19 December 2018 was the day that changed my life. It was the day I arrived in London from Romania, ready to start a new life in the big city.
I like to think of myself as a people person, friendly, open and infinitely adaptable, but I’m so glad that I had people to stay with when I arrived, friends I’d known since I was four years old, because they made the transition to my new home so much easier. Just one month later I was sitting in my very first interview with GHE – I loved them, they loved me, so my UK adventure had truly begun.
In case you’re not lucky enough to have visited my hometown, Patras is a beautiful seaside city in western Greece. We’ve got our own castle overlooking the Gulf of Patras, a busy university, which is why the place is always so lively and because it’s traditional (yes I’m sticking to that reason) we love to eat ice cream all year round. Seriously, it’s a weird city-wide tradition, not just in my home. I also blame my obsession with coffee on the silly number of cafes and coffee shops we have on every street and this could also explain my non-stop high energy levels.
Back in Romania I had gained a little experience in lettings, as one of the companies I’d worked for had some units that they let out and I was responsible for liaising with agencies and even doing some viewings, which I remember being quite fun.
Now, after more than two and a half years with GHE, everyone in my office really does feel like a second family. We look after one another as much as we look after the interests for our candidates and clients, treating others as we would want to be treated ourselves.
As a tenant myself I understand the stresses and strains that can accompany moving homes. That’s why I do my utmost to be there at the end of the phone for all of our tenants from when their offer has been accepted, being their first port of call and providing them with all the information they’ll need to make their move a more enjoyable experience.
Over the years I’ve perfected the process, however, part of the fun of the job is that there can still be challenging situations to face from time to time. Easily the most taxing was a 1-day move in we had to do. Oh boy you should’ve seen me running here there and everywhere, acting like I was on military exercises – gathering information from colleagues, sending out paperwork, liaising with the tenant, getting contracts signed, ensuring that move in funds were cleared, organising a professional clean and booking in a check-in… all done in less than 8 hours. Phew! Then again, it’s days like those that make my job all the more enjoyable.
Living with my friends in Dartford was great. We had time to enjoy this beautiful city together visiting its parks and museums – the V&A was my favourite. But in August 2020 I found a studio flat in the heart of London, in the Southwark area, just 12 minutes from the office, and this, to me, was like living the dream. I now get to really explore, walking from the London Eye and Tower Bridge, along the Thames, enjoying a vanilla ice cream on a bench facing the river of an evening.
I love to travel, I can’t wait to be able to get on a plane again and visit big cities and small villages, beautiful Greek islands and experience different cultures and cuisines. But however long I’m here in the UK a small part of me is still back in Romania. Before the pandemic I’d regularly travel back to meet up with family and friends and have endless conversations and share stories. Can you imagine how much there is to tell them after we haven’t been able to see one another for almost 2 years?
When I’m able to I love to snowboard, but while I cannot I try to keep fit by going out for a run in the evenings alongside the river Thames. For all its challenges, life is good when you’ve got your health and such a beautiful view on your doorstep.