London · Guides
Moving to London: a furnished base for your first month
Finding a home in London takes time, and the first month is when you have least of it. A furnished base by the river lets you start work, learn the city and choose where to live without rushing.
By the Your Perfect Stay team · Updated
A base, not a decision
London is a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own commute, schools and pace. A month in a furnished residence gives you time to visit them at different times of day and try the journey to work before you commit to anywhere.
Why Nine Elms works as a base
On the river between Vauxhall and Battersea Power Station, Nine Elms is newly built and well connected. From Embassy Boulevard, Nine Elms station on the Northern line is a nine-minute walk, Vauxhall — for the Victoria line and trains — 15, and river buses leave from Battersea Power Station Pier, 14. Westminster is about 15 minutes by car, and Heathrow about 55.
Getting around London
Tap in and out with a contactless card or your phone on the Tube, buses, the Overground and river buses: daily and weekly caps keep the cost down while you work out your regular journeys.
What to sort in the first weeks
- Register with a GP practice near where you're staying: you don't need a permanent address to see a doctor.
- Look at schools and admissions in the boroughs you're considering — each London borough runs its own.
- Visit the areas on your list on a weekday morning and at the weekend, and try the commute.
- Set up a postal redirect from your old address while you're between homes.
Room for everyone
Embassy Boulevard's residences have one to three bedrooms, with fully equipped kitchens, fast Wi-Fi and the bills included, and families are welcome. If you need more room, one booking can hold residences side by side in the same building.
