London: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to London in 2026

London is one of the world's leading financial and business centres, with high salaries, top universities and a huge English-language job market. The price is the cost of living: the city ranks among the most expensive in the world. A move makes sense if you have work or a business in the UK or qualify for one of the work visas.

What it costs to live in London

Prices come from two independent 2026 price databases, with pounds converted at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026. A square metre costs about $18,660-20,830 in the centre and about $7,960 outside it.

Where to live in London: districts

• Kensington and Chelsea - the prestigious centre with museums and parks, the most expensive rents.
• Canary Wharf - the financial district with new towers, convenient for bank staff.
• Islington - Victorian houses, restaurants and good links to the centre.
• Hackney and Shoreditch - the creative east, startups and bars.
• Clapham and Battersea - popular with young professionals, near parks and the Thames.
• Richmond and Wimbledon - the green south-west for families with children, but further from the centre.
• Stratford - new builds in the east by the Olympic Park, cheaper than the centre.

Visas and residence

Living and working in London requires a visa. The main routes are the Skilled Worker visa sponsored by an employer, the Global Talent visa for recognised specialists in science, technology and creative industries, with a visa fee of £766, about $1,020, for 5 years, the Innovator Founder visa and spouse and family visas. Indefinite leave to remain comes after 5 years, or 3-5 years on Global Talent, but in November 2025 the government proposed raising the standard period to 10 years. Citizenship follows 12 months after settled status; more on the UK Global Talent visa and British citizenship pages. Russian citizens need a visa for any trip: the Electronic Travel Authorisation does not apply to them.

What taxes are paid in London

The first £12,570 of income a year, about $16,630, is tax-free, and this threshold is frozen until April 2031. Above it the rates are 20%, 40% and 45%, plus National Insurance: 8% and 2% for employees and 15% for employers. New residents can pay no tax on foreign income for 4 years under a special regime if they were not resident for the previous 10 years. Corporation tax is 19% to 25%, VAT is 20%, and inheritance tax is 40% above £325,000. More on the Taxes in the UK page.

Buying and renting a home

The rates apply from 1 April 2025. Non-UK residents pay an extra 2% on all bands, and those who already own a home anywhere in the world, as well as companies, pay another 5%, up to 7% in total. Flats are often sold leasehold, so the remaining lease and service charges are checked before the deal. From 1 May 2026 residential tenancy rules in England became stricter for landlords.

Healthcare

Public healthcare is available to visa holders after paying the immigration health surcharge: £1,035 a year for an adult, about $1,370, paid upfront for the whole visa period. First you register with a GP near your home, who refers you to specialists. Waiting times for planned care are long, so many people also get private insurance through their employer.

Work, schools and transport

The main employers are finance, law, consulting, technology and the creative industries. State schools are free and allocate places by address, so families choose a district for a good school, while private schools cost tens of thousands of pounds a year. The Underground runs all night on some lines at weekends, and fares are paid by bank card or phone. Six airports fly worldwide, and the Channel Tunnel train reaches Paris and Brussels in a couple of hours.

First steps after moving

After arrival you need a National Insurance number for work and tax, a bank account, which usually requires proof of address, and registration with a GP. Besides rent, households pay council tax: the amount depends on the property's valuation band and area, and single occupants get a 25% discount. Utilities and internet are arranged separately, usually for a year. Children are enrolled in school through the local council, and applications for primary and secondary school are made in advance by set deadlines.

Climate and pitfalls

The climate is mild and damp: winter rarely drops below zero, summer is usually 20-25 degrees, and rain is frequent but light. The pitfalls are very expensive rents and deposits, competition for flats, the need for a sponsor for most work visas, high visa fees and the health surcharge for using public healthcare, and a possible increase in the time to settled status. Murblz specialists match a visa to your profile and calculate the full moving budget and taxes for the first years.