# I've moved to London! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 25, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070 "2006-09-25T14:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/21 "2006-09-26T07:27:25Z")
Take advantage of any student and youth discounts you can get. Yeah, I realize this is kind of silly advice, but I’m always surprised by how many teens I meet who haven’t bothered look through their Youth Card catalog (and thus missed that, for example, our local movie theater gives them discounted rates every day of the week, aaagh!) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/22 "2006-09-26T07:34:49Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Learn to deal with a distinct lack of televisual variety. There are only five channels, unless you’ve got satellite or cable, which I’m guessing is not a budgeting priority. [/QUOTE] Things have changed! In most parts of the UK we can now get around 20 free digital channels (and many more digital radio channels) via the rooftop antenna - all that’s required is a “digibox”, that retails for about $30 for the cheaper models. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/23 "2006-09-26T07:53:57Z")
Wooo! I think a Mini Welcome Dopefest may be in order, no? You can find a load of other former and current BritDopers at NADS. You know, I really am wondering if there is a “one in, one out” rule going on… ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/24 "2006-09-26T10:57:48Z")
[QUOTE=rayh] Lager? That is pop. Guiness or bitter, eapecially the ones you can get up north. [/QUOTE] Not to me-1/2 a lager fills me up for the evening…\ Learn to like Nutella. (what’s not to like?) My take on Brit weather is layers and an umbrella or hood. But, I’ve never been there later than the last week in October. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/25 "2006-09-26T11:43:32Z")
Yay, more studenty Dopers in the UK! When’s the next London DopeFest, eh? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/26 "2006-09-26T11:46:13Z")
Perhaps we should have an Oxford one. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/27 "2006-09-26T16:15:49Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] D Buy a bicycle. [/QUOTE] In London traffic !? Seriously London has some of the most awkward traffic in the western world. I wouldn’t recomend a bike unless you are really confident of your skills and awareness, or are only going to use it rarely and away from central London. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/28 "2006-09-26T16:28:09Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Perhaps we should have an Oxford one. [/QUOTE] But that’d involve going to _Oxford_. 😉 Seriously though, a BritDopeFest before I leave for foreign climes would be good. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/29 "2006-09-26T23:19:17Z")
[QUOTE=Angua] But that’d involve going to _Oxford_. 😉 Seriously though, a BritDopeFest before I leave for foreign climes would be good. [/QUOTE] Seconded. And make it London, please? Pretty please? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/30 "2006-10-01T07:29:18Z")
[QUOTE=Bippy the Beardless] In London traffic !? Seriously London has some of the most awkward traffic in the western world. I wouldn’t recomend a bike unless you are really confident of your skills and awareness, or are only going to use it rarely and away from central London. [/QUOTE] Well, I’m a dick and I’d just ride on the pavement. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/31 "2006-10-01T08:27:30Z")
[QUOTE=rayh] Nonsense, you must try Vimto, pure nectar. And proper Guiness. And real ale. [/QUOTE] That’s DRAUGHT Guinness not the bottled stuff ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/32 "2006-10-01T08:30:19Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Well, I’m a dick and I’d just ride on the pavement. [/QUOTE] …and get yourself hit with a fine :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9dc877/32.png) [@Mr\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/33 "2006-10-01T09:05:02Z")
Make sure you have an oyster card! Mayor Ken has made it very pricey to travel on single paper tickets. You’ll need to live here for a bit to whether it’s worth it to buy weekly or monthly travel cards. Flash your student card everywhere! One of my more happy surprises was getting 10% off at subway (But I’m sad!). All the major museums are free (Science, Natural History, V & A, British). I know jimm said to avoid Oxford Street and Tottenham Court road but I am biased having lived there for 6 months on a very tight budget. There are loads of books stores where you can sit and read for ages (or until they kick you out!) and I went to many a movie premiere to watch the celebs stroll by in Leicester Square. Being a cute girl ( 😉 ) I also was allowed into many of the clubs nearby for free. I’d really suggest buying a copy of Timeout every week they have loads of events including free stuff. They also have a yearly “cheap eats” book which is full of tips. If you like live music (or corny tv shows) check out [Applause Store](http://www.applausestore.com/Site/) they give away free tickets to various tv tapings in London including [The Album Chart Show](http://www.thealbumchartshow.com/) which i’ve been going to for a year now. I’ve seen loads of bands for free ncluding Snow Patrol, Razorlight, Lily Allen, The Streets, Richard Ashcroft, and loads more. It’s shot in a small venue in camden so it feels very intimate. Where exactly are you living? Might help in terms of cool places to hang out and visit. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/34 "2006-10-01T11:41:43Z")
Good lord, don’t get a bike until you’ve been there quite a while and accustomed yourself to the traffic patterns! It’s especially dangerous for Americans who are used to traffic on the other side of the road. And be sure to look the proper way when you cross the street! During the summer tourist season, I had to ship at least two smooshed Americans per month home in boxes when I worked in London. It’s easy to forget - especially after a couple of beers. Ok, I’m done channeling \*\*Surly Mom \*\* now. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![the\_chicken\_of\_exeter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_chicken\_of\_exeter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_chicken_of_exeter)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/35 "2006-10-01T13:07:46Z")
Buy a hipflask. London pubs are insanely expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/36 "2006-10-01T21:08:46Z")
[QUOTE=the chicken of exeter] Buy a hipflask. London pubs are insanely expensive. [/QUOTE] Only if you try to buy beer in the major tourist spots. Speaking of beer, a few of us are getting together on the 21st October. Anyone interested? ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/37 "2006-10-01T22:01:21Z")
[QUOTE=Angua] Only if you try to buy beer in the major tourist spots. Speaking of beer, a few of us are getting together on the 21st October. Anyone interested? [/QUOTE] If it’s in the evening, I’m definitely game - but I have classes all day, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/38 "2006-10-02T00:31:47Z")
Congrats! That’s so freakin’ cool. I want to live in Europe so bad. > [@Stark Raven Mad](#): > > Also, while I understand that the prevailing wisdom is that one should not date one’s neighbours at the college residence, can exceptions be made for special cases when, for example the level of (yummy, brainy) hotness is, to put it mildly, waaaay off the fucking charts? I started dating a girl who lived in my residence hall about a week after I started at the University of Arizona. I never had any problems with it, but then, I wasn’t cheating. (She was, so I guess she was pretty smooth. I mean, we lived in different (connected, and grouped into the same residence hall) buildings, so I guess it’s possible.) Anyway, when people say not to date people in your residence hall, I assume they’re cheaters and I ignore whatever other advice they give. That’s just me, though. [QUOTE=Angua] Only if you try to buy beer in the major tourist spots. Speaking of beer, a few of us are getting together on the 21st October. Anyone interested? [/QUOTE] Man, I wish I had the money to fly there! My ex has free plane tickets anywhere she wants around the world and she never uses them. I’m so jealous! ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2006, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/39 "2006-10-02T10:06:43Z")
[QUOTE=Stark Raven Mad] It’s my sixth day in the city and at King’s College [/QUOTE] Which campus are you at? Because my cunning money-saving suggestion is that most of the central london campuses are within easy walking distance of all the good stuff. Buy an A-Z, a pair of comfy boots and some good hiking socks and you will not only save a fortune but get to know central London really well. And if you need a cheap night out, I highly recommend Samuel Smiths pubs, where you can get a pint for about £1.80. The Lyceaum will accommodate your beery needs… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2006, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070/40 "2006-10-03T05:29:34Z")
[QUOTE=Mr Jim] All the major museums are free (Science, Natural History, V & A, British). [/QUOTE] The Natural History Museum is free? Was it always? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-moved-to-london/374070.md?page=3)