joehoeee I am going to London!

[dali]

I just heard today that I got a job in London to do my internship. It is going to be a 6 month period starting from the end of January. So I will be living in Londen until the end of June.

I just wanted to tell you but does somebody have tips for me?🙂

 

[J@ffa]

I just heard today that I got a job in London to do my internship. It is going to be a 6 month period starting from the end of January. So I will be living in Londen until the end of June.

I just wanted to tell you but does somebody have tips for me?🙂

I presume you'll be going and leaving 9-5; well, the tube is absolute murder at peak times. If you've ever seen pictures of Japan showing the way that people get bundled onto packed carriages by attendants, it's like that, except no-one pushes you on, so you just have to bundle aboard.

Culturally, remember that although everyone does drink tea, no-one talks like Mary Poppins 🙂D), talking in a queue is almost the law, and that jaywalking isn't illegal!

If you've got any more specific questions, hit me. 🙂

 

[Sly]

On a brighter note, congratulations on your internship. London is one of, if not the greatest city in the world. The underground system is very efficient (normally) you will use it lots, it can be busy in the rush hours as mentioned - tip make you way to the ends of the train as most people can't be bothered to walk to the end of the platform, so its less crowded. My best advice to familiarize yourself would be to get an good guide book and take a walk the main part of the city is surprisingly small and there is so much to see. Start with the Apple Store which is right by Oxford Circus / Regent St. Underground exit 😎

 

[Tel]

Remember, as a foreigner, it will be your DUTY to learn every bit of Cockney rhyming slang and use it whenever you can. It is also the LAW that you must ask every londoner you meet if they know the Queen. Failure to do this will land you in serious trouble. 😉

 

[crazycat]

Remember, as a foreigner, it will be your DUTY to learn every bit of Cockney rhyming slang and use it whenever you can. It is also the LAW that you must ask every londoner you meet if they know the Queen. Failure to do this will land you in serious trouble. 😉

I learned that the hard way 🙁

 

[Applespider]

talking in a queue is almost the law

Except in London where talking to anyone will get you odd looks unless it's about mutual misery which has gone on for more than the average time. For example, if the tube line breaks down, no-one will really start tutting and exchanging glances until you've been sat in the tunnel for 15 minutes.

Unless you're lucky enough to find non-Londoners in a queue, take a book and be prepared! You should never be without a book or paper on public transport; there is nothing worse than only having the ads to keep you occupied.

The trains into the main termini are the exception to walk to the 'front' rule. Everyone crams on the first two carriages so they can get through the ticket barriers more quickly; easier to walk the length of the platform while you're waiting for the train rather than when you're at the destination along with everyone else. Otherwise, you'll find regular commuters know where the exit at their destinations are so you'll find the carriages that will stop at popular station packed.

Get a copy of loot or look online for it to find accommodation if it's not being provided. There are hundreds of flatshares on there in a variety of areas. Walking around is a great idea; the London Walks company do some great walks that even Londoners can learn a lot on. Have a good A-Z - it will save you masses of time in central London to cut through backstreets rather than following the tourist herd. The best bars/restaurants are generally off the beaten track too.

 

[dali]

Remember, as a foreigner, it will be your DUTY to learn every bit of Cockney rhyming slang and use it whenever you can. It is also the LAW that you must ask every londoner you meet if they know the Queen. Failure to do this will land you in serious trouble. 😉

Ohoh Now I am scared 😱

I am really looking forward to it, I am going to London especially to learn the language better. Little bit afraid of the metros though....Thank you for the tips! What does Jaywalking means? 😱

Do you know anything about the area "docks" (or something like that?) I heard that it is not really a good neighbourhood, is that true? I am looking for housing (expensive!) right now, thats why I am asking...

Didn't see the post of applespider yet, thank you for the information, it is really helpfull! Do you have delays a lot in public transportation?

One stupid question: Do people ride bikes in London, or does everybody go by public transport?

 

[Applespider]

Do you know anything about the area "docks" (or something like that?) I heard that it is not really a good neighbourhood, is that true? I am looking for housing (expensive!) right now, thats why I am asking...

Where are you going to be working? Aim to be as close to there as possible. Docklands has good bits and bad bits (like most places). There's a lot of relatively new housing down there; and if you're working at Canary Wharf, it's ideal.

Do you have delays a lot in public transportation?

It's a standard joke for Londoners. In all honesty, it's not always as bad as it is made out to be but when things go wrong, they tend to be at the worse possible times. To be fair, the last time I got stuck in a tunnel for any more than 5 minutes was about 4 months ago so I guess it's not that common!

One stupid question: Do people ride bikes in London, or does everybody go by public transport?

People do but not in the same style as they do in the Netherlands from what I've seen. Cyclists have very few concessions made to them, the traffic is very heavy and there aren't that many cycle lanes (you tend to share them with buses).

 

[Sly]

Ohoh Now I am scared 😱

I am really looking forward to it, I am going to London especially to learn the language better. Little bit afraid of the metros though....Thank you for the tips! What does Jaywalking means? 😱

The Tube is easy really, I would advise you to look at the tube map before you get to the platform and work out which stop is before and after yours as it is easy to get on the train going in the wrong direction. It is not immediately obvious when you come down the escalator with loads of people behind you which side of the platform you need. If you do get it wrong it is not hard to get off at the next stop and swap sides. 🙂 'Jaywalking' is an Americanism for crossing the road not on a proper pedestrian crossing. Loads of people do it in London but its not very clever as the streets are busy, I'm not aware of it being illegal however, certainly your unlikely to get in to trouble for it unless you cause an accident?

Do you know anything about the area "docks" (or something like that?) I heard that it is not really a good neighbourhood, is that true? I am looking for housing (expensive!) right now, thats why I am asking...

London Docks or The Docklands has undergone massive redevelopment over the last 20 years and is now one of the smartest parts of the City. I would strongly advise you to visit Canary Wharf during your stay, although a day time visit is better than night as most people who work there go home at night. If you can afford lodgings in the Docklands area I would take them, the facilities are great and I find it to be a safe (or as safe as you can get in a big city) area. Transportation is also very good from this area with the DLR & Tube .

Do you have delays a lot in public transportation?

No more than any other city 😉

One stupid question: Do people ride bikes in London, or does everybody go by public transport?

Personally I would not cycle in London, its not exactly a Mecca for bikes like Holland! Cycle lanes are appearing but it is still dangerous and fume filled. There is also a very good chance your bike will not stay where you leave it!

 

[greatdevourer]

One stupid question: Do people ride bikes in London, or does everybody go by public transport?

If you really want to ride your bike, come up to Cambridge. As about 90% of the population are students, parking is expensive and busses are shîte, so almost everyone cycles (including me 😀)

 

[dali]

Thank you everybody for this! Really great!

One more question: I need to call home once in a while, of course I use Skype but I also need a cellphone. Can you get a (i really dont know how you call this in English)"subscription" for 6 months or only for a year or 2 years? (hope you know what I mean)

 

[Applespider]

Can you get a (i really dont know how you call this in English)"subscription" for 6 months or only for a year or 2 years? (hope you know what I mean)

You can do 'Pay as you go' where you buy credits as you need them. The phones are usually dearer if you want a new model but you can pick up a decent phone for £50 or less. If you have one currently, chances are it will work and you'd only need to get hold of a UK PAYG simcard from one of the networks.

 

[Sly]

You can buy what is called 'pay as you go' which means you buy the phone, starting at around £40 and then you only pay for the calls you use, no subscription or rental