Living and Working in London

There is a lot to love about living and working in London- probably too many things to count, if we are honest. So we explore our top favourite reasons we love living and working in this capital city.

Living and Working in London: The Top Ten

1. Internationalism

London is a truly international city. What does this mean? It means it embraces people from all over the world- at last count around 300 languages were spoken in London, with up to 37% of its population having been born outside of the UK. London is made up of a multitude of multicultural people, each of whom brings their own unique culture, faith, language and outlook to the city. It is a truly global city, and much of its appeal lies in its ability to welcome people from everywhere. 

2. Diversity

London’s internationalism makes it a truly diverse city, and this diversity is reflected in every part of the city. We love what this diversity means for London’s cuisine- from traditional British classics, to dishes and food from all over the world, there is so much to enjoy within this city. It also means London has a diverse cultural scene, bursting with life and energy and influenced from every corner of the world. 

3. Neighbourhoods

The diversity of London’s neighbourhoods make it a great city to call home. From the exclusivity of a central London address, think Marylebone for example, to the leafier environs of Kew and Harrow, each and every neighbourhood has its own distinct nature and character. What we love about London also is that it’s neighbourhoods are dynamic- and are regenerating and growing all the time. From the art and dynamism of Shoreditch, to the regeneration and growth of Tottenham, there is always somewhere new to explore, and to live in. This city never stands still, and the fluidity of its neighbourhoods reflects that. 

4. Green spaces

At least 40% of London is green space. This is a significant proportion of the city, and it is a much higher percentage than many other large, capital cities. From parks, to woodlands, to playgrounds and sports facilities, London has it all. Nature is never far away, even from the very centre of the city, and this access to a wide variety of green, open spaces makes it a pretty fantastic place to live. Whether you want to join a sports club, or just have somewhere green to hang out at the weekends, London has that perfect balance of city life plus the opportunities to get outdoors. 

5. Public Transport

London has it’s underground - the tube. With over 1.23 billion passengers moved around the city on the underground, in a year, it is a pretty efficient system for when it comes to moving people around the city. In recent years it has been more reliable, and in terms of ease of use, it can’t be beat, especially when it comes to it’s all-night services. Plus it now has WI-FI. London also has a pretty extensive network of buses, plus a growing number of bike lanes. The city is pretty navigable and makes it easy to move between areas within the city for work and leisure. 

6. Endless entertainment

There is never nothing to do in London. The city contains over 300 theatres, 12000 restaurants, 500 cinemas, as well as almost 250 museums and galleries. However you enjoy spending your downtime, there is something for everyone in London. There are also hundreds of social groups, sports clubs, and workshops. Cooking classes, yoga workshops, pottery classes- you name it, London has it. Plus London has what sometimes seems like a pub or bar on every corner of every street, meaning there is always somewhere to get a drink!

7. Work from anywhere

In a city with over 400 coffee shops, digital nomads and remote workers, are never short for somewhere to work. London has also embraced co-working like no other city, and in 2020 there were an estimated 11.5 million square feet of co-working spaces in the city. This is important for many reasons- it is a city that embraces diversity in how we work, and creates spaces for people who work in different ways, and it understands what a city needs to do to attract and maintain talent. Co-working spaces also create centres of innovation, and co-operation between people from diverse fields and industries. 

8. Global Connections

London Heathrow, the city’s main international airport, carries (outside of pandemic times), more than 100,000 flights a month to hundreds of international destinations. Heathrow connects Londoners to the entire world, and helps ensure London’s continued growth as a business and tourist destination. Travelling in and out of the city is easy, and it is a great base from which to explore the world. 

9. The People

Whether they are native born Londoners, new to London, or someone who has called London for many years- the internationalism, diversity and dynamism of Londoners is hard to find anywhere else. The friendliness, the politeness, the down to earth-ness of those who call London home, makes this city a great place to live and work. 

10. Co-living

London has some exciting new approaches to housing and living, that are doing their bit to tackle a housing shortage in the city, but also initiating a conversation about how we all live. All-in-one living has really taken off in the city, and in doing so it has led to the development of housing that combines the best of private flats, with communal spaces. London’s take on evolved co-living is a whole new level of quality housing options. Vonder has a number of co-living in London options available for those looking not only for a great home but a great community too. 

There is so much that is great about living and working in London- from its green spaces, to its public transport, to its diversity, internationalism and energy, to its housing options- and it continues to grow and flourish as one of the world’s leading cities.