Work for the summer

Keaton Deafening Test wrote: »

To be honest it sounds like hell. I wouldn't even stay in a hostel for a night never mind spend a summer in Germany in a tent.

Well everyone has different tastes. The longest Ive camped for was electric picnic lol..I didnt mind it really but I hated the cold. The no showers , the crowds and loud music were bearable for 3 nights. But you wouldnt have any of that in Germany and it'd be warm so I think Id enjoy it.

Permabear wrote: »

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Camping is fine - although with 18 year olds, better to do it as part of a group with some the kids experienced campers or Scouts/Guides/whatever they call themselves these days.

Moving to London is no joke and you need a few grand to get set up in the first place. Unless you're staying with relatives it simply isn't a viable option. You need a first month's rent and deposit for a room which is around 1200 buck minimum, then you'll also need references and often an employer statement and chances are a landlord won't want some young lad over for the summer and neither will the tenants who already occupy the house. Competition is fierce for any sort of housing. The days of 20 young builders from Connemara piled into a house in Kilburn are long gone.

I came here at 18 and was lucky as I had an aunt to stay with and a week after she moved in with her boyfriend. She wanted to keep the flat so paid a chunk of the of the rent (although a much smaller percentage than she let on the scoundrel) and because it was above an Irish pub we paid no council tax etc and everything was cash in hand. Within a month I had a two bed flat to myself and a 65 hour a week job with a decent hourly rate.

Getting a summer job over here is a bygone thing and for an 18 year old they'll probably be getting paid shag all and will leave without a shilling after beer and the rest is factored in.

FTA69 wrote: »

Moving to London is no joke and you need a few grand to get set up in the first place. Unless you're staying with relatives it simply isn't a viable option. You need a first month's rent and deposit for a room which is around 1200 buck minimum, then you'll also need references and often an employer statement and chances are a landlord won't want some young lad over for the summer and neither will the tenants who already occupy the house. Competition is fierce for any sort of housing. The days of 20 young builders from Connemara piled into a house in Kilburn are long gone.

I came here at 18 and was lucky as I had an aunt to stay with and a week after she moved in with her boyfriend. She wanted to keep the flat so paid a chunk of the of the rent (although a much smaller percentage than she let on the scoundrel) and because it was above an Irish pub we paid no council tax etc and everything was cash in hand. Within a month I had a two bed flat to myself and a 65 hour a week job with a decent hourly rate.

Getting a summer job over here is a bygone thing and for an 18 year old they'll probably be getting paid shag all and will leave without a shilling after beer and the rest is factored in.

That's a pity cos London was a great option back in the day, arrive one day, head down to Clipfine on the junction road and get a decent labouring job the next. That was when the building boom was in, though. I remember recessions too when you'd end up getting a day here and there for McGinleys or some other bunch of charlatans who worked you like a slave for 22.50 (less 2 quid tax) a day. Cash the cheque in the archway tavern, have a feed and a few pints and wonder how you were going to get to the end of the week with 50 quid in your pocket!

I think things are definitely tougher for kids leaving school and college now. There are less options for a start. I don't blame anybody for clinging to home comforts for as long as possible, it's the human instinct for preservation in operation s'all.