economie

I moved from California to London 10 years ago. The whole experience has been a culture shock, but these 9 things surprised me most.

October 29, 20240
I recently traveled from London to Cape Town on a direct flight.

Alyssa Jaffer

Living in London means I can hop on a short, relatively cheap flight and land somewhere with a different language, culture, and cuisine.

Speaking broadly, lots of Londoners I know encourage travel. There are six major airports in Greater London, and nearly every airline I’ve flown on has a stop in the city.

Since moving here, I’ve visited over 30 countries and have taken trips across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas.

The UK has lots of rain, but I didn’t realize how much I’d love the distinct seasons.
I was surprised by the salaries I saw when I entered London’s working world.

MarioGuti/Getty Images/iStockphoto/Getty Images

London is an expensive city — according to consulting firm Mercer, it’s considered to have some of the highest costs of living in the world.

But when I entered the workforce, I was surprised by the salaries in the city. According to the Office for National Statistics, the median gross annual salary for a full-time employee in the UK was £34,960, or about $45,445, in 2023.

This is lower than the salaries I remember seeing in the US, which averaged about $59,380 in the fourth quarter of 2023, a USA Today analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data found.

In my opinion, public services in the UK are pretty solid.
The US has a much more prominent tipping culture than the UK does.

Tim Kitchen/Getty Images

Simply put, London doesn’t have an excessive tipping culture.

Patrons are encouraged to tip 10% to 15% when eating out, but many restaurants often add a discretionary 12.5% service charge to the final bill.

In the US, a restaurant might include a tip for a large party, but most customers are expected to tip about 15% to 20% of the total bill.

Advertised prices in the UK also often already include sales tax — so the price you see is the price you pay. In the US, sales tax is usually added to items at the point of purchase, and it varies by state.

British phrases and terms can feel like a foreign language to me.
Visa fees can add up quickly.

Halfpoint Images/Getty Images

After studying in the UK on a student visa, I had to find a job that would sponsor a work visa so that I could continue living in England.

I struggled to find a job that would sponsor my work visa, but I eventually succeeded. Still, it meant I had to take a very low-paying job and pivot from the journalism industry to marketing.

Once I got a visa, I was surprised to learn that keeping this paperwork up-to-date can be expensive. I pay upward of $1,300 in visa fees every 2 ½ years.

Making friends takes effort, but the city attracts people with an adventurous spirit.
I didn’t anticipate calling London home, but my fiancé and I love living in the city.

Alyssa Jaffer

London is incredibly diverse and multicultural. There are so many people to meet, and each neighborhood has its own character.

From the rich theater culture of the West End to the posh shops in Knightsbridge, there’s always something exciting to do, eat, and enjoy.

Throughout my decade in London, I’ve experienced New Year’s Eve fireworks at the London Eye, watched athlete Roger Federer play tennis at Wimbledon, and attended a Manchester United football match at Wembley Stadium.

Although moving had its challenges, I’ve made the best memories of my life in this English city.