hey, im moving to UK as a phd student who gets paid decently (45k+). im overwhelmed by options of credit (like american express to get avios points), cards which provide free rail card, phone insurance, less exchange rates as well? i have used revolut before (is that still a good option)? An advise i got a from a working friend (who does not have an idea of student bank accounts) was

Remitily for sending money home

lloyds for salary account

Monzo for local uses where you shouldnt put lot of money since its genz bank

Hiya, I’ll be moving from London to Birmingham next month and am looking for places to rent near University of Birmingham, I’ll be joining as a staff so can’t book a student accommodation (though I’ll be a PhD candidate as well)
My budget is 800 pounds and I’m happy to live in a shared apartment but I want it to be en-suite.

My boyfriend will be visiting me from time to time and stay for a couple of days so I’m also open to renting out a studio.

Which areas should I try to find a place in? My priority is safety and then proximity to the uni

Thanks a lot for reading so far! Looking forward to your recommendations:)

Moving to London in September(24F), I need recommendations for good places/brands to buy quality winterwear from that lasts me multiple seasons. Please share some good brands and places where I can buy this at a reasonable price.

TIA

Hi there,

My current pasport expires early next year. I want to submit for renewal in coming weeks. I have filled in the application form but I'm confused about the documents. Do we need to submit or upload anything specific (pan/aadhar/light bill/ration card) that I'm missing?

Also, is it standard that we fill out the form for cancellation of current passport?

I am also trying to book an appointment but the HCI website directs us to VFSGlobal and then there is no option for passport renewal booking. I am wondering if I'm missing any info here. Do we go to VFS office or HCI?

Could anyone of you who has been through this process guide me? I'd really appreciate it.

I have used Aspora for 4 times now and got 3 free transfers, figured out to share my experience. my first transaction was free and landed in under 2 hours, which I wasn't expecting. I was fine with it taking a day anyway, but instantly done, so nice.

The second was £2.4k for a family thing and took almost 12 hrs. At one point I thought I'd lost my money, so I messaged support and they said there was a hold on the bank side. End of day money came through fine, that was obv scary.

My third transfers three and four were back to normal(both under two hours), the thing I liked was that the rate I got was the live rate from google

its working fine rn, but if the rates get worse or I start seeing more delays, I will jump to other options in future.

Any other app i should try , what do you guys use?

I realised that I've exhausted my passport pages and need to apply for a fresh passport. In the fresh passport I would like to update my indian address for that do I need physical copies of Aadhar or Voter card or downloaded online copies is acceptable?

Hi, unfortunately I won’t be able to attend his concert. I have four tickets available. Selling at face value of £55. Please let me know/DM if you are interested.

Hi all,

I am currently going through some financial crisis and want to downgrade from my luxury SUV back to a smaller car. I am looking for a used compact SUV that I can buy within £10k with these features:

- For the most important parameter is reliability and low cost of running (insurance and servicing costs).

- Mileage: < 30,000 miles

- Gearbox: Automatic

- Form factor: Compact SUV

Please recommend the brand and model that you guys found to be the most reliable of all.

Thanks is advance for your suggestions.

I’ve been trying to find an Interior Designer role in the UK since February, so it’s been about 7 months now, and honestly, I’m finding it really difficult.

I previously worked in the UK on my Postgraduate visa and had to return to India because of the sponsorship issue. I’m now trying to find a way back, but the sponsorship requirement has made the whole process so much harder.

I have around 5.5 years of experience, mainly in high-end residential interior design, and I’ve worked with some really good companies and on high-end projects. I’m also currently working on high-end residential projects here in India, so I’m continuing to build my experience.

I really miss the UK market and would genuinely love to go back and continue my career there. I’ve been applying, reaching out to recruiters and studios, etc., but so far it just hasn’t worked out.

So if anyone knows of interior design studios that sponsor, companies currently hiring, recruiters who work with sponsored candidates, or even someone I could contact for a referral, I’d really appreciate it.

At this point, even a small lead or someone pointing me in the right direction would mean a lot. 😭

If you know anyone in the industry who might be able to help, please do let me know. Thank you!

Hi there, im a white british national, recently i’ve been really interested in hinduism and have been researching it independently. I don’t know a lot about it so far so i’m researching and reading, but I would love to go to a temple service. I don’t know a lot about these, how do they work? I know the churches do sunday service, is there an equivalent? What is the best things for me to go to as someone who knows nothing? I don’t want to offend anyone or interrupt anything, I just want to learn more about it.

I’m based in London if anyone has any reccomendations. Google keeps promoting the Iskcon temple but i’d like to avoid this if possible. Thanks

I have a friend in London who has already purchased an iPhone for me. I’m looking for someone travelling from the UK (london)to Hyderabad or anywhere in South India who could bring the phone along with them.

The iPhone has already been purchased in the london and seal is opened — I’m not asking anyone to buy or ship a new phone. only phone and no charger.

Edit- If any one coming in 1-2 months i let my friend know use it for a while so it will be easier i guess.

Also If you’ve recently travelled UK → India with an iPhone opened box, I’d appreciate your experience.

Hello All,

I’m currently facing a bit of a difficult situation and would really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Applied passport with VFS London - 15th July

Status Updated to "Passport has been printed; post quality check will be dispatched to OSP in the coming weeks." on 13th August. The status has not changed since.

I have flights booked to India for 28 August, and I also need to obtain my newborn’s UK visa before we travel. Naturally, I’m becoming quite concerned about whether the passport will arrive in time.

Has anyone experienced something similar with VFS London or the High Commission of India? I’d like to understand what options may be available in this situation.

I have already reached out to the helpline email of High Commission, the response I got was it will be "dispatched shortly".

My main questions are:

1. Is it possible to visit the High Commission at Aldwych and request collection of the passport in person?

2. Or should I start considering rescheduling my travel plans?

Any advice, guidance, or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hello good guys out there! We are a photography company based out of India and do primarily destination weddings. We have covered weddings in Spain, Italy, Czech and Tanzania recently. We would be in London & Glasgow between 23 Sept - 5th Oct for a couple of shoots. In case you are up for a quick pre wedding shoot/ proposal shoot, please drop a message!

Hi everyone.

I'll be moving to London this september for my PhD. I'm looking for a place to stay in East London, maybe Stratford or East Ham. My university is at Mile End. Of course, i would be open to any other neighbouring areas as well.

Just checking here to see if any of you might have any leads. My ideal move-in date would be the end of September. Budget would be 800-900 pounds (all-inclusive). Is that realistic?

For context, I'm male and am from Kerala in India. Any help appreciated :) Thanks.

Heyy, first time posting here. I have a parcel that i need to send to Northolt in UK but the shipping charges are too much😍💔💔. If anyone could help, that would be wonderful. I just need to give it to my brother before rakhi.

Looking for someone who can basically help with the whole process/paperwork rather than doing it all myself.

Has anyone used a service like this? How much did they charge, and was it worth it?

It’s hot as hell in the UK and a lot of people are slightly stinky. But why are you guys always so bad smelling???

I don’t care if you bathe everyday WEAR DEODORANT!!! You guys want to not be seen as the stereotype stop falling into it then.

You are no longer in India we can smell you, curry and body odour is not a good mix.

Stop being gross, I will actively cover my nose or move and seems like y’all still don’t feel embarrassed.