Today is the six-year anniversary of the day I moved to London. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by! Not surprisingly, I’m spending my day traveling (and being thankful that I’m avoiding the crazy storm in London!). I suppose it’s a fitting way to celebrate given that my move to the UK also meant the launch of the A Lady in London blog, which has taken me all over the world.
Six years is a big anniversary for American expats in London, as it is the point at which many of us are eligible for British citizenship. I am no exception, and if it weren’t for the fact that I am in Cape Town right now, I would be submitting my application for UK citizenship today. But a week’s delay won’t hurt, and hopefully I will have a British passport by early next year. I can’t wait!
Throughout my time in London, I have been required to keep track of every day I have spent out of the UK for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency). My current count is 397 days (not including the days I left and the days I returned). I have had to stay within a certain limit each year that I have lived in London, so getting citizenship and not having to count my every trip will make me very happy. Maybe it will even open doors to travel more (although sometimes I think I travel too much already!).
People keep asking me whether I will stay in London after getting British citizenship. The answer is yes. But I never know where life will take me, and six more years from now I could be coming to you from elsewhere. Then again, with a blog called A Lady in London, I might just have to stay forever. And given how much I love the city, I don’t think I would mind!
Dannielle
October 28, 2013 at 10:32 am (3 years ago)Aw happy 6 years! I’ve been in England for 3 now and hoping to add lots more in London 🙂 It’s such a great city I can see why everyone falls in love with it.
Teddy Bear
October 28, 2013 at 1:00 pm (3 years ago)Your blog is really inspiring as well as your adventures! London is an amazing city so happy anniversary!
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 1:18 pm (3 years ago)Thanks!
Prad Patel
October 28, 2013 at 1:50 pm (3 years ago)Congrats! Does it feel like home? 🙂
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 5:07 pm (3 years ago)Thanks! It does feel like home, which is great!
ruth mann
October 28, 2013 at 3:10 pm (3 years ago)C) 1.5 Km
I really enjoy your posts – especially those centred around London and all the lovely places to eat. Happy Anniversary!
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 5:06 pm (3 years ago)Thanks Ruth!
Caitlin
October 28, 2013 at 3:28 pm (3 years ago)Happy anniversary! I would love to pack up and move to London one day! It’s such an amazing city!
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 5:06 pm (3 years ago)Thanks! It’s a great place to live!
Andi
October 28, 2013 at 3:36 pm (3 years ago)Congrats! Such a shame our paths didn’t cross while I was in London last week!
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 5:06 pm (3 years ago)Thanks! Yeah, I’m sad to have missed you!
Vanessa Beiny sabah
October 28, 2013 at 5:44 pm (3 years ago)As a Brit living abroad and missing home your blog has inspired me to write a food blog ,the answer is of course. C :1.50 km. lots of luck to you. Vanessa Beiny sabah
Jules
October 28, 2013 at 7:14 pm (3 years ago)Hurrah, congrats and happy anniversary! 🙂
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 8:51 pm (3 years ago)Thanks Jules!
Lauren Meshkin @BonVoyageLauren
October 28, 2013 at 8:31 pm (3 years ago)Congratulations!! This must be SO exciting. I would give anything for British citizenship! One day hopefully… 🙂
Happy travels!
A Lady in London
October 28, 2013 at 8:51 pm (3 years ago)Thanks Lauren! It is a big relief to have made it this far!
Laura
October 29, 2013 at 2:48 am (3 years ago)Happy 6 years! I really enjoy reading about London on your blog, so I hope you stay there for a while!
A Lady in London
October 29, 2013 at 8:21 am (3 years ago)Thanks Laura!
James Neophytou
October 29, 2013 at 2:49 am (3 years ago)As a Londoner since the age of 2 and UK citizen since age 9, I take a lot of this for granted (I am now 45). So it’s great to be reminded what a great city London is, and the fact that I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
Last summer, as a health and fitness activity, while my wife and kids were visiting relatives, I walked from my house in North West London to Soho.
It took me 3 and a half hours and I saw on that walk every known facet of humanity: rich and poor, busy and idle, traders, shakers, makers, movers, groovers, and every colour skin under the sun, every head wear and face wear and bodywear known to man, and nearly every language on earth. I celebrated it all with a Soho Special burger and a ginger beer at Bodean’s on Poland Street. Recommended.
Thank you for your lucid blog. And enjoy your citizenship when it comes.
A Lady in London
October 29, 2013 at 8:22 am (3 years ago)That’s great! Walking is one of the things I love doing most in London. There’s so much to see and experience!
Miles Holmes
October 29, 2013 at 1:09 pm (3 years ago)Many congratulations on the 6 years, and a wonderful blog, M’Lady 🙂
A Lady in London
October 30, 2013 at 9:12 am (3 years ago)Thanks Miles!
Sophia
October 29, 2013 at 2:36 pm (3 years ago)C. 1.5km
Glad you’re planning on remaining in the UK! Happy travelling!
A Lady in London
October 30, 2013 at 9:12 am (3 years ago)Thanks Sophia! You’ll need to leave a comment on the blog post for the giveaway in order to enter.
Jade
October 29, 2013 at 9:27 pm (3 years ago)Congratulations! I’m on my seventh year now, still haven’t gotten around to applying for citizenship yet. I think I’m too scared to send away my passport again for so long like I did with my ILR application.
A Lady in London
October 30, 2013 at 9:11 am (3 years ago)Thanks! If you apply in person, you don’t have to give up your passport. It’s a bit more expensive, but for me it will be worth it.
Kait
October 29, 2013 at 11:45 pm (3 years ago)CONGRATS!! I absolutely adore London and have myself lived there on and off for 6 years. Unfortunately my mom moved and married and Englishman right after I turned 18 so I am unable to get a visa. That doesn’t mean I don’t still spend many months there every year (although, not more than the allotted 6 the tourist visa allows, of course). Maybe next time I come we can grab some lunch – I do miss me a roast and a Pimm’s 🙂 Kait xx
A Lady in London
October 30, 2013 at 9:11 am (3 years ago)Thanks Kait! Let’s definitely get lunch next time you’re in London!
James
October 31, 2013 at 6:34 pm (3 years ago)Hi, I just found your blog and have only read a couple of posts, however I really enjoyed your writing. Congratulations on your anniversary in London. I recently traveled to London and I absolutely love coming to the city. Such a stunning mix of old and new. Thanks for the great read!
Brizzle
October 31, 2013 at 8:37 pm (3 years ago)I’m considering a trip to London soon and thought about taking a Harry Potter style tour. Ever heard of this company? They seem to have some pretty cool tours and I’m not familiar with London at all. yay or nay?
Figured you’d be the person to ask haha. Anyways, cool blog! London looks awesome!
A Lady in London
November 1, 2013 at 4:26 pm (3 years ago)I haven’t heard of them, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy London regardless of what you choose!
nateniale
November 3, 2013 at 7:01 am (3 years ago)Congratulations! Looking forward to read all the adventures you will have in London and away from it!
A Lady in London
November 3, 2013 at 8:15 am (3 years ago)Thanks nateniale!
Nicole | The Wondernuts
November 6, 2013 at 8:19 pm (3 years ago)Congrats! That’s quite an anniversary.
A Lady in London
November 7, 2013 at 8:23 am (3 years ago)Thanks Nicole!
Cadence
November 7, 2013 at 11:24 pm (3 years ago)Only found your blog recently, but have loved catching up your adventures. I just moved to the UK as a civilian a couple of months ago. Happy expat-versary!
A Lady in London
November 8, 2013 at 8:45 am (3 years ago)Thanks Cadence!
Kate
November 17, 2013 at 9:24 am (3 years ago)Wow! 6 years! So great!
Inspires me.
You know Lady, what’s a good place for a girl to go on a winter vacation who is already going to be seeing much of Europe in Summer 2014.
I like anything romantic. Any cozy places with good history and great vistas you recommend?
A Lady in London
November 17, 2013 at 11:02 am (3 years ago)Try Switzerland!
Christy | Everyday Planet
November 18, 2013 at 4:34 pm (3 years ago)Congratulations on six years in a great country! xx
A Lady in London
November 18, 2013 at 5:11 pm (3 years ago)Thanks Christy!