London absorbs about 200,000 new residents every year and moves roughly 800,000 within its boundaries. Some of them arrive fully briefed. Most spend the first month wondering why their council tax bill is triple what they expected. Here's the honest heads-up we give any customer moving into London for the first time.
1. Postcode is destiny — but not the way you think
N1 is not the same as N15. E14 (Canary Wharf) is a different world from E17 (Walthamstow). The postcode determines council tax band, GP catchment, school priority, and often the crime statistics that follow the street. Spend an evening on ONS Local Area Reports before committing to a postcode you don't already know.
2. Parking permits are the second rent
Most inner London boroughs charge £150–£450 a year for a resident's parking permit. Some (Camden, Islington) also charge by emissions band. A large diesel SUV can cost over £700 a year to park outside your own home before you drive it anywhere. Budget it in.
3. ULEZ is the third rent (if your car isn't compliant)
The Ultra Low Emission Zone now covers all Greater London. Non-compliant cars pay £12.50 per day. £4,500 a year if you drive daily. Check your reg on the TfL portal before you move.
4. Removals lorries need parking dispensations
Almost every London borough requires a paid dispensation or suspended parking bay for a removals lorry. Costs run £25–£150 per bay per day and take up to 10 working days to arrange. Apex builds this into every London quote and applies on your behalf.
5. Commute in minutes, not miles
A 6-mile commute in Manchester takes 20 minutes. A 6-mile commute in London can take 70 minutes. Always Google Maps your commute at 08:30 on a Tuesday and at 18:15 on a Thursday before signing a lease or offer.
6. Council tax varies wildly
Wandsworth Band D: £981. Kingston Band D: £2,462. Same band. Same country. Enormously different bill.
7. Rent is quoted per calendar month — advertised, per week
"£375 per week" on Rightmove is £1,625 per calendar month. Not £1,500. Rent agents legally have to quote both; most emphasise the smaller number.
8. Everything takes longer
Broadband install: 3–6 weeks. GP registration: 2–4 weeks. Getting a plumber same-week: rare. Budget for the friction.
9. The removals lorry might be the smallest problem
Getting a wardrobe up the fifth floor of a Peckham conversion with no lift is exactly the sort of thing London removals crews deal with weekly. Book an experienced London-familiar crew (like Apex's Kingston-upon-Thames or Twickenham branches) and half the problems disappear before they start.
Practical shortcuts
- Move mid-week — you'll save 15–20% and get a calmer crew.
- Book the loading bay dispensation before exchange.
- Photograph every meter, every socket, every wardrobe rail before the crew leaves.
- Take out contents insurance from day one. London flat-share content theft rates are 3× the national average.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to move to London?
- Total move-in costs to a London 2-bed rental typically run £4,500–£8,500 including first month rent, deposit, holding deposit, removals, and parking dispensations.
- Do I need a parking permit for a removals lorry in London?
- Yes. Most London boroughs require a paid parking dispensation or suspended bay for removals lorries, costing £25–£150 per bay per day and needing up to 10 working days to arrange.
- What is the ULEZ and how much does it cost?
- The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all Greater London. Non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 per day. Check your registration on the TfL portal before moving to a London address.
Planning a move? Get a fixed price today.
Twenty years of British families trusted. One honest number, in writing, before we lift a box.