Best Ways to Make Moving to London Cost-Effective
London is a world-class city that attracts people from all over the world. It’s easy to see why – with its historic landmarks, diverse culture, and lively nightlife, London has something for everyone. But when it comes to moving there from another location, many are intimidated by the high cost of living in this buzzing metropolis.
Having some second thoughts about living in the city? Here are some Pros and Cons.
Now, there are many ways to make sure that you can sustain the expensive London lifestyle. This includes co-living arrangements, renting micro-apartments, working multiple jobs, and maximizing your income by taking advantage of the city’s many attractions. Additionally, there is one technique that is not as widely used as the ones mentioned above: Planning a cost-effective relocation to London.
You may be thinking, “How does that help me sustain the high living costs in London?” Well, aside from helping you start strong, saving wherever you can (in this case, your relocation expenses) will provide you with more wiggle room for your finances during your first month or so in the city.
With that in mind, we have gathered some tips on how exactly you can make a move to London cost-effective.
How Can I Make My Relocation To London As Affordable As Possible?
Here are some of the best ways to make your relocation as cost-effective as possible.
Plan And Schedule A Move Accordingly
Whether you’re moving from across the street or halfway around the world, you must plan and schedule your move accordingly. It’s also crucial to be flexible: if something doesn’t go as expected (for example, a flight is delayed), keep an open mind about how this may affect your relocation timeline.
To make planning your move much more manageable, consider using a moving checklist. This will help you stay on top of everything that needs to be done for your relocation. That, in turn, means you can avoid additional fees, late penalties, and other expenses that can add up quickly.
Remember to be mindful of when you schedule your move. After all, the date or day of the week you choose to schedule your move will play a factor in how long your move will take, and therefore, how much your relocation will cost.
Lastly, if you are moving because of a job, then this is also the time for you to check with your new employer about the company’s relocation packages. This may not be enough to cover the entire move, but it will at least reduce the amount of money you need to spend.
Hire A London Removal Company To Help You With The Move
A removals company is a business that provides relocation services. Many companies even offer all-inclusive moving services which cover everything from packing your belongings, moving them, storing them if needed, and finally, unpacking and arranging them at the new place.
Now, you may be thinking that a London removal company is an additional expense to budget for. While this can sometimes be the case, many companies in and around the city offer moving services at competitive prices.
Best of all, hiring a London removal company means your relocation will run much smoother than if it was just you trying to do it all on your own. That means you will save time and, therefore, money.
You will also find that with professional movers handling your belongings, you can trust that they will be safe and secure. That means you won’t have to worry about spending on repair or replacement costs for the items that might get damaged when you move them on your own.
Lower Removal Company Costs with these Steps
You will also find that with professional movers handling your belongings, you can trust that they will be safe and secure. That means you won’t have to worry about spending on repair or replacement costs for the items that might get damaged when you move them on your own.
- Compare multiple service quotations before selecting a moving company to help you out with your move. Even then, keep in mind that price is not the only factor you should be looking at. Also, look at the services included, insurance offered, and customer reviews.
- Pack your belongings yourself and only have the moving company handle the packing of the larger and more fragile items.
- If you are moving from a third-floor apartment, for example, or one with narrow staircases and hallways, see if the company offers flat rate prices. You can also ask them to provide you with an hourly estimate instead of a fixed price quote.
- Be flexible with your moving schedule. Most removals companies charge more for weekend and evening services, so avoid scheduling your move on a Friday if you can. Try to schedule it during the week instead of at the end or beginning of one.
- Do not hesitate to ask for a discount. Some companies, especially smaller ones, will be amenable to small deals when asked, especially if you are a first-time customer.
Look For Free Boxes And Make Use Of Alternative Packing Materials
If you plan to pack some of your belongings yourself, then it would be ideal for you to look for free boxes. Check out establishments around your community (bookstores, supermarkets, and furniture stores, for example) that might be throwing away old boxes. Most of the time, these are sturdy and can hold your belongings well enough until you get to your new place in London.
You will also want to save money by using alternative packing materials instead of bubble wrap and tissue paper. For example, if you have old newspapers lying around, use them as packaging material. You can also save money by using old clothes instead of bubble wrap or recycled boxes and cartons.
If you’ve got luggage lying around, you may also consider packing your clothes in them rather than purchasing boxes specially made for clothing. You can also use towels and sheets or even newspapers to fill up the spaces in your luggage. Of course, you will want to keep fragile items well protected with bubble wrap before placing them inside suitcases along with other clothes.
Declutter
This is by far the most important tip of all: declutter. So do not hesitate to part with those clothes that you’ve had for years but never wore, or even kitchen appliances and furniture that are in good condition yet have been gathering dust these past few months.
After all, the fewer items you move, the more money you save. The more things you move, the bigger your moving truck will be and the higher the cost. So, whether throwing out old stuff or donating it to charity stores for free pick-ups, do whatever you can to ensure that less of these belongings end up as part of your move.
Aside from the money, you will save, decluttering and living a minimalist lifestyle also makes way for various other benefits. Check them out here.
Plan Your Meals For The Moving Process
When you are busy planning and executing a house move, it can be pretty easy to forgo cooking and eat out instead. However, while takeout is affordable upfront, you will find that the prices of such meals will accumulate over time.
Instead of eating out, it would be much better for you to plan your meals ahead and have all ingredients necessary delivered in advance, along with the utensils you will need to cook them. This way, when moving day comes around, you can just heat a meal or two instead of going through the hassle of cooking.
If you are taking a particularly long journey to London from your old place, it would also be advisable to have some snacks and meals ready for the trip. The last thing you want is to buy an expensive sandwich somewhere when it would have cost you less to buy the ingredients and make one yourself.
There you have it, some of the best ways to make moving to London cost effective! These tips should be enough to help you make your move less of a burden on the wallet.
However, because no two house moves are the same, some of these methods may not be a perfect fit for you! If this is the case, then feel free to come up with your own creative tips. After all, the key is for you to save money without compromising on comfort or safety! Meanwhile, if you are moving with kids in tow, check these tips out!