If you’ve just moved to London and have a remote job, or you’re a freelancer who needs a working space that isn’t your kitchen table, worry not; the British capital is full of excellent co-working spaces nowadays!   more ...

London is a fantastic city to live in, albeit a rather pricey one! Living cost aside, there’s always so much to do in the big smoke, which is wonderful but can also be, well, a little overwhelming. Moving anywhere new can be taxing, both mentally and physically, let alone moving to a bustling hub such as London.   more ...

With the uncertainty and upheaval that Brexit continues to bring, it is unsurprising that expats in the UK are concerned about their status and any new rules being implemented to immigration. What changes are occurring to the current visa system in the UK, and how will this effect expats already residing there, or those looking to relocate to the UK for the first time?   more ...

The answer to “How can I live comfortably in the capital on a budget?” might, at first glance, be “Buy a tent!” This is not as far-fetched as it seems, given the numbers of people living alongside the footpaths of Regent’s Canal and elsewhere in the heart of London. We’re going to be looking at a few possibilities when it comes to saving money and living as cheaply as you can in the city. ‘Budget’ and ‘comfort’ are both relative terms, so let’s assume that you’re just starting out in the capital and are new to town.   more ...

Wherever you come from, this is an unsettling time to be living in the UK. EU nationals resident in Britain are already reporting difficulties with applying for residency. But what if you’re living here and you come from outside the EU?   more ...

As part of an expat family with dependent children, one of your primary concerns when relocating is going to be your children's education. Expat families may choose to send their children to international schools who teach the curriculum of their home country (meaning children can easily pick up where they left off) or a globally recognised curriculum (which allows them to study from anywhere). Additionally, international schools in London tend to have a much higher standard of teaching foreign languages, as well as a flexible and understanding approach to a variety of nationalities and needs.   more ...

As any self-employed person will tell you, there are pros and cons to the lifestyle that so many people covet. Whilst many people perceive freelancing as a dream come true and will tell you how lucky you are to work for yourself, do what you love, set your own hours and so on, we all know that it’s not always a walk in the park. In fact, many self-employed people often end up working longer hours on average than those in regular, mainstream employment. Another difficulty can be networking and getting your business out there when it’s just you promoting yourself. This becomes even more difficult when you’re an expat.   more ...

At one point in the not so distant past, finding your way around required a map, a sense of direction and some navigation skills. Finding a new home involved visiting multiple estate agents, locating a good place to eat was based on trial and error or word of mouth, and figuring out the utterly ridiculous London Underground system required, well... a lot of head scratching!

In this day and age, with technology so ingrained into our everyday life, it’s no surprise that anything that you could want or need has been smartly compacted into an app. This is particularly useful for expats new to London, as all the information you will need to get by is at the touch of your fingertip.   more ...

I’m sure by now most of us are utterly fed up of hearing about Brexit, and probably all the more so for the lack of certainty that comes along with it. Whilst there has been a long period of confusion, negotiations are now being finalised and the picture is becoming clearer.   more ...

Public transport is more or less the easiest way to get around London due to heavy traffic and congestion charges. London is excellently connected as a result of the public transport reaching all over the city. However, the system can seem complicated to the newly initiated. For example, since some of the underground in London is so old, the routes may not necessarily be ever so logical, and the system may vary a bit from what you are used to in your home country. Never fear! Expat Focus is here to rescue you from any confusion. In this article we’ll cover the types of public transport in London, how you can go about paying, and how to easily navigate your way around like a local. You’ll be using your Oyster Card like a pro in no time!   more ...