Things You Should Know Before Moving To London Vs. Other UK Cities

Living in London is a pipedream for so many working professionals. You might have visions of working in classy offices, sipping drinks in Soho with friends and enjoying all the benefits of living in a bustling metropolis. And while all these things are possible in the capital, they might take a bit longer to achieve. This is largely because the cost of living in London is still extortionate.

But if you can look past high prices at first, drawing comparisons will reveal some key strengths to the city. Here’s what you should know before you make the big move.

Housing and cost of living

Compared to other major cities, rent is very high. In 2024, London’s rental inflation of 11.5% was the highest in the UK overall. Single professionals often need to fork out well over £1,500 for a one-bedroom flats, with many choosing to share a house and save money.

Even if you rent your own house, you shouldn’t expect smooth sailing. Many landlords try to cut costs by painting over major damage, and damp is a widespread issue in older properties. However, quality new homes make a great investment for highfliers building a career in London.

Transport is widely accessible but often frustrating for city dwellers. You’ll need to give yourself around an hour to get to where you need to go, accounting for queues and delays on the Tube.

Lifestyle, pace and culture

London’s pace is relentless. It’s a city designed for ambitious people and constant motion, drawing professionals from every corner of the globe. This truly international lifestyle means that your social circle will inevitably diversify, which will lead you to unmatched cultural experiences.

Compared to cities like Manchester or Bristol, where the daily vibe is a little bit more relaxed, the London commute is a daily battle. The city does boast beautiful green spaces like Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, but you’ll need to enjoy them with everyone else. 

Overall, the quality of life might boil down to a trade-off. You should expect unrivalled access to world-class attractions, galleries and events, but you’ll need to balance that with the stress and high costs of living here.

Career opportunities and salaries

The job market in London is heavily concentrated in massive corporate sectors, including finance, law, and media. The competition for top roles is fierce, but the ceilings are higher.

You’ll find a huge concentration of global headquarters here that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the country. Meanwhile, other major cities like Glasgow and Leeds are rapidly developing powerful hubs in sectors like technology and academia, just without the total overwhelm.

While salary expectations in London might seem far higher on paper, the extra money is sometimes swallowed up by the cost of housing and transport. This is especially true if you’ve got an active social life!

For example, a £50,000 salary that affords a great life in Leeds might feel like barely scraping by when converted into a London wage required to cover Zone 2 rent. It’s worth relating the higher salary to the equally high living costs before making the leap.

There’s plenty to think about if you’re considering moving to London. Always try to strike a balance between a fulfilling personal life and a successful career – because while you can have one and not the other, you might not be truly happy without both.