ABOUT
Danielle is originally from Suriname, a country situated above Brazil and between French Guiana and Guyana. Suriname used to be a Dutch Colony, so many Surinamese people migrated to the Netherlands, including her Javanese mother and her when she was three years old. They initially settled in Eindhoven but later moved to Rotterdam, where she grew up. Although most of her family still lives in Suriname, she also has some relatives in the Netherlands.
Moving to London
Tell us more about your background 🙂
After completing my studies in Commercial Economics in the Netherlands, I ended up working for an Israeli manufacturer in the UK, where I currently reside. Over the years, my role has changed quite a bit, and I’m now a customer care specialist, primarily supporting the technical team.
Dutch is my native language, and I also speak English fluently. Although I can understand Javanese when my mum speaks it, I usually respond to her in Dutch. While I used to hear Surinamese quite often, I don’t hear it as much anymore, so not sure if I still understand it all.
Dutch is my native language, and I also speak English fluently. Although I can understand Javanese when my mum speaks it, I usually respond to her in Dutch. While I used to hear Surinamese quite often, I don’t hear it as much anymore, so not sure if I still understand it all.
When and why did you move to London?
In May 2017, I moved to London for a very special reason – love! At that time, my ex had received a job offer in London, and we started dating. After a year of travelling between London and Rotterdam, we decided to move in together in London. Sadly, the relationship came to an end in 2019.
After the breakup, I wasn’t sure if London was still the right place for me. I gave myself a year to explore and see if I still loved living in a big city like London or if I should return to the Netherlands. Fortunately, 2021 brought new opportunities after the pandemic, and I began to explore the city once more. I visited lots of restaurants, bars, made new friends, went to the theatre and fell in love with London all over again! The city now feels like my home, and I’m so glad that I decided to stay.
After the breakup, I wasn’t sure if London was still the right place for me. I gave myself a year to explore and see if I still loved living in a big city like London or if I should return to the Netherlands. Fortunately, 2021 brought new opportunities after the pandemic, and I began to explore the city once more. I visited lots of restaurants, bars, made new friends, went to the theatre and fell in love with London all over again! The city now feels like my home, and I’m so glad that I decided to stay.
What surprised you about life there when you first arrived?
I have to say, when I first moved to London, it felt like everyone was in such a rush! It was definitely difficult to make friends at first, even though people were generally friendly when I was out and about. But over time, I began to discover that London is a city for everyone. There are so many job opportunities in every sector, and you can find all sorts of neighbourhoods that celebrate different cultures.
What surprised me the most is that London has something to offer for everyone. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can find your niche in this city. It’s a place where everyone belongs, and that’s what makes it so special!
What surprised me the most is that London has something to offer for everyone. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can find your niche in this city. It’s a place where everyone belongs, and that’s what makes it so special!
How to find a job in London?
I was so thrilled when a recruiter helped me prepare for a job interview in London that I just had to write about it on my blog! At the time, I was using a bunch of different websites to find job openings, including The Angel Office, REED, JOBSITE, MONSTER, INDEED, and My Future Role.
If you’re looking for work in London, I highly recommend checking out these websites. They were so helpful to me in my job search, and they can really help you get your foot in the door. You can read more about my job search journey in London in my blog post here!
If you’re looking for work in London, I highly recommend checking out these websites. They were so helpful to me in my job search, and they can really help you get your foot in the door. You can read more about my job search journey in London in my blog post here!
How did you find an apartment in London?
I’ve moved around quite a bit over the past few years, and now I have to move again because my landlord sold the flat! But I’m not too worried because I have my go-to websites for finding a new place to live in London: Openrent and SpareRoom.
Openrent is awesome because you can rent directly from the landlord, and they have a really safe platform for handling deposits and payments. I’ve always felt really secure using their service. Plus, you don’t have to deal with any dodgy landlords! On the other hand, Spareroom is perfect if you’re looking to share a flat or find some flatmates. I’ve used it for both in the past and had great experiences. Right now, I’m on the hunt for my own place, so I’m primarily using Openrent to find my next home sweet home.
Openrent is awesome because you can rent directly from the landlord, and they have a really safe platform for handling deposits and payments. I’ve always felt really secure using their service. Plus, you don’t have to deal with any dodgy landlords! On the other hand, Spareroom is perfect if you’re looking to share a flat or find some flatmates. I’ve used it for both in the past and had great experiences. Right now, I’m on the hunt for my own place, so I’m primarily using Openrent to find my next home sweet home.
How much is the rent?
At the moment, I’m paying around 1000 GBP a month for a flatshare, including bills. But this year, I’ve noticed that rent prices have gone up a lot – especially if you want to stay in zone 1. If I want to find something for myself, I’ll probably have to pay at least 1600-1800 pounds a month, including bills, which is a big jump.
It’s a bit of a bummer that rent prices keep going up, but I’m excited to explore some new neighbourhoods in London and see what they have to offer! Who knows, maybe I’ll discover a hidden gem that I never would have found otherwise.
It’s a bit of a bummer that rent prices keep going up, but I’m excited to explore some new neighbourhoods in London and see what they have to offer! Who knows, maybe I’ll discover a hidden gem that I never would have found otherwise.
How did you get set up? (phone plan, bank ..)
I found setting up my life in the UK to be pretty easy coming from a European country. However, I’m not sure what the requirements are after Brexit. If you’re planning to work here, I believe you may need a visa. I was able to open a bank account without any issues because I had a job and could show them my employment contract. For my phone, I opted for a prepaid plan which works well for me. I just top it up with 15 pounds each month to get a 10GB data add-on, which is more than enough for my needs.
Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance?
Personally, I don’t have medical insurance since healthcare is free in the UK. However, when it comes to dental care, I do go to a private dentist instead of using the NHS because the wait times can be quite long. Plus, the care I receive is much better. Of course, if I needed to see a private doctor for a thorough check-up, I would definitely consider it because the waiting times for the NHS can be quite extensive.
What did you bring with you?
In hindsight, I realize that I probably could have moved with just one suitcase since I had already given away a lot of my old things. But at the time, I rented a van and brought over about 5% of my belongings from my flat in Rotterdam to London. I did bring my kitchenware with me, which was a lot, but eventually, I decided to send it back to my mum in the Netherlands to store it there. I had to downsize quite a bit, but it was a good opportunity to declutter and simplify my life.
Do you need to speak English to live in London?
In my experience, being able to speak English in London is incredibly useful when it comes to finding a place to live or work. However, there are also plenty of opportunities to find jobs in your native language if that’s what you prefer. Personally, I didn’t use any language-learning apps – instead, I learned by immersing myself in the language and by asking my colleagues to explain any words or phrases that I didn’t understand. Over time, my vocabulary has grown, and I feel more comfortable communicating in English. I still occasionally need to ask for clarification, but I think that’s just part of the process of adapting to a new language and culture.
Living in London
What is London famous for?
I absolutely adore London! It’s famous for its infinite possibilities, and I feel like there’s always something new to discover here. The best thing is that you can be yourself without worrying about anyone judging you. There’s always something going on in London, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whenever I have friends visiting from the Netherlands, I love taking them to the local spots that I’ve discovered. I mean, unless it’s their first time in London, there’s no need to see all the tourist attractions. It’s so much more fun to experience the city like a local!
Whenever I have friends visiting from the Netherlands, I love taking them to the local spots that I’ve discovered. I mean, unless it’s their first time in London, there’s no need to see all the tourist attractions. It’s so much more fun to experience the city like a local!
What are the main differences between the Dutch and English people?
In my experience, there are some cultural differences between Dutch and British people. Dutch people tend to be more straightforward and say what they mean, while British people may not always express their true thoughts or feelings directly, which can be confusing at first. However, after living here for six years, I have learned to read between the lines and have adapted to the friendly British way of communicating.
What are your favorite things to do in London specifically?
I love exploring London and I have a long list of favourite things to do here. I enjoy watching musicals and plays, discovering new restaurants and cocktail bars, and uncovering hidden local gems. London is an incredibly vibrant city with so much to offer, from museums and exhibitions to street performances and festivals. I started documenting my adventures on my website, which has become a personal online diary of my life in London. Hopefully, others will find it useful when they’re visiting the city and looking for recommendations on how to explore London like a local.
When’s the best moment to visit London?
I personally love the springtime in London because it’s beautiful to see all the flowers blossoming and the cherry trees in bloom. There’s something magical about walking around the city and seeing everything come to life after the winter months. Plus, the weather is perfect for sitting in a park and enjoying the sun without feeling too cold.
Where is the best area to live in London?
In my experience, choosing the right area to live in London can be a very personal decision, as everyone has their own preferences. However, I have had great experiences living in areas like Bloomsbury, Camden, and Clerkenwell, all of which I found to be safe and enjoyable places to live.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in London?
In my experience, it’s hard to give a definitive answer to this question. However, I think it’s best to have a minimum income of around 30,000 to 40,000 pounds per year to comfortably live in a city like London. Flat-sharing can help keep your accommodation costs low, leaving more money to enjoy all the fun things this city has to offer.
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in London?
In my opinion, Sketch is one of the best restaurants in London. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit all their restaurants, and each one offers a unique and magical dining experience. I highly recommend starting with the Glade, which feels like you’re dining in a magical forest. The service is exceptional, and it’s not as expensive as some of the other rooms, like the Gallery or Lecture Room. As for cocktail bars, one of my favourites is the Nightjar. It’s a hidden gem with live jazz sessions, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1920s. I’ve discovered many great bars and restaurants in London, and you can find them all on my website.
Can you tell us something else about London that we might not know?
In my experience, I’ve found that walking or taking the bus instead of the tube is a great way to experience the beauty of London’s architecture. Each neighbourhood has its own unique feel and charm, and it’s a delight to explore them on foot or by bus. So, next time you’re in the centre of the city, consider taking a leisurely stroll or hopping on a bus to really take in the sights and sounds of London.
Are there any local artists that you recommend checking out?
One of my favourite London-based galleries is The Holy Art, which showcases a wide range of talented local artists.
Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.
I absolutely love taking long walks along the riverbank or exploring the city on foot. It’s a great way to stay active, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and discover hidden gems in the city.
Final Thoughts
Was it easy making friends and meeting people?
Making friends in London wasn’t easy for me at first, but I eventually found some great people to hang out with. I met some of them through hiking and board game Meetup groups, as well as through the Bumble Friends app. Since there are so many expats in London, it can be easier to find people with similar experiences and interests. However, it can be tough to maintain lasting friendships since people often move around or live far away from each other.
What has been the hardest aspect of living in London?
In my experience, one of the challenging parts of living in London can be feeling lonely at times, especially when your loved ones are not living with you. However, I have learned to appreciate my alone time and enjoy exploring the city both alone and with others.
What does the future of London look like?
In my experience, London can be quite expensive, but fortunately, the city’s economy is thriving. Despite Brexit causing some difficulties for people looking to work and live here, there are still many opportunities available, and it’s worth checking out the government website for more information.
What should people consider before deciding to move to London?
If you’re considering a move to London, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, the cost of living can be high, so it’s a good idea to budget accordingly. Secondly, the winters can be a bit dreary, so you might want to plan for some indoor activities during those months. Additionally, the summers can get quite hot, so it’s worth looking for a flat with good airflow to help you stay cool. With these factors in mind, you can prepare yourself for the challenges and rewards of living in London.
Are there any experiences there that you are particularly proud of?
I have to say, I’m pretty proud of myself for living in such a big city like London all on my own for the past three years. When I was in my twenties, I never would have imagined myself living here fifteen years later, but now I see that anything is possible if you just dream it and take action. It’s been an incredible journey and I’m grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have come my way.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, I’m on the hunt for a new place to call my own and start a fresh chapter in my life. I’ve lived with a partner before and I’m currently sharing a flat, but I’m really excited to have a space that’s truly my own. Alongside my living situation, I’m also working on improving my website and making it more accessible to people. I’m even planning on starting a web development course later this year so that I can create even more freedom for myself to explore the city and create content for my website. It’s an exciting time and I can’t wait to see where this new journey takes me!
Thank you Danielle for sharing your move to London with us! So happy that you didn’t give up and learned to love London on your own! I wish you the best! Her blog here. 🙂
