Should You Move To London?

SHOULD YOU MOVE TO LONDON?

- London is home to nearly 9 million people. It’s Europe’s largest city and 6th richest on earth. In a city which squeezes over five thousand people into every square kilometer, at some point you have to wonder what you might be missing out on. Moving to London is clearly a popular choice, and the population is booming as much as the house prices, but jumping on the bandwagon can have its drawbacks. So if you’re on the fence about moving to London, Compare the Man and Van are here to help make ensure you make the right decision before taking the plunge.

The Pros…8.6 million people can’t all be wrong, London certainly does have unique characteristics that make it so popular with people from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for an exciting new career in the business hub of the country, or you’re looking to snap up some of London’s widely sought after property, rest assured there is a great new life to be found in our fair capital.

Work

NUMBERS ARE ON YOUR SIDE

- From 2004-2013 London had a 17.1% growth in new jobs, the second in the country after Milton Keynes. This doesn't sound too impressive until you consider London’s huge population, which means that this equates to nearly 800,000 new jobs.

- Not only are there plenty of new jobs, but the capital’s number of new businesses grew by 32% in the same time period. Meaning there are roughly 116,000 new businesses looking to find new staff.

- If you’re looking to start afresh in a new job, or perhaps progress further in your field, the numbers are certainly on London’s side. By positioning yourself in the centre of the UK’s job market your chances of finding your dream job increase massively.

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WORK

Housing

MONEY TO BE MADE

- Average London house prices rose by 9.4% last year, making the average London home worth around £531,700. With huge interest from wealthy foreign investors and a significant slump in new homes being built when compared to the population growth, houses in the capital are set to hold their significant value for years to come.

- Places such as Barnet, a family friendly suburb with good transport links, have a predicted house price rise of 21% over the next 5 years. However if you venture into a less affluent area which holds promise such as Haringey and Hackney, your house’s value is set to rise by over 22%.

HOUSING

- The recently launched ‘help-to-buy’ scheme aims to help get first time buyers on the property ladder, and in response to the peaking house prices in the city, you are now able to borrow up to 40% of the value of a house under £600,000, as opposed to 20% in the rest of the country. This means a loan of up to £240,000 can be sourced through the scheme, if you can raise a 5% deposit and qualify for a normal mortgage.

- Remember you can save money on your house move, however big or small, by comparing the price of Man and Van hire at Compare the Man and Van

HOUSING

Higher Education

STUDENT CITY

- There are more than 40 centers of higher education in the capital, and it is estimated that there are more than 400,000 students living in the city.

- Included in these universities are 4 from the elite Golden Triangle and 5 from the prestigious Russell Group. Over 60% rank in the top 100 of both the Guardian and The Times’ Good University Guides.

- Students can get a special Oyster card which significantly reduces the travel costs that are a major gripe for many Londoners.

- Having one of the most multicultural cities on earth, with one of the highest student populations and an estimated 7,000 pubs and bars on your doorstep.

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HIGHER EDUCATION

The Cons...

Costs

BILLIONAIRES PLAYGROUND

- According to London based estate agent Savilles, our fair capital is now the most expensive place to live and work in the world. The Guardian quote an average monthly London rental price of £1500.

- The difference between the minimum wage and the estimated living wage is also significantly more in London. The rest of the UK is has a difference of £1.55, whereas London has a whopping £2.70. If you mix this with the higher costs of rent, the bills keep piling up.

- Of course there are ways to survive without being a big spender. Small things like taking the bus for long commutes instead of the underground can make a significant difference to your wallet day to day. There is also plenty to see and do that doesn’t cost a penny. And we’re here to help you save money with Man with Van hire, of course!

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COSTS

Crush Hour

HUMAN TRAFFIC

- Handling over 4 million passenger journeys on the underground alone, with up to 538 trains in use at any given time, things often get a little intimate.

- Not only do you have get accustomed to living like a sardine every time you leave work to get home, but disruptions and travel changes can often turn a daily commute into a nightmare. London Bridge was recently in the news when overcrowding in the station was so severe that people had to be pulled from the crowds for their own safety.

- Cycling in London has seen a significant boost in recent years, however the infrastructure hasn’t quite caught up with the craze. It’s important to be careful. Spots like the Elephant and Castle Roundabout are notoriously dangerous for cyclists, and although cycling deaths and serious injuries have been slightly reduced since last year, it is still a significant problem for commuters.

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CRUSH HOUR

Air Pollution

SMOG

- According to the London Evening Standard, parents say air pollution is now the number one health threat to their children. The attraction of the high density of schools and great areas for kids to grow up is often tainted by the health concerns of living in London. Here at Compare the Man and Van we pride ourselves on promoting and rewarding the use of green vehicles in an attempt to reduce the air pollution of the city.

- Air pollution is responsible for roughly 9,000 deaths per year, and in some of the inner city areas London is ranked among the worst places in Europe for pollution. The consistent failure to meet EU guidelines is a source of much debate in the media, however little is being done to tackle the problem.

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AIR POLLUTION

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