No time for a flat-hunting trip... plus some other issues

He everyone,

This forum is super-helpful and I'm so glad I found it.  Here is my situation and a couple of questions...

My husband and I have both requested transfers from our New York offices to our London offices.  We are recently married and are looking for an opportunity to broaden our horizons (and live in Europe before we start a family back in the states).  Both transfers have been approved but we are not receiving any ex-pat or relocation packages.  We're on our own.

Questions:

(1)
What do we do if there is no time for a flat-hunting trip before we move? Do you recommend any reputable agencies that can help us find an apartment from New York that we can move into right away?

(2)
What neighborhood do you recommend for us? A few friends from London have suggested somewhere in the SW areas near Chalpham Junction.  I will work in city but my husband will work in Richmond.

I wouldn't ask an agency to find a place without looking at it first...what I did was come and stay in a B&B for two weeks and found a place within that time.

As far as areas go, I would look into transport links.  If you are working in the city & your husband in Richmond, Clapham Junction could indeed be a good choice.  There are fast trains available to Richmond & then other trains available into central London (Waterloo) from where you can catch the Underground to wherever in the city you are located.  However, there are plenty of other options besides Clapham Junction, so make sure you get familiar with public transport in and around London!

Clapham Junction is a great choice.  There are direct trains to Waterloo, so you can easily get on the Waterloo and City line or the Northern Line from Clapham Common for the City, and there are direct trains to Richmond.  I know quite a few people who commute from Clapham to the City.

In fact, I can think of nowhere else which is as convenient for both destinations.

It is also a really nice area.

Vicky

You could use a relocation agent to help you find a flat.  We used one for our move from London up to Scotland and she was great! Unfortunately as she's in Inverness she's no good to you, but I am sure you can find a good one in London too.

You could use a relocation agent to help you find a flat.  We used one for our move from London up to Scotland and she was great! Unfortunately as she's in Inverness she's no good to you, but I am sure you can find a good one in London too.

Yup!! This was a lifesaver!!  Helped me set up EVERYTHING- including help with banks, etc!! 

Thanks for all the help, so far!

At what B&B did you stay?  Hotel prices are just so expensive in London right now so I could use the suggestions...

What are the typical costs for a relocation agent?

Any suggestions on an accountant in the US or in London that can help us figure out the very complicated world of ex-pat taxes???

http://www.londonbb.com/