This week we’re chatting to Abigail Smith, Graduate Trainee at Radisson Edwardian New Providence Wharf. Abigail started with us after graduating from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, packing her bags to leave the Norfolk Broads and join us in the Big Smoke. We had a coffee with her to catch up on the first 3 months of her Graduate Programme, and bring you her top ten tips for moving to London and starting your graduate job at Radisson Edwardian. Thanks Abigail!

1) Do research on the location you want to move to, after uni a quiet suburb just won’t cut it, also take into account distance from work as this will affect travel costs quite a lot!

  2) When looking for a flat – try gumtree.com as well as agencies and make sure you visit a few flats before you make a decision – it’s important that you feel that you would fit in. I went round a few flats with padlocks on all the bedroom doors and a kitchen that literally one person could stand in and knew that just wasn’t me. If the flat is impeccably clean but you are a messy person then that could also cause issues.

3) If moving into a flat share try and meet all of the people you would be sharing with rather than just one – you can tell a lot from first impressions.

4) London is an amazing place to live – make sure you get out and see what the city has to offer. There are so many free events on as well as ones which you have to pay for. On sunny days make sure you enjoy Greenwich or Hyde Park. Go to the Tate Modern, British Museum and do things that you wouldn’t normally do!

5) By doing lots of different things you will meet loads of new people and try and make as much effort as you can to strike a friendship. Meet your neighbours and if you already know people in london then don’t just stick with them all the time.

6) If you don’t know anyone in London then join a club, whether its football, salsa, books or chess meeting like-minded people who share your passion will ensure you don’t feel lonely for long.

7) Budget – London is expensive and nights out will definitely be more expensive than when you are at university!

8 ) Get involved in as much as you can at work – showing you want to be a part of the green team or the charity work the hotel does will show you are a valuable new member to the team.

9) Try and see your uni friends/friends from home/family as much as you can – don’t neglect them just because you have a new and exciting job and life in london.

10) Just enjoy it as much as you can – you are only young once and the hustle and bustle might not be for you when you get older!

Thank you Abigail. Find out more about our luxury hotels in London or our Manchester property – one of the best hotels in Manchester.