Acting With No Experience Part 3: Moving to London for Acting

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” – Samuel Johnson

III. MOVING TO LONDON

3.1 Smart Move

Moving to a new city is very exciting, especially if that city is London, but it can also become difficult and stressful, especially if you’re moving there by alone.  Metropolitan cities are huge, so not only is there a change of scenery, but there’s a change of pace, people, environment, attitude and so forth.

There’s not much involved in the actual moving, as all you really have to do is get your suitcase and get on a train or a plane – it’s the preparing that’s the hardest.  But if you plan well and stick to your game plan, you can minimize the pain of moving.

The Journey. If you’re from somewhere else in the United Kingdom, moving to London isn’t going to be too scary, as your family is still in the same country as you are.  Therefore, getting on a train, a car, or a bus, and saying goodbye might be hard but it won’t be scary.

Regardless of how far away you’re moving from, you can enjoy the trip by dreaming and planning your next 5 years (that’s what I did): where you’ll study, how you’ll start looking for auditions, how you’ll begin your acting work, what job you’re going to get and so on. It’s an exciting time!

New City. Finally, you arrive to one of the world’s entertainment capitals after all that planning and stress.  This is going to be very exciting, not to mention fulfilling.  It can actually become a little scary, especially if you’re on your own, but the new sense of independence, freedom and potential prospects and great future will probably be more overwhelming than your nerves. It’s time to get setup.

It might take a while to fully get on your feet, as setting up your new living arrangements – as well as adjusting to them – can be rather hard.  There are many things you need to do before you feel fully at home in this big, strange, welcoming, cold or hot, artistic, crowded, energetic, fast-paced, empowering city.

In case you’re travelling “heavy”, when you get there, don’t wear yourself out with unpacking and structuring everything for the next week. You don’t want to start unpacking all the stuff the minute you get to a new place, but you also don’t want to be living out of a suitcase, surrounded by a jungle of boxes.

It would be a great idea to unpack all of your clothing and two or three boxes of necessities in the first day after you arrive, and spend the rest of the time exploring and “consuming” the city. There’s a great many places to visit and things to do, but most importantly, walking around your new hometown will inspire you for the journey that is to come.

 

3.2 The First 30 Days in London

Moving is always a trial, no matter where you move to. There’s always an adjustment period, even if you are just moving down the street. When you move to another country, that adjustment becomes even greater. If you are relocating to London from overseas to become an actor, and to train and work as a thespian, then be prepared to spend some time adjusting to the new city.

As the case may be with most of us, sometimes you will feel homesick and miserable, but remember that it simply takes time to get used to a new way of living. Here’s some of the things you can expect in the first 30 days of your London residency.

Homesickness.

This should come as no surprise – even though you have moved to London to pursue your acting dreams and have new exciting opportunities ahead of you, you should expect to experience some homesickness for your old home and your native country.

Even if everything in London is better than you thought, you’ll still likely feel some loneliness and insecurity when you first arrive. Things are definitely going to be different in the new country, and there’s going to be an adjustment period. Take the time you need to miss your old home – there’s nothing wrong with that.

To help deal with any loneliness that may arise, it’s important to try to keep in touch with your family and friends from your old country. This can be a little tricky thanks to time zone differences, but your loved ones will be willing to make it work.

Try not to isolate yourself, as this can only make your loneliness seem more pronounced as you try to integrate into the new country. When you move to London, plan on going out to discover new places and meet new people. You’ll find that once you start interacting with the acting scene in London, it’ll be pretty easy to find people with similar interests and you can start to make friends in your new home country.

If you are still struggling, here are some popular ways to meet people in a new area:

• Internet. Use an online friend-finding service.
• com. Look for local meetups. Check out online actors meet-up groups.
• Classes. Join an acting class as soon as possible, if you’re not going to a drama school to have plenty of like-minded people around you.
• Hobbies. Alternatively, explore other hobbies, organizations and opportunities for meeting like-minded folk. Book clubs is a popular way to meet people.
• Gatherings. Attend local film festivals and other events; these are a great option for networking and meeting actors, filmmakers, screenwriters and other industry folks which you can also work with in the future.
• Other stuff. Take a non-acting related course that may also benefit your acting career, such as dancing, vocal classes, horseback riding, stage fighting, etc.

If you are really struggling with homesickness, don’t give up. Just keep reminding yourself that it’s a phase and that it’s going to take time to adjust to your new home. Use the support of your family and friends to help you feel less alone, and don’t be shy about asking them to send you things that you miss from your home country (that’s what most of us do after moving).

You can also order stuff you want from home thanks to the internet. Do whatever you need to get through the first few tough months of adjustment and don’t give up.

Culture Shock.

The UK is an English-speaking country, but there are a lot of cultural differences to be found, especially in the big city of London. You’ll encounter British (which includes UK as a whole) and English (only those in England) culture in London for the most part, as well as cultures and backgrounds of many, many other countries. While this might not be as much of a change for someone coming from the US, it is still going to take some time to get used to, and it may be a little uncomfortable at first.

To help you adjust and avoid any potential faux pas while dealing with the public, read up on the culture and lifestyle in London before you make your big move.

A few key points to help you get started:

• People tend to keep to themselves; personal privacy is important!
• Physical contact in public is generally frowned upon and may make people uncomfortable.
• Handshakes are an appropriate gesture when meeting someone, but hugging should be only done with close friends.
• People may seem very formal to you, but manners are very important to the English.
• Some people, especially older adults, will still use the ‘class system’ to address people. Younger people are less concerned with class.
• Small gifts and thank you notes are appreciated when visiting someone’s home for a party or gathering.

Don’t worry too much about trying to hide your differences; instead, embrace them. And after all, people will recognize you are from a different country thanks to your demeanor and accent anyway, and you’ll be cut some slack (on most occasions).

However, it’s always better to be prepared, and showing you care about London culture goes a long way to making a great impression with a potential friend, boss, or co-worker. People everywhere love when foreigners are interested in their home country.

Independence.

For most folks, moving to a country causes some great feelings of strength and independence. You should take some time to celebrate the fact that you were able to complete such a big move and have finally arrived to settle in your dream city, getting ready for a dream career.

Moving overseas is not easy for most of us, and you should feel proud and confident that you’ve finally made it. Let some of this good feeling carry over; it will help you make friends and find work too. Maybe it’s time to celebrate?

Financial Order.

When you move, you’ll likely be set for at least a little while. However, you don’t want to get complacent. Once you get settled into your home, it’s time to start thinking about finding the local amenities you need to save money and keep your affairs in order.

One of the first things to look for is a bank. You’ll want to have a local bank available for cashing or depositing checks (in case you need that for whatever reason), withdrawing money, and other financial issues that may pop up. But ultimately, you just need to open a bank to confirm your residency, get your local bank debit card and open a bank account.

It’s great to have an online bank from your home country, but you’ll want to ensure you have something local to cover all your bases. It makes everything more official, too. There are a few different ways to look for a local bank, but one of the best methods is to simply use Google and then consider pros and cons of every bank.

Alternatively, if you have a roommate, ask them which bank they use and if they are happy with their services. If you are working or in school, you can also ask your peers. Try to set up an account as soon as possible so you’ll be prepared if any issues arise.

You’ll also want to use your resources to find the best places to shop for cheap groceries (if you’re on a budget). There are going to be plenty of high-end expensive shops and more affordable options with very low prices.

The most important place to find first is an affordable grocery store that’s very close to you. You need to eat, and there’s no reason you can’t save money while doing so. Finding a cheap store for produce is not only going to help   your finances, but having your own ‘regular’ place is going to make London feel a bit more like home too.

Utilities.

When you move in, it’ll be time to set up some utilities (if you haven’t already). One of the first things you’ll want to do is set up your internet service. This is a must-have as soon as possible, since majority of other assignments you’ll be doing will require internet connection.

On top of that, internet is simply vital to stay in touch with family and friends, find work, complete your school tasks, and more. There are plenty of different companies available, including popular options like Sky, Virgin Mobile, BE, and O2, and some will offer bundled services with phone and cable television as well.

Another thing to get set up right away is an Oyster Card for public transportation in London. The Oyster Card is a smartcard that holds credit so you can easily pay for bus fare, tube entry, and more public transportation options. You can do a pay-as-you-go plan, meaning you load up your Oyster Card as you wish, or you can pay for a pass, which gives you unlimited use of bus or trams for one week, one month, or a full year.

There are a few ways you can sign up for an            Oyster Card, but the best way to do so is online. Since Londoners rely so heavily on public transportation, this is something you’ll want to do ASAP. We’ll talk more about public transit and Oyster Card as well as costs of everything related later in the book.

 

3.3 Finding Accommodation

You may not think so at first, but I can tell you from first-hand experience that your place of living can have a huge impact on your career, your goals, and your motivation as well as on you as a person and an artist.  The longer you plan to stay in your new place, the more thought, research and preparation you have to put into this, especially if you’re moving from a different country.

London is a big, crowded metropolitan city, and it’s definitely not wise to move there without a plan on where you’re going to stay.  Most likely, if you don’t know anybody in the new city you’re moving to, you will not be able to secure an apartment until you’re actually there.  My advice would be to try AirBnB.com service or get a simple hotel to stay for a week or two while you’re looking for an apartment.

How to Search.

Ideally, you want to do all the research and find several potential places to live before you move to London. That way you only need to confirm the time of viewing with the realtor or landlord and go check those places. Or at the very least, find potential prospects for rent, write them down and get to work as soon as you’re settled in your hotel or AirBnB rental in London.

In terms of where to stay, a lot of it will depend on whether you’re going to study in a drama school for the duration of three years, or you chose to work, audition and attend weekly acting classes.  If you opt for drama school training, I would advise to consider living with other students in a dormitory at least for the first year.  If you’re going to be on your own, working and auditioning during the day and training in the evening, then try to find something that would be close to all those places.  London is very big and packed, and you don’t want to waste time in traffic.

To find affordable accommodation, you’ll need to spend time online.  Simply using Google search can bring you some decent results, but it’s not the only way to find an apartment.  You can try one of the many student-friendly websites out there that were created for the sole-purpose of helping people like you.

You can also go to the website of the institution you’re planning to attend – they will help link you to safe places to live in and/or help you find accommodation near your drama school campus, but again, this comes at a much higher price.  If you cannot afford that, I suggest you look into private rentals and simply make sure that it’s all safe.

Take a look at the below resources for finding rooms and roommates:

• Great resource for students coming to London: http://www.unite-students.com
• Find an flat to share with a roommate: http://www.spareroom.co.uk
• UK’s most popular ads site: http://www.gumtree.com/
• Student accommodation in London help: http://www.crm-students.com/
• Another one for London students: http://www.studentpad.co.uk/
• Popular UK rental website: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/
• More on how the accommodation works in the UK, and what type is ideal for you: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Student_Accommodation

One more thing I want to mention is this: it’s rarely a good idea to move to a new city before visiting it first. Any metropolitan city such as London will be huge cultural shock to you. There are a multitude of different neighborhoods and areas, and everything will seem confusing. So if at all possible, I recommend visiting the city for at least a few weeks first, getting a feel for it and then going back home to do further research and planning (maybe even save money for another year). This will cost you more money in the beginning but save you money and stress in the long run.

I’d like to stress the location one more time. When you’re deciding on where to live after you move, where you’ll be staying geographically matters a lot. Once again, London is a gigantic city, and everything will be scattered all over the place: your school or acting classes, your job, potential auditions, filming locations, etc. Obviously you can’t plan for everything, but spend some time on this to try and find the most optimal way possible to get around the city and get to everything on time without stretching yourself too far.

Renting a flat in London is going to be very expensive. No matter where you’re moving from, it is very likely that the prices will not be the same as they were in your hometown, so account for that. Also, don’t forget that accommodation of any kind will always ask for a security deposit, with some places asking for as much as the value of two months’ rent.  It is imperative that you keep a look out for the price, so that you can factor it into the amount you need to have with you before you move.

 

3.4 Best London Neighborhoods for Actors

While the entire city of London is a great place for artists, there are a few neighborhoods that stick out as being the best choice for actors and other creatives. These London neighborhoods will have plenty of places to meet fellow actors, as well as amenities that cater to those interested in the arts.

Below are a few of the best choices for your relocation to London. We’ll start with the outer limits of London. Not surprisingly for a great metropolis such as London, the further you live from the centre, the cheaper the living. That needs to be balanced against the greater cost of your commute to work or study, but there are acceptable compromises to be found, or you could cycle.

Just to be sure, we’ve ignored any areas more than 30 minutes by Underground (‘tube’) from Piccadilly Circus, the hub of London’s West End and the gateway to its theatre district.

$ – Shepherd’s Bush

This West London district offers plenty of variety and has excellent transport links. Its proximity to the now-abandoned BBC Television Centre once made it a favourite home for newbie actors, and many still like its convenience.

The western end of the district is nicest, with pleasant residential streets and large houses suitable for sharing. The area around Shepherd’s Bush Green is nastier, with smaller houses, while over it looms the monstrous Westfield shopping centre (mall).

Some might feel a sizeable Australian population makes ‘the Bush’ unrepresentative of the London experience, but few parts of this multiracial and international city offer that.

Three tube lines service the area (under 30 minutes to Piccadilly Circus), along with several bus routes, including night buses. Road links are especially good, with both north-south and east-west arteries close by.

Restaurants and cafés along Uxbridge Road and Goldhawk Road comprise a wide range, from greasy-spoon diners to some genuine treats. There’s a big supermarket across from the main tube station, while the open-air market offers an eye-assault of multicultural tat, as well as the occasional bargain.

There are lots of pubs and night-life is active in Shepherd’s Bush, although a bit feral in places. Unusually for a London borough, there are no parks, but Ravenscourt Park is not too far to walk.

Rent Cost in Shepherd’s Bush, London: Rents start from around £140 ($213)/week for a decent furnished room in a house or flat (apartment), with shared facilities. That should include all bills and taxes and it’s cheap for an area within fairly easy reach of the city centre.

$ – Colliers Wood.

I’m breaking a key rule (this area is nearly 40 minutes from Piccadilly Circus by tube), but included this south-west London district because of its summer theatre and music festivals, for which some have named it ‘Colliewood’ (beware English irony; it isn’t remotely like Tinseltown). The festivals, which run for two months in summer, offer aspiring actors an opportunity to get noticed.

The previously drab borough is undergoing extensive redevelopment, importantly including Colliers Wood Tower, very visible, and once voted London’s ugliest building. Its overhaul is due for completion in mid-2016, by which time the whole area should be much improved in both amenities and aesthetics. As it is, there are several green spaces, including walks along the River Wandle.

There’s a good selection of shops, including a large shopping centre, as well as restaurants, cafés, and pubs. However, don’t expect a vibrant night-life in Colliers Wood.

Rent Cost in Colliers Wood, London: Rents for shared flats, or a room in a house with shared facilities, both furnished, start at about £160 ($243)/week, including all bills and council tax, the local-government levy for rubbish (garbage) collection, street maintenance, lighting, and policing.

$ – Brixton.

The hub of Caribbean culture in London, this formerly edgy, even dangerous, south London district is rapidly becoming gentrified as young professionals move further from areas, such as Battersea or Clapham, no longer affordable to them. It’s not pretty, but it’s upbeat, eccentric, and full of creative types, including actors.

It’s not all urban clamour; award-winning Milkwood Community Park offers a wildlife trail, as well as an amphitheatre for festivals and events in summer.

Most of the major retail chains are represented on the High Street, but the real Brixton experience is to be found in its market, where Caribbean, Asian, and European cultures jostle together, offering entertaining eye-candy and, sometimes, good bargains (rip-offs, too: take care).

Transport links to the city centre are excellent, with a tube time to Piccadilly Circus of under 25 minutes. Buses are also plentiful, including night-buses.

Rent Cost in Brixton, London: Rents for shared flats and houses start at around £170 ($258)/week, including utility bills, but not council tax. However, I’ve seen a self-contained studio flat (single combined sleeping/living space with its own kitchen and separate bathroom/toilet) for £180 ($274)/week, so online research could unearth a place of your own at reasonable cost by London standards.

Other best neighborhoods in London that are affordable-ish and are worth a look include:

• Acton (a bit rough)
• Bethnal Green
• Bow
• Stratford (don’t confuse it with Stratford-upon-Avon)
• Whitechapel (artsy)

$$ – Maida Vale.

Moving along, now let’s take a look at medium-cool type of London neighborhoods. This group is more solidly middle-class, but most of these house a mix of educational and occupational backgrounds, so generalisations can be misleading.

Not far north of the West End (only 20 minutes from Piccadilly Circus), this leafy residential district offers tranquility and charm. Public and private housing sit cheek-by-jowl, making for an eclectic mix of residents, but also implying you need to look carefully to find good value.

Because of its proximity to the BBC’s main London recording studios, the area of Little Venice, next to a pretty canal, has long been a favoured locale for working actors.

Regent’s Park, one of London’s best, is close by, as is Abbey Road, with its historic recording studio and iconic zebra (pedestrian) crossing; take a selfie with friends in a Beatles pose. It’s a quiet district, however, with no night-life to speak of apart from the usual pubs, of which there are a number of good ones.

Transport links are excellent, whether by tube or bus, and it’s also close to main roads leading out of the city. Paddington mainline railway station is two stops away on the tube.

Shopping is good. While the main supermarket chains are only represented by small outlets, there are lots of local stores and specialists of every kind, and there’s a big Tesco in Edgeware Road, just a few minutes away on foot.

Rent Cost in Maida Vale, London: Rents for shared houses, flats, or the occasional self-contained studio flat, start at about £170 ($258)/week, but that’s for streets bordering Maida Vale, not actually within it. Even so, they are nicer than Brixton, if not quite as cool. Add at least £20 ($31)/week, and up, for the heartland. These prices include utilities and council tax, but only for shared accommodation, not self-contained units.

$$ – Islington.

Few of the best neighborhoods in London offer such varied ambience as Islington. Some parts verge on squalid, some are being upgraded as affluent owners move in, and some are already very fashionable. All sorts live there, including theatre, TV, and film people. It’s busy and rather noisy, but convenient, well-serviced, and lively.

Angel is the smartest area, while City Road, Upper Street, and Essex Road offer as varied a shopping or entertainment experience as you’ll find anywhere in London. Pubs, cinemas, and small theatres are all within easy walking distance.

One drawback is a shortage of parks; Islington has the lowest ratio of open spaces to built-up areas of any London borough. However, Highbury Fields is good for joggers and has public tennis courts, while Finsbury Park is pleasant and only a short walk away. You can also walk along the canal towpath to Regent’s Park.

Football (soccer) fans are well-served: Premier Division Arsenal FC, the ‘Gunners’, has its home ground in Islington.

Transport links are excellent, with several tube stations (about 25 minutes to Piccadilly Circus, but also up to 35 minutes, depending on where you alight), lots of buses, including night-buses. It can be just a couple of tube stops to reach King’s Cross, one of London’s principal tube and mainline rail hubs. Islington is also en route to the A1, the country’s main north-south arterial road.

Rent Cost in Islington, London: Rents are all over the place, as one might expect in so large and varied an area, but don’t expect to pay much below £180 ($274)/ week for a room in a shared house or flat or for a small studio flat, with the same inclusions and exclusions already noted.

$$ – The Borough.

Borough, as it’s usually called, is part of Southwark, close to Lambeth and London Bridge, and is often thrown in with all three in conversation. It’s far the trendiest of my three middling selections, so is becoming very popular and, in parts, expensive.

It’s famous for its market, one of London’s oldest and a haven for foodies; for the Shard (Britain’s tallest building, with a viewing gallery near the top); for its popular acting schools (Shakespeare’s Globe, the Young Vic, the Old Vic); and for the Tate Modern art gallery.

The area is also one of London’s greenest (in the traditional sense), with a reported 130 parks and open spaces, of which the largest is Southwark Park. The environs of the market are dense with restaurants of every hue, and there are lots of pubs and cafés. Altogether, with the River Thames also close at hand for breezy walks, you could have a terrific time, day or night, and never leave the place.

Transport links are plentiful, both for tube and bus, while Waterloo and London Bridge mainline stations are nearby to take you out of town, should you need or wish. The tube ride to Piccadilly Circus takes 20-25 minutes, less from the northern edge of Borough.

Rent Cost in The Borough, London: Furnished rooms for rent in shared flats or houses start at around £200 ($305)/ week, including bills and council tax, but you’ll be lucky to get much at that price. If your budget stretches closer to £250 ($380), you should find a good supply of modern, well-equipped, flats in the medium-rise developments that have mushroomed across the district over the past decade.

Other middling locations worth scouting include:

• Holloway (said to be up-and-coming)
• Cricklewood (leafy but somewhat distant)
• Paddington (convenient but hotel-ridden)
• Canary Wharf (modern, well-resourced, soulless)

$$$ – Fulham.

Further on the list are the “almost famous” type of London neighborhoods. These top choices feature value more than prime locations or exclusivity. If you want those characteristics, even one of them, prices are in another league entirely.

The epitome of middle-class London, Fulham is one of the best neighborhoods in London – it’s varied, charming, quirky, and, well, comfortable. You won’t find many surprises here, but also nothing that upsets. While young professionals are the backbone of the community, it’s also home to artists, actors, and writers, although many of those seem likely to swap creative uncertainty for the steady job their country-dwelling parents constantly nag them to take.

But for the anciently unreliable District Line, the tube might reach Piccadilly Circus in the claimed 25 minutes, but it could well be 45; it might not arrive at all. Better to take a number 14 bus, a London favourite, which starts in Putney and winds through Chelsea, Knightsbridge, and Hyde Park Corner, before crawling along traffic-jammed Piccadilly and turning into the heart of Soho. It’s slow but enthralling.

Shopping is reasonable for a mainly residential area, with small grocery retailers dotted along the main streets. Fulham Broadway has a good-sized shopping centre, offering most things needed to eat and live. For a more down-market experience, wander through North End Road’s eclectic range of shops and market stalls.

The Broadway has a selection of reasonably priced eateries and there are pubs, good, bad, and mediocre, all across the area. Otherwise, night-life is almost non-existent. Parks are mainly at the edges of the district, but Bishops Park is a small gem, bordered by the River Thames. Joggers have the run of riverside paths.

Rent Cost in Fulham, London: Rents go from about £200 ($305)/week for furnished rooms in flats and houses, with studio flats at similar levels, subject to the usual exclusions and inclusions. If you elect to pay your share of the bills, you can get better deals, but you’ll be hostage to the punctiliousness, or otherwise, of your co-dwellers when payments are due.

$$$ – Bayswater.

Convenient and varied, with a strong middle-eastern flavour, you’ll either love or loathe this quasi-upmarket district. It offers handsome Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses (row-houses), with views of Hyde Park, backed by endless and duller versions, and roaring commercial thoroughfares.

The park is, arguably, the main attraction and, when combined with Kensington Gardens, is claimed to be the world’s largest city-centre green space. Everything happens there: football, tennis, swimming, dog-walking, horse-riding, rock concerts, Speakers’ Corner, celebrity-spotting; the list never ends.

Transport links are peerless, with the tube whisking you to Piccadilly Circus in 20-25 minutes, while buses are frequent, including night buses. Adjacent Paddington has a big mainline rail station.

Shopping is good, with large and small supermarkets spliced with a variety of specialists serving the area’s multinational residents. It’s a short walk to Notting Hill, with a cinema, wine-bars, and pubs, and, beyond them, the huddle of Portobello Road’s famous antiques market. In the opposite direction, you can walk to Oxford Street, London’s main mass-market shopping thoroughfare, in about 20 minutes.

Rent Cost in Bayswater, London: It’s not that expensive, but you must look diligently; there’s a lot of really nasty stuff. A decent furnished room in a shared house or flat, including bills and tax, rents for £200 ($305)/ week and up, but you’re unlikely to find a self-contained studio for under £250 ($380).

$$$ – Soho.

Not only one of the best neighborhoods in London, but also one of the most well-known. Soho is London’s night-life centre and is slowly shedding its red-light character as Tinder, Grindr, and other adult casual-encounter websites bleed the resident professionals of their trade. They’re still there, however, as are the peep-shows and strip-joints, but most exude an end-of-days aura.

In their stead has come a blast of pubs, clubs, bars, takeaways, and restaurants of every description and price-point. Some, like Ronnie Scott’s jazz club and the 100 Club, launchpad for dozens of legendary British rock bands, have been there for decades, but many more are relative newcomers. The streets throb with people and megawatt bass-lines until the early hours. Make sure your room has double-glazing.

Access to Piccadilly Circus and theatreland? You’re pretty much there already, and there are plenty of tube stations and buses at hand to take you elsewhere. Shops are plentiful, especially supermarkets and specialists, and most stay open late. In normal hours, you can find just about anything you need within easy walking distance.

If it’s all too much, a 15-minute walk along Piccadilly will land you in spacious Green Park, with beautiful St James’s Park just below it, next to Buckingham Palace, the Mall (it rhymes with ‘pal’, not ‘awl’), and Horse Guards Parade. You could say all of tourist London is at your feet.

Rent Cost in Soho, London: Rents run from £350 ($530)/week for a pleasant, furnished, and well-equipped studio flat, but that excludes utilities and tax.

Unless you move into the very top bracket, there’s not much else that competes with these selections of best neighborhoods in London listed above, but you might look at:

• St John’s Wood (very fine, but dull, dull, dull)
• Camden (hip, noisy, overrated)
• South Kensington (lots of charm, but smug and pricey)
• Chelsea (ditto, but even more so)

 

3.5 Shopping for Necessities in London

Living on your own in London means taking responsibility and gathering all the necessities you’ll need in order to thrive.  As mentioned before, getting food will probably be high on your list of things to do once you begin setting yourself up.  If you’re a starving artist already and looking to really save money, do your research before accidentally spending money on food in one of the most expensive restaurants in town.  It would be best to get a weeks’ worth (or more) of stuff for home cooking.

Cheap Stores. Below is a list of stores that are considered cheaper or at least affordable for most, and have everything you might ever need in London.

• Aldi: https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/about-aldi/useful-information/store-locator/
• Home Bargains: http://storelocator.homebargains.co.uk/
• 99p stores: http://www.99pstoresltd.com/find-a-99p-store
• Poundland: http://www.poundland.co.uk/store-finder/
• Poundworld: http://poundworld.net/find-a-store/

You can easily live off these cheap stores without compromising too much on quality at all and saving a ton of money with smart shopping.  In addition, always check out popular supermarkets’ (ASDA and Tesco) “value” items and “reduced/clearance” isles. Sainsbury’s or Morrisons in London are a little more expensive, but not by much and can have great deals on occasion.

For those who have some money to spend, London has an amazing farmer’s market scenes. Check out this list of all London markets and visit some.

You will also want to open a new bank account as soon as possible (if you’re not from the UK and don’t have one yet), especially if you’re going to get a job while you’re living in London.  It would be best to try and pencil in some time to go and do that – possibly at the same time you go and get your transport and other similar arrangements sorted out.

 

3.6 Getting Around in London

Another highly important necessity you’ll need in order to survive London is transportation.  In an ideal world, it would be great to simply walk wherever you need to go (I mean who wouldn’t want to save a ton of money and also get really fit in the process); however, that’s not always the case.

Getting around London is likely going to be much different from what you have been used to in the States or other country. For example, in most cities in the US, pretty much everyone has their own car, and commutes by themselves to school or work. In London, you’ll find exactly the opposite – almost no one uses their own vehicle to get around; public transportation is used almost exclusively.

Luckily, London has a much better transit system than most US cities, and you’ll find you save both time and money using it to get from point A to point B, whether you have a commute for school, work, or just shopping.

Oyster Card.

The best way to get yourself set up for public transportation is to get an Oyster Card. This pass will give you quick access to things like buses, the tube, and trams – you won’t need to fish around for fare and waste time ensuring you have money for transportation.

The Oyster Card is a simple swipe card that has your fare pre-loaded, so all you have to do is swipe and go. There are a variety of different payment plans for the pass, and you can load it up anytime online. It’s the most convenient way to travel in London.

Basically, you can use it for any type of public transportation, but you’ll be most thankful for it when going on the tube back and forth all the time.  London’s underground system is one of the best: it’s simple and quick, but can really put a dent in your pocket if you insist on using it frequently.  The cost will depend on the “zones” you’ll be visiting most frequently, so research well and know how much you definitely need to spend before you do so.

For more information, visit this government website to learn all about Oyster card.

London’s System.

The city also provides residents with free travel maps, which is definitely recommended if you are new to the area. There are a lot of different routes for each mode of transport – bus, London Underground, trolley, ferry, and more – so you’ll want to make sure you keep a map with you in case you get turned around.

Using maps and familiarizing yourself with London Zones is going to be especially important in your first few weeks of living in London as you try to get to auditions, your drama school courses, and survival jobs or acting gigs. You never know when you might get delayed or need a different route, and in order to avoid being late you must be prepared. Getting stranded in the city of London isn’t fun for anyone, and it’s easy to do.

It would be smart to get your hands on bus and train timetables as well (or simply get an app), that way you can plan what you need to do around when the trains and buses are timed.  Trust me when I say that an actor’s busy life requires a lot of thorough planning from the minute you get up in the morning and all the way throughout the day: job, classes, auditions, acting work, shopping, socializing, etc.

Learn the City.

This part of getting set up in a new city is probably going to be the most exciting, as it involves exploring a new place.  After years of living in London and now several years of living in Los Angeles, personally I still always find places and locations I haven’t been and something that fascinates me in either city.

There’s only so much you can learn via the internet, and nothing on a website will ever fully show you what that “something” truly is until you see it with your own eyes.  Take some time out of your day to scope out your new neighborhood without dressing in black, slinking around alleyways and looking shady.

Explore where you live and find out things you can’t research online.  At one point, when I was in London, I stayed in Camden and a few other artsy neighborhoods with very active life and cool people everywhere. These were the most exciting times for me; there was always something going on.

 

3.7 Meeting People in London

One of the hardest things about moving to a new country is losing all the connections you have made back home. It can be difficult to feel like you have to start over upon arrival in a new city. Luckily, we have a few resources for you to help you make new friends and connections once you arrive in London. Not only will this help you have a happy social life, but it can also boost your acting career by getting you connected with the right people and the right places. Networking is everything for actors!

If you are looking for some social outlets and new friends, a great place to start is with the people you already know. Even if they live back in your old home country, they may know people or have relatives in the UK. This is one of the ways to get connected, and it can ensure you already have someone to talk to when you arrive in London. If no one you know has anyone living overseas, don’t worry; there are other ways to meet people.

Being Social.

Another good way to find a community you can relate to is to look online for “expat” events and gatherings. “Expats” are other people who have moved to a new country and settled. These communities will often have parties, gatherings, and outings to help people get adjusted to the new country, and they usually understand your situation well. Since London is such a hot spot for people from all over the world, you’re sure to find some of these communities near your location.

Local activities are also a great way to find people with similar interests. London is a big city, so you’ll be able to find some kind of gathering no matter what you are into aside from acting: books, arts, knitting, vintage cars, or fancy cuisine. Of course, start out with your main interest – acting, filmmaking, theatre, directing, etc. – and see where that takes you and what likeminded people you can meet.

The best place to look for these groups and activities is online, but you might also see them advertised around the city. Check bulletin boards at your drama school or work, and check popular places like the pub, although make sure you’re always safe.

Making Friends.

Coming to live in a new place and not knowing people can make anybody feel like the local neighborhood hermit, which is why you need to go out there and make new friends.  If you’re going to attend a drama school, then you’ll have more than enough connections and people who will drag you out on Friday nights for drinks and food.  Otherwise, friends can be found anywhere if you make some effort to be outgoing.  The best place to look for likeminded people is acting classes, acting workshops, community theatre and similar gatherings.

I can’t even count how many times I was grateful to have actor friends who supported me when I needed their support, who helped me with tips and practicing for auditions; and returning the favor feels just as great.  Most importantly, it’s about the fact that you have people who understand you, what you’re going through, and what you want out of life, because you’re all in the same boat. Build and cherish those relationships as you go through your actor’s journey.

Network.

If you’re looking to network and make professional connections as an actor in London, you’re going to be looking for some different types of events. The best places to network include industry parties or gatherings, film festivals, and special screenings or plays. Some of these may be open to the public, but others might require advance notice or an invitation. Your school or job may be able to help you get invited to these social events.

Networking is a whole different beast compared to trying to simply make new friends. You need to remember to treat your interactions professionally. There are also a few pointers of effective networking you should keep in mind, such as:

• Be genuine – don’t go out of your way to impress someone with lies or embellishments. The truth will come out eventually, so be honest from the start.
• Be polite – avoid discussing certain topics like politics or controversial viewpoints, as you never know who you might offend. Always use proper manners; this is especially important with Londoners.
• Stay focused – remember that you want to try to connect with this person on a professional level. While it’s always fun to talk about personal interests, try to keep your conversation zeroed in on professional topics while you try to network, although maintain a healthy balance and don’t go in too deep.
• Be courteous – don’t take up all of the person’s time; they want to socially interact with their friends too. Don’t be pushy and read their body language to know when to step back and give them some space.
• Don’t push – it can be tempting to sell yourself as much as possible and keep pushing until you get your listener to give in and say what you want. Avoid doing this. Being too pushy will kill any interest your contact might have had. Simply be honest, and genuinely interested in the person.

 

3.8 Getting To London: Step by Step

If after all this you’re still considering making that big move to pursue your acting dreams, we’ve compiled an easy-to-follow step by step guide on moving to London. There are a few steps involved, but take it slow and give yourself plenty of time to figure everything out. Make sure your move to London isn’t hasty.

Consider whether or not you want to relocate to London. Weigh the pros and cons for you personally. This is a big decision; don’t take it lightly!

If you want to go to the UK on a student visa, look at drama schools in London that will sponsor that visa. If you want to audition and get acting gigs in London, look at what is required for a work visa and start looking at available jobs. Send out applications if the only way for you to get here is through sponsorship.

Start planning as though you are moving to London right away. Look at rentals and draw up a mock budget for your new life overseas. Make sure you will be able to make things work financially if you move. Figure out what to do with your current housing situation: will you let your lease expire, do you need to sell a house? If you need to sell or find a new renter, start working with a real estate agent as soon as possible since the process can take a long time.

Start gathering paperwork to apply for your passport and visa. Find an immigration professional if you want to use their services for relocating to the UK.

Complete the paperwork for your passport and receive this identification in the mail. If you have pets, review the UK’s policy on bringing them overseas. Make an appointment with your veterinarian and get your pet their up-to-date vaccinations, medical records, and pet passport.

By this time (which could be several months later) you should have accepted a job offer or school invitation. This information will be required in order to apply for a visa. Use the information from your passport and work/school obligation and complete the paperwork for the appropriate visa. Make sure to pay the appropriate fee. At this time, make sure your pet is still up-to-date on their vaccinations.

While you wait for your visa to be accepted, start looking at international moving companies. Check their consumer reviews, insurance qualifications, and more. Narrow down your choices to no more than three companies. Keep in touch with your school or work to ensure they know where you are in the relocation process.

Once your visa is approved, you can start really getting into the moving process. Contact your moving company and set up the contract for moving your belongings to London. Start calling rentals in London to find a place to live. Narrow down your arrival date and keep your work or school informed. Start packing! Sell things you don’t need online or at a garage sale.

Book your flight to your new home, and any hotels you may need before you arrive. Make copies of all your important documents you’ll need to keep on your person while you travel. Do the same for your pet, if you have one.

Pay your taxes and other fees due for moving to the UK. Ensure your account is settled before you arrive, as it can cause complications if you owe the government money upon arrival. Start looking at transferring your money from dollars to pounds. Contact your bank to see if they operate overseas or if you should open a new account with a new banking service.

As your departure date draws near, finish packing. Change your address at the post office and let family know of your new address. Cancel any recurring bills that you won’t need, such as cable, internet, electricity, etc.

On the big day, gather all the essentials that will be coming with you. Prepare your pet for their travels as well. Remember all your documentation. Make sure you haven’t left anything behind in your former residence and say any final goodbyes to neighbors and friends.

Lock up and get ready for the next adventure of your life in London!

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