4 Tips for Students Moving from Plymouth to London

Whenever anyone moves, it can create a situation for culture shock, but when moving from one city to another that is 32 times larger than the one you just came from, it can be totally overwhelming. If you are a student moving from Plymouth in the South West of England to the nation’s capital, there are bound to be some vast changes you’ll need to be prepared for. Here are 4 of the most important tips a student should hear prior to making the move.

1. Be Ready for a Huge Difference in Size and Population

Perhaps the one most recognisable difference is the sheer size of London as compared to Plymouth. Having just slightly more than one-fourth of a million residents, Plymouth is small compared to London with a population of more than 8.3 million – and growing! However, it isn’t numbers alone that matter, but what those numbers mean in terms of quality of life.

2. Be Prepared for a Much Higher Cost of Living

The fist thing you will notice in terms of numbers is the cost of living. According to the Numbeo comparison website, rent alone is more than 2.5 times higher in London than it is in Plymouth. So, if your rent was £800 in Plymouth, it would be £2,000 in London for an equivalent flat. Then, there are variables such as location. As a student, it is unlikely you would be able to afford the cost of rent in the City, so you might want to consider leasing with a group of friends.

You will almost certainly need to work during your scholastic sojourn in London but the good news is, staffing agencies like London based temp recruitment specialists Staff Heroes can measure your strengths and match your skills so that you can easily step into a job for the duration of your years at university.

3. Understand the Need for Heightened Security

As a general rule of thumb, crime is likely to be much higher per capita in large cities than in smaller cities. This applies to crimes against your person or those which apply to personal property or intellectual materials. For example, students may have expensive electronics in their apartment – common items to go missing!

Laptops, stereos, televisions, jewellery, and even musical instruments can be the target of theft, so you should make an effort to bolster your state of security. In a city with a continual influx of non-residents, it is always better to be aware of your surroundings so that you know what is happening at any given moment. If you can find a rental unit with on-site security, all the better. Even so, take that extra bit of precaution seriously.

4. Don’t Be Taken in By an Active Nightlife

Anyone moving to such a large and active city like London is sure to be captivated by all the night life which wasn’t accessible to them at home. Don’t let yourself be carried away by all the activities around you because your studies can suffer significantly. The cost of living in a city the size of London is already high. Why throw your academic career away by missing classes or, worst case scenario, failing courses you need to pass for your degree.

You have worked long and hard to qualify for acceptance in a leading university but may be unprepared for what awaits you in the capital. These 4 tips should help to make the transition from Plymouth to London much smoother. By knowing what to expect, you can better focus on your studies – and after all – that’s what you are here for isn’t it?