What to Know Before You Move to London After Graduation

By Alexandra Jane

London may be the world’s second most expensive city, but the bustling capital continues to prove attractive to graduates looking for a first job after university. Almost a quarter of new graduates have moved to London in recent years, joining the crowds in Camden market, Shoreditch bars and east London parks. Before you follow everyone else and find a house-share in Brixton, here are some things to consider.

What’s your motivation?

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If your career is the primary motivation for moving to the big smoke, carefully consider whether your ambitions are realistic. While London is an irreplaceable hub of business for industries such as fashion and publishing, it also has the third-highest unemployment rate among 16-24-year-olds in the UK.

The myth that graduate career opportunities don’t exist outside of London is unfounded. In fact, far less competition means you’re much more likely to get a job with an international firm such as Google or PWC in Belfast or Manchester than you are in London. If you move to London without a job, be prepared to take work in a café, bookshop or as a tutor in order to survive and pay rent for those first few months.

If you’re entrepreneurially minded, also remember it will be cheaper to establish a business outside of London. Even though much of the commercial world is London-centric, the digital age has revolutionised the way we work, and you no longer need to live in London to make the most of its resources.   

Moving with friends

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When moving to a new city such as London, adjusting to the unfamiliar environment is much easier if you have a community of friends or family around you. If you’re from the country or a small town, then a big city can feel daunting and overwhelming, so maintaining – or making – connections with people who are comfortable in the city can really help you to settle and begin to feel at home.  

Moving in with friends can be a brilliant decision, as you’ll be navigating the tricky waters of a new life together. Your housemates will be there to celebrate and commiserate with you, creating a comfortable home environment to retreat into if the wider city becomes too much.

It might be that you don’t know anyone else planning to move to London, and you end up taking a spare room in a house share or even moving in by yourself. If you do, try to find housemates that share your interests and lifestyle as this will reduce the risk of disagreements. Also, bear in mind that travelling out of London or to other parts of the city can be time consuming, so it will take some effort to see friends and family based elsewhere. If you’re not sure you can survive without more regular contact with people you already know, you might need to reconsider your plans.

Cost of living

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As gentrification strikes more and more areas in London and house prices rise above the level of sanity, more families (and individuals) are being forced to up sticks and leave the city for a more frugal existence. Why then, at a time when families who have grown up in London are leaving, are graduates still moving to the city? Living in London is likely to only ever be a short-term measure, especially if you’re hoping to save money for the future, so make sure you have a comprehensive plan and look after your money wisely.

Are you a city person?

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Moving to London may seem unavoidable, but many people simply aren’t suited to the daily hustle of city life. Take the time to consider whether a quieter town or rural existence with a sense of community would be more suited to you.

London is often cited as one of the loneliest places, so take the pressure off yourself and remember that the city isn’t for everyone. Consider whether you will be able to relax into a routine of public transport involving that daily squeeze of the tube at rush hour.

Also, moving to London after uni doesn’t need to be a long-term commitment. You don’t need to know if you want to stay six months, six years or six decades, so relax and ask yourself what atmosphere is most suited to the lifestyle you want right now.

Yes it’s daunting, but London is also brilliant

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Having dismissed London as expensive, overcrowded and often lonely, we also need to stress that it’s a marvellous city, buzzing with potential and excitement. Once you’ve cracked the surface – and this can take months to do – you’ll discover the hidden beauty of a city which thrives with opportunity and ambition.

Alexandra Jane writes graduate careers advice for Inspiring Interns, a recruitment agency which helps career starters find everything from project management roles to marketing internships. Check out their graduate jobs London listings here.