Is Moving to London Worth It in 2024? Pros, Cons + Q&A 

Love the energy that comes through this video!

Hi Jess, I just subscribed to your channel 🙂 my husband & I are looking to move to London in the next year or so. This video was super helpful. I really appreciate your straightforward attitude about your experiences. I also think you did a good job not over-generalizing certain topics. I'm glad you & your husband are enjoying London so far and wishing you all the best!

I loooove your videos and energy! ✨ My partner and I are moving to London in late May - thank you for more insight! Particularly on the mindset that moving abroad is hard, there’s no denying the daily tasks are going to be more challenging than what I’ve currently got going in Aus (I’m extremely lucky). Here’s to instilling the confidence in ourselves to step towards a solution. I hope your London living experience has been soul filling ☺️💛

I love this video! I’m moving to London in 6 months for school and this is super helpful information. Thank you SO much Jess!!

As a native Londoner, for me, the opportunities of London play a big role in what can make London worth it. I've considered moving to other cities (for opportunities) but they don't offer any significant benefits from my perspective. London is a great place to grow yourself. With that being said, how much growth you need from London is another story and depends on a variety of factors. One example I might recommend to some people might be, come to London, stay for a few years, take advantage of the best London opportunities you can and then by that time you will probably have an idea of what you want to do long term. I think it's perfectly reasonable to then decide to move away from London after doing that, having gained the kind of experience to set yourself up elsewhere. I know that's easier said than done, you often don't know how good a job will be until you're doing it. As for cons, with expense you need to figure out whether it's justifiable to you. I'm struggling to justify it myself. Rent is outrageous, as is buying if you get to that point. You can be a very high earner and it still helps a lot to have a partner. Yes, you may be able to afford to buy somewhere if you're single but it might be tiny, have a relatively long commute, be in a bad area, or what have you. And for me, having a property that's really expensive and still not very nice just isn't worth it. And if the property is somewhat decent then it's even less affordable. So, in my mind, London is probably only worth it in the long term if you have a partner or you earn insane amounts quite quickly. I do kinda agree with you on it being tough. Like, yeah, I need more energy for the little things, which isn't so easy if I'm tired after a day of work. I think this can be underrated as a problem. Like if going to the gym helps your mental health but you're too tired, or anything that might impact your mental health.

Thanks for sharing ❤

I’m a 21 year old kiwi living in Aus at the moment and I’ve been pondering moving to the UK for SOOO LONG !! these videos are probably the most informative ones ive watched !!! 🤍🤍

So helpful! Moving to London this week and this is just what I needed 💕

Super helpful! My husband and I are planning the move in Jan. Can you do a video or provide info on whether you had a job before going, how competitive the job market is, etc?

This is so helpful, thank you! What about insurance in terms of another fixed cost to account for? Contents / health / travel

the energy and opportunities - we feel you Jess :)

This is super helpful! I’m currently living in Melbourne (but fellow kiwi here, originally from Hamilton lol) and been considering the move to London for a while now. I’m fortunate to not need a visa (have British citizenship, never used it) and work for a global company headquartered there, but the cost of living and rental crisis has been a major mental roadblock for me. You’ve outlined some really practical tips to help work through that- thank you!

When people ask if it’s worth it to live anywhere, there’s only one question you need to ask yourself: HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU HAVE? That’s it. If you are loaded, you’ll have a blast no matter where you go. If your job is going to pay you, or if you’re a trust fund baby, go to London. Get a flat in Belgravia or Mayfair, go to the West End every weekend, and live it up. You’ll be able to afford to take the Eurostar to Paris every weekend, or take a flight to Barcelona. Money makes everything easier and more convenient. For the rest of us, if you don’t have the means to enjoy what London has to offer, you’ll be miserable. It’s expensive. Limited means means limited options for food, lodging, and entertainment. You’ll be more apt to complain about the city if you can barely afford it. If you’re broke, you’re probably not living in the safest area. Do not move to another city just because you saw it on the internet and you’re clout chasing. Be smart about your choices.

Balanced urban life is such a great point. I was born in London, now I live in New York and it's not a balanced life at all. there is no place to recharge, not really.

so so helpful

Hi Jess - loved this video. I am a Brit but I have been living in New Zealand for the past 4 years but planning on moving back to London soon. Recently I’ve read lots of news headlines saying that crime is out of control and that the economy is terrible. From your experience is the news being over the top to generate views or is it actually this bad? And how would you compare things like crime, economy and jobs to New Zealand?

Hey I'm australian, I'm going to do the yms visa, it is hard ti get a job in hospitality??

I plan on moving out of the United States (after finishing my business here like collage and so on, so a few years), and London is where I would like to go to live the rest of my life. But when searching for a place to live like a flat, is it wise to make it known that my partner (same -sex) is my partner (not married) or better just to hide it a bit until we secure a place? What do you recommended?

Im moving to london in frw months. If you wanna be friends reply to me ❤

Quick answer no

Getting around by car is so sad 😢

No total waste of time unless you are rich. Great place to visit not live. Many places to have a good career with more money in pocket.

Was it worth it before 2020? Absolutely! Is it worth it now in 2024? Absolutely not! Don't do it!!!

London is not England ANYMORE im warning you now. I love London born and bred but its lost it's identity and Culture its fine for me as I am of Caribbean decent because of Colonization i use to be the minority not any more but knife Crime is real and don't think its the England of 80s 90s and 2000s. Most of the real Brits have left to Barbados or West Indies etc. Also its not a Christian country anymore which also breaks my heart. We use to believe in Jesus but now that other religion dominates so be Warned and check that Expectation