Anyone Here Ever Live Abroad? Thinking Of London.

I_AmThe_Walrus

I'm looking for any info you can throw my way with regards to living and working in London. The lifestyle over there suites my way of life. I'm 23, energetic, motivated, ambitious and involved in an industry that is literally and hopelessly non-existent in Ireland.

Having recently come back from a two week stint while staying with family over there, I have grown to love the bright lights, the underground atmosphere and the overall friendliness of the people in general.

What are your experiences of working there or living there...is it overly expensive etc.

Thanks for replies in advance.

Run_to_da_hills

Expensive

Unless you have something lined up don't even think about it. :eek:

Morlar

Council tax, water rates, multi zone travel cards. Rents ! Yep spensive would be the word I'd think of too.

Also don't forget when you blow your nose black gunk comes out of it.

Run_to_da_hills

Also if you buy an Oyster card in London all your movements will be watched :eek:

I_AmThe_Walrus

As usual, the normal negativity. :rolleyes:

Even if it is overly expensive, it still beats the sh!t out of Dublin.

Can anyone explain to me what, in the name of God, is in this kip we call a capital?

Oh yeah...corruption, ignorance and small-mindedness, stigmas and illiteracy.

owenc

Try manchester then, if you don't want expensive bills... though be prepared for nothing.. there ain't anything there but shops.. i'd personally recommend edinburgh though.

Run_to_da_hills

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

As usual, the normal negativity. :rolleyes:

Even if it is overly expensive, it still beats the sh!t out of Dublin.

Can anyone explain to me what, in the name of God, is in this kip we call a capital?

Agree in some ways, better nightlife, decent clubs without all this 2.30AM nannyism.

owenc

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Also if you buy an Oyster card in London all your movements will be watched :eek:

Yea, where you go on their buses.:P Typical, jealousy.

owenc

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Agree in some ways, better nightlife, decent clubs without all this 2.30AM nannyism.

Dublin is NOT better than london!:eek:

brummytom

London's a shithole

edellc

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

As usual, the normal negativity. :rolleyes:

Even if it is overly expensive, it still beats the sh!t out of Dublin.

Can anyone explain to me what, in the name of God, is in this kip we call a capital?

I love London, yes it is expensive but hell so is Dublin, yes it is dirty but hell so is Dublin you get good and bad everywhere

be aware that their job market is in as much **** as ours so would try to have something lined up also if you could stay with your relatives for a while this will save on rent

you get one shot at this life grab it by the balls and go for it if it works out great if not life lesson is learned but i wish you all the best its something i wish i had the balls to do at your age

owenc

brummytom wrote: »

London's a shithole

Yea, because its british.:rolleyes:

yosemite_sam

brummytom wrote: »

London's a shithole

Compared to where exactly?

brummytom

owenc wrote: »

Yea, because its british.:rolleyes:

Hey, we're both British

tman

Morlar wrote: »

Also don't forget when you blow your nose black gunk comes out of it.

That stopped happening to me about 6 months ago... I'm actually a little worried about where the black gunk is ending up now if it isn't in my nose:o

An expensive place to live, but totally worth it as a life experience imo.

Offy

owenc wrote: »

Try manchester then, if you don't want expensive bills... though be prepared for nothing.. there ain't anything there but shops.. i'd personally recommend edinburgh though.

I lived in Manchester for nearly five years. There is lots to do there, nightclubs stay open till 8am. It has a lot of Irish there too. Its kinda a big slum tbh but theres always a party going on. If you really want to know what Manchester is like ignore Cornation Street and watch Shameless.

owenc

brummytom wrote: »

Hey, we're both British

what makes me so sure your not lying.

edellc

yeah not crazy about Manchester dull and depressing however LONDON BABY IS FAB

brummytom

owenc wrote: »

what makes me so sure your not lying.

I could show you my passport, but I don't like the photo.


OP, obviously I'm not biased at all or anything.... butttt... if you want a good nightlife in the UK, Birmingham's a very good option too, and a hell of a lot cheaper than London. Very good Irish Associations here that can help you look for housing/work etc. Most major cities here have 'Irish Centres'; they'd be a good place to look at.

owenc

Offy wrote: »

I lived in Manchester for nearly five years. There is lots to do there, nightclubs stay open till 8am. It has a lot of Irish there too. Its kinda a big slum tbh but theres always a party going on. If you really want to know what Manchester is like ignore Cornation Street and watch Shameless.

No, i was there for a couple of days and there was nothing to do except goto the cinema, shop, goto a football match, and thats pretty much all. There was nothing like london etc... even edinburgh has more in it.

I_AmThe_Walrus

brummytom wrote: »

London's a shithole

I'm not singling you out because we don't know where you're from or the experience of your opinion but I must say, I throw up in my mouth a little when I hear people bad mouth the UK without proper explanation or for the simple fact that they're British.

Yes, we have a horrible history and our communication skills may have not always been on the same page but, in general, they are very nice people.
I envy the liberalism of the minds, no matter what the Government preach regarding strong conservatism or whatnot.

Dublin is years behind Britain. The infrastructure in basic terms, is laughable.

owenc

brummytom wrote: »

I could show you my passport, but I don't like the photo.


OP, obviously I'm not biased at all or anything.... butttt... if you want a good nightlife in the UK, Birmingham's a very good option too, and a hell of a lot cheaper than London

Yea, and you could just get a fake picture anyway.

up for anything

I went to London in the mid 80s to find work. As with most people I was planning to stay for a couple of years and ended up staying over 12 years. I was in London the whole time. Loved it. Yes, it is expensive but then salaries tend to be higher to match the cost of living. I found it very friendly and loved the anonimity of living there.

brummytom

owenc wrote: »

Yea, and you could just get a fake picture anyway.

I honestly have no idea what the fuck you're blathering on about now, Owen.

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I'm not singling you out because we don't know where you're from or the experience of your opinion but I must say, I throw up in my mouth a little when I hear people bad mouth the UK without proper explanation or for the simple fact that they're British.

Yes, we have a horrible history and our communication skills may have not always been on the same page but, in general, they are very nice people.
I envy the liberalism of the minds, no matter what the Government preach regarding strong conservatism or whatnot.

Dublin is years behind Britain. The infrastructure in basic terms, is laughable.

Ah no, I'm English myself (I always prefer the term English, to British - can't go being lumped in with the Welsh, can I?).

Seriously, London's only a 90 minute drive from here, so we've visited a fair bit (had two uncles who both used to live down there; both moved back). Obviously London's a great place, I mean, it's the capital - it's brimming with nightlife.

But on the other hand, it is very expensive in comparison to the rest of the UK; and is very, very crowded. Can't stand it myself, but if it suits you then that's all that matters. Though, I've got to say, I am impressed with the public transport down there; it's great.

edellc

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I'm not singling you out because we don't know where you're from or the experience of your opinion but I must say, I throw up in my mouth a little when I hear people bad mouth the UK without proper explanation or for the simple fact that they're British.

Yes, we have a horrible history and our communication skills may have not always been on the same page but, in general, they are very nice people.
I envy the liberalism of the minds, no matter what the Government preach regarding strong conservatism or whatnot.

Dublin is years behind Britain. The infrastructure in basic terms, is laughable.

Im a Dublin lass but in fairness its like someone just vomited and said there you go heres your city whereas London has structure and someone actually thought about how to build it love it love it love it

OPENROAD

brummytom wrote: »

London's a shithole

No its not!!!!

owenc

brummytom wrote: »

I honestly have no idea what the fuck you're blathering on about now, Owen.

Since when were you aloud to speak to me like that.

brummytom

owenc wrote: »

Since when were you aloud to speak to me like that.

Since when were you allowed to desecrate the English language?

callaway92

brummytom wrote: »

I honestly have no idea what the fuck you're blathering on about now, Owen.





Ah no, I'm English myself (I always prefer the term English, to British - can't go being lumped in with the Welsh, can I?).

Seriously, London's only a 90 minute drive from here, so we've visited a fair bit (had two uncles who both used to live down there; both moved back). Obviously London's a great place, I mean, it's the capital - it's brimming with nightlife.

But on the other hand, it is very expensive in comparison to the rest of the UK; and is very, very crowded. Can't stand it myself, but if it suits you then that's all that matters. Though, I've got to say, I am impressed with the public transport down there; it's great.

lololol...all I see in your posts in this thread is: troll troll troll

brummytom

callaway92 wrote: »

lololol...all I see in your posts in this thread is: troll troll troll

Why? Enlighten me.


I gave my opinion. I was asked to expand upon that. I do so; giving my opinion based on experience, and the positive and negative points, in my view.


Now would you care to explain exactly how I'm trolling?

I_AmThe_Walrus

edellc wrote: »

Im a Dublin lass but in fairness its like someone just vomited and said there you go heres your city whereas London has structure and someone actually thought about how to build it love it love it love it

Here Here.

A few people said earlier how expensive everything was but if you forget about the conversion rate for a second, you'll find that most things from alcohol, cigarettes to electrical appliances etc are largely and for the most part cheaper in London.

I hate Irish tax. For Gods sake, Amazon.co.uk won't even deliver here because of the BS VAT policies.

Why would I want to live in a world where my thoughts, needs and wants are an after-thought as opposed to service, education and convenience.

Morlar

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Dublin is years behind Britain.

Dublin is not britain. London is not dublin. All capitals have a different vibe, prague, paris, madrid, berlin etc all very different cities with different strengths and weaknesses. You asked for peoples opinions & experiences then ignored what people say in order to point out that you think dublin is a second rate city. Why not just go if you like it so much ?

christina_x

owenc wrote: »

Since when were you aloud to speak to me like that.

he gave his opinion just like you gave yours... relax!;)

Morlar

brummytom wrote: »

London's a shithole

Some parts of it definitely are.

brummytom

Morlar wrote: »

Some parts of it definitely are.

Much of South/East London is, tbh

OPENROAD

brummytom wrote: »

Much of South/East London is, tbh

Same in every city, is it not?

London is good fun but as had been said you need money.

I was broke for the first six months or so I was there until got my cashflow sorted.

There are plenty of other people in the same situation so it wouldn't be so bad.

I_AmThe_Walrus

Deleted User wrote: »

London is good fun but as had been said you need money.

I was broke for the first six months or so I was there until got my cashflow sorted.

There are plenty of other people in the same situation so it wouldn't be so bad.

Thanks for the positivity!

I'm thinking about residing on the outskirts perhaps. I have family in the Morden (sp?) area. A trip into the city centre is, at best, a 30 minutes journey - less expensive too. XD

edellc

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

Here Here.

A few people said earlier how expensive everything was but if you forget about the conversion rate for a second, you'll find that most things from alcohol, cigarettes to electrical appliances etc are largely and for the most part cheaper in London.

I hate Irish tax. For Gods sake, Amazon.co.uk won't even deliver here because of the BS VAT policies.

Why would I want to live in a world where my thoughts, needs and wants are an after-thought as opposed to service, education and convenience.

I found that you get more for your pound than you do the monopoly money we call the euro its like what our punt used to be oh i miss the days..............

anyway we do have a crap tax system and seem to be stuck in the 1970's with the way things are run however we are very liberal in our thoughts especially in the two major cities ie dublin and cork this is due to the young population though

so have you looked at jobs??? places to stay??? as if you have no job and the expensive of rent and living you only get the dole over there once a forthnight and it is a stuggle to live on so im told never did it myself but know others who ended up on it so make sure you plan and then plan some more

LONDON BABY YEAH

tman

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I'm thinking about residing on the outskirts perhaps. I have family in the Morden (sp?) area. A trip into the city centre is, at best, a 30 minutes journey - less expensive too. XD

It's worth looking for a job before you settle on a place to live imo. Living in Morden would be all fine and dandy*, but if you found a job in Harrow for example**, you'd have a ****er of a commute ahead of you every day!

* I've never actually been there, it could be a ****hole for all I know...
** Picked somewhere randomly... Yet another place I haven't been to

Sea Sharp

I'm thinking London, Berlin or some city in America. Just have to quit smoking and get the cash together. Hopefully in the next 18 months.

cruiser178

I_AmThe_Walrus wrote: »

I'm looking for any info you can throw my way with regards to living and working in London. The lifestyle over there suites my way of life. I'm 23, energetic, motivated, ambitious and involved in an industry that is literally and hopelessly non-existent in Ireland.

Having recently come back from a two week stint while staying with family over there, I have grown to love the bright lights, the underground atmosphere and the overall friendliness of the people in general.

What are your experiences of working there or living there...is it overly expensive etc.

Thanks for replies in advance.

serious answer, london is a great buzz for lifestyle.I lived there from 90-96 and worked from day one(construction),its one of the greatest citys you can live in,IF,IF you are in full time employment and bringing in very good wages.
I wouldn't advise going there with nothing lined up as its a very expensive and lonely city if you have no income,as an above poster said,travel underground,overhead trains,rent and every other bill that comes with it can be very difficult before a cup of tea passes your lips but go for it op nothing ventured nothing gained.
In the 6 years i lived there i've had a few bad experiences but know where near the amount of great memories i have.hope that helps.

AH answer,feck off

ejmaztec

brummytom wrote: »

I honestly have no idea what the fuck you're blathering on about now, Owen.

Is he your much younger brother?

brummytom

ejmaztec wrote: »

Is he your much younger brother?

No, my youngest brother's 10 - but he's mature

MagicMarker

Didn't really like London.

New York ftw.

merengueca

Offy wrote: »

I lived in Manchester for nearly five years. There is lots to do there, nightclubs stay open till 8am. It has a lot of Irish there too. Its kinda a big slum tbh but theres always a party going on. If you really want to know what Manchester is like ignore Cornation Street and watch Shameless.

God I hate that show - forget the countless acheivements of the city: invention of the computer, birthplace of the communist manifesto, history of acceptence of displaced peoples, first city with a passenger railway, 2 premier teams, ability to rebuild and look forward following IRA bomb with out recrimination, the curry mile, Hacienda, Factory records, countless museum and galleries, several thriving communities within the city (jewish, irish, polish, gay, chinese etc..), some of the most affluent areas outside of London, home to shows such as Cracker, Coronation St, Father & Son, European markets, Irish Festival, Annual 'Manchester' festival etc..

Still that depiction of the lowest level of this city get used as a defining illustration!!!:(


....Now Scattah!!!;)

biko

From After Hours

lillykay

London is brilliant
the only thing thats expensive is rent and the tube
food can be sooo cheap
tins of peas 12p in sainsurys
bottles of wine 3 pounds
newspaper 20p
each bus journey 1 pound on your oyster card

cheap fruit everywhere!!

I lived in SE20 for a year and loved it !!!!

ppl are so friendly. I lived in a slightly dodgy area but the only time i ever saw trouble was when a fight kicked off in the library:eek:

MagicMarker

lillykay wrote: »

London is brilliant
the only thing thats expensive is rent and the tube
food can be sooo cheap - and it can't be in ireland?
tins of peas 12p in sainsurys - who the **** wants peas?
bottles of wine 3 pounds - pretty sure wine is just as cheap here
newspaper 20p - internet ftw
each bus journey 1 pound on your oyster card - car ftw

cheap fruit everywhere!! - fruit is generally cheap

I lived in SE20 for a year and loved it !!!!

ppl are so friendly. I lived in a slightly dodgy area but the only time i ever saw trouble was when a fight kicked off in the library:eek:

.

lillykay

oy oy!! have you ever been there magic marker?
I have never been able to buy food as cheap here as i did in london.
peas were just an example im not gonna list everything out!
wine was generally better quality for the cheap ones, when yu buy the cheapest here its usually ****.
car ftw?? way more expensive.

and even if it was exactly the same prices as dublin, youre getting a waaaay better city for your money.


not to mention the great cheap nights out to be had in all the wetherspoons.
7 pounds for a bottle of wine in the pub. cant beat that

MagicMarker

lillykay wrote: »

7 pounds for a bottle of wine in the pub. cant beat that

Well, I don't drink, so I guess that means I win.