Relocating to London from South Africa was one of the most exciting, disorienting, character-building experiences of my life. I knew it would be big. I just didn’t know how big.
I’d never moved homes before. Never had to pack boxes, or wrap wine glasses in dish towels. Never had I wrestled with flat-pack furniture or learned that not all sofas pivot smoothly. So, naturally I wasn’t prepared for the layered reality of an international move. From the flat search, the paperwork, the emotional logistics, and the weird little things like realising bicarb isn’t called bicarb in London.
Now that I’ve done it and found my rhythm in this unpredictable, glorious, properly moody city, here are the five things I’ll never skip when relocating across continents again.
1. I Always Downsize Before Thinking About Packing
When I moved countries, I tried to bring everything. Every jacket. Every braai (barbeque) tong. The signed cricket bat from the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Rookie mistake.
London flats are charming, yes. Spacious? Not unless you’re royalty. I learned quickly that bringing a house worth of furniture into a one-bed rental was… ambitious.
Now I start every flat move by ruthlessly decluttering. I ask myself: what do I use? What do I love? What can I let go of? I donate, sell, gift or store anything that won’t earn its place in my new home. And it always makes the unpacking feel lighter – emotionally and logistically.
2. I Never Trust Delivery Dates
Once, I was told our belongings would arrive “within six weeks.” I can laugh now, but at the time, those six weeks stretched into ten. The trestle table we bought as a “temporary” dining solution was still doing duty over the holiday season.
Since then, I’ve always packed like I might not see my shipped items for a while. I bring all essentials with me: the right adapters, school uniforms, prescription meds, chargers, toiletries, and one outfit that makes me feel normal. It’s saved me every time.
3. I Measure Everything. Twice.
London homes are like a riddle wrapped in a mystery stuffed in a converted loft. That gorgeous second-hand wardrobe might look like a steal, but if it’s 5cm too wide for the stairwell, it’s a nightmare.
I learned to measure every new home obsessively. Not just the rooms, but the doors, the hallways, the awkward corners. I also measure what I’m bringing with me, from furniture to suitcases. Now I plan around the space I have, not the space I hope to have.
4. I Give Myself Way More Time Than I Think I Need
The first few months in London were tough. Not because it was bad, it was just new. I felt silly for not knowing which shops were best for what. I broke the washing machine handle in my first week. I missed home and then felt guilty for missing home.
But over time, without even noticing, things started to click. I stopped checking the Tube map. I discovered where to buy decent biltong. I started pronouncing “Marylebone” like a local.
Now, whenever I move, I remember that disorientation is part of the deal. The fog lifts. Just not on day one. And that’s okay.
5. I Make Room for the Stuff I’m Not Quite Ready to Part With
Not everything fits in a new home. And that’s not just physical. It’s emotional, too.
There are pieces of my old life I’m not ready to let go of, but I don’t need them cluttering the limited space I have. That’s where nearby storage becomes part of the story.
Instead of stuffing every drawer, I give myself breathing room. Sometimes that means finding a spare cupboard nearby or a quiet corner of the city where I can keep what still matters, just not under my feet. That’s what led me to start Lockit Local.
If You’re Making a Big Move, Lockit Local Can Help
Relocating across continents is bold. Brave. Exhausting. Wonderful. It’s all of it at once.
And if your new London life doesn’t come with built-in storage (hint: it won’t), there’s a smart way to make space feel less tight.
Lockit Local offers secure, 24/7 app-accessed self storage right in Shepherd’s Bush. It’s where I keep the stuff I love. Out of sight, but never far away.
Join the waitlist today to be first in line when we open. Because your next chapter deserves a little extra room.
