Moving to London as an American - Mackenzie Sepler

Moving to London from America

What made you want to move to London from America?

I came over for my master’s degree, because conversion degrees are much more common (and less expensive) here than back home. My partner is also from London, which was a big motivator as well. I’ve been here nearly 8 years now and I can’t imagine living anywhere else- anything that’s worth doing, can be done in London! 

What was the hardest part about your moving to London journey?

Stressing out about getting the visa for one! I must have read the gov.uk guidance a million times and still was worried I missed something!

Were you prepared and organised or did you wing it?

Definitely tried to be as prepared and organised as possible, but some things, like where to get a SIM card for my phone, completely slipped my mind until I was here.

What part of your move would you have done differently?

My totally unbiased take is that I would have used Migrate to take loads of stress off the whole process!

What’s one piece of advice would you give to others moving to London?

Don’t stand still after going through the turnstiles on the Tube - and enjoy it, welcome to the best city in the world!

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Life in London 

How long did it take you to feel settled in London?

A couple of months, and a lot of wandering walks throughout my neighbourhood. I still don’t know which side of the street the cars will be on, but what’s life without a little danger!

What’s it like living in London now that you’re settled?

Amazing! Always something new to explore, but also it feels so good to have local spots in my area that just feel like home.

What’s your favourite thing about London?

Endless possibilities of new things to see, new restaurants to try, new pubs to pint in. The richness of culture and history at your doorstep is amazing!

What’s your least favourite thing about living abroad in London?

Being so far away from my family is tough; but it makes seeing each other extra special!

What’s the biggest cultural difference you’ve noticed living in London?

No one I know has a car in London.. And I love it! 

20 this or that questions about life in London

Fish and chips or Sunday roast?

Fish and chips

North, South, East or West London?

North London forever!

Soho or Shoreditch?

Shoreditch

Pub or club?

Pub

Marmite or marmalade?

Please neither! I’m not British enough yet.

West End theater or Premier League football?

Premier League (Come on you Gunners!)

Day out exploring or night out partying?

Day out exploring so long as it includes an afternoon at the pub.

Tube or Bus?

Bus

Pint or cocktail?

Pint

Tesco or Sainsburys?

Tesco, don’t you find that Sainsburys has a very particular smell?
 

Borough Market or Brick Lane?

Brick Lane

Hyde Park or Regents Park?

Hyde Park
 

British Museum or Natural History Museum?

British Museum to see all the non-British things.

Old pub or fancy club?

Old pub

London summertime or London Christmas?

Summertime

Oxford Street or Carnaby Street?

Carnaby street

Big Ben or St Paul’s cathedral?

St Paul’s! Going up to the Dome galleries is worth it, even if it is a million steps.

Weekend in Europe or weekend in the UK?

Weekend in Europe

Harry Potter or James Bond?

Harry Potter

Sausage roll or Scotch egg?

Sausage roll