London Starter Pack
Essentials for the Big Smoke: Making Friends, Finding Your Places, & What to Buy
Welcome to London! It’s a big transition and I’m so proud of you. Moving, in general, is tough. Moving to another country away from close family and friends is another beast in itself. However you got here, don’t forget to give yourself credit for all that it took. Hoping this starter pack helps you fall in love with your life in this city as quickly as possible!
Picking Your Places
I find it especially important to seek out your places as soon as you get here so you can jump into some sort of routine right away. This helps with the lull period through exploration. I aim to find places where I feel inspired, peaceful, or at home. Have fun finding your spots!
Here are the places you need to find asap:
doctor
gym
hair salon
fave nearby coffee shop for a work change up
nail salon
aesthetic salon (brows/botox/etc)
dog owners: vet, park, & groomer
I also find it very romantic when a main character has their coffee shop (think Gilmore Girls). When you find your places, it’ll make romanticizing life that much easier.
Making Friends
“How did you make friends when you moved?” — This is the question I’ve received the most since I moving to London. Lucky for me, I had a friend from high school that was living here. We reconnected and she became one of my closer friends here. Otherwise it’s been through friends of friends connections.
I know it can be difficult but the last thing you want in a new city is to be totally isolated. In February, I started inviting like-minded women in a similar position to stroll on Sundays in different parks around the city as a way to meet new friends. It continued every other Sunday since and Sunday Strolls are still going strong. Please feel free to join us! There’s no sign up sheet. All that’s required is showing up, getting your steps in, and meeting new people. Easy peasy. These strolls take place every other Sunday in one of London’s many beautiful parks. I’ve posted the schedule for the rest of 2024 below. I’ll post exact locations in the broadcast channel on my instagram the Friday before each stroll. See you there!
We also started a book club! The next book club will meet October 2nd at 6:30pm. We meet near central London and the location will also be announced on the broadcast channel the Friday before book club! Here’s what we are reading for the month of September…
What to Buy
From city sneaks, big enough tote bags, pieces to keep you dry in the rain, and wellness must-haves for dark winters. I’ve created a shoppable starter pack of items (linked here) to pack/purchase when you move to London.
Once again, Welcome! London is happy to have you. Don’t forget to lean into it all. PSA for my sunshine state girls: If you never go outside in the rain or when it’s a little gloomy, you’ll never go outside in the fall & winter months. So wrap up warm, romanticize it, and don’t forget to take your vitamin D.
Until next time xx
Katie
I lived in London while I was in college and fell in love with the city. This is a greater starter guide for those of us that feel overwhelmed by big moves. I'm hoping to make my way back soon and I feel like your guides are the perfect way to convince my partner it's the right move!
I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! It was such an entertaining read.