to be made.

Do a lot of research about the city before moving here. Don't just rely on peoples answers from here. Oh and compared to Australia it's cold as h**l (what a paradox) here, especially in winter... I haven't seen any snow for a while.