10 Culture Shocks You will Experience Moving to London

Camden Town. Photo by Ineke van Galen from Unsplash

When I first moved to London, I thought the biggest challenge would be the weather. (Spoiler: it was definitely one of them.) But beyond the cold, grey skies, London hit me with a hundred little surprises that I never expected. Some made me laugh, others frustrated me, and a few just left me standing there confused.

If you’re planning to move to London—or just curious about life here—these are the 11 biggest culture shocks you’ll likely experience:

1. The Weather Obsession

In many countries, weather is just… weather.
In London, it’s practically a national sport. The weather changes every five minutes, and people never stop talking about it. “Lovely day, isn’t it?” could mean drizzle, grey skies, or rare sunshine. And surely, there will be day you will experience 4 seasons in 10 minutes.

2. Silence on the Tube

Public transport in other cities is noisy—chatter, music, vendors, or even strangers making small talk.
On the London Underground, silence rules. No one makes eye contact. If you sneeze, someone might think “bless you,” but don’t expect them to actually say it.

3. The Cold… Indoors

You’d think going inside means escaping the cold. Not in London.
I was shocked to find that houses can feel just as chilly as the streets. Radiators (heaters) quickly became my new best friend.

4. The Art of Queuing

In London, queuing is sacred. Straight lines, no pushing, everyone patiently waiting their turn (except in the tube).
Coming from a place where lines are more… flexible, I had to seriously adjust my patience levels.

5. Politeness Overload

“Sorry” and “thank you” are the magic words in London. They’re used for everything. Even if you bump into someone, chances are they’ll say “sorry” to you first. It’s politeness taken to the extreme.

6. The Price of Coffee (and Everything Else)

London is expensive. A simple latte costs more than an entire meal back home. Rent, transport, groceries—everything adds up fast. Budgeting becomes a survival skill!

7. Shops Closing Early

In many cities, malls stay open late into the night.
In London, I once tried to shop at 6:05 pm… only to find everything closed. Sundays are even shorter—many shops shut by 4 pm. Lesson learned: always check opening hours.

8. The Accents Everywhere

Before moving, I thought there was just one “British accent.”
In reality, London alone has dozens—posh, Cockney, Estuary English—and that’s before you even leave the city. Sometimes it feels like learning a new language every time you travel across town. Wait until you hear the Irish.

9. Food Portions (and Potato Overload)

Rice may be the staple in other parts of the world, but in London? It’s potatoes everywhere. Mashed, fried, roasted, baked—you name it. While I’ve learned to enjoy fish and chips, I often find myself craving a big plate of rice.

10. The Pub Culture

In London, pubs aren’t just about drinking—they’re a way of life. From after-work pints to Sunday roasts, the pub is where people gather, relax, and connect. I quickly learned that saying “let’s go for a pint” doesn’t always mean beer—it’s an invitation to socialise, no matter what you order.

Thursday is the New Friday

In London, the weekend often starts a day early. By Thursday evening, pubs and bars are buzzing—because so many people work from home on Fridays. It’s the unofficial kickoff to the weekend, and the city comes alive with after-work drinks and late-night energy.

✨ Final Sip

Moving to London isn’t just about changing your address—it’s about adapting to little cultural quirks nobody warns you about. Some of these shocks made me laugh, some frustrated me, but all of them shaped the way I live today.

Would I trade it? Never. Because now I get to enjoy both: the peaceful silence of the Tube and the energy of the world I came from.

👉 Have you ever moved abroad? What was your biggest culture shock? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear yours!