Relocating to London as a sober girly!
Moving to London is such a big step for anyone; even if you were from Manchester, you would still find cities like London both intimidating and a huge step forward into a different kind of world. The saying hustle and bustle surely was made in this city because there is always something going on and it’s full of people from here, there and everywhere.
A common misconception is that you can’t enjoy the city life as a sober girly or that it might be hard to meet people if you aren’t willing to go out to bars and whatnot! As someone who has relocated to a city and met other people who have moved over and either not been a huge fan of drinking or sober, it is much greater than you realise.
I have put together some words of encouragement and a mini guide if you are either visiting or relocating to London as a sober girly!
How to meet people
The main concern people have is not having any kind of support system when moving so far away but there are so many ways you can organically meet people who share your interests and are welcoming new people into their circle.
Join a couple of classes
Classes are the perfect, if not the essential, way to meet new people who are both normal and safe and have similar interests as you and the reason why I recommend joining more than one is because, why not? It increases your likelihood of meeting your kind of people who share the same interests beyond that class, if that makes sense.
Either way, classes are the perfect non-drinking situation to put yourself in and also are a great reason to leave the flat and possibly pick up some new skills so either way, it’s a win-win.
Classes you could join can be cooking, painting, run club, fitness classes, music, health and safety, dance, craft class, pottery or any form of sports that you might be into. There are so many hobbies that you might already have that can bring you to a community of like-minded people so I couldn’t recommend these sober, safe, girly activities.
Online groups
If you aren’t interested in classes or wish to go down an alternative route, you can always use the gift that is social media and find online groups or even post on TikTok and see who responds. It’s interesting; I met one of my friends at university through TikTok! As it was lockdown, it was hard to meet people as we weren’t allowed to do anything that students were allowed to do, like freshers and whatnot, so I put a post on asking if any girlies were also students in Liverpool and wanted to be my friend, and that’s how it happened!
Sometimes you can’t wait for things to happen organically and have to do things like we did when we were kids and ask girls if they want to be our friends.
Things to do sober in London
There are countless things you can do in London that don’t require alcohol and I have put together some inspiration for your next weekend.
Afternoon tea
Alright, Grandma… joking, this is such a humble and cute way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon. You can scoff down some cakes and scones while gabbing with your new friends. It’s a simple, affordable and adorable way to enjoy an afternoon.
Shuffleboard
This is a very popular game as of late and is a great way to have some fun after some food, maybe. But it doesn't have to end at shuffleboard; there are loads of games that you could enjoy in the day or evening, Whether it be bowling or pool, there are so many spots you can head to in London for some light-hearted fun.
Sporting fun
Run clubs are all the craze at the moment, but if you are anything like me and particularly a fan of running, there are things like tennis, paddle (another popular one), pole or even some hiking communities that you can join for some exercise and competitive fun. It’s another great way to meet people and is very stimulating.
Shopping
The girls love a good coffee and shopping trip and if you ask me, it’s classed as a sport and a hobby. This is a great way to let the day flow by you as well as all of your pocket change on a brand new coat or pair of earrings that you, of course, need not want. London is great for both retail and vintage and charity shops so you can do it all if you want to and find some great unique little pieces to add to your collection.
Key considerations
If you are moving to London from abroad, be sure that you are staying updated with all of the visa changes that are happening currently. I’ve had a couple of friends that are struggling with applications for extensions so be sure that you are aware of any requirement changes before applying. There are immigration lawyers in London who can always help if you deed it.
Cost of living
It is an expensive world, London, but while sober girls tend to save more than those who do decide to drink, it’s important to understand that every single thing is more expensive, so factor in how much you need to be earning to live a happy lifestyle and if it’s worth the move in the first place.
Housing
It’s nothing new that finding places to live in central London is becoming more expensive and much harder to find so I would recommend staying on the outskirts anyway; the tube runs till late and is extremely affordable. Once you get the hang of it as well it will become second nature. Plus, you will get a lot more bang for your buck.
By Lucy Couser
Lucy is a freelance writer who finished her degree in creative writing in Manchester. She loves to talk and share her experiences with alcohol, top tips and healthier fun alternatives for the sober community. You can find her substack here!
