From sheep to streets: a Welsh girl's experience in London

As a girl who has lived in a small town in Wales her entire life, moving to London was a huge and scary experience. The streets being so busy and the city being so loud was so overwhelming for a girl who lives in a town of fields and sheep.

From getting my phone snatched (and getting it back) to the most incredible days and nights of my life, London has been a whirlwind, and I have loved calling it my home for the last three years. In this article I will discuss my favourite parts about living in London, some things to keep in mind when moving to the city and some advice I wish I would have known before making the move.

What was your first day like?

I moved to London in September 2022 to start a Law LLB at Queen Mary University of London and that first day was the scariest, but also the most exciting day of my life. Watching my parents drive off and walking into my little room all on my own was terrifying as I really did not know what to expect. Thankfully that night I met some incredible girls to go to the fresher events with, girls I am still best friends with today.

My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting University in September is make the most of all the fresher events that are held. Whether that be with Residential Life, the student union or even city-wide fresher events, these events are how I met my friends and started feeling comfortable in this huge city. Also, join as many fresher group chats as you can! Start making friends before even starting Uni! It makes the first day feel a lot less daunting when there are people you already know going through the same experience.

I would also recommend joining clubs and societies within university as this will help a lot with making like-minded people to connect with. There are so many creative, degree based and sport societies, so there really is a society for everyone!

What are the best parts about living in London?

My favourite part about living in London is never being bored. There is always something to do, someone to see, and some place to go. With every single shop, café, and restaurant you can imagine at your doorstep, you are always spoilt for choice. It is also so helpful being in the transport hub of the country, able to go just about anywhere in the UK by train and being so close to the international airports. The nightlife in London, though sometimes expensive, is also so diverse! There is a pub, bar or club for everyone, no matter your age or personality.

I also love the sightseeing aspect of London and being so close to beautiful structures like Big Ben, Buckingham palace and St Paul’s Cathedral. My biggest piece of advice when moving to London is doing a sightseeing trip. I did a marathon walk, which is a bit excessive, but walking around the big tourist attractions really allows you to take it in that you are actually finally, living in London. There are also some amazing hop-on hop-off bus options too!

What are some things to keep in mind?

Even though, for the most part, London is an incredible place to live, there are obviously some things to be aware of when moving here. My biggest culture shock was how busy and loud the streets are in central London compared to back home in Wales. It seems like something so obvious, but nothing can prepare you for Tottenham Court Road during the Christmas period. There is not really much you can do to avoid this rush of people, but my biggest piece of advice is to avoid the tubes and buses between 8-9am and 5-6pm when most professionals are commuting to and from work, as this is the busiest time during the week.

When moving to London, my biggest concern was safety. As with every major city in the world, London can sometimes be unsafe, but there are definitely things you can do to feel safer.

My biggest piece of advice would be to avoid walking alone at night, especially in dimly lit areas such as parks and alleyways. Public transport is so accessible and always full of people, so taking the tube or bus is always a safer choice in the night. For taxis, Uber is a great and relatively affordable option that you can easily use from your phone.

Speaking of phones, always ensure that your phone is in a safe place, whether that be in a zipped pocket or a bag is also important. Phone snatching is a common crime in London, so just be cautious where you are keeping it. I would suggest buying a phone strap you can wear around your wrist or neck to ensure it is 100% safe.

Even though this makes London seem super scary, I have lived here for 3 years and have never felt unsafe or at risk. As long as you are aware of your surroundings, and take precaution as you would in any city, it is unlikely you will have any issues living here.

What is your overall opinion of London?

After living here for three years, I still absolutely love London. It is fun, exciting and diverse, and one of the best places to live on earth. The opportunities at your fingertips in this city, both professionally and socially, are unlike any city in the world. I am unbelievably happy that I chose to go to university in London and so sad to say goodbye to such a beautiful and historic city.

Even though London can be overwhelming at times, it has everything you could ever want and need, and that is something I will miss when returning to Wales.