Big shoutout to Chloe Callow, our Top Contributor for January 👏 Chloe consistently jumped in to answer questions, share real experiences, and help others land in the UK with less stress. That’s exactly what this community is about. As a thank you, we’ve sent £50 via Wise — proof in the post above. If you’re active, helpful, and show up for others, you’re automatically in the running each month. Who’s going to be next? Haven’t got a Wise account yet? Set one up here so you’re ready when it’s your turn. 👉 https://www.thelandingguide.com/wise-deal

Quick question for the group: We’ve started a Moving to London cheatsheet with the usual setup links. What’s one link or bit of advice you wish you’d had before arriving? We’ll add the suggestions to the page. Cheers. https://landing.london

After moving from Sydney to London myself, I built The Landing Guide and created this space so you don’t have to figure it all out the hard way. This community is here to make your move smoother — from visas and jobs to housing, banking, and life in London. Start here: Comment below and tell us: 1️⃣ Where you’re moving from 2️⃣ When you’re planning to arrive (or when you arrived) 3️⃣ One thing you’re most excited — or nervous — about 👉 In the classroom, the START HERE course shows you around the community and explains how the leaderboard works. Let’s get to know each other. Welcome aboard 🇬🇧

If you’re moving to London, this is the one checklist you should work through from top to bottom. Bookmark it. Come back to it. Tick things off as you go. 𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 Before doing anything else: - Understand the cost of living - Learn which areas people actually live in - Get realistic about rent, transport, and lifestyle - Join communities (this one 😉) and read real experiences Full Moving to London Guide is free. The more you research early, the fewer expensive mistakes you make later. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 You must have this locked in before anything else: - Confirm which visa you’re eligible for (YMS, Skilled Worker, Ancestry, etc.) or if you qualify for a British Passport through family. - Check age limits, costs, timelines, and restrictions - Gather documents early - Book your biometrics appointment as soon as possible Visa delays = delayed move. 𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 Figure out: - How much cash do you need before landing - Monthly rent range - Weekly living costs - One-off setup expenses (deposits, transport, furniture, SIM, etc.) - Your runway - when will you run out of money? London Budget Calculator London rewards planning — and punishes winging it. 𝟰. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 Once your visa is approved: - Compare one-way vs flexible tickets - Consider luggage allowances (you’ll need them) - Screenshot accommodation details for arrival day Skyscanner Booking.com Expedia 𝙋𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙞𝙥: Don’t land late at night if you can avoid it. It limits your transport options. 𝟱. 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 You won’t be covered by the NHS (UK's free heath service) immediately. Make sure your insurance covers:

The most common ones: - Not saving enough before landing - Starting the housing search too late - Opening the wrong bank account - Not registering with a GP early - Ignoring council tax - Taking the first flat they see - Panic-spending in Week 1 Which one are you most worried about?