Moving to London, need information

D

Diskeater

New member
Greetings to all,

I'm currently living in Burlington, Vermont with two roommates (Nick and Jeremy, so I don't have to call them "my roommates"). Me and Jeremy are pretty fed up with Nick and don't see ourselves living with him past June. We decided that since neither one of us is in school that now is the perfect opportunity to actually do something that we've talked about for some time...and that is move to London.

Why London? My good friend Megan has talked to us about it and she has fallen in love with the country. When we told her that we were planning on moving there, she totally jumped on that idea. So now she is going with us.

So now we have a huge task of figuring out if any of our plans are actually possible and that is where you guys come in.

Getting a place over there doesn't seem TOO too hard, but that will probably be the last thing we do simply because there isn't a point in looking for a place to live about 5 months before we move. So we will probably do that about a month before. We have looked at places online and we are trying to get a sense for where in London we want to go.

The huge issue right now is finding work. Or more specifically, finding out if we CAN get work. We all just want to move over there, get jobs that will support us, and experience that life for a year. We aren't looking for high-level stuff! From what I read, it looks like you have to find a company willing to sponser you before you go over there, or if you find a job after you arrive, you have to come BACK into the united states so you can get a work permit. That doesn't seem logical to me at all.

So I guess that is my main question. It seems to me that we should be able to just go over there, find a place, and get retail jobs or something like that without much of a hassle in terms of paperwork. The information online is very confusing...some stuff implies that we don't even need a damn work permit.

So can anyone shed light on that problem? Thanks!

<P ID="signature">http://www.badjawa.com
signature.jpg
</a></img></P>
 
I envy you...I wish you could take me with you. I want to move to England badly. The advice some customers of mine told me about moving to England was to take a visit first, drive around and see what's there. Then they said if you still want to go get online and submit an online resume to some places and find work BEFORE you go. Same with finding a place to live, one thing you may or may not know is it costs a hell of alot of more money to live there. Gas is expensive, and it costs alot of money just to do a normal commute. On the bright side is cars are CHEAP over there when you buy pre-owned. The people I talked to suggested not living IN London but in a "quaint" town just outside of it so you can visit/work there and when you are home you are away from it all. They also said people in London are like New Yorkers, fast paced and sometimes come off cold or rude. For the most part you'll find most people like Americans as long as the americans don't come over there all cocky and arrogant. <img src=smilies/magbiggrin.gif> My problem is when I do end of having the financial means to go...finding someone or some people to go with me. I do NOT want to go alone. I wish you luck and hope things work out.

One last thing...if you drive fast or don't like to obey our traffic laws...you will get "banned" quickly over there. Speed cameras are everywhere and you will get photographed going 1mph over. Oh and here are a couple of phrases to use. hehe

[USA version = UK version]

Stationwagon = Estate
Hood = Bonnet
Trunk = Boot
Butt = Bum
Cigarette = Fag
Damn = Bloody

<P ID="signature"><center>http://www.blitzkrieg.finalconquest.net/
blitz_rogue.jpg

BlitzKrieg Innovations</a></center></P>
 
I lived in England for four years. The first thing I can say about London is it was expensive then and even more so now. If it's feasible, you might want to look for a flat outside of London.

It may be difficult to obtain proper working papers, but that shouldn't discourage you from possibly finding a bartending gig that pays under the table. Also be aware that your passport will probably only allow you to be there for 90 days at a time. That's not really a biggie since you can just hop on the Chunnel to France and back for another stamp until you get a residency permit.

Young English guys are some of the rudest jerks I have ever encountered, be prepared especially because you are an American. On the flipside, most young English girls seem to be pretty nice. ;)

That's about all I can offer. Oh, and as a fellow American expatriot, welcome to Europe!

-Wren

<P ID="signature"></P>
 
> Young English guys are some of the rudest jerks I have ever
> encountered, be prepared especially because you are an
> American. On the flipside, most young English girls seem to
> be pretty nice. ;)

I've heard the same...infact I've had 2 female UK customers (one Irish one English) tell me that UK girls really DIG american guys...and for some reason specifically guys from Texas and or the south in general. o_O I was born and raised in Texas but don't have an accent...wonder if I can pull it off. <img src=smilies/magbiggrin.gif> But anyway, yea I'm guessing as long as you don't come off too arrogant you'll do ok.

So more importantly since I'm actively seeking means to move to England also how do I obtain a legal way of living and working in England? I didn't think it was more strict vs the USA.

<P ID="signature"><center>http://www.blitzkrieg.finalconquest.net/
blitz_rogue.jpg

BlitzKrieg Innovations</a></center></P>
 
> I envy you...I wish you could take me with you.

Heh, don't envy me yet....we still have to jump through a shitload of hoops before we move.

Only me and Megan actually have cars and we don't plan on taking them with us if we go over there.

Yeah, the cost for a decent place over there is slightly higher than what we are paying now, but the minimum wage is also higher. I figure that things will balance out like that.

<P ID="signature">http://www.badjawa.com
signature.jpg
</a></img></P>
 
> I lived in England for four years. The first thing I can say
> about London is it was expensive then and even more so now.
> If it's feasible, you might want to look for a flat outside
> of London.

That option is looking more and more appealing.

The one thing that really bugs me is that it looks like we can't get working papers unless we want to start a career or travel back to the USA. This point is really frusterating us right now.

Like, we should be allowed to just go over there, find jobs, and live....but it doesn't look like we can do that.


<P ID="signature">http://www.badjawa.com
signature.jpg
</a></img></P>
 
England is one of the most difficult countries in Europe to immigrate to. You either have to have a lot of money (minimum of 500,000 USD, I believe), some superb talent that a UK citizen could not perform, apply for citizenship (through marriage probably) or apply for a work permit and hope you get lucky.

My ex-girlfriend worked illegally in London for quite some time so that is probably what I'd recommend you do if you want to move ASAP.

Why don't you try Ireland instead? It's so much easier to move to than England is.

-Wren

<P ID="signature"></P>
 
Well, I've had to both verbally and physically remove some young English chaps from my bar on a number of occasions. Most of the clubs in Prague have signs on the door saying "No Stag Parties", which translates to "No English Fuckers". Unfortunately, the bar I worked at didn't have such a sign, so the weekly routine of telling those pricks to stop bitching and defending my barmaids became commonplace.

The English girls I've known are quite the opposite. None of them have ever had qualms with anyone because of their citizenship and were genuinely nice. First hand, I actually used to date a girl from Leeds and she was fucking fun (and fun fucking).

It will be difficult to legally live and work in England. If you are opposed to working illegally, you might actually be better of going for Ireland or France (the latter provided that you put a large effort into learning their language). This way, you could still make weekend trips into England but not have to go through all of the hoops.

-Wren

<P ID="signature"></P>
 
> Why don't you try Ireland instead? It's so much easier to
> move to than England is.

Why not Scotland or Wales...I've heard devilishly bad things about living in Ireland from the UKer's I've talked to.

<P ID="signature"><center>http://sigx.yuriy.net/link.php
xjce3000gt.png
</a></center></P>
 
> Why don't you try Ireland instead? It's so much easier to
> move to than England is.

*poke*

Sorry to bump this thread, but I've done some research and the work permit situation looks like it is the same in Ireland as it is in the UK....

<P ID="signature">http://www.badjawa.com
signature.jpg
</a></img></P>
 
I hate to bring a post back from the dead, but i didnt see any similar info posted yet.

I work for the Air Force in Germany, and i have friends that work at Lakenheath and Mildenhall in England. You dont have to join the military to get a job over-seas. There are all kinds of GS positions available, and tons of contract work through various companies as well. You not only get a heafty wage in most cases, but you get compensated for the horrid exchange rate as well (i think its almost 2 to 1 now..). On top of that, most of the contracted work that i see moseying around on base dont seem to be doing much of anything at all, and get more privliges than the actual military members. Hell, some GS positions even get to use the BX and Commisary!

I would say that this would be a hugely advantageous route for you to take if you are intent on living near London. Another perk is that you get a TON of vacation time (leave) when you work for the military. 30 days paid per year(not including sick days which the military guys dont get), and you get every freakin holiday off paid as well. You cant lose!

If travel is what you want out of England, look no further: The bases usually have a place called ITT, which has low cost tours and the like.

Wow, I should advertise for these positions... Truth is, my wife has held a GS position over here for about a year and i wish i could trade with her. I am a military memberwho has been in for 5+ years, and she already makes the same amount of cash as me, but gets better benefits. Take it first hand from me: This is the way to go.

Ciao

<P ID="signature"></P>
 
Sounds like fun by why London? What are you looking for? I mean, really, living is more expensive than it is in the US and, having been there, it's really not that different from the states (downtown it's beautiful and interesting, but not necessarily somewhere I'd want to live for longer than a few weeks to a month). Of course it's your decision, but it sounds like a waste of time, effort and resources to me. If you want to see the world, start saving now and tour Europe in the future... but grudging a year in London with a work permit and a shit job? I can't say it's my cup of tea.

Of course I can't imagine you'd let this discourage you, if you feel like England is the place to be, go for it! I've been through Europe and Asia and I still call Ohio home and just love the states. Now that I've told you what I think, I absolutely reccomend visiting for a few weeks before you commit a year and find yourself stuck (if you can afford it). If not, take your chance and go find an adventure <img src=smilies/thumb.gif>

<P ID="signature">http://www.oz3d.com/
danozguinness.gif
</a></P>
 
> Of course I can't imagine you'd let this discourage you, if
> you feel like England is the place to be, go for it! I've
> been through Europe and Asia and I still call Ohio home and
> just love the states. Now that I've told you what I think, I
> absolutely reccomend visiting for a few weeks before you
> commit a year and find yourself stuck (if you can afford it). If not, take your chance and go find an adventure

That's nice you se Ohio as home, I however do not see the USA as my home anymore. The human race population that sprouted from this country keeps getting worse and more rude. If I hear anymore racist, childish, selfish, or other immature comments out of an american's mouth I'm going to drop a grenade down thier throat. Politics is worse here than England, the goverment is worse here than England, the domestic vehicle pool is worse here than England or Japan, I meet more rude americans vs rude foreigners, and "freedoms" are being slowly leeched away where now we have as much freedom as Great Brittan...anymore losses in freedoms and we're worse off. Maybe I'll feel differently once I've lived in England...but for now I stand by my opinions and are entitled to them. This country is sucking at the moment and does not appear to be getting better...but getting worse. As soon as I get the funds and a posse of my friends to go with me I'm getting out while I still can.

<P ID="signature">
if_only.png

xjce3000gt.png
</P>
 
Simple. I've always wanted to go to London and after talking to a number of people that lived over there, I decided that I wanted to go.

But I'm probably not going to go in June as I originally planned. At the earliest, I'll work on getting a half-decent job over there and move over by years end.

And honestly...the UK is home to about 90% of the music I listen to on a regular basis. I would love to be immersed in that culture.

But yes, I do agree that it doesn't seem THAT different from the USA. I really liked the feel of Boston when I visited there, so I'm looking into getting a place down there with a few of my friends.

<P ID="signature">http://www.badjawa.com
signature.jpg
</a></img></P>
 
Well, i dont have much info on contracted positions, but i can give you the Lakenheath base website, and you can probably find a Public Affairs link there.
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/home.htm
Heres a link to Mildenhall as well. Im sure there are a ton of army, navy, marine bases over there as well, but i dont know the names as i am Air Force.
http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/home.htm
You can see the Public Affairs email link at the bottom of this page.
I'm sure they would be able to steer you in the right direction. Contracted work means that you actually work for another company all together that the military pays to do a job, such as construction, or civil engeneering. I dont know how much time you have on your hands, or what skills you posess so i cant get very detailed. If you arent in any rush, it would probably be easier for you to get a ground level position with a company that works with a military base near you. It is always easier to find a job with the military if you have been with them before. Same goes for GS positions. GS positions are nice because you always retain your GS rank (pay grade) no matter what type of GS job you transfer to. You also get some sort of priority from being prior GS.

Another way to go would be to apply with AAFES. Army and Air Force Exchange Service. Thats the company that runs our BX and food services. They have a lot of positions come available, entry level and up. You can find info regarding that right here: http://odin.aafes.com/employment/hr_info.asp

There are also openings in the DODS system (thats the militarys education system) So if you are an educator you should check this link out:
https://hq-w4.dodea.edu/eas/

There is a small amount (just a general idea) of info on applying for a job on the local economy, here:
http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/newcomer/employment.htm
Look to the right hand side of this page for the civilian career links:
http://www.af.mil/careers/

I always find very useful info on this page, although im not sure if they have anything pertaining to this area:
http://usmilitary.about.com

And finally, here is the place you are most likely to find what you are looking for:
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/
This is the Air Force hub for everything. The command center if you will. For employment opportunities, you should browse under the "civilian" heading and look for something in that regard.

Best of luck to you. If there is anything else that i may be able to help you with then i would be most willing to try. I love to see the world, and i am always happy to give others a leg up in doing the same.

Cheers,

Myrmior

<P ID="signature"></P>
 
Depending on your age, there's most likely some sort of program in the States that will allow a sort of student visa (except you're not a student, you're there to work). Here in Canada, people between the ages of 18 and 30 can get a year long working visa for the British Isles - my cousin did this. It's done through youth hostels I believe. (Don't know for sure though)

There's some rules with it, like you are allowed one trip back home during the year, and it can only be for a certain length of time or you forfeit your visa, and any work that you do must be accounted for - that is, nothing under the table.

You should also check out what's called a Work Holiday Visa - this is basically what the above program uses - where technically you are there on holiday, but are planning to pay for your trip as you go.

Edit: true, the above things are only for a year, but it would definitely give you a better opportunity to find out first hand over there what is available to you, and would at least give you a year abroad.

<P ID="signature"><CENTER>
spiderman2.gif
</CENTER>
<Center>I love a SuperHero who can dance too.</center></P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by pepsibeth on 03/15/05 11:06 PM.</FONT></P>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom