From Bay Area to London: A Two-Month Trial Run
We’re 40-something engineers who swapped Bay Area sunshine for a London adventure. Join us on our journey!
It all started over flaky almond croissants. We were at Tartine, a bakery in San Francisco, when my partner casually dropped, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to live in London?” I laughed it off, thinking it was just a passing thought. But as the weeks went by, the idea took root, growing into a full-fledged plan. A few months later, we found ourselves on a plane bound for Heathrow, with a two-month sublet lined up and our hearts full of excitement!
So grab a cuppa (or latte, if that’s your vibe!) and join us as we share the story of our trial run, the big move, and making a home in our quirky little London flat.
This is just the first chapter of our London story, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Our London Trial Run
We’d visited London before, but only as tourists. Before taking the plunge into expat life, we wanted a taste of the real deal — a test run, if you will. Luckily, our company’s “work from anywhere” policy gave us the perfect opportunity.
We were still on the fence, but then fate intervened: a two-month sublet popped up on a work mailing list, and just like that, our grand British experiment was underway!
Leaving the Bay Behind
The countdown was on! Our UK adventure was just around the corner.
But first, a bit of Bay Area chaos.
- Our apartment lease was ending, so it was a mad scramble to shove everything into a storage unit.
- Our trusty car found a temporary new home with a friend in Los Gatos.
- We made sure our medicines were fully stocked.
- After a frantic search for the perfect travel card, we snagged a Capital One Venture X (no foreign transaction fees, here we come).
- Our mail was already going to a PO Box.
And just like that, we were free. Ready to explore London’s bustling streets, meet my sister (a quick train ride away), and embrace the unexpected. Cheers to new adventures!
Touchdown in London
After landing in London, we hopped on the Elizabeth line at Heathrow and zipped over to Farringdon Station. To our delight, our sublet was just steps away. The location couldn’t have been more perfect — with four different lines and a bus stop right across the street, we were ready to explore every corner of this incredible city. Talk about an explorer’s dream!
Our Cozy (and Sometimes Noisy) Sublet
Our cozy one-bedroom sublet was just the right size for us, with the unexpected bonus of two bathrooms! It was perfectly comfortable for two, and the pull-out sofa even accommodated the occasional family visit. The cherry on top? Having a Sainsbury’s right downstairs meant groceries were always a breeze.
Living in a charming older building had its quirks, though. We loved having a lift (who wants to lug suitcases up stairs?), but laundry day meant embracing the art of air-drying. It was a bit of an adjustment, but in the end, we felt pretty good about going green.
Oh, and as a bonus, the sublet came fully furnished with all utilities included. The internet was super fast — just as good as what we had back in the US.
Now, about that pub… The Sir John Oldcastle pub was our next-door neighbor, and the late-night “enthusiastic pub singalongs” weren’t exactly top-notch!
But it was all part of the London experience, right?
Neighborhood Walks
After a week of shaking off jet lag and settling in, we finally hit the streets, ready to explore. The Bay Area time difference allowed us to venture out during the daytime (fewer crowds) and work later in the day. First on the list: London’s vibrant neighborhoods.
We started in trendy Shoreditch, soaking in the amazing street art and browsing quirky shops. Then it was on to Hampstead, which felt like a storybook village with its charming streets, old houses, and the massive Hampstead Heath park. The views from Parliament Hill were incredible.
In Richmond, a charming neighborhood in southwest London, we got lost in its narrow lanes, explored beautiful parks, and walked along the Thames.
My foodie partner made sure every outing included stops at the coolest cafes, food stalls, and hidden gems.
London’s diverse neighborhoods got us hooked and ready for more adventures in this dynamic city!
Pubs, Plays, and Cricket
We were curious about what London had in store for us in terms of things to do. We caught a couple of plays, witnessed the excitement of a cricket match, and even went on a few historic pub crawls.
One memorable stop was the Old Bank of England — It’s this grand building from 1886 that used to be an actual bank! We took in the unique atmosphere with our half-pints.
We’ve always loved Agatha Christie’s books and TV shows, but seeing “The Mousetrap” on stage was a whole new experience.
We even cheered on India during their cricket match against Australia — an unforgettable experience!
When we needed a breather from the city buzz, we’d head to one of the many parks in London. They’re massive! Just trying to uncover all of Regents Park took us a few trips.
Overall, London offered an incredible variety of experiences. It looked as if you’d never really run out. It was truly an adventure like no other!
Working in London
We spent a few days working from the London office, soaking up the atmosphere and getting a feel for the projects they were tackling — just in case we decided to officially become Londoners.
The office itself? It felt like a cozy, familiar extension of our Bay Area headquarters, just on a smaller scale.
London, we’re hooked!
Our two-month “trial run” in London was an absolute blast! The experience filled us with new perspectives, fresh inspirations, and a deeper connection to the city. We fell head over heels but decided to take a step back and let the magic settle.
Here are some key takeaways from our London adventure:
- Test drive before you move: If you’re considering a big move, take your potential new city for a “test drive” first. It’s a game-changer! You’ll get a way better feel for daily life.
- Don’t be fooled by the weather: We were incredibly lucky to have two months of sunshine, but we know London is notorious for its grey skies. This just means we’ll have to come back for round two, umbrellas in hand!
Now, with our hearts full and minds buzzing with ideas, it was time to return to the familiar comforts of the Bay Area. But London, we’ll be back soon! 🥂
Thinking about taking a leap and moving abroad yourself?
We want to hear all about it! Tell us your story, ask your questions, or share your expat wisdom.
