London seems to be a place that many graduates consider moving to once their course comes to an end; it’s certainly a magnet for young people. However, some still seem to resist the idea and are put off for various reasons. It can seem like a city that is always in a hurry; the fast pace and crowded streets may not be something that you are looking for a city to work in. But that is only one way of looking at the largest city in the UK. There are many aspects to London that you may find surprising; factors that can make it an attractive place to work.

Transportation and foot power
London has rail and road links with major cities in the UK. This makes it easier to work in London while still living your life elsewhere. New graduates can benefit from higher London salaries while maintaining a home in a less expensive area of the country. This is an option which is becoming more viable with the use of flexible working hours, remote working and mobile technology.

The transport system within London is also very efficient, so it’s easy to get around the city. In fact, central business and finance districts can easily be traversed on foot. For travelling further afield, Heathrow and Gatwick are both busy airports located within easy reach of the centre of London.

The ease of securing office space for start-ups
If you’ve just graduated and started freelance work or are looking to set up your own business in the capital, the good news is that there is no shortage of office space available. You can save on the expense by working in a shared and flexible office space. This way, you do not have to deal with large bills for IT access and energy usage. You also get to co-exist with other small business owners and form valuable relationships.

Tech industry opportunities
Most people think of Silicon Valley when they think of high profile opportunities in the tech industry. However, you do not actually have to leave the UK to secure this type of career. London’s Silicon Roundabout is fast becoming one of the areas to be if you are looking for employment in the tech world. Giants such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft, and fresh faces such as Skyscanner and Badoo, now all have London bases.

An entrepreneurial spirit
There is a huge thirst for entrepreneurship in London. This means that you do not have to go to the capital to work for someone else once you’ve graduated; you can make the most of access to large numbers of incubators and accelerators, in order to optimise the growth of your business. The fast and vibrant atmosphere which can seem intense has also helped London to become a city where innovation and risk is embraced.

Diverse work opportunities
Calling all artists, actors and creative graduates! It’s not just the tech industry that thrives in London. There is also a large artistic community. The city is home to a large number of theatres, performance spaces and comedy clubs where it’s possible to seek a break, although this is often reliant on luck as well as talent. For anyone who is looking for regular work while waiting for that break, London is also a hub for many other work opportunities, such as banking, commerce and the civil service.

A full life outside of work
Any great city to work in needs to provide activities for out of work hours as well. Whether you live in London or not, you can benefit from the many parks and other green areas in the city. This does not just mean taking a walk in the major parks; it’s also good to sit and eat lunch in one of the many hidden away squares. Cycling is another popular activity in London, and dedicated cycle paths are provided. Culture is also provided free of charge at venues such as the British Museum and the National Gallery.

It’s easy to see London as a busy and loud city that’s not a great working environment… if you are looking from the outside in! However, the largest city in the UK is also one of the most innovative. It’s a city where creative minds can meet and help each other. It’s also relatively easy to get around and there is a diverse selection of work opportunities available. It’s not just about what happens within the workplace either. There are plenty of spaces where you can get away from the hustle and bustle and spend time relaxing. This allows you to recharge your batteries and helps to make you more effective and productive when you return to your desk. London provides the ideal balance of work opportunities in great office spaces and places to go when work ends for the day.