So I plan on relocating to London and...?

Question

I plan on moving to London from San diego.. I'm pretty experienced when it comes to travel but relocating to a foreign country, despite any similarities in dialogue, is a rather new experience.. ANY information and tips regarding everything from how much money I need to bring with me, where to find employment, where to live and even how to start off in general are very much appreciated :)

Thanks!

Answer 1

As a former Londoner now living in Georgia (don't ask!) the differences are interesting to say the least. Firstly you will find London very expensive - the dollar is very weak at the moment. A great website for general info - tourism, restaurants etc is thisislondon.co.uk which has all sorts of info which you may find useful. Also check out the London Standard/Evening Standard which is the London paper. With regards to employment you don't say what you do, so I would suggest using one of the many employment agencies based in London - they will want to see you but will be able to give you a sensible assessment of work prospects. Be prepared to use the tube system - it really is the best way to get about and expect to live further out of town as it is cheaper (but stay near the tube network). Also check out upmystreet.co.uk to compare areas as this will give you details on council taxes, crime rates and even schools. As long as you have credit cards you don't necessarily need to bring cash with you as c/cards will be accepted most places and most banks will do cash advances provided you bring id and be prepared to pay a small fee. It's also worth checking out the American Embassy website as they may have useful tips too. Good luck!

Answer 2

Unless you hold a UK or EU passport you will need to find a way to get a work permit. Depending on your job skills that might be easy or challenging. Try this website as a good place to start http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage.html . If you have special job skills look into a 'highly skilled migrants visa'. That application can allow you to get a visa and then enter the UK to look for work. Otherwise you'll have to find an employer willing to sponsor your visa, and that can be difficult.
At any rate, start saving right away if you haven't done so already. London is very expensive and until you are earning British pounds you will flow through your US savings at an astounding rate! Even finding a tiny apartment to share with others costs a fortune. Be prepared for your housing to be MUCH smaller than what you are used to. Take that into consideration when you decide what to move with you. You will probably want to store or get rid of some things.
If you are taking appliances be sure to get a proper power convertor. Alternatively you can just replace needed items once you are there. US appliances will work (with the power convertor), with the exception of you TV. That will have to be replaced with a UK TV, if you want one. Also be aware that your credit history in the US won't have much influence in the UK. If you are hoping to buy a property you will need to wait until you have established residency (about a 5 year process), or you will have to have a HUGE downpayment (40% or so). Good luck.

Answer 3

really east London (east ham,bow,bethnal green) anywhere round those general areas are good for public transport and close to the city where most jobs are. There is plenty of work just depends what you want to do. If you are looking to privately rent a place then you will need about £500 a month just for that.the rest all depends on the type of lifestyle you would have as to how much you would be spending a month.

Answer 4

money? you will need at least 250thousand pounds for a flat/ apartment just big enough to put a single bed and not much else. or so i'm led to believe. consider living outside of london as this will be better on your bank balance in the short to mid term.
as for bringing the money with you just put your money in a bank that is well known over here such as the abby national halifax HSBC or Barclays to name just a few. then you are safer less chance of being mugged for your cash.
as for employment the governmet jobs agancys online site is http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/index.html
see the web for homes in the UK and see what is available in your budget and price range.

good luck and i hope this limited information helps a little.

Answer 5

flat sharing is much less expensive, renting a 1 bed flat is way 2 expensive, look at these sites for finding a room:
Look for flat share ads)
Gumtre,flatshare are very popluar.


For work, you need to go to ajobcentre near you, apply for a nationa insuarance number (NI) & search for a job but they're not the best place for job hunting : I'm not the best person to advise on job hunting though but it's a good idea to ask in stores/retauarants/coffe shops if they have vacancies.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/index.html

Kingston-upon-Thames is a nice town, is just our=tside London though (is in greater London) & is south of the river.

Answer 6

Don't forget that you may need to get a visa to work in their country. Your ATM card will work in their machines, but you may end up paying your bank a conversion fee as well as a fee for using an ATM that doesnt belong to them. Also, you need to check into the max amount of pounds (money) you can legally bring with you.

Answer 7

Welcome to London! Well first off I say a great website to get you started is gumtree.com It has all sorts of jobs and rooms to rent. Rent can be anything from £60 p.p.p.w for a single room in a shared house out of the centre to the obsene. West and North London tend to me more expensive.

Good luck!

Answer 8

did you post this twice? by the way, if you aren't an EU citizen, you'll need a permit to work legally in the UK. Only an employer can get the permit for you. And, only if they can and will go through the trouble of showing that you have such unique skills that they are unable to fill the job with an EU citizen.

Answer 9

Go to the wrong part of London and you may not understand a what they say.
There are Jobcentres all around www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk so you can start your search,
You'll need a visa/work permit

Answer 10

you are able to desire to evaluate beginning with attempting to get a visa. the united kingdom possibly won't enable you to in simple terms pass there and get a job. countries tend to unlike immigrants coming in and taking jobs faraway from the locals. (you're in California.... sound typical?) As an American you may get a vacationer visa on arrival, yet it truly is no longer what you're finding for.