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Moving To/Living In London Megathread - ALL QUESTIONS TO GO HERE

12467…33

Comments

  • #152
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    Deadalus wrote: »
    We would have about £650 pound max a month to spend on rent...
    For a room or a place of your own? Because for that kind of rent in London, you're looking at a houseshare, realistically.
    reusable wrote: »
    I've not found a good recruitment agency yet.
    Yeah, unfortunately, in my experience, recruitment agencies in the UK are just as useless as they are in Ireland - I gave up with them pretty quickly.


  • #153
    silvervixen84
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 6,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭silvervixen84


    I found my job through monster.co.uk and my flat through spareroom.co.uk

    About the rent, bear in mind that you should realistically make allowance for council tax too which varies depending on where you live.

    The further you go out from central London, the more expensive your commute will be. I live in Zone 2, and my weekly travel card for Zones 1-2 (on my Oyster) is £29.20. Zone 1-3 is £34.20, Zone 1-4 is £41.80 etc.

    As for work, what kind of job are you hoping to get?


  • #154
    Deadalus
    Registered Users Posts: 230 ✭✭Deadalus


    Thanks for the replies folks.

    Yeah I know all we could get would be a double room for that and we are happy enough with that.

    Jobs wise we will take anything that pays more that £25000 to be honest. We have both fairly decent work experience.

    I don't suppose anyone is heading over from at the start of April to live and wants to share a house with us? No harm in asking....


  • #155
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    Deadalus wrote: »
    Jobs wise we will take anything that pays more that £25000 to be honest. We have both fairly decent work experience.
    Experience of what? Even broadly speaking, what kind of work are you looking for? And is that £25k before or after tax?


  • #156
    Deadalus
    Registered Users Posts: 230 ✭✭Deadalus


    Well my girlfriend has about 3 years credit control experience for a telecoms company and I have worked in an adminstration and low level IT capacity for the public service for the last 3 years also. I would be hoping for 25K after tax but anything to get us settled and paying rent for the first few months and then maybe find something better paying then.


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  • #157
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    Deadalus wrote: »
    Well my girlfriend has about 3 years credit control experience for a telecoms company and I have worked in an adminstration and low level IT capacity for the public service for the last 3 years also. I would be hoping for 25K after tax...
    To be honest, based on the brief description you've provided, I think that's pretty ambitious. You'd need to be making about £33,500 gross to come out with £25k after tax and that would be a good salary by London standards and an excellent salary by UK standards. But, as I said, this is just based on what you've given me above.


  • #158
    Deadalus
    Registered Users Posts: 230 ✭✭Deadalus


    Yeah you are absolutely right. I hadn't really worked it out. So am I being realistic hoping for around 27k before tax? How is the job market there at the minute? I'm currently applying to as many jobs as I can so I'll have to wait and see if I get any replies.

    Can you give any suggestions regarding the best zone I could hope for with my budget?


  • #159
    ludermor
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 120 ✭✭ludermor


    djpbarry wrote: »
    A friend of mine recently recommended CurrencyFair, although I've not yet tried it myself.

    I use this site for transferring money to ireland on a monthly, it works out a heel of a lot cheaper than going through the banks, they get the best exchange rate on teh day, dont charge commision and there is just a one off charge of 1 pound. http://transferwise.com/


  • #160
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    ludermor wrote: »
    I use this site for transferring money to ireland on a monthly, it works out a heel of a lot cheaper than going through the banks, they get the best exchange rate on teh day, dont charge commision and there is just a one off charge of 1 pound. http://transferwise.com/
    I've since used CurrencyFair and I'd recommend it. I've actually managed same-day transfers between my accounts in London and Dublin at a cost of just €3.


  • #161
    ludermor
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 120 ✭✭ludermor


    The 2 sites are very very similar though i have to say i have never beat 2 days to get into my irish account. I checked just now and the exchange rate for transferwise is 1.193 and for currencyfair it is 1.897 so next to nothing in the rates.
    It really does highlight how we are getting fleeced by the banks!


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  • #162
    DaDeadly1
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭DaDeadly1


    Hey everyone, im lookin to move to the london area, have a friend living there and will hopefully move in with him till i get settled.
    Just wondering, I want to bring my car over, is it fine to bring? or do i have to register it over there or is there anything i have to do??
    Also my bank is AIB at the mo, what bank should i set up with over there?
    I probably have more questions to follow :/ thank yous :)


  • #163
    83ste
    Registered Users Posts: 539 ✭✭✭83ste


    DaDeadly1 wrote: »
    Hey everyone, im lookin to move to the london area, have a friend living there and will hopefully move in with him till i get settled.
    Just wondering, I want to bring my car over, is it fine to bring? or do i have to register it over there or is there anything i have to do??
    Also my bank is AIB at the mo, what bank should i set up with over there?
    I probably have more questions to follow :/ thank yous :)

    You have to register the car in the UK within three months of arriving. There's a bit of form-filling and you have to take the time to visit a DVLA office during work/office hours. And naturally there are fees involved, but nothing too prohibitive. One possible ballache, if your car's speedometer is km/h, you will have to get it converted to mp/h before they'll let you register it here.

    See here for more: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/ImportingAndExportingAVehicle/DG_4022583


  • #164
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    what you should really think about is try and flog the car at home, and buy a car when you get over here. you'll get a much better spec car for your lolly over here.


  • #165
    DaDeadly1
    Registered Users Posts: 33 ✭DaDeadly1


    Oh any recommendations for good job sites i could be searching? or would i even be able to set myself up within a recruitment agency or anything while still living in ireland???


  • #166
    duffarama
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭duffarama


    I found jobsite was the best one in terms of getting jobs online before anywhere else.

    I found a great reluctance to contact me until I put my friends Clapham address on my CV and had picked up a UK sim card though.


  • #167
    silvervixen84
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 6,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭silvervixen84


    ludermor wrote: »
    I use this site for transferring money to ireland on a monthly, it works out a heel of a lot cheaper than going through the banks, they get the best exchange rate on teh day, dont charge commision and there is just a one off charge of 1 pound. http://transferwise.com/
    djpbarry wrote: »
    I've since used CurrencyFair and I'd recommend it. I've actually managed same-day transfers between my accounts in London and Dublin at a cost of just €3.

    I use the Post Office online international payments which is free and charges 0% commission

    http://www.postoffice.co.uk/finance/making-payments/post-office-international-payments


  • #168
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    ballsymchugh wrote: »
    what you should really think about is try and flog the car at home...
    You'll do well to sell a car for a good price in Ireland at the moment.
    DaDeadly1 wrote: »
    Oh any recommendations for good job sites i could be searching?
    What sort of job are you looking for?
    DaDeadly1 wrote: »
    or would i even be able to set myself up within a recruitment agency or anything while still living in ireland???
    Personally, I wouldn't waste my time with recruitment agencies. But, there's no reason you can't begin searching for jobs from Ireland. However, you'll find prospective employers are a bit more receptive if they know you're available for an interview at short notice.
    silvervixen84 wrote: »
    I use the Post Office online international payments which is free and charges 0% commission
    Their rates don't look all that good? They're offering €1.16 for £1, but I can get €1.18 on Currency Fair at this moment in time.


  • #169
    supernova84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 972 ✭✭✭supernova84


    I just can't decide where I want to go. It's either London, Canada or Australia. I'm currently in the middle of applying for the Canada visa but now having second thoughts. I'm an accountant with 5 years experience currently in Ireland. Anyone any advice? Is there much work for accountants in London? Thanks


  • #170
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    supernova84 wrote: »
    Is there much work for accountants in London?
    Nah. London doesn't have much in the way of a financial district.


  • #171
    who the fug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭who the fug


    djpbarry wrote: »
    Nah. London doesn't have much in the way of a financial district.

    You forgot the tongue and cheek smiley


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  • #172
    supernova84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 972 ✭✭✭supernova84


    A right clever bunch on here


  • #173
    x43r0
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,278 ✭✭✭x43r0


    I don't know about accountants specifically but the banks seem to still be hiring.

    You could probably pick up contract work handy enough


  • #174
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    supernova84 wrote: »
    A right clever bunch on here
    Oh I'm just teasing ;).

    I don't work in the sector, but I do know that it's business as usual in the City of London and there is a lot of money to be earned there.


  • #175
    candles_
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭candles_


    Hi, Ive read alot about the National insurance number in this thread but I just have one more question about it. I'm only going to be working in the UK for 2 months and I'll only be moving over a day before I start work. Can I just not get a NIN? If I dont what happens?


  • #176
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    candles_ wrote: »
    Hi, Ive read alot about the National insurance number in this thread but I just have one more question about it. I'm only going to be working in the UK for 2 months and I'll only be moving over a day before I start work. Can I just not get a NIN? If I dont what happens?

    open to correction, but you end up paying emergency tax, way more than regular.


  • #177
    candles_
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭candles_


    ballsymchugh wrote: »
    open to correction, but you end up paying emergency tax, way more than regular.

    Can I get one in Northern Ireland (by giving a friends address) and use the number in England or is it a different number? Or will I need to provide proof of address in Northern Ireland?


  • #178
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    candles_ wrote: »
    Can I get one in Northern Ireland (by giving a friends address) and use the number in England or is it a different number? Or will I need to provide proof of address in Northern Ireland?

    it's a UK number, so norn iron numbers will work, but you will need proof of address.


  • #179
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    candles_ wrote: »
    Hi, Ive read alot about the National insurance number in this thread but I just have one more question about it. I'm only going to be working in the UK for 2 months and I'll only be moving over a day before I start work. Can I just not get a NIN?
    It's quite possible you'll be back working in the UK again at some point in the future, so you may as well just go and get it out of the way - it really isn't that big a deal and it will probably save you hassle in the long run!


  • #180
    KidKeith89
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 194 ✭✭KidKeith89


    Hey guys. I'm moving to London in the next few weeks. Like a lot of other people I can't find work here. I'm a financial journalist, and being a finance centre I really need to be in London - I've researched and there seems to be a lot of opportunities.

    When I head over I'll definitely be attending the meet ups, so looking forward to it :) Any advice on where to live? What's it like when you first move over?


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  • #181
    silvervixen84
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 6,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭silvervixen84


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Hey guys. I'm moving to London in the next few weeks. Like a lot of other people I can't find work here. I'm a financial journalist, and being a finance centre I really need to be in London - I've researched and there seems to be a lot of opportunities.

    When I head over I'll definitely be attending the meet ups, so looking forward to it :) Any advice on where to live? What's it like when you first move over?

    Hi KidKeith, check out the FAQ thread here for tips about where to live and what to do when you arrive.

    Best of luck and maybe see you at the beers soon!


  • #182
    KidKeith89
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 194 ✭✭KidKeith89


    silvervixen84 wrote: »
    Hi KidKeith, check out the FAQ thread here for tips about where to live and what to do when you arrive.

    Best of luck and maybe see you at the beers soon!

    Thanks Silvervixen! Looking forward to it now :)

    Are there a lot of meet ups?


  • #183
    bill_lehane
    Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭bill_lehane


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Hey guys. I'm moving to London in the next few weeks. Like a lot of other people I can't find work here. I'm a financial journalist, and being a finance centre I really need to be in London - I've researched and there seems to be a lot of opportunities.

    When I head over I'll definitely be attending the meet ups, so looking forward to it :) Any advice on where to live? What's it like when you first move over?

    Welcome aboard (pun sort of intended), from a fellow biz journo here in London. I found both this board and GlasLondon's advice section to be very helpful. Basically finding a flat is the biggest pain, there's very little paperwork involved for Irish people thankfully! Feel free to ask any questions at all, here or on Twitter or some such.

    Seeyah

    Bill.


  • #184
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Any advice on where to live?
    That depends heavily on where you'll be working - I'd get sorted with a job first and then think about accommodation.


  • #185
    silvervixen84
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 6,485 Mod ✭✭✭✭silvervixen84


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Thanks Silvervixen! Looking forward to it now :)

    Are there a lot of meet ups?

    Usually about once a month but March is very busy for everyone so there may be one in April, but feel free to start your own meet-up thread anytime or check out the events thread too.


  • #186
    KidKeith89
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 194 ✭✭KidKeith89


    bill_lehane wrote: »
    Welcome aboard (pun sort of intended), from a fellow biz journo here in London. I found both this board and GlasLondon's advice section to be very helpful. Basically finding a flat is the biggest pain, there's very little paperwork involved for Irish people thankfully! Feel free to ask any questions at all, here or on Twitter or some such.

    Seeyah

    Bill.

    Thanks, Bill. Pretty much my dream right now to get into London's financial media! You say it's hard to find accommodation? From looking on Craigslist, etc there seems to be a lot... Why was it a pain for you?


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  • #187
    KidKeith89
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 194 ✭✭KidKeith89


    silvervixen84 wrote: »
    Usually about once a month but March is very busy for everyone so there may be one in April, but feel free to start your own meet-up thread anytime or check out the events thread too.

    Will do :) Thanks for the info - I can't wait to move over!


  • #188
    bill_lehane
    Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭bill_lehane


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Thanks, Bill. Pretty much my dream right now to get into London's financial media! You say it's hard to find accommodation? From looking on Craigslist, etc there seems to be a lot... Why was it a pain for you?

    Hey Keith. Oh it depends on what you want and your budget I suppose. Myself and my wife found our letting agent to be a bit delay-prone! They sometimes make you fill in forms and wait a few weeks to actually get the keys, which is a real pain if you're hosteling it to start! But I think other people haven't had this issue and there certainly is a lot to choose from. Have you got any areas in mind?


  • #189
    83ste
    Registered Users Posts: 539 ✭✭✭83ste


    KidKeith89 wrote: »
    Thanks, Bill. Pretty much my dream right now to get into London's financial media! You say it's hard to find accommodation? From looking on Craigslist, etc there seems to be a lot... Why was it a pain for you?

    There's a lot, but it tends to get snapped up pretty quickly once advertised and quality can vary. You really have to be in the right place at the right time, and can find yourself up against several other people after a desirable place.


  • #190
    bb1
    Registered Users Posts: 42 ✭bb1


    Excellent informative Thread, thanks for posting.


  • #191
    pljudge321
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭pljudge321


    Its looking extremely likely that I'll be moving over in October to start a PhD in Imperial. Anyone have any advice on places to live that are within a reasonable distance of the college, bearing in mind that I'll be living on a stipend.


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  • #192
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    pljudge321 wrote: »
    Its looking extremely likely that I'll be moving over in October to start a PhD in Imperial. Anyone have any advice on places to live...
    Which Imperial campus will you be based in?


  • #193
    pljudge321
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭pljudge321


    djpbarry wrote: »
    Which Imperial campus will you be based in?

    South Kensington.


  • #194
    djpbarry
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,104 ✭✭✭✭djpbarry


    pljudge321 wrote: »
    South Kensington.
    Ok, and what's your budget like? How do envisage getting to from work every day? What's the maximum commuting time you would tolerate?


  • #195
    pljudge321
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,129 ✭✭✭pljudge321


    djpbarry wrote: »
    Ok, and what's your budget like? How do envisage getting to from work every day? What's the maximum commuting time you would tolerate?

    ~£500 per month, probably cycle, bus or tube and about 40 minutes or so.


  • #196
    JasonBourne1
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭JasonBourne1


    Hi all,

    So I got the job that I went for in London. Hoping to start the 2nd week in May. Am chuffed to bits but feeling a bit scared and apprehensive at the same time. I know a couple of people over there but all in all i'll be going over on my own. Think i'll have to become aquainted with the boardsie meet ups!

    So anyhoo - i'm looking into the ins and outs of setting up bank accounts and getting a mobile phone contract.

    I've applied online for the HSBC Passport account and am just waiting on word back - is this a good account or is there a better alternative?

    Also, mobile phones - what's the best contract for calling/texting home?

    Sorry for all the questions but just want to make sure i'm organised before heading over!

    Thanks in advance!


  • #197
    duffarama
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭duffarama


    I've got that bank account, nice and easy to set up and do remember to switch to a regular account after 12 months.

    I'm PAYG with 3 and as my Meteor bill was ongoing I used that to receive international calls for free. I've got my family all set up on Skype now so don't need to use my UK phone for calling home.

    Where are you planning to live?


  • #198
    Tefral
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,375 ✭✭✭Tefral


    You need a national Insurance number also.

    You need some place to live. If your into sharing a house have a look on www.spareroom.co.uk or www.gumtree.co.uk


  • #199
    JasonBourne1
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭JasonBourne1


    Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

    I'll be based most likely Bush Hill/Southgate area as the job is based around there and don't want to do too much commuting whilst getting to grips with the place.

    Which mobile provider is the best value? I'll keep my Meteor sim then for receiving calls and set up Skype as soon as I get over!


  • #200
    Fysh
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Regional Abroad Moderators Posts: 11,076 Mod ✭✭✭✭Fysh


    Hi JasonBourne1, I've merged your thread with the stickyFAQ on moving to London. Have a look at the first post - I've tried to copy most of the useful advice there.

    Good luck with the move, hopefully we'll see you at one of the beers after you've settled in :)


  • #201
    JasonBourne1
    Registered Users Posts: 36 ✭JasonBourne1


    Thanks a mill Fysh, i'll definitely be up for that once I move over!

    Sorry..probably should have posted on this in the first place!


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