I’ve called London my home for over six years now and one of the questions I’m frequently asked on visits home, is, “When are you moving back?” Each time I hear it, I find myself drifting further from the idea of returning to Ireland. It’s not that I don’t love Ireland – I do. In fact, I have found that the longer I live away, the more my Irish pride grows.
The limitations of Ireland are often what push us to explore the world beyond. While it’s sad that many of us feel restricted in our homeland, our journeys have spread Irish culture globally – meaning there’s comfort in knowing that wherever we go in the world, an Irish community awaits.
Deciding and Preparing to Move
Unlike our ancestors, who crossed the sea to England out of necessity, I wasn’t driven by a specific need. I had a job, a boyfriend, friends, and a social life in my small town. Yet, I felt like that was it – there was no room for change or growth if I stayed. So, nothing compelled me to leave, but nothing held me back either.
In 2018, at 22 years old, I left my home of Tuam, a small commuter town in Galway, for the bright lights of London. I had worked in retail for most of my adult life, and the idea of moving to London wasn’t something I’d seriously considered until my boyfriend mentioned his interest in living there. His suggestion sparked a desire for adventure in me, and I agreed without hesitation. It just felt like the right move for us.
After saving and planning for over eight months, Jordan moved from Tuam, Co. Galway to London in 2017.
Making London Home
As I said, the move just felt right, and that meant our transition was smooth and everything seemed to fall into place, with minimal stress. We agreed to move in with a friend couple who were already based in London which made the flat hunt more manageable. They attended viewings and fed back to us while we were still in Ireland. After a few duds, we eventually settled on a nice two-bed flat in Clapham, with a lovely garden and summer house.
Moving into our flat marked a milestone for me – my first real step towards independence. I had a landlord for the first time and had to adjust to paying for bills and budgeting my income. I was by no means spoiled at home, but the reality of managing serious outgoings was a new challenge. However, once you get your head around gas, electric, and council tax, you are pretty much good to go.
For Irish expats, moving to London is relatively straightforward compared to other destinations like Australia or Canada. Most of the paperwork, like obtaining a National Insurance (NI) number, is handled once you’re in the UK. If I could recommend one thing, it would be booking your NI appointment as soon as you have a moving date. Slots can fill up quickly and this a requirement to get paid in the UK. The process is fairly straightforward once you have applied. Mine was an interview at the Job Centre in Whitechapel but there are locations all over London. Read more about the NI application process here.
Differences Between Ireland and London
The first thing I noticed when I moved to London was the better weather! Maybe we got lucky in 2018, but the summer felt more like Spain than England. It was a pleasant change from the unpredictable and typically wet, West of Ireland weather. Summers here have remained generally good, even great at times. Either way, summers are a massive improvement from home.
Another striking difference was the anonymity I now had. Just imagine, coming from a small town where everyone knows each other, to a great big city where you are a total stranger. For some, that might feel lonely or isolating but I found it liberating to walk down the street or ride the tube knowing that I may never see these people again. Funnily enough, you do start to see the same people on your commute, and I always wonder if they recognise me too.
London Irish Community
There is great comfort in knowing that there is a big Irish cohort living in London and although I am a big advocate for broadening your social groups, it is comforting to go to an Irish pub or club and catch a sense of home when you need to. The London Irish Centre is a great hub for Irish people from a range of generations, to gather and enjoy a meal together or a film or a gig, whatever it may be. I believe that community is key to surviving in a city like London and places like the London Irish Centre and the Irish Cultural Centre are great anchors for the Irish community.
Jordan McPhillips enjoys a taste of home in London.
Looking Back with London Pride
Reflecting on my decision to move to London, I am so proud of my younger self for taking the leap and moving out of my comfort zone. Starting anew in a foreign city can be daunting but I am so pleased with how I have evolved over the past six years by living here. If you’re considering a move and you don’t want to stray too far from home, London is an excellent choice. The city’s culture and diversity have broadened my horizons in ways I could never have imagined and the real beauty of it is, you are always just a stone’s throw (and a cheap Ryanair flight) from home.
About Jordan and @thecraicinlondon
Jordan is an events industry professional working in the venues team at London’s newest and most innovative entertainment district. By night, she is an undergrad student at Birkbeck University studying Business and Marketing part-time. As part of her university degree she was tasked with creating a community social profile and from that, The Craic in London (TCIL) was born. @thecraicinlondon is a hub for Irish news and life in London with a special interest in hospitality and restaurants, all through the lens of one Irish woman, Jordan. You can follow her journey on Tik Tok and Instagram!
