Landed in London

Sunday, October 13th 20: 15pm 

Tourists natter in harmony as they glide past my window, sweet acoustic sounds hum from a musician downstairs as a looming crescendo descends on the streets - a siren, a piercing noise which my Irish ears are acclimatising to. This pretty much sums up the sounds I hear tonight from my Georgian Flat in Shepherd’s Bush, London.

One thing I’ve quickly come to learn is that this city is not made for peace and quiet. It is made for living, for getting up and going, for seizing the moment for Carpe Diem. On a Sunday night when all I want to do is curl up with Nicolas Sparks’ latest novel and a cuppa Barry’s tea the city acts as a magnet, a distraction. It is possibly the most vibrant place on earth and at 22 the perfect place to pitch my anchor!!

I have just finished week two in my new job. I find it best to describe it in one sentence. The office is centred on a ping pong table. It has a unique culture where staff can converse on their headsets while playing a game of foosball, they go for a swim or a spinning class downstairs if they need a break. The people are the driving force of the business and it is amazing to be a part of it. It really draws parallels to working in Luigis in that the people are so friendly and lovely to work with. I don’t get the world’s best tasting wings on my lunch break or have the views of Emmet Place or Temple bar coupled perfectly with illy coffee at my fingertips and I certainly haven’t found a match to that famous Toblerone cheesecake...however I’m settling in just fine!!

For anyone thinking of making a move over to London – especially new grads like me. I can offer some advice, some things which  had I know 15 days ago would have make the last two weeks a lot less challenging.

1. Give yourself at least one week free to set up – there really is a lot to do! Don’t arrive the Saturday before you start work and hope for the best like me!!

2. Arrange somewhere to stay in advance; setting up and job hunting can be really tough. I stayed on a friends couch for a week – if you’re doing this invest in a blow up mattress and a pillow - your back will thank you for it later – and it will always come in handy for your own guests when you find a place of your own!!

3. Set up your UK number ASAP – otherwise you will have regrets when you see your Irish Phone bill. I went into the triple figures for one week ringing estate agents etc.

4. Decide what area you want to live in before you arrive. This makes house viewings easy. I wasted a lot of time on tube journeys from one end of the city to the other  - and this will tire you out, Pick an area, explore it, set up some viewing, pick your favourite – easy peasy!

5. You need an address to set up just about anything in London. So once you’ve found your place book an appointment to get your national Insurance Number and bank account.

And if you don’t plan on moving – I would urge anyone to allow themselves to be drawn into the powerful forces of London’s beauty!! It is an unbelievable city with so much to see and do – Even if it is just for a weekend break.

Just a couple more weeks until I'm home for Graduation from UCC - I'm excited to be going to Luigis with my Family to celebrate - I'm counting down the days to having  a slice of Toblerone cheesecake!

Stay tuned!