Back in the day, settling into a new country meant relying on maps, local newspapers, and guidebooks. But as the world is becoming increasingly fast-paced and digital-driven, our mobile apps are essential to helping us stay informed and making our lives more convenient.
If you just moved to the United Kingdom, the new environment might be overwhelming and challenging upon first encounter. Luckily, there are plenty of great apps to help you navigate your new life. From finding the best deals in local grocery stores and staying updated on the latest weather updates (especially important if you are in London) to enjoying some fun mobile games during your break time, the must-have apps covered below will make your life easier and more exciting.
SpareRoom: Helps you find the perfect place to live in and roommates to live with
Looking for rentals and roommates is one of the biggest headaches for all immigrants settling into a new city. Founded in 2004, SpareRoom is now the biggest house-share site and a roommate-matching service app. It has over nine million registered users and has helped over 12 million people find their ideal flatmate or flat share in the UK. According to the data from SpareRoom, every three minutes someone finds a flatmate using their app. The company believes that “living with the right people beats living on your own” because when you live with other people, you don’t just share your space – you also share your life with them. Therefore, SpareRoom’s search results can be personalized based on individual preferences and living habits. Furthermore, to ensure its users can find satisfactory rentals and roommates while avoiding online scams, the company has a dedicated team of moderators working seven days a week to check ads and content.
Citymapper: Relieves you from the hassle of navigating a new city
One of the first challenges an expat encounters when relocating to a new city is figuring out how to get around. Citymapper is one of the best public transit apps and mapping services. It offers a comprehensive turn-by-turn direction guide across all transport modes, including public transportation, walking, cycling, and scootering. Compared to Google Maps, which prioritizes providing a user-friendly interface for quick navigation, Citymapper focuses on delivering a comprehensive and personalized urban travel experience with a wide range of features. One of its disadvantages, however, is it does not cover some smaller cities, but at the time of writing, it covers at least 10 metropolises in the UK: London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Cardiff, Bristol, and Newcastle. So, as long as you reside in one of these cities, there’s no need to worry.
Getir: Gets your groceries delivered instantly
While UK supermarkets like Tesco and Waitrose offer online shopping options and can deliver your weekly or monthly groceries to your door, there may be times when you just want some casual items. This is where Getir comes in.
Founded in 2015, Getir became one of the largest delivery app companies in the UK. One of the biggest advantages Getir has over its rivals is that it can deliver over 1,500 everyday products to your door in minutes. What’s more, the app saves you from the trouble of booking a delivery slot days in advance; instead, you can make an order online whenever you want. Plus, Getir uses a constantly updated real-time inventory, which means it’s almost guaranteed you’ll always get what you asked for.
Babylon Health: Connects you with doctors at any time
Navigating the health system is never easy, let alone in a new country like the UK. Babylon Health is a one-stop healthcare app that has served over 13 million patients. It offers a range of free tools and services supported by cutting-edge AI technologies, such as a weight tracker, a mood tracker, and a user-friendly symptom checker. It also allows you to make phone or video call appointments with a clinician, nurse, mental health practitioners, and pharmacists 24/7, ensuring you get round-the-clock access to medical professionals. If you work irregular hours, this is truly a must-have app.
The Guardian: Keeps you updated with the latest local news
Having the Guardian app on your phone means staying updated with the latest news, analysis, and commentary from one of the UK’s most respected newspapers. All the breaking news alerts are delivered directly to your device, so you can respond and react to news as it happens. Additionally, the app allows you to personalize and focus your news feed on the topics and stories that matter most to you. You can follow specific sections, authors, or subjects, tailoring your news consumption to suit your interests. Even better, you can download articles from the app for offline reading.
Lottoland UK: Lottery & Casino: Adds fun to your everyday life
Online lotteries and casinos have seen increasing popularity in the UK for years. With an app on your phone, you can enjoy the excitement of gambling at your fingertips. Lottoland UK provides access to a number of lotteries, offering something for all types of app players, including lotto jackpots, online casino games, sports, scratchcards, and more. This one-stop gambling app lets you select your lucky numbers, buy tickets, and even set up subscriptions for your favourite lotteries quickly and conveniently. One thing to note is that you need to be above 18 years old to use the app. Gamble responsibly and always remember only to bet what you can afford.
Weather Underground: Keeps you informed about the ever-changing British weather
The UK is famous for its variable weather, which can change from one neighbourhood to the next. That’s why having Weather Underground is a must. The app provides hyper-local weather forecasts, radar maps, and severe weather alerts. This information helps you to make timely decisions about outdoor activities or commuting plans, ensuring you’re prepared for whatever weather comes your way.
