London has always been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are fewer tourists than before.
However, there are other types of travelers that have been visiting London lately. One of them is digital nomads. These people are usually freelancers or full-time employees who work remotely for their companies.
Many of them move around the world with their families, trying to show them different parts of the world.
Others are looking for new business opportunities during their travels as digital nomads.
Either way, it’s not easy to organize your time and obligations while in London. This article will help you handle your time and duties properly while in London.
- Use the benefits of public transport
The London public transport system is one of the best organized in the world. However, the fact that millions of people ride on the means of public transport in the British capital daily raises a few concerns for newcomers to London.
The first thing you need to know is that London trams, buses, and underground trains are never late. If you leave your home on time, you should get everywhere without any problems.
The second thing is that children under the age of 5 London public transport for free with a fare-paying adult.
Also, different Oyster cards ensure discounts for individuals and families.
Some digital nomads might want to buy or rent a car in London. Unless you really need it for work, we suggest you don’t do that. Traffic jams and car costs are the two huge disadvantages of using a car as a digital nomad in London.
Additional two cents: rent an apartment close to an underground station and enjoy the speed and accuracy of the London transport system.
- Save on the rent
Since we’re already mentioned renting an apartment, let’s discuss the matter of rent.
As you may know, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world when it comes to rents.
However, that’s only one part of the story. If you’re looking for an apartment in the central areas of the city, get ready for high rents.
The advantage of London is that you can rent a comfortable apartment or even a house in one of the beautiful suburbs at lower prices. Thanks to the well-organized public transport system, nothing is too far away in London.
What’s more, living out of the city will give you a better impression of the lifestyle that regular Londoners lead. In this area, you can properly juggle your work tasks and leisure activities. Since London is the focal point of England, there are numerous attractions for one-day trips that you and your family can go to. In that sense, living in a suburb will keep you closer to those locations.
- Plan social activities in advance
When we say that nothing is too far away in London, take it with a grain of salt. While traveling from suburbs to the City is not a problem, living in the capital of Great Britain requires some planning.
For instance, if you want to have a coffee with your colleagues from work or organize family gatherings, inform everyone at least one week in advance. It will give you and the people you hang out with enough time to plan their time for your meeting.
Also, if you want to attend any cultural, sporting, or other similar events in London, leave your place at least two hours before the show or buy the tickets online. That way, you’ll avoid the stress and mess of being late for events, concerts, and games that you like.
- Scan the local jobs
People who decide to move to London as digital nomads usually have a job. If you want to try living in London, you should make at least $40,000 per year. For digital nomads with a family, the figure is even higher.
Still, the fact that you have a job doesn’t mean that you can’t change it. There’s hardly a better place than London to land a lucrative job in the digital niche. Many international companies have their headquarters in London and almost every relevant company in the world has a branch there.
If you find a perfect job that matches your skills and experience, you might replace the life of a digital nomad for full-time employment in London.
When looking for a job in the capital of the UK, first try Indeed, LinkedIn, and other relevant UK websites for job seekers.
- Strive for the work-life balance
Big cities can easily damage the work-life balance. If you’re a digital nomad who has never lived in such a metropolis, it’s not difficult to get lost between so many options and obligations.
It’s important to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, especially if you’re moving with your family.
For starters, make sure your kids get proper care and attention. It’s not easy to work from home and look after or homeschool children.
Therefore, do your homework and check out the nurseries, daycare centers, and elementary schools around London. Find out whether your kids are eligible to attend a state-owned school if they’re foreigners. If not, find the most suitable private school for your budget and your kids’ needs.
Also, think about hiring childcare professionals to take care of your kids at your place. There are numerous top-notch childcare courses in London, which means that there are many skillful nannies and babysitters there.
Living in London as a digital nomad is an exciting thing to do, both from a professional and personal point of view. However, you need to plan your budget and activities to turn that stay into a pleasant experience for the entire family. The tips shared above will help you reach that goal.