Moving To London 2016 Megathread - ALL QUESTIONS GO HERE

seanyboy16 · 13-07-2016 1:18am

Hey guys!

i am a 22 year old just back from Canada .I worked in Canada for the last 2 years in construction.

Ive got a job lead for London but nothing solid yet .
I will be self employed in the uk .How do i get register for tax and what not in terms of self employed ?

I've been looking at Clapham to live ... Good or bad area?

Accommodation
Can i setup accommodation before i land or do landlords want to meet the tenet first?

Any tips to get into construction ?

TBH peeps im ****ting the pants on moving to London so all advice is welcome .

BrokenArrows · 13-07-2016 1:29pm

seanyboy16 wrote: »

Hey guys!

i am a 22 year old just back from Canada .I worked in Canada for the last 2 years in construction.

Ive got a job lead for London but nothing solid yet .
I will be self employed in the uk .How do i get register for tax and what not in terms of self employed ?

I've been looking at Clapham to live ... Good or bad area?

Accommodation
Can i setup accommodation before i land or do landlords want to meet the tenet first?

Any tips to get into construction ?

TBH peeps im ****ting the pants on moving to London so all advice is welcome .

If you managed to live in Canada then you will manage London. No biggie.

1. Clapham is a nice area. A bit expensive depending on your budget.
2. Self Employed - https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself/overview
3. Its unlikely you will be able to arrange accommodation without being here and its unlikely you will want to. Photos are going to be deceiving and you dont want to get yourself into a lease without seeing a property. Just stay in a hostel for a few weeks until you get yourself sorted.

ancapailldorcha · 16-07-2016 2:13pm

I got offered a job in London on Thursday. 30k and working near Hammersmith hospital. Would that be a decent enough salary for London?

callaway92 · 17-07-2016 11:29pm

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I got offered a job in London on Thursday. 30k and working near Hammersmith hospital. Would that be a decent enough salary for London?

It's not great, but not terrible either.

You aren't really gonna be having too much fun on a 30k salary in London.

BrokenArrows · 18-07-2016 9:13am

callaway92 wrote: »

It's not great, but not terrible either.

You aren't really gonna be having too much fun on a 30k salary in London.

Depends on what his plans are to be fair.

If your ambitions are to rent your own place then 30k just isnt going to be enough. However if your planning on living in a houseshare then you will be fine.
However regardless, dont just take the 30k, try and negotiate higher.

ancapailldorcha · 18-07-2016 9:18am

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Depends on what his plans are to be fair.

If your ambitions are to rent your own place then 30k just isnt going to be enough. However if your planning on living in a houseshare then you will be fine.
However regardless, dont just take the 30k, try and negotiate higher.

It'll be a houseshare methinks. Going to be working in White City so I might even be able to walk to work. Would anyone have advice regarding areas to live in/avoid? Is the tube ludicrously expensive?

BrokenArrows · 18-07-2016 10:03am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

It'll be a houseshare methinks. Going to be working in White City so I might even be able to walk to work. Would anyone have advice regarding areas to live in/avoid? Is the tube ludicrously expensive?

The tube is expensive if you dont use it much. Better value if you're a regular user.
For example i live in Zone 4. A Zone 1-4 Monthly Travel Card which gives you unlimited travel on the tube on zones 1-4 and buses in all zones costs £176 per month. I use it every day atleast twice so it works out to be about £5.80 a day. However if i was to use pay as you go then two journeys would cost 5.60 offpeak or 7.80 peak.
You just need to work out whats best for you.

I havent spent any time in white city so i cant advise on that but shepards bush which is near is nice, but its expensive.

BrokenArrows · 18-07-2016 10:09am

Here is a link to the cost of the tube.
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/adult-fares.pdf

When they say "caps" they are refering to the maximum they will charge you in one day if you are traveling on pay as you go. They stop charging your card if you continue to travel in the same day if you already spent that amount.

ancapailldorcha · 22-07-2016 2:29pm

Sorry if I am being dense here. A zone 1-4 travel card will allow infinite travel within those zones for the price of the card? There seems to be a weekly cap for contactless as well. Think I am starting to get it.

rainbow kirby · 22-07-2016 3:43pm

Yep - as many journeys as you want within zone 1-4 with a travelcard.

fuzzydunlop85 · 22-07-2016 5:24pm

If I had a National insurance number from 10-11 years ago would it still be valid? Can't even remember if I had one(assume I must have), or maybe it was called something else. Thinking of making the move back to the UK soon enough and would be handy to know if it was still valid.

ancapailldorcha · 22-07-2016 5:25pm

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Yep - as many journeys as you want within zone 1-4 with a travelcard.

Where do you actually get the weekly/monthly/annual ones? Doesn't seem to be a link on the TFL site.

tallyman36 · 22-07-2016 9:32pm

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

If I had a National insurance number from 10-11 years ago would it still be valid? Can't even remember if I had one(assume I must have), or maybe it was called something else. Thinking of making the move back to the UK soon enough and would be handy to know if it was still valid.

As far as I know your NI number will still be valid.

BrokenArrows · 24-07-2016 10:27am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Where do you actually get the weekly/monthly/annual ones? Doesn't seem to be a link on the TFL site.

The weekly and monthly are gotten from the machines at the tube stations. Not sure about the yearly. Never got one. The yearlys are not worth it anyway. They are cheaper on paper but don't take into account when you're on holidays or just not using the tube. So work out more anyway.

BrokenArrows · 24-07-2016 10:30am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Sorry if I am being dense here. A zone 1-4 travel card will allow infinite travel within those zones for the price of the card? There seems to be a weekly cap for contactless as well. Think I am starting to get it.

Yes the CAP is weekly too but don't rely on the CAP instead of a travel card. If you spent a whole week inside zone 2 but only took one trip to zone 4 then you will be on the zone 4 cap not the zone 2 one.

NewsMeQuick · 04-11-2016 1:34pm

Getting Jobs in London Before Moving

I noticed that a number of Irish people here managed to secure jobs there before moving. What a relief that must be. Using mid-range, reasonable budgets, moving there seemed more expensive than what I saved moving to Canada...

In any case, I did try applying for tons of work in London online and only one company went through the Skype-interview route. Is it really only for high-demand job areas? I've a suspicion that many of those companies only really want to look at candidates within an hour commuting distance for convenience sake, they'd rather not bother with people abroad. I specifically mentioned at the top of my CV that I was moving to London and happy to travel for interview.

I think long-term there's a lot on offer for me; much bigger job market, particularly for my experience, more diverse culture, easier to continue particular hobbies which aren't so popular here etc.

Any thoughts on securing work before going?

Muzi5434 · 04-11-2016 2:13pm

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Getting Jobs in London Before Moving

I noticed that a number of Irish people here managed to secure jobs there before moving. What a relief that must be. Using mid-range, reasonable budgets, moving there seemed more expensive than what I saved moving to Canada...

In any case, I did try applying for tons of work in London online and only one company went through the Skype-interview route. Is it really only for high-demand job areas? I've a suspicion that many of those companies only really want to look at candidates within an hour commuting distance for convenience sake, they'd rather not bother with people abroad. I specifically mentioned at the top of my CV that I was moving to London and happy to travel for interview.

I think long-term there's a lot on offer for me; much bigger job market, particularly for my experience, more diverse culture, easier to continue particular hobbies which aren't so popular here etc.

Any thoughts on securing work before going?

Hey

I think you're right in saying that there are jobs in high demand and others which are in a lower demand. High demand jobs will be more than happy to look at candidates from outside of the UK. I was able to secure one before moving because the sector I'm in, the demand is high in London but small supply of candidates.

I would say moving there with a friend might be a better option rather than going there on your own as that can be very expensive. However, securing a job before moving is also possible for you. It depends on how many jobs have you applied for. When I was securing a job, I remember only 10% of the times I obtained an interview. For example, If I applied for a 100 jobs then only 10 interviews.

Additionally, if you have not already so, contact recruitment agencies as they have many roles that need to be filled and also have jobs that are not advertised.

NewsMeQuick · 05-11-2016 12:59am

Muzi5434 wrote: »

Hey

I think you're right in saying that there are jobs in high demand and others which are in a lower demand. High demand jobs will be more than happy to look at candidates from outside of the UK. I was able to secure one before moving because the sector I'm in, the demand is high in London but small supply of candidates.

I would say moving there with a friend might be a better option rather than going there on your own as that can be very expensive. However, securing a job before moving is also possible for you. It depends on how many jobs have you applied for. When I was securing a job, I remember only 10% of the times I obtained an interview. For example, If I applied for a 100 jobs then only 10 interviews.

Additionally, if you have not already so, contact recruitment agencies as they have many roles that need to be filled and also have jobs that are not advertised.

Hey, thank you for that. Something like 10% eh? Well at least there's something. I have time and money so I'll just keep at it then. I haven't tried recruitment agencies yet. If it's worth a shot, I'll give it a go. I'm glad you got yourself sorted.

Muzi5434 · 05-11-2016 5:49pm

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Muzi5434 wrote: »

Hey

I think you're right in saying that there are jobs in high demand and others which are in a lower demand. High demand jobs will be more than happy to look at candidates from outside of the UK. I was able to secure one before moving because the sector I'm in, the demand is high in London but small supply of candidates.

I would say moving there with a friend might be a better option rather than going there on your own as that can be very expensive. However, securing a job before moving is also possible for you. It depends on how many jobs have you applied for. When I was securing a job, I remember only 10% of the times I obtained an interview. For example, If I applied for a 100 jobs then only 10 interviews.

Additionally, if you have not already so, contact recruitment agencies as they have many roles that need to be filled and also have jobs that are not advertised.

Hey, thank you for that. Something like 10% eh? Well at least there's something. I have time and money so I'll just keep at it then. I haven't tried recruitment agencies yet. If it's worth a shot, I'll give it a go. I'm glad you got yourself sorted.

The 10% relates to my sector but could be higher for yourself!

Recruitment agencies were good and some were bad. I kept a document whereby I knew which agencies were bad so I didn't contact them further. Also try LinkedIn!

BrokenArrows · 09-11-2016 11:14am

NewsMeQuick wrote: »

Getting Jobs in London Before Moving

I noticed that a number of Irish people here managed to secure jobs there before moving. What a relief that must be. Using mid-range, reasonable budgets, moving there seemed more expensive than what I saved moving to Canada...

In any case, I did try applying for tons of work in London online and only one company went through the Skype-interview route. Is it really only for high-demand job areas? I've a suspicion that many of those companies only really want to look at candidates within an hour commuting distance for convenience sake, they'd rather not bother with people abroad. I specifically mentioned at the top of my CV that I was moving to London and happy to travel for interview.

I think long-term there's a lot on offer for me; much bigger job market, particularly for my experience, more diverse culture, easier to continue particular hobbies which aren't so popular here etc.

Any thoughts on securing work before going?

Id remove that from the top of your CV.
Wait until they contact you before mentioning it.

NewsMeQuick · 11-11-2016 12:01am

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Id remove that from the top of your CV.
Wait until they contact you before mentioning it.

Hmm. Well, if they contact you and you tell them you haven't moved yet, doesn't that delay a negative response? They would see from the +353 in the telephone number too.

What I said exactly was that I'm currently moving and would be delighted to attend interview in London if invited...

percy212 · 28-02-2017 3:10am

Looking for a best guess at cost for a pet friendly studio or one bedroom apt in Islington or similar area. Any info appreciated.

BrokenArrows · 28-02-2017 10:18am

percy212 wrote: »

Looking for a best guess at cost for a pet friendly studio or one bedroom apt in Islington or similar area. Any info appreciated.

Id say your range will be 850 - 1300 for a studio (850 being a tiny box), 1100+ for a 1 bed apartment (1100 being a tiny apartment).
But in reality you can pay a few thousand for a nice studio and a whole lot more for a nice apartment. Depends on your budget.

Landlords will rarely advertise "pet friendly". You are just going to have to find somewhere you like and ask if they will accept pets.
Chances are if they do accept pets they will increase your deposit amount to cover damage that they are guaranteed to cause.

rainbow kirby · 28-02-2017 10:53am

You'd be doing well to drop below £1,300 for a 1-bed anywhere in the borough of Islington these days, particularly with any pet charges involved.

This is one of the few explicitly pet friendly ones I've found, not too far from me actually.

Miccoli · 31-03-2017 1:01am

Looking for a short term let for 3-4 months , anywhere reasonably priced worth looking into?

Banbha32 · 31-03-2017 9:47am

Heya try joining the Irish in London group on facebook it appeared last year and people put up room availabilities a lot and the irish tend to look after each other abroad I find

there are a few different ones so when you type that in click on groups (as opposed to pages/posts) and its the one that currently has 9,987 members.

As for general sites like spare room, rightmove? gumtree .... take it from me they rarely (never) answer emails. You have to ring. Places go very very quick ... i followed my agent out to his car to do the deal there and then i wasnt letting that apartment go to the other couple viewing it with us

ancapailldorcha · 30-07-2017 9:24pm

I'm using Spareroom at the moment which is pretty good. I want to get a PC which means having a room with a desk which is rarer than I would like.

BrokenArrows · 31-07-2017 9:12am

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

I'm using Spareroom at the moment which is pretty good. I want to get a PC which means having a room with a desk which is rarer than I would like.

More than likely you will have to buy your own desk, not that expensive for a cheap IKEA thing or have a look on https://www.freecycle.org/ and you might be able to pickup one for free.

ancapailldorcha · 31-07-2017 9:18am

BrokenArrows wrote: »

More than likely you will have to buy your own desk, not that expensive for a cheap IKEA thing or have a look on https://www.freecycle.org/ and you might be able to pickup one for free.

My current room has one but the internet connection is about 1mb and my housemate is fairly disgusting, hence the move.

Ta for the link!

Wanderlust91 · 14-09-2017 1:22pm

Hey guys, would anyone have any tips here. I'm moving too the UK for study Wednesday. Im staying in an Air BnB for the first week and possible second if I cannot find a place. Does anyone know if its possible to arrange a NI number interview and set up a Bank Account without an address yet. Cheers

JaMarcusHustle · 14-09-2017 1:26pm

Hi all,

I will potentially be moving to London for a 6 month contract role, working in an office located around Mooregate / Coleman Street.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.5168077,-0.0901648,18z

Can anyone tell me what this area is like? I would preferably like to live as close to the office as possible -budget should not be an issue but I just mean in terms of safety, amenities, shops etc.

Thanks!

rainbow kirby · 14-09-2017 1:51pm

Horrifically expensive to live in and a tad soulless - you're better off looking further north or south on the Northern line or along the Great Northern national rail line up from Moorgate. Because it's such a business centric area quite a few places don't open on weekends at all. Amenities wise - should be fine, quite a few gyms etc but same caveats go about expense. The Virgin Active gym there is about 80% more expensive than the one in Crouch End, for example. I'd be of the opinion that for the overall standard of living you might be better off around Drayton Park/Highbury if cost isn't a big deal.

I'm working a stop up from there on the tube (Old Street area), we live in Archway (zone 2/3 boundary, High Barnet branch of the Northern line) and we're quite happy there.

BrokenArrows · 14-09-2017 2:44pm

Wanderlust91 wrote: »

Hey guys, would anyone have any tips here. I'm moving too the UK for study Wednesday. Im staying in an Air BnB for the first week and possible second if I cannot find a place. Does anyone know if its possible to arrange a NI number interview and set up a Bank Account without an address yet. Cheers

You cant get an NI number without an address as they will need to post it to you and it could take a few weeks.

Do you have any friends who you could use as your address?

BrokenArrows · 14-09-2017 2:51pm

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Hi all,

I will potentially be moving to London for a 6 month contract role, working in an office located around Mooregate / Coleman Street.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.5168077,-0.0901648,18z

Can anyone tell me what this area is like? I would preferably like to live as close to the office as possible -budget should not be an issue but I just mean in terms of safety, amenities, shops etc.

Thanks!

I agree with rainbow,

The area is busy busy during the working week but is absolutely dead in the evenings and weekends.

You will find all the nice bars and restaurants in the area wont even open on Saturdays and Sundays. The same applies to a lot of the business areas in "City of London".

Personally id be fine with living beside work in this area if the expense wasnt an issue. You can easily travel to other areas in the event you want to socialize.

Wanderlust91 · 14-09-2017 4:08pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

You cant get an NI number without an address as they will need to post it to you and it could take a few weeks.

Do you have any friends who you could use as your address?

I have an address where I could have it sent, would I need to bring a bill with me from that address, ie, get the person to put my name on the bill. Cheers

BrokenArrows · 15-09-2017 10:32am

Wanderlust91 wrote: »

I have an address where I could have it sent, would I need to bring a bill with me from that address, ie, get the person to put my name on the bill. Cheers

No you dont need proof of address. You just need it so you can receive the number after the interview.

theteal · 15-09-2017 10:45am

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Hi all,

I will potentially be moving to London for a 6 month contract role, working in an office located around Mooregate / Coleman Street.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.5168077,-0.0901648,18z

Can anyone tell me what this area is like? I would preferably like to live as close to the office as possible -budget should not be an issue but I just mean in terms of safety, amenities, shops etc.

Thanks!

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Horrifically expensive to live in and a tad soulless - you're better off looking further north or south on the Northern line or along the Great Northern national rail line up from Moorgate. Because it's such a business centric area quite a few places don't open on weekends at all. Amenities wise - should be fine, quite a few gyms etc but same caveats go about expense. The Virgin Active gym there is about 80% more expensive than the one in Crouch End, for example. I'd be of the opinion that for the overall standard of living you might be better off around Drayton Park/Highbury if cost isn't a big deal.

I'm working a stop up from there on the tube (Old Street area), we live in Archway (zone 2/3 boundary, High Barnet branch of the Northern line) and we're quite happy there.

BrokenArrows wrote: »

I agree with rainbow,

The area is busy busy during the working week but is absolutely dead in the evenings and weekends.

You will find all the nice bars and restaurants in the area wont even open on Saturdays and Sundays. The same applies to a lot of the business areas in "City of London".

Personally id be fine with living beside work in this area if the expense wasnt an issue. You can easily travel to other areas in the event you want to socialize.

I work next door to St Pauls and walk by this area everyday (Gresham St) on the way to Liv St Station. Are there even places to live around here? It's all offices isn't it?

As above with kirby and BA, it'll be perfectly safe but dead at the weekend (Friday evening will be busy though!). There are so many transport connections close by that you could choose to live in quite a few areas for quite easy access.

JaMarcusHustle · 26-09-2017 11:44am

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Horrifically expensive to live in and a tad soulless - you're better off looking further north or south on the Northern line or along the Great Northern national rail line up from Moorgate. Because it's such a business centric area quite a few places don't open on weekends at all. Amenities wise - should be fine, quite a few gyms etc but same caveats go about expense. The Virgin Active gym there is about 80% more expensive than the one in Crouch End, for example. I'd be of the opinion that for the overall standard of living you might be better off around Drayton Park/Highbury if cost isn't a big deal.

I'm working a stop up from there on the tube (Old Street area), we live in Archway (zone 2/3 boundary, High Barnet branch of the Northern line) and we're quite happy there.

BrokenArrows wrote: »

I agree with rainbow,

The area is busy busy during the working week but is absolutely dead in the evenings and weekends.

You will find all the nice bars and restaurants in the area wont even open on Saturdays and Sundays. The same applies to a lot of the business areas in "City of London".

Personally id be fine with living beside work in this area if the expense wasnt an issue. You can easily travel to other areas in the event you want to socialize.

theteal wrote: »

I work next door to St Pauls and walk by this area everyday (Gresham St) on the way to Liv St Station. Are there even places to live around here? It's all offices isn't it?

As above with kirby and BA, it'll be perfectly safe but dead at the weekend (Friday evening will be busy though!). There are so many transport connections close by that you could choose to live in quite a few areas for quite easy access.

Thanks guys, appreciate the responses. Would you be able to recommend some areas I can look at that would make sense?

What's important to me is:

- Proximity to Coleman Street area (or easy, quick public transport to this area)
- Safe and secure
- Easy transport to City Airport or Stansted Airport

What's not important to me is:

- Social life (I won't be in Lodon most weekends)
- Expense/Cost (Company is paying for it)

Ideally I'm looking for a serviced apartment, where what I'm paying weekly/monthly incorporates all bills too.

A couple of places I had been looking at briefly - any feedback?

https://search.savills.com/list#/r/detail/gbsxreisl120145l
https://search.savills.com/list#/r/detail/gbdoredol140200l
https://www.foxtons.co.uk/short-let-in-spitalfields/chpk0278333

BrokenArrows · 27-09-2017 5:29pm

You wont find much in the areas you are looking that would be considered unsafe.
Your first link would be my choice. Nice big place, old street area is nice. Some nice bars around there.

S.M.B. · 27-09-2017 6:23pm

That first one is literally right across the road from my office. Oh how I'd like to live there.

30 minutes to London City Airport.

<5 minute stroll to where you're based.

theteal · 28-09-2017 5:35am

First one from that selection, definitely. There's actually a good night to be had around there at the weekend too if you were to hang around.

marty1985 · 12-05-2018 11:05am

Hi guys.

Quick question

I’m moving to london in a few weeks. I have a brother living there so I’ve changed my AIB statement address to his and requested a statement, so I should have that as proof of address.
I’m also opening an Ulster Bank account in the north so I will have a UK domestic account, and once I get the card etc I will change the address to the London address.
So that will give me two proofs of address. I don’t have a utility bill.
Along with my passport, is that sufficient for my National Insurance Number application?

BrokenArrows · 15-05-2018 8:58am

marty1985 wrote: »

Hi guys.

Quick question

I’m moving to london in a few weeks. I have a brother living there so I’ve changed my AIB statement address to his and requested a statement, so I should have that as proof of address.
I’m also opening an Ulster Bank account in the north so I will have a UK domestic account, and once I get the card etc I will change the address to the London address.
So that will give me two proofs of address. I don’t have a utility bill.
Along with my passport, is that sufficient for my National Insurance Number application?

Yes that should be sufficient.

marty1985 · 16-06-2018 10:32pm

marty1985 wrote: »

Hi guys.

Quick question

I’m moving to london in a few weeks. I have a brother living there so I’ve changed my AIB statement address to his and requested a statement, so I should have that as proof of address.
I’m also opening an Ulster Bank account in the north so I will have a UK domestic account, and once I get the card etc I will change the address to the London address.
So that will give me two proofs of address. I don’t have a utility bill.
Along with my passport, is that sufficient for my National Insurance Number application?

Just an update.

I went to the interview and it was fine. I noticed people ahead of me were getting a bit of a grilling as to when exactly they arrived in UK and whether they have paid anyone to make the appointment for them.

When I was called up I gave my passport and from there it was a breeze. I had proofs of address with me, and wasn’t asked for them. It seemed like being Irish gave me a free pass to be honest. I was only asked for my employer’s address, and whether there is anyone in Cork I’d like the interviewer to say hi to, as she’s off on her hollibobs there.

There was no one in Cork I wanted to extend greetings to, and thus ended my interview.

Moving To London 2016 Megathread - ALL QUESTIONS GO HERE

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