We have international clients buy properties in London and their immediate next question is, should I buy a car in the UK?
But, the questions we always ask in return is, will you need a car?
Car Finding Expert and a Poised Concierge partner, Ashley Winston sheds light on the realities of owning a car in London in our Home Truth interview…
“The reality is that if you live in London, you don’t really need a car. Between an Uber or Bolt and the public transport, you might not need a personal vehicle.
But there’s a difference between needing a car and wanting a car
We have plenty of clients who live in St John’s Wood, for example, and their kids go to The American International School in St John’s Wood that’s about five-minutes walk away but they still want a car.
For them it’s important to have a car once in a while when they’re going out and that’s fine.
And sometimes we say to people, don’t worry about it now- perhaps see how you get along without a car. Then three months down the line, you can say we tried it without a car and we could do it, but we don’t want to.”
What you should take from this is that needing a car in London will depend on your lifestyle but living without one is possible too.
If you’re deciding to live outside of central London, then perhaps you will need one but then you have to ask, should I take my car into London?
From road charges to charging points, there are things you’ll need to look into that will affect your car once you choose it. That will determine the convenience or challenges of you owning a car in London.
In summary, when it comes to owning a car in London, know that it’s not necessary but if you’re on the fence, it’s worth trying London-life without before committing to one.
To watch our full interview with Ashley, “45 Minutes To Learn London’s Roads,” on Youtube, click here.