Where to start?

Im planning on moving to the london area in january or maybe a bit earlier alone.  I have family there and have always wanted to move there and im thinking that now would be a great time to go.  My two best friends have moved away, Im sick of LA, ive had my heartbroken twice in a row and both were very harsh, the recent one was 2 days ago and that was just the icing on the cake. 

I was wondering how i would go about looking for a place to live.  All i really need is my own bedroom, i dont mind sharing a bathroom, but it would be nice to have my own and it needs to be furnished as i am living with my mom and have no furniture that is my own.   all i require is that the bedroom have windows and be a decent size.  What are some sites that i could start to look @ it to see how much a place will cost?

I would start by finding out about visa information.  Would your present company be able to transfer you to the London office? Work permit?  If they can do that -- then it's possible they would be able to help you get started re-locating.

I'm sorry about your heartbreak - believe me -- time heals all wounds.   

Actually, my dad is English so its easy to get a british passport. 

As for the company, ill only be 21 when i get there so ill need to find a job at a retail store, or doing office work, or even @ pub/restaurant. 

How much money should i intend on coming over with?

Also sorry to hear about the heartache.  I think most of us on this board have survived a few or more! 

I would check out sites for flatmates...there are a few.  Here's an example:  http://www.moveflat.co.uk/My/West_Hampstead/   You can plug in almost any town in London and there will be listings.
I would also look at craigslist and loot.com, and easyroommate (UK version)

London is very expensive even if you are sharing (which I am) and it all depends on where you want to live.  In northwest London within Zone 1-3, you can expect to pay around £500+/month plus other expenses depending on how many people you are willing to share with.  You'll need to have at the least first month's rent, and a six week deposit (most places will list by the week...a month's rent is equal to 4.3x the weekly rent).  They may also want a reference.  So...you'll have to have quite a LOT of money saved, not only for your first outlay of rent but also other expenses (travel, food, ect).

Best of luck to you.   

Im actually looking to live somewhere between Zone 4 and Zone 5, will that lower the price of rent @ all?

Also, is there any way that i can secure a place to live before i arrive in london or no?

Thanks
Michelle

The further out from London the cheaper it will be.  You probably could secure one but I wouldn't at all - you might end up with someone completely groddy that the estate agent wanted to get off his/her hands.  Many of us found a place quickly and were in within a few weeks.  If you have any friends or family here, I'd suggest staying with them for a search.

Thanks.  Once i thought about i wouldnt actually want to get one before i arrive, i wouldnt want to be stuck in dump.

I like what ive found on accommodationlondon.net and am thinking of geting a single occupancy studio flat or a room in a house share that will hopefuly have its own tv and mini kitchen and staying there for about 3 months.  Its well priced i think, i think the room in the house came out to 420 pounds a month and the studio flat came out to 600 pounds.  If i could get a room with my own tv and mini kitchen in a house then that would be great and save me a lot of money.

Try www.gumtree.com...you might find something good on there.

The further out from London the cheaper it will be.  ....

Not sure that "cheaper" is a word I'd use in relation to housing in London, .... maybe "less expensive"!

I also think that generally the further out you go the safer the neighborhoods - there are plenty of parts of central London that I wouldn't recommend, but eight-ten miles out from the center, and still in zones 3-4 there are many nicer areas.