Things we learned about moving around/to London

1. Visit sites like rightmove.co.uk, zoopla.co.uk often. Properties move FAST. Hours, and even minutes, make a difference. Seriously. 

1b. Research your commute from your desired neighbourhood to your work/office. Driving-car park-fees. Tube and alternate bus routes when tube is not an option. You may need to look in a different borough than you hoped but if the commute is good (and not crazy expensive) to your most frequented places, life will be better. My favourite app for directions is CityMapper.

2. Call and email the contact person/agent ASAP to arrange a viewing. 

Chances are that if you've seen a decent looking, decent-sized, decently-priced flat in a 'good' neighbourhood pop up in the last 1-4 hours, so have at least a dozen other people who have already phoned the agent. 

We would take 15 min before or after the viewing to walk around the neighbourhood, observing how many car spaces there are, the closest grocery store (for 'late' night/quick runs), noise levels, etc.

We spent a year in what we really referred to as our 'starter' flat. It was small and doable for our simple needs at the time. It was for sleeping and keeping our stuff safe. 'We'll hardly ever be here. We will be working and travelling so much it won't bother us'. We were under a lot of pressure to move quickly in a city we hardly knew. 

Honestly, it was not a problem at all for a long time. Yes, I would have to clean every day or such a small place looks like a wreck with even a few things out of place. 

And it was a tight squeeze if we ever had anyone over. 

But one thing that would be grating on anyone's nerves are neighbours that complain about noise. Let me say we are NOT noisy people in the way I would expect would be irritating. No loud music, we don't even have a TV to have on too loud. The noise complaint? We WALK too loud. If you're living in a converted period building, it was definitely not built to have multiple flats. Most landlords combat the thin floor problem with carpet but these days, hardwood is the demand. 

I was so tired of worrying that if I walked to the kitchen or bathroom I would incur the wrath of our downstairs neighbour. 

We love our new place. Pictures soon :)