Living in London: 11 Myths for Expats

When embarking on a new adventure we tend to believe that everything is going to be shiny and new and exciting. Moving to London is no different. You start to remember that things like rent, bills and transport costs still exist, it is harder to make friends in your late 20’s and life is not always a holiday.

While you are having the time of your life here in London, sometimes reality can get the better of you…

 

1.       Expectation: You’re on a working holiday visa, which means you will be travelling all the time.

Reality: You are always strapped for cash and you end up working 6 days a week to pay for rent and a short holiday every few months.

 

2.       Expectation: You’ll work little and play hard.

Reality: You are tired from working so hard saving for the sail Croatia trio you always wanted to go on.  Maybe next week…

 

3.       Expectation: You will party all the time in London with the new friends you made on your last trip.

Reality: Your friends list on Facebook increases exponentially but you will probably never see them in the person again.

 

4.       Expectation: You’ll spend your weekends at farmers markets, café’s and funky restaurants.

Reality: You spend your Saturdays trying to get over Friday night drinks and Sundays catching up on TV you missed while out during the week.

 

5.       Expectation: You’ll go and see the English countryside and go to the beach in summer for fish and chips.

Reality: Your travel card is valid for zones 1 – 3 and you don’t even think about leaving London.

 

6.       Expectation: Groceries, food and transport seem less expensive than at home so it is easy to save money for your next holiday.

Reality: You are earning much less and you opt for the camping holiday instead of the hotel option.

 

7.       Expectation: Being in the nightlife capital of Europe, you’ll spend your nights in the coolest bars and clubs London has to offer.

Reality:  The bouncer at Infernos knows you by name.

 

8.       Expectation: You’ll catch up with friends and family back home on Skype, Viber, What’s App or on the phone all the time.

Reality: The best time for a decent catch up is when you are recovering from Friday night drinks or Saturday night. Surely they can just Facebook stalk me?

 

9.       Expectation: You’ll visit all the tourist attractions, learn about history and take in the city’s unique culture.

Reality: Are you kidding?! Those places are full of tourists!

 

10.   Expectation: You’ll fight the Heathrow injection myth and go to the gym every night after work. Your friends and family back home will think you are a new person!

Reality: You go to the pub every night after work and you start buying looser fitting clothes at Primark. That onesie (that you probably wore to the Church that one time) is now your most comfortable piece of clothing.

 

11.   Expectation: You’ll meet an amazing variety of people from so many different cultures.

Reality: You move to Clapham or Shepherd’s Bush and only hang out with Aussies and Kiwis on a two year holiday visa. Probably at Infernos or the Walkie.

 

Note: This piece was posted on behalf of http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/ by Jacqui Moroney on 12 August, 2013 3:40 pm in Honeymooning Nomad.