Post Code map for getting around

Here's a post code map which is how to find places in London.  The code starts with 3 characters and the first one or two are the direction from the city center.  Example, we are in NW3 so we are northwest of the city center.  Knowing the post code of a place is invaluable to help you figure out what part of town you are going to and helps with tube planning.

Top 10 Pubs in London

I'd like to hit 80-90% of these pubs while in London.  Check out the video at the end on how to choose a pub.  Good info on local beers and food.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/londons-10-best-pubs-according-to-national-geographic_n_1527565.html

Preparing for the move

Counting down to the end of June when we'll be leaving our home in Phoenix.  Right now we are living in the midst of half packed boxes, making lists of what goes and what stays (that is hard!) and preparing for living in London.

Office mess!

We've opened our bank accounts and luckily we've arranged no-fee transfer of funds from US to UK thanks to Mala our banker.  I've purchased an iPhone so we have international access when we are in the states and I will keep the phone number I've had since 1995. Unfortunately, Geoff will be giving up his number.  Sorry bout that honey!

We've decided to use a Pod for storing our goods while overseas.  This choice allows us more flexibility for moving our stuff in case we decide not to come back to Phoenix.  And since it's already 108 and only the middle of May, my vote is for just about anywhere else!  Good news is that the pod will be placed in a temperature controlled environment so no worries about stuff burning up.

Also, we're getting connected to London by way of a couple of websites, Twitter and Facebook.  Anglotopia https://www.facebook.com/anglotopia is a website for people who love Britain.  The Underground has just added twitters for tube line service updates so we can follow the lines we travel most and avoid getting to the station and there's no service.  We'll be following the Northern, Victoria and Central lines as these are the lines for getting to/from Oxford Circus near the office.  http://www.tfl.gov.uk/socialmedia/.  Another great site is "Americans Moving to London" that has helpful tips and hints on everything from things to do, expat info and what to think about when moving abroad.  http://www.londonrelocationservices.com/blog/category/living-in-london-2/americans-moving-to-london-living-in-london-2

We're also doing the most important thing of all and that is spending time with our family before we go.  We spent some quality time in Kentucky visiting and Brad and Christi were in town for a week.  Geoff is heading out to Albuquerque for a long weekend for some 1:1 time with Brad on the golf course.  Geoff sees Jon almost every day and while he won't really know where we are I know he will miss us.  Last, Cris is buying a house and we're thrilled for him!  Ulterior motive is to have him "keep" some items for us so we don't have to store them and he'll need them for the new house anyway.  In any case, we are having some fun with him and Jess before we go.  The good bye to Cris is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done.

So that's where we are right now.  It's a good place and yet we are anxious for getting started on this new chapter of our lives. 

Places to sit and sleep

This week we got info from our wonderful relo team at IMG that we have some furniture.  We'll be adding some accessories like lamps, rugs, etc. but we now have the necessities.  An additional 2-seater sofa will be added to round out the reception (living) room.

Our flat in London

Move date not set but we have a flat!  Located in northwest London in Hampstead, it's quaint (800 sq feet), 7 minute walk to the Tube, and within easy walking distance of shopping, eating, drinking and the huge park, Hampstead Heath.

Built 1871

Reception room.  Working fireplace is TBD.

Garden patio - "the" selling point.

Sunday morning at Hampstead Heath.

Geoff at the entrance to the flat.

One of the lakes at Hampstead Heath.

Flat is on Lyndhurst Road nearest to Belsize Park tube station on the Northern Line.  Other option is to get off at Hampstead stop and then make your way down the hill on the main street which in London is called High streets.

Flat Hunting - First big step

Abbey Road at St. John's Wood - Famous for White Album

Our first step is finding a flat.  We're heading over at the end of March for a week of flat hunting.  While we are looking at areas like St. John's Wood and Maida Vale, we know these are expensive areas and might be out of our range.  However it's near Regent's Park the Canal and several tube stations with easy access to just about everything.
We've got a couple of requirements. Needs to be within 30 minutes commute (by tube) to work at Oxford Circus, 2 bedrooms and 1+ bath.  The 1+ bath seems to be the most difficult for our price range. But since we expect a few visitors just one bath will not cut it!
Flats (love that word!) are just plain expensive in London. About $1,000 a week.  And they go fast so finding a flat online today won't be there tomorrow. We have some relo help who will pre-screen the flats and have 7-10 to look at when we arrive.
Stay tuned for what we like, hate and where we end up!