Moving from Kyiv to London has been truly a great change in my life. After over two years living in the UK capital, I've discovered aspects of London life that absolutely delight me, alongside things I desperately miss about my Ukrainian hometown.
If you're considering the move to London, or you're already here and feeling conflicted about your new home, my honest comparison might help you to define if we have anything in common. Every expat journey is different, but these insights reflect the reality of adapting to life in one of the world's busiest cities.
What Makes London Incredible: 5 Things I Absolutely Love
1. London's International Spirit
I love how truly international London is. People flock here from all corners of the globe, which means you never feel out of place. Back in Ukraine, society is quite homogenous, and foreigners naturally stand out. In London, however, no one would ever label you a "foreigner"—because, in a way, nobody is. We all belong. According to the ONS (Office for National Statistics), over 9 million people living in the UK were born abroad, with London being the most diverse city. This diversity creates both opportunities and challenges, but ultimately contributes to the city's unique character.
2. Pedestrian-Friendly Streets and Green Spaces
London is incredibly pedestrian-friendly. Every single borough has its own square, park, or patch of greenery where you can walk your dog, sit on a bench with a good book, or go for a stroll with coffee and a friend. You can just throw on your headphones and lose yourself in a favorite podcast as you wander. In Ukraine, greenery feels less accessible. Unless you happen to live right next to a park or embankment, going for a nature walk requires a commute. My closest walking spots back home were often just the nearby school stadium, or a 40-minute trek to the Obolon embankment.
3. World-Class Access to Global Events
London is such a famous global hub that the world truly comes to you here. If you live in Kyiv (or any other city which is a capital but maybe not so famous), you have a very low chance of visiting a concert by massive artists like Taylor Swift or wander in Excel at AWS summit. But in London, endless industry conferences and huge music artists and bands are always performing, and at most, you just need to commute by tube to the venue. When it comes to entertainment, there are multiple venues in the West End for musicals; the Royal Opera House, world-class philharmonics, and jazz clubs tucked away in Soho.
4. Free Museums, Immense History and Libraries
The important part about London museums - most of them are free. The UK is steeped in history (and not only in its own - Elgine Marbles and those Egyptian sarcophaguses in the British Museum are the best examples), and the access you have to it here is phenomenal. London boasts archives, libraries, and museums covering literally any subject you could possibly be interested in. The sheer volume of factual information and historical materials available to the public is inspiring and incredibly enriching.
5. The Thriving Second-Hand Economy
When I first moved to London, I arrived with just one suitcase. Buying everything brand new didn't make sense—what if another war broke out and I needed to flee again? But London has this fantastic, accessible culture of second-hand goods. Between Vinted, Gumtree, community giveaways, and the endless stream of quirky charity shops and antique markets, I was able to find beautiful, high-quality items for almost nothing (or entirely for free). It’s a wonderful contrast to Ukraine, where second-hand items are often just discarded Soviet-era goods rather than stylish, quality finds.
London city center in the dusk
What I Miss About Kyiv: The Reality Check
While London offers incredible opportunities, there are aspects of life in Ukraine that I find myself longing for regularly. If you're planning your move to the UK, it's worth understanding both sides of the equation.
1. Early Store Closures and the Lack of Evening Malls
While you can easily grab groceries until 10 PM, most other services and retail stores close right at 6 PM. If you work a standard 9-to-6 job, it's incredibly difficult to run errands or shop for clothes, shoes, electronics, or home goods during the week. In Kyiv, I really took for granted being able to head to a large, vibrant mall after work. Not only was it convenient for shopping, but retreating to a warm, well-lit indoor space for a walk is something I deeply miss—especially during London's long, cold, and wet winter months.
2. Endless Bureaucracy and Poor Customer Service
The admin in this country can be grueling. It often takes weeks, if not months, to get basic things sorted. I once spent six months trying to correct a water bill where I was accidentally paying for my neighbor's usage. Every single update required 14 business days just to acknowledge my request. Along the way, they would randomly close my ticket by mistake, cancel appointments, and force me to start the process all over again. You have to be relentlessly proactive and micromanage them at every step. It’s an incredibly frustrating level of service.
3. The "Grab and Go" Cafe Culture
I miss the warmth of true cafe hospitality. In London, going to a regular coffee shop usually means ordering your drink and having it handed to you in a paper or plastic takeaway cup, even if you’re staying "in". It contrasts sharply with places in Ukraine, Italy, or Greece, where sitting down for coffee is an experience. You’re served a proper ceramic cup, often accompanied by a complimentary glass of water and a small biscuit on the side.
4. Eye-Watering Rent and the Illusion of Luxury
London's housing market is notoriously expensive, but the real kicker is the actual quality you receive for that premium price. You can pay an exorbitant amount of money to live in a "charming" Victorian property, only to find you're dealing with single-glazed windows that let the freezing draft in, poor insulation, paper-thin walls, and archaic plumbing. The value for money feels incredibly disproportionate compared to what you'd get in newer Kyiv apartments. If you're budgeting for your move, check my detailed breakdown of London living costs to understand what you'll actually spend.
5. Exhausting Commutes and the Spread-Out City
London is staggeringly vast. Even if you live relatively close to the center, the city has multiple different "hubs" you might need to reach, and public transport is surprisingly expensive. I often find myself thinking twice about something as simple as meeting a friend in the city center. When a commute takes an hour each way for both of us, it turns a simple catch-up into a major logistical effort, forcing you to overthink how to optimize your day just to justify making the trip at all.
This transport challenge becomes even more significant when you're looking for a place to rent. The location you choose will dramatically impact your daily commute costs and quality of life.
Making the Most of Your London Experience
Despite the challenges, London offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. The key is setting realistic expectations and understanding what trade-offs you're making.
For new arrivals, I'd recommend:
- Budget carefully for the higher cost of living, especially housing
- Embrace the international community – it's one of London's greatest assets
- Take advantage of free cultural activities like museums and parks
- Research your area thoroughly before committing to a rental
- Be patient with bureaucracy – it's frustrating but manageable with persistence