reflecting on 2 years in london | is it worth it to move to London?

reflecting on my 2 years in london and if I recommend moving here still. 👀
// connect with me
Instagram - / monicaxguan
// business inquiries
[e-mail]
// music
solukewarm! - bananas (crazy for u) - thmatc.co/?l=6B96C18D
Public Library Commute - Moonlight - thmatc.co/?l=636FD9B5
// chapters
00:00 intro
00:48 Some background
01:43 cost of living - rent
06:23 cost of living - other stuff
07:36 walkability
10:00 friendships
12:40 work culture
13:33 salary
15:28 things to do
16:47 traveling
17:27 healthcare
20:10 weather
21:33 would I recommend it?

[@wrd777]

Making friends in London: find a local pub you like, go in 2-3 time a week around the same time, sit at the bar. Within a week, the bar staff and customers will be talking to you and drawing you into their conversations.

[@wolfygrange4602]

you helped me move from Australia to London - I've been here just over a year now

[@MonicaXGuan]

aw you're so welcome! glad it helped

[@HairByJamesAnnabel]

Watching from Melbourne, planning my move to London. Love this channel

[@Sadude13]

@@MonicaXGuan you also helped me move. watched tons of your vids before my move 1 year ago

[@n071r]

Having grown up and left London, I reckon it's better as a tourist when you have the money to actually enjoy what the city has to offer.

[@amanitweed]

I live in Zone 4 and it's not bad at alllllll as in I'm super close to everything and get to places super quickly. So, I definitely think moving Zone 4 isn't bad at all.

[@superduper5949]

Is zone 4 and 5 safe to live?

[@wya]

@@superduper5949zones dont determine safety, not even areas. its specific streets that are better/worse than others

[@piedwagtailrameau]

A great summary of your experience in London Monica! I agree with the high rents but with all the other good aspects of travelling, work and life experience etc, it's definitely worth it.

[@cosyvie]

So I live in zone 4, about 3 stops from Stratford. 5-10 mins walk to 2 branches of central line. My fiancé and I live in a 2 bed flat for £1600 which I feel is cheap as it’s considered a posh area. Yep, a terraced house here costs £1.5M ++ It’s crazy!! Although, it’s Very close to parks and has a cute village feel and people are actually nice! Shocking for London 🤪 Also, lots of coffee shops and nice restaurants in the high-street and 30 mins to Liverpool st too! There’s a lot of young couple with prams so you can tell it’s a safe area and if you drive, it’s easier to escape London via the M11. Honestly, the outskirts of London isn’t that bad. You just have to know where to look!❤

[@renchek793]

2years ago my rent in london was 1250 excl bills. Hen last year rhe landlord raised it to 1490. This year they raised it to 2000 excl bills. Flat hunting was a nightmare. Agree the rent in london is above and beyond for small flats. However I won't move out of london, it's just so convenient.

[@MonicaXGuan]

that's a crazy increase! but same I can't imagine leaving 🥲

[@thelittledelights]

Fellow Canadian here from Vancouver! I've been following your channel for a while cause I'm planning to move to London around March 2024 and the thought of starting from scratch with no friends really makes me nervous. I'm also an introvert and would loooove to connect with others! I think the meet up is a great idea :D (Hope you're still doing them by the time I get there...haha.

[@candaceroo]

Monica! I can't believe it's been 2 years. I've been watching you since this move, coming to your channel for London/expat advice, and generally to feel motivated to keep applying to jobs in hopes to finally be able to move one day. Thanks so much for this vid xx

[@nattyvalencia9943]

Thank you for this! I'm Canadian too, moving from Bali to London beginning of July with my partner - This was such helpful insights. Definitely down to join or help plan a summer picnic!

[@MonicaXGuan]

Amazing, hope everything goes well with the move! For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@karagefanboy]

im convinced nate is under your blue blanket/scarf

[@MonicaXGuan]

hahaha

[@mlucie9905]

You should definitely stay in your current flat, it’s a really good price and although you said it’s an old flat, you managed to make it cozy and nice. I spent a few months looking for a new place and it was a nightmare. Ended up moving to zone 3 in North East and it’s still pretty good. (Paying 1600 but it’s a new build in great condition). I can be in Central London or the City in 20-30mn! Depends on the area and if it’s well connected :)

[@MonicaXGuan]

ya I'm thinking that'll probably be the case in october. 😅

[@VenusEudora]

A picnic meet up would be so cute and fun! I’m Canadian and just moved to London earlier this year 🌸☺️ maybe bumble bff is worth a try too

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@NicoleMae]

Loved listening to this ❤

[@luvdancemusic9285]

I love the meetup idea!!

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@eyam04]

Yes a summer picnic sounds amazing 😍😍😍😍 I have been here for 7 months and have made TWO friends only🥲 I need to meet new people 😅

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@chelseasantos8263]

Congrats on the 2 years! Always enjoy your videos and appreciate you answering my q's for when I moved here ☺If you planned a meet up I would definitely join!

[@MonicaXGuan]

amazing, will try to plan something for june/july when it's nice out ☺

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@laurenhucker5559]

Yesss, a meet up please! Just found your channel, I'm gonna go binge all your videos now 😅 I moved to London from New Zealand a couple of months ago, I work remotely so it's particularly hard to meet people. The weather is niceeee, an evening picnic would be great

[@MonicaXGuan]

Great! For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@evelnns]

Would be so much fun with a picnic to meet people, I'm moving back end of June after living away for a few years 😅Would love to make new friends!

[@MonicaXGuan]

for sure! will try to plan something for june/july when it's nice out ☺

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@jh_eom]

Keen to join the meet up definitely🥳🥳 Also agree with more job opportunities in London, it's been only a month and a half since I moved to London from Seoul, but I get more contact from recruiters and see more opportunities here!

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@joanlocquiao]

1. You're hair looks amazing! 2. As a midtown Toronto girly, I agree with only living in a walkable neighbourhood. If I had to move, it would have to be in another area with a high walk score.

[@CrazyShortCanuck]

Definitely interested in the meetup idea! I've also been here for around 2 years so this was a great video for my perspective too :)

[@MonicaXGuan]

great! Will try to organise something for June/July I think. :)

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@sandrawong3169]

Ahh! Canadian girl from Vancouver here. 100% would love to join in on your meet up. I just moved to London a month ago and your videos have been extremely helpful and so inspiring too.

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@DannyRodeck]

You inspired me so much to move to London and I'm so happy! Found a studio in West Kensington and love the location :) Will look for new housing in October too though, hopefully finding sth a tad cheaper. Btw I would love the picnic thing! sounds great-

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@thelydshow]

yes pls to the meetups!!!

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@kiizzyyy1863]

Ohh I’ve been living in the UK since 12 and since being in my 20’s I find it’s so much harder to make friends and I used bumble bff as well and I can agree sometimes it sucks haha

[@sachinpersaud7037]

Scarborough represent! What you said though is so true, it's not walkable here at all. My dream is to move somewhere walkable.

[@nathanaelshing]

have to agree with everything said 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@01.chantelle]

i cant believe its been 2 years since you've move. Totally agree on the friendship bit, would be so down to either meet you irl or like minded ppl sometime

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@dguo915]

Congrats on 2 years! I watched your video before I moved to London. Fyi you don’t need a citizenship/residency to buy a property in London/UK.

[@2cleverson2]

I am relieved that I am not the only one struggling with making friends here :-) and rent prices are crazy

[@deloford]

My advice as someone who lived in London for nearly 20 years is enjoy being in the thick of it now, plenty of time when you are older to move further out and watch the pennies, plus you will be earning more (hopefully) when youre older.

[@colingregory7464]

My only suggestion would be if London is where the Work (or whatever is, go for it) but at least look into living somewhere else and commuting or working from home (some of the time ?) London and the Home Counties (those close to London) tend to be expensive on several levels (as can commuting, depending on method, train journey costs will also mount up, petrol isn't cheap etc), some commutes outside London are probably quicker than some within London (depending on method and traffic)

[@bitambst]

Yes to a meet up 🎉

[@misS2juliana]

Would love a meet up too! I just recently moved to London :)

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@lalailuvsoccer]

Toronto girl here as well! I'm looking to move to London in December, do you have any recommendations for best/affordable areas to stay in that are also safe??

[@ElaineDraws]

Hey Monica, I've been following your London vlogs for a while as I moved to London one year after you did in 2021! Thanks for making such valuable and insightful lifestyle vlogs about your time here. In some ways, when I watch your vlogs, I think "maybe this is what my life will be in a year" since we're on similar journeys. Maybe this is too much of a niche topic, but I'd love to know more about how you were able to get a visa sponsored job in the UK. I've been on the YMV working a remote job this whole time, but now that my two years is coming to an end, I need a job to sponsor me to stay. I'm in the graphic design field, so I know it's probably different from what you do. Any insights into where to look for work, how easy/hard it is, how long the process takes? Also, no worries or pressure to make a video on this topic as it's probably very niche!

[@MonicaXGuan]

No that's a great idea! I'll def add it to my list about my job hunting experience and how I switched over.

[@ElaineDraws]

@@MonicaXGuan Awesome! I can't wait to watch it! 😄

[@annieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

picnic!!!! :)

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

It never used to be like this with GPs. Definitely got worse after Pandemic. Now they are playing catch up. It’s really bad. After Tony Blair govt the NHS ranked No. 1 in the world with patient satisfaction at 75%.

[@arlenaholmes]

Hi can you talk about what you did to find employment there? What do you have to do or remember about job seeking in the UK? Does your CV need to be tailored a certain way for the UK? What about interviewing? Job Sponsorship? Please provide best tips. Thanks

[@Bookclub107]

Which Korean Artitst have you seen there so far? I feel like now a days Toronto has been on a lot of tours

[@MonicaXGuan]

AOMG artist, DPR, sik-k are a few but your right I think more have been coming to toronto after the pandemic!

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

For your age I look at you and think you have an amazing lifestyle. Properties out of London are much cheaper.

[@Fesgtrsa]

I moved out of London because of the ridiculous rents!

[@MonicaXGuan]

✨Ello peeps! Seems like there's a lot of interest in the picnic meetup so I created a Google form here where you can put your email and pick a date that works best for you. I'll email everyone to let them know the details based on the votes. Form here - forms.gle/oF3doyH8bKe3ouBdA

[@anastasiakotsiubynska7247]

Hi Monica, I found your channel last summer ( Flat Hunting video😄) and now it's one of my favs. Thank you for creating great content! I moved to London 6 months ago and also work in marketing (SEO). Would be great to meet here😊

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

Wow. You really suit wearing black.

[@douglasmcclelland]

London is very expensive and property / shops are more expensive but there is so much to do in London - so I think it is a trade off.

[@bradleyhillson9443]

Hey Monica. Did you secure a visa before you starting job searching?

[@MonicaXGuan]

I started a bit before since it's a quite easy visa to get.

[@bradebronson9449]

Wondering how the safety is there as well...

[@Sy2023hk]

I like everything about London, except the aggressive atmosphere in the centre of London😅. Best place is Richmond❤

[@kieralfox]

When a suburb in Georgia has higher rent prices than London, you know there’s a problem

[@zupermaus9276]

If youre in London -cheap flight centre of the world, I absolutely urge you to go to Slovenia. The most pristine European country, with a higher human development index than UK, the richest country n Eastern Europe, one of the lowest crime rates in the world and an ecological, nature-based wonderland of beautiful mountains and lakes, architecture and the purest air and water. Oh and super cheap.

[@fruzsinagyemant7056]

Why don’t you move to Preston?

[@MonicaXGuan]

my job isn't fully remote... also there's not much to do in Preston 😅

[@salsa_glam]

Can I have a youtube channel if I have a sponsored job?

[@MonicaXGuan]

Yes you can! You’re allowed to be a sole proprietor

[@user-kj9nm3wg1t]

Safer here. Free NHS enjoy

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

Thank the Tories for cost of living and salary.

[@danielpv1763]

After living 6 years in London: By far the worst city out of 8 I have lived in across 5 countries, including 2nd and 3rd tier cities,

[@superduper5949]

Can u please elaborate how

[@georgegabriela5737]

Picnic sounds so nice! I would love to come and meet up! My old work is close to where you live and I have seen you but I felt apprehensive to talk to you and message you on insta. 😊🫢🥰

[@MonicaXGuan]

For the picnic, I created a form for people to fill out with your email and date preference. I'll email everyone with the final date after. :) forms.gle/D3VghTLkspr696N6A