So you've moved to London, eh? Part II - Longer term...

I might be leaving [thanks for everything London!] — But you may just be arriving… So I put together a two-parter with resources for IABC peeps. Specifically for recent London arrivals – but others might find it useful too. Part I here, Part II below. Feel free to share.

Longer term

Meet interesting people in general

If you’re going to be here for a while, you might as well find yourself a local pub. Try the pub quiz and all that to get some banter going. And take a course based on interest beyond work – and keep an eye out for what’s coming up on londonist.com/

Brits themselves don’t tend to strike up a conversation with a stranger, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. For culture-shock resources, head back to Part I of this guide.

Find a place to write & think

You’ll be learning a lot. We all sometimes need a quieter space to sit and think for a while. All these institutions offer affordable memberships – and have ‘member rooms’ where one can sit and work away for a while. It is also useful for when you need to meet people both privately and professionally. In other words, whether you’re based in-house or freelancing.

British Library	Handy as it also has the nation’s biggest library attached.	£80+
Tate Modern	Access to three different rooms – two at Tate Modern, one at Tate Britain.	£80+
British Museum	I’m told it is supposed to be good. The crowds might get in the way though.	£60-80+
South Bank	Handy view of the river and a bit quieter than floors below.	£60+
The London Library	‘With more than one million books and periodicals in over 50 languages…’	£510+

You could also of course splurge on one of the private clubs – Soho House, Hospital Club, Quo Vadis, Groucho etc. etc. you’ll probably need to find somebody to do an intro for you though. But that’s what those network relationships are for!