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Expat Interview With Alexia, From Athens to London
| Published: | 16 Jul at 9 AM |
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Filed: Interviews,England
Alexia left sunny Athens for cloudy London in September 2012 with her husband and their baby son. She quickly settled and started to enjoy their new life and everything that London has to offer to young parents and their offspring. She created her blog A Mum in London to share all the exciting findings, addresses and experiences they have as an expat family in London. Alexia's expat blog is called A mum in London (see listing here)
Meet Alexia - Greek/French expat in London
Where are you originally from?
Half from Athens, half from Paris. Used to live in Athens.
In which country and city are you living now?
I am living in London, UK with my husband and our toddler son.
How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
We first came to London in September 2012. We don't know how long we'll be here, our plans are open.
Why did you move to London and what do you do?
I am a translator and film subtitler and full time mum. We decided to move because we wanted to make a fresh start and explore our options, professionally and personally, in another country.
StonehengeDid you bring family with you?
I came with my husband and our baby boy.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
Difficult at times, exciting, scary and refreshing. There are ups and downs, it's inevitable, but overall I think I gain a lot of things out of the expat experience.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
London is the perfect place to make friends; everyone is so polite and friendly. And it's multicultural city, and that is nice because you meet expats from all over the world.
What are the best things to do in London; anything to recommend to future expats?
London parks are certainly worth a visit, especially Hyde Park, Holland Park and Richmond Park. London museums are not to be missed, especially Tate Modern.
LondonWhat do you enjoy most about living here?
London's green spaces. The way everything is organized. British politeness. England's countryside. London's multicultural society.
How does the cost of living in London compare to home?
It's a lot more expensive, especially rent and childcare costs.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
This will not come as a surprise: the weather. It's very grey and rainy compared to Greece's sunny climate.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to London, what would it be?
Do a thorough research (location, price, agent/no agent) before renting a flat. Rents are crazy in London and finding an affordable nice home in a nice area is a bit of a challenge.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Missing friends and family. Missing the beautiful Greek weather. Missing being "home".
Ducks in Hyde ParkWhat are your top 5 expat tips for anyone following in your footsteps?
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
I started A Mum in London to chronicle our expat journey and to share tips about London, maternity and travelling. Through the blog's series My Expat Life I had the honor to meet fellow expat bloggers from all over the world, who shared the best and worst of their expat experience, making me and the blog's readers feel less alone in their expat life.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
Through the contact page on my blog and on twitter (see links below)
Alexia is a expat living in England. Blog description: My expat life in London with Baby Lu and Mr K. Writing about kids, life in the UK and the expat experience.
Meet Alexia - Greek/French expat in London
Here's the interview with Alexia...
Where are you originally from?
Half from Athens, half from Paris. Used to live in Athens.
In which country and city are you living now?
I am living in London, UK with my husband and our toddler son.
How long have you lived here and how long are you planning to stay?
We first came to London in September 2012. We don't know how long we'll be here, our plans are open.
Why did you move to London and what do you do?
I am a translator and film subtitler and full time mum. We decided to move because we wanted to make a fresh start and explore our options, professionally and personally, in another country.
Stonehenge
I came with my husband and our baby boy.
How did you find the transition to living in a foreign country?
Difficult at times, exciting, scary and refreshing. There are ups and downs, it's inevitable, but overall I think I gain a lot of things out of the expat experience.
Was it easy making friends and meeting people; do you mainly socialise with other expats?
London is the perfect place to make friends; everyone is so polite and friendly. And it's multicultural city, and that is nice because you meet expats from all over the world.
What are the best things to do in London; anything to recommend to future expats?
London parks are certainly worth a visit, especially Hyde Park, Holland Park and Richmond Park. London museums are not to be missed, especially Tate Modern.
London
London's green spaces. The way everything is organized. British politeness. England's countryside. London's multicultural society.
How does the cost of living in London compare to home?
It's a lot more expensive, especially rent and childcare costs.
What negatives, if any, are there to living here?
This will not come as a surprise: the weather. It's very grey and rainy compared to Greece's sunny climate.
If you could pick one piece of advice to anyone moving to London, what would it be?
Do a thorough research (location, price, agent/no agent) before renting a flat. Rents are crazy in London and finding an affordable nice home in a nice area is a bit of a challenge.
What has been the hardest aspect to your expat experience so far?
Missing friends and family. Missing the beautiful Greek weather. Missing being "home".
Ducks in Hyde Park
- Be organised.
- Be ready to compromise.
- Be open to new cultures and people.
- Be ready to miss people and things.
- Be sure of your choice.
Tell us a bit about your own expat blog.
I started A Mum in London to chronicle our expat journey and to share tips about London, maternity and travelling. Through the blog's series My Expat Life I had the honor to meet fellow expat bloggers from all over the world, who shared the best and worst of their expat experience, making me and the blog's readers feel less alone in their expat life.
How can you be contacted for further advice to future expats coming to your area?
Through the contact page on my blog and on twitter (see links below)
About the author
Alexia is a expat living in England. Blog description: My expat life in London with Baby Lu and Mr K. Writing about kids, life in the UK and the expat experience.
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