Category: Home & Living

We measure our London lives in milestones –  the new job, the new flat, the new postcode.  But we rarely measure the hours spent inside the carriage. Londoners spend an average of two years commuting in their lifetime.  These scattered fragments seem like meaningless blanks,  yet they are the deepest fingerprints the city leaves on…

How a cross-cultural artist turns personal experience into music while building a career in London Amelie Jat has built a music career across borders. Raised between Hong Kong and the UK, the independent artist has spent the past few years turning personal experience into songwriting. Starting at 11 “just for fun,” before deciding to pursue…

After eight years living across three countries, bloggers and authors Nana and Even reflect on finding a sense of home in London For Nana and Even, suitcases have never been just containers for clothes, but tools that support a life shaped around their creative interests. Over the past eight years, they have moved with everything…

From a mother’s scarf to a well-worn book, two young residents share the objects that travelled with them when they moved to London. Every day, the tide of the River Thames recedes, briefly revealing fragments of the past: a Roman coin, a Victorian clay pipe, a shard of medieval tile. For centuries, the river has…

From the first night’s panic to the quiet rituals that slowly make a foreign city feel like home Moving to London in your 20s is quite exciting, whilst at the same time, a bit frightening. Before the city becomes familiar, you must navigate the awkward, in-between stage of settling in: unfamiliar supermarket aisles, lost luggage,…

Why international students adopt English names and what those choices reveal about identity, belonging and power When people cross borders, they often change many things about themselves; such as accents, habits, and even ways of thinking. But sometimes, the first shift is much smaller and much quieter: a name. Changing your name in a new…

From lost keys to gas leaks, here’s what newcomers should do when something goes wrong in London. London is a big city, full of thrills and excitement. But sometimes, when things start going wrong, it all seems like a nightmare. A lost key, a non-functioning boiler or a funny smell in the kitchen can feel…

From designer outlets to countryside trails, here are four easy day trips from the capital There’s plenty to do in London during the summer season. But do you know what’s just outside of the capital? If not, you have come to the right place. Here are four entertainment and nature activities, all within an hour…

Stories of conflict, compromise and survival in London’s shared housing For many people living in shared housing, a flat can feel more like a place to stay than a home. When accommodation is less than ideal, the behaviour of a housemate can be a make-or-break factor for wellbeing. In London, where rent continues to rise,…

How London becomes a testing ground for emerging artists finding their voice Temporary life in London can feel like living inside a sketchbook. The pages are always open, the lines still loose and nothing is fully fixed. For artists arriving from elsewhere, this in-between time is not only practical – a student visa, a degree,…