LIVING IN LONDON

Hi, I'm from Vancouver, BC. My husband is British and is now working in the West End for a bank. I on the other hand, am exploring the history and wonders of this fascinating city. The tables are turned, and it's his turn to bring home the bacon.

Although there's lots to do around town, don't you find it's a lonely city? It's tough making friends and developing a social circle. I definitely miss that about back home.

Is there anybody out there who wants to share their experiences here, and meeting new people?

Fantastic site, I wish there were more like this one. Well run too.

Hi,
I am in Montreal about to move to London in June to be with my boyfriend. I will also not be working for the summer, and intend to explore the many sights around and outside London. It's too bad that there isn't more activity on this web site, as there is on for US expats in London.
It would be nice to meet other people from this side of the pond in London and share experiences. I will be living in Surrey Quay, and don't know much about London areas. How long have you been in London and where do you live there?

Hi! I totally agree about the lack of Canadian club sites. There's one that I came across: Canadian Women's Clubs of London. I was sent the events for May, and they have coffee mornings and neat social events. I'm still looking into it, but I think it's relatively cheap to join. Only 35 pounds (don't convert to Cdn $$s, it's a habit you have to break).

I'm living in Ealing right now, which is West London. 22 mins from Heathrow. A very charming area. I haven't been to the Surrey Quays yet. I've been here since September but am actually writing from Vancouver at the moment. Back for a three week holiday.

Are you going to move permanently to London?

Hey, if you find anymore canadian club websites send me an email! I'll add them to the Canuck Abroad club list page.

Cheers,

Matt

I am still converting everything from pounds to Canadian dollars, and wondering how long my money will last at that rate! Worse than converting from US dollars, and i thought that was bad on my trips to the States.

I am going over until the end of September, then coming back for a visit. By that time my cat should be ready to come under the PETS Travel scheme.

If you or anyone has had the experience lately about bringing an animal over on this PETS plan, I would love to hear about it as i am quite nervous for my cat traveling in cargo.

PS. Where in Vancouver are you from and what age group are you in? I lived in Vancouver for two years in the late 70's.

Hi, all I know is that my husband's family had to quarantine their dog for a few months before they could bring it back to England. Not quite the expert on pets.

I was raised in East Van but lived all over the Greater Vancouver area. I was mostly on the West side between Cambie and Oak. I'm 34, what about you?

I just arrived back from Vancouver on Friday and started bawling due to homesickness. It's only when you've been away a while that you truly appreciate your roots.

Make sure you stock up on things you can find in Montreal. I couldn't find Lipton Onion Soup Mix and Uncle Dan's Southern Ranch dressing!

Hi all, and (for those who haven't been here long) - welcome to London!

I'm originally from Vancouver Island, and have been living in London for eight years. I came over on an Ancestry visa with dreams of adventure, and ended up with a career, a flat, a cat, and an English fiance.

I did find this city lonely when I first arrived here. However, I've since discovered that all English friendships seem to start in the pub...if you can head down for drinks with your co-workers on a Friday night, you will get a social circle reasonably quickly. Granted, I made this discovery a year into my stay when I was 23 (I'm 30 now), and I have noticed that people tend to go out on the lash a little less once they get a mortgage and/or kids.

Apart from that, making friends with fellow expats (especially the millions of antipodeans that seem to be on every corner) is easier than forming friendships with the British, as we're all in the same boat. I have to admit that most of my English friends are people I met through my boyfriend, which isn't an option for everyone!

Have you had a look at Network Canada? They run social get-togethers, including a Canada Day party at Canada House tomorrow.

i arrived in london one week ago now and live in the surrey quays area. Very different than Montreal, but at least most speak english that i can understand. Does anyone have any experience with health clubs/gyms/etc... or courses? I am looking preferably close to my area as I still find it daunting to get around here on the tube. Since my partner works and i do not for the moment, i have lots of time on my hands, but i think i can only take so much of doing the tourist thing. Any suggestions for getting a life in london and meeting people?

cheers!

brandywine - if you're looking for courses, www.hotcourses.co.uk is very useful. They list courses in just about everything, including crafts, arts, professional development, and under/postgrad work. If you're looking to learn & meet people, it's not a bad idea.

As for the gym - gyms can be a bit frustrating over here, as it's difficult to find any that don't insist on a sign-up fee plus minimum year's contract. If you just want a casual drop-in arrangement, you're best looking up your local council's pool/activity centre. (I believe there's one quite close to Surrey Quays.) If you're looking for something more upscale and don't mind paying the joining fee, you're very close to some beautiful gyms at Canary Wharf (one stop east on the Jubilee Line). They range from the very affordable LA Fitness to the very exclusive Holmes Place and Reebok gyms.

And finally - are you buying Time Out every week? It's a must-read if you're new to the city.

thanks for the info on the courses. That is a very informative web site. Funny, I had actually planned to go to Canary Wharf today for my first foray into the public transit on my own, to check out the shopping there. There is also a fitness club at the Hilton Docklands called Living Well that i will check out today. I hope I can find something where I don't have to sign a long term contract, as I don't know how long I will be in this area. Not sure what you mean about the local council centre, but I will try to find out about that. Are you a member anywhere? Do you live close to here since you seem to be quite familiar with the area?
By the way, i lived in Vancouver and Whistler Mt many moons ago, and spent a little time on Vancouver Island too. Don't you miss it? I loved it there.