Living in London: Being a digital nomad in The Big Smoke
Living in London is a great experience for a few weeks, months or even years. Don’t miss it if you’re a digital nomad looking for your next stop
As a digital nomad, the bright lights of a sprawling metropolis can be an attractive choice, with so many people to meet and things to do. And where better than London, having recently been voted as the best city in the world, with over 16 million people visiting last year alone!
As Londoners, we’re a little biased, but we have to agree that London has it all! (And the weather really isn’t that bad). So if you’re considering it as your next stop on your digital nomad travels, here are some reasons why you definitely should.
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Living in London as a digital nomad
Wander
When living in London, the best way to discover the city is on foot and the best bits are always the hidden lanes and suburbs tucked away from the tourist hubs.
Hampstead
One of the most beautiful suburbs of London that’s bursting with ‘real’ pubs, cafes and boutiques. The Wells Tavern serves up delicious traditional food and The Holly Bush is a cosy place for a pint. Backing onto famous Hampstead Heath, you can get some fresh air, walk off your lunch and explore the grounds of stunning Kenwood House.
Kings Cross, Granary Square
Recently redeveloped, Granary Square is an awesome place to shop, eat and drink, and even more fantastic on a sunny day when you can laze by the canal and take in the atmosphere. Once you’re done, take the Regents Canal path and walk to Camden or Little Venice.
Bermondsey
Skip Borough Market, (which is great but just too busy) and head down the road to Bermondsey where you’ll eat just as well. Here you will find Maltby Street Market which is crammed full of delicious foods and other arts and crafts stalls, perfect for a lazy Saturday stroll.
After this, you may want to quench your thirst, and no better place than The Bermondsey Beer Mile, where you will find an array of independent breweries selling London’s finest craft beers. If you find yourself peckish again, swing by Jose and Pizzaro, two of the most amazing and authentic Spanish Tapas bars in the capital.
London Fields
Broadway Market is a great small food and arts and crafts market. Take your lunch and eat at nearby London Fields on a nice day. Climpsons & Sons serve some of the best coffee in town and just around the corner, you’ll find more grub at Netil Market and ‘World Famous Gordos’ pizza. Hackney Central and Mare Street are minutes away with great shopping, quirky bars and hipster hangouts aplenty.
Eat
Even if you were to stay in London for a lifetime, you would never discover all of the great dining spots! London truly is a foodie’s paradise with every cuisine under the sun. Here are some of our favourite spots.
When living in London, visit Taro in Soho for great Ramen and an array of other Japanese dishes served hot and fresh.
With several spots around the capital, Lina Stores serves seriously delicious fresh homemade pasta. We love the truffle carbonara.
Toffs in Muswell Hill for ‘proper’ fish and chips, go before 5 pm for its £13.95 special served with Tea, in the traditional way.
Barafinna is on the pricey side but it’s a great, authentic spot for modern Spanish tapas with a buzzing atmosphere.
Don’t miss Sanjugo in Angel for great sushi and cosy atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a little spice, you can’t beat the flavours of modern Bombay cuisine than at Dishoom, but it’s no secret and get’s very busy, so get there early to beat the queue!
If you’re in Peckham, do not miss Toads Bakery for delicious baked goods. Pophams, Miel and Fortitude Bakehouse are also excellent. Stop for a coffee and a delectable modern-style doughnut in Longboys if you’re passing through King’s Cross.
Konditor and Cook offer some of the best slices of cake in the capital with the most perfect whipped cream cheese icing.
Drink
London is famous for pubs, and they’re everywhere but be discerning! Not all pubs are equal and some will leave you disappointed if you’re looking for that classic British experience.
- The Edinburgh Castle, Camden Town
- Fultering Fullback, Finsbury Park
- The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden
- Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street
- Ye Old Mitre, Holborn
As for bars, Milroy’s Soho is a whiskey and fine wine specialist but for those who know where to look, there’s a small, dimly lit ‘secret’ bar, hidden behind a bookshelf at the back.
Party
What’s your favourite type of music? Bar or club? Day or Night? Don’t worry, you’ll find something to suit you.
- Ministry of Sound. A London institution, you can’t miss it if you love dance music.
- Fabric. Another classic dance music venue, set over three floors.
- XOYO. In the heart of Shoreditch, there’s always a great line, up so buy your tickets in advance.
Work
Co-working spaces such as WeWork are throughout the city and at various price points.
Work+Play near Finsbury Park, Clockwise in Wood Green and Another Place in Hackney are some of our favourites.
But if you want a cheaper option, head to a Wetherspoons, a chain of budget pubs across the city. Opening at 8 am, for £1.25 you can get a refillable coffee and free WiFi. They also serve food all day. It’s a no brainer and especially in the morning before the lunch-time rush when it’s quiet.
Another cheap option is Pret a Manger where you can get a filter coffee for £1.75 (one of the cheapest in London). Or you can sign up for its Club Pret program where you can get 5 drinks a day for £30 a month. It’s a great option if you like to work from coffee shops most of the time.
Stay
Airbnb is your best friend as a Digital Nomad, but it can get expensive and if you can’t find somewhere to suit you, other options include co-living apartments. These are also great options for solo travellers who want to meet new people.
Ultimately, these are just a few suggestions of what to do when you’re living in London as a digital nomad. Check out more of our suggestions of our best places to go as a digital nomad and how to travel on a budget.
The information on this page is not professional, business or lifestyle advice and is for entertainment purposes only.