Moving to London? What it ACTUALLY Costs in 2024 (& my one mistake)

🗺 My London Foodie Map with 200+ foodie recommendations is here 👉🏼 stan.store/jesslouiseellis
Thinking of moving to London in 2024? Or, just wondering about the cost of moving and living here?
This Type A planner has you covered.
I’m sharing my experience of moving from New Zealand to London and breaking down all the expenses along the way. We’re talking rent prices, airfare costs, visa fees, healthcare expenses, and all those other moving essentials.
I’m also covering my tips on how to reduce or offset your costs both before and after landing in London. Plus, some financial essentials to consider before moving abroad.
And, the one mistake I could have avoided as an expat trying to rent in London… 🤦‍♀️
These costs were accurate as of 2022 when I moved, so you will need to factor in the increased cost of living and the rise in the NHS surcharge when doing your budget. Regardless, this will give you a comprehensive starting point on all aspects of a moving budget to consider.
Stick around for more travel, foodie and living in London stuff by subscribing to my channel 💖
- socials -
IG @jesslouiseellis
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- my favourite travel essentials -
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- chapters -
00:00 intro
00:58 costs before moving
02:06 & tips for saving
02:41 costs to settle
06:14 & tips for saving
07:40 money tips for moving abroad
- music -
Music by Eli Lev - Dancin' on the Lawn - thmatc.co/?l=AFB52955
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Пікірлер: 90

  • @jesslouiseellis
    @jesslouiseellis Жыл бұрын

    Hi everyone 👋🏼 I’ve just uploaded a video about flat hunting in London, which might also help anyone watching this vid!

  • @MichelleJonesKralka
    @MichelleJonesKralka Жыл бұрын

    I found your channel when I searched for 'moving to London in your 40s.' I really appreciated this video! I am moving to London with my husband this summer and I'm kind of dreading the reality of the hard stuff...like packing up here in the USA, shipping our belongings, having temp accommodation, and finding a flat/house rental. This was super helpful - your transparency was great. Thank you!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    Awh so glad it helped Michelle! Hope your move goes smoothly 😊 The hard stuff is always a drag but it’s so worth it once you’re on the other side. I found the packing part the worst - once the stuff was sorted I felt a bit of freedom and it made the rest a lot easier!

  • @MichelleJonesKralka

    @MichelleJonesKralka

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jesslouiseellis that’s so good to hear! 👏🏻👏🏻

  • @christiecalli7144
    @christiecalli7144 Жыл бұрын

    This was SO helpful and specific, I really appreciate it!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    Awh yay so happy it helped!

  • @marissabelle
    @marissabelle Жыл бұрын

    Hi Jess! Thank you for this super helpful video - I'm moving over with a spousal visa at the end of April, won't be in London but your tips are definitely very helpful!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    Awh of course so glad to hear it was helpful! Hope your move goes well, so exciting 😊

  • @clarestopher1797
    @clarestopher17975 ай бұрын

    This is so helpful. The rent in advance thing is crazy! My husband is British and I'm American - he moved to the US on a fiancé visa, is now a dual citizen, so now we're setting our sights on the UK (he's from London, so we'll be heading there). Thank you for all of this!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    5 ай бұрын

    Of course! So glad it helped 🙏 Yes the rent in advance is crazzzyy but hopefully you could bypass it since your husband’s from here! ☺️

  • @user-kh4gu2dy9d
    @user-kh4gu2dy9d Жыл бұрын

    This has been SO HELPFUL.

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    So glad to hear that! 👏🏼

  • @AnastasiaStardust
    @AnastasiaStardust11 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the detailed Video!! This was super helpful, I really appreciate it!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    11 ай бұрын

    Of course! Glad it helped ☺️

  • @cashman5355
    @cashman535511 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this video! Coming over next year aye!

  • @JeremyAmandaThomas
    @JeremyAmandaThomas Жыл бұрын

    I'm so relieved we moved over before the NHS surcharge kicked in - that adds so much extra!!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s SO much to stomach for a 5 year visa for 2 people 🤢 And that you have to pay in one go upfront 🫠

  • @Devilinish
    @Devilinish Жыл бұрын

    one of the best london-move related videos iv'e watched

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you glad it helped! ☺️

  • @jordannacummings7881
    @jordannacummings7881Ай бұрын

    The costs are making my head spin like crazy

  • @carmenvic6294
    @carmenvic62949 ай бұрын

    Thanks for that video! So helpful 🙏🤩

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    9 ай бұрын

    Glad it helped!

  • @tamaragee9139
    @tamaragee913910 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the information ❤

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    10 ай бұрын

    Of course! ☺️

  • @HairByJamesAnnabel
    @HairByJamesAnnabel4 ай бұрын

    Appreciate your content

  • @mc63404
    @mc6340411 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the video!

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    11 ай бұрын

    Of course! Thanks for watching ☺️

  • @elvisbamford2695
    @elvisbamford269510 ай бұрын

    I guess we’ll be applying for the ILR in the same year

  • @ginty9041
    @ginty904111 ай бұрын

    Don't forget you can also do as I did. Arrive in London having only enough for a day tube pass , find a live-in job within a day and be on your feet again in a week and ready to travel again a month later....depends on priorities.

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    11 ай бұрын

    100% - I did similar in my early 20s moving to NYC on a budget! Everyone has their own way. I was def surprised by the NHS surcharge & rent in advance, which ended up making up most of our costs, so I wanted to try make people who are planning a move more aware of it ☺️

  • @ginty9041

    @ginty9041

    11 ай бұрын

    @@jesslouiseellis yep admittedly I was a carefree 19 year old when I moved from New Zealand to the UK and no doubt having a bundle of cash for the upfront costs on arrival does make life a heck of a lot easier!

  • @marthaupper4165
    @marthaupper41653 күн бұрын

    Did you get a furnished flat? Looking to move next year and am hung up on furnishing the whole place.

  • @lilydang016
    @lilydang01611 ай бұрын

    Hi Jess, thanks for the super useful video! If possible, could you share where you got your “visa assistance”? I checked some of the visa consultant / lawyer types and they charge thousands 😅

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    11 ай бұрын

    We used ‘BritBound’ who were super affordable and personable!

  • @bah-bah29hinks7
    @bah-bah29hinks78 ай бұрын

    Sadly it’s very fractured socially in London. Hard to meet people or make friends. Makes you wonder what’s the real point. 🤣

  • @sumaricoetzee7486
    @sumaricoetzee74865 ай бұрын

    Where in NZ did you move from? I lived in Auckland 10+ years ago. You look so, so familiar!

  • @Angela-jy8um
    @Angela-jy8umАй бұрын

    Who did you use to help you with your visa? Coming from the USA. Basically I"ll be staying up to two years. I'd like help with the paperwork too.

  • @princerak8881
    @princerak88813 ай бұрын

    Trying to move from usa

  • @nativestrong7253
    @nativestrong7253Ай бұрын

    Same rule as anywhere in the west applies. Never spend more than 1/4 of your net monthly pay on housing. That number will tell you where you can live and not just scrape by. There is a clear difference between surviving and living in London.

  • @belgianking2799
    @belgianking27994 ай бұрын

    Really nice video my dream is to move to Londen like to start my life but I live in Belgium am doing my high school here in accounting and when I searched up the accounting system is different in the UK so my degree is probably worthless. If I want to move I think the only option with a working visa but I can’t find jobs who offers that but I want it so bad.

  • @annavereschagina5338
    @annavereschagina5338Ай бұрын

    My question is how do you have so much money to move I would love to move but I will never save this much money in my entire life so is it a lost cause ?? What do you do for work ??

  • @nicolestewart
    @nicolestewart Жыл бұрын

    Your awesome. ❤

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    🥹💖

  • @emmaconway6164
    @emmaconway61643 ай бұрын

    Super informative, I really appreciate this. I’m moving to London for grad school next year. I also would qualify for an ancestry visa but that surcharge sounds awful lol. Would it be cheaper for me to just get a student visa? I’m just hoping to work part time so I wanted the ancestry visa

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    3 ай бұрын

    The surcharge is pretty awful! I’m not sure about student visas but we worked with a visa company called BritBound which might be able to advise :)

  • @CelineAlmira24
    @CelineAlmira24 Жыл бұрын

    what shipping company did you use to send over your stuff before moving?

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    We used My Baggage!

  • @Rhea1
    @Rhea111 ай бұрын

    Hi Jess! Thanks for the informative video. Ehat do you think should be a decent salary for one person to thrive decently in London?

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    11 ай бұрын

    Of course! This is tricky as it’s individual to your circumstances and what your ideal London life looks like (e.g. going out, savings, travel etc) ☺️ I watched lots of ‘what it costs to live in London’ videos, worked out the average costs + our lifestyle preferences, and landed on a salary number that way. Hope that helps!

  • @Rhea1

    @Rhea1

    11 ай бұрын

    @@jesslouiseellis I don't go out to eat / for entertainment. My indulgences would be a gym membership with swimming pool access. I'd love to save a good amount monthly and also travel across Europe. How much do you think is needed to support a lifestyle like that?

  • @cerdicw9998

    @cerdicw9998

    8 ай бұрын

    @@Rhea1 Fifty bags… (£50000 per year!)

  • @Rhea1

    @Rhea1

    8 ай бұрын

    @@cerdicw9998 thanks!

  • @marialealealeale
    @marialealealeale7 ай бұрын

    I wish I had find your video before I moved... I was SHOCKED with the rental market specially because I have a pet! I have spend so much money it hurts lol

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    7 ай бұрын

    I can only imagine how tricky it would be with a pet 😥 💛 We hope to get a dog one day but that would definitely have to be a post-London thing!

  • @user-sk7bd5xh7o
    @user-sk7bd5xh7o10 ай бұрын

    Tbh I am 14 and in my country the 1st exam is in 9 grade and after that etheit you can leave school or continue school but I am thinking to move into my aunties house cause she gave me permission ( this year is the exam one)

  • @JC-gl7ee

    @JC-gl7ee

    7 ай бұрын

    Get as much education as you can

  • @thebigcj
    @thebigcj Жыл бұрын

    Such an informative video 📷 I'm thinking of creating the same over on my channel. You've inspired me 😊

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    Жыл бұрын

    Yesss go for it! The more info out there the better! 💖

  • @peterobertson2086
    @peterobertson20868 ай бұрын

    I can't imagine what kind of baggage you brought,to have to pay excess for. Most Kiwis just bring a few clothes

  • @BurntMount
    @BurntMount9 ай бұрын

    i wouldnt say london is not worthy of staying but compared to others great cities in europe, london is at the very end of the list to move to. why bother to get less for your money?

  • @shharn
    @shharn10 ай бұрын

    Hey, just wondering what it is you do for work? And what did you move to New York for? Thanks

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    10 ай бұрын

    Day job is in marketing! I moved to NYC fresh out of uni for an internship exchange, it was short but an amazing time ☺️

  • @hamzanocap
    @hamzanocap9 ай бұрын

    Was hard to find a helpful video on the actual numbers that doesnt include 10minutes of useless fluff and vlogging. Thanl you very much and I wish you the best in the UK.

  • @jesslouiseellis

    @jesslouiseellis

    9 ай бұрын

    So glad it helped thank you for watching!

  • @brandonleighton1661
    @brandonleighton16616 ай бұрын

    Can anyone tell me what thus is in usd

  • @bonvoyage5377

    @bonvoyage5377

    5 ай бұрын

    multiply x 1.2

  • @ariesrainbowchild
    @ariesrainbowchildАй бұрын

    New Zealand to :London

  • @IbnShahid
    @IbnShahid2 ай бұрын

    Come to London, I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated.

  • @robertwalters5654
    @robertwalters56543 ай бұрын

    You should have move to somewhere cheaper in the uk first like Manchester then researched london after you got to uk I can't afford london and I was born in the uk I live in the Midlands

  • @deboraleggerini5729
    @deboraleggerini57298 ай бұрын

    Im sorry but £1000 a minth for temporary accommodation in todays property market is very optimistic.

  • @YoungSimonzzz
    @YoungSimonzzz4 ай бұрын

    I used to live in London few years ago, but I moved back to my country because right now London it's absolutely a joke. You need lots of money just to have a "decent" life!!! The city still wonderful but unaffordable in many ways.

  • @sarahkennedy1481
    @sarahkennedy14817 ай бұрын

    I think you are way out re bills costs and also furnishing a place

  • @AnnMcKinlay-zp2ef
    @AnnMcKinlay-zp2efАй бұрын

    What you have said is not true! Those costs were NOT just to move to the UK! You said that over £3000 of it was to provide YOU with FREE access to the NHS for 5 years! If you suddenly have a serious illness man accident, even a baby, all the health costs of that will be paid for!

  • @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv
    @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv Жыл бұрын

    I moved from London to Moscow and I am happy now

  • @ginty9041

    @ginty9041

    11 ай бұрын

    Здравствуйте - hope you are still loving living in MocKBa. Must be difficult times there? I was incredibly fortunate to spend 3 years in the late 1990's based in Moscow, absolutely love that city, Enjoy it all.

  • @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    11 ай бұрын

    @@ginty9041 best times right now

  • @JC-gl7ee

    @JC-gl7ee

    7 ай бұрын

    Who’d be happy in Ruzzia?

  • @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    7 ай бұрын

    many people who are not zombifid by MSM are happy@@JC-gl7ee

  • @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    @jhngfdsdfgkjnbv

    7 ай бұрын

    Moscow in the nineties resembled London now@@ginty9041