Possible positives of moving to the UK in winter?

[HGavin]

I'm a New Zealander, heading over to the UK later this year or early next year to live - get the two year working visa, that sort of thing. Thinking about coming over in December, I guess itll be getting sort of cold around that time but what's it like getting work close to Christmas?

If I dont make my mind up soon itll be February I'm coming over I guess, closer to festival season - still pretty cold then eh? I know logically the best time is probably just to wait until summer - but if I can't wait are there any pros to coming in winter?

[russycarps]

What sort of work and what part of the UK are you moving to?

London is great in December. Weather wise, Jan and Feb are the only depressing months really, and even they aren't that bad.

[atomised]

December you'll find a lot of short term work but you may find you're too late to get sorted. Januaryand February are then pretty slow months for recruitment

[HGavin]

What sort of work and what part of the UK are you moving to?

London is great in December. Weather wise, Jan and Feb are the only depressing months really, and even they aren't that bad.

Itll be London, and I currently work in media, television over so would probably look for something like that. Or just any work through recruitment agencies for office work or just any kind of work to make cash if I have to.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Come over in early December and you'll be able to experience the dark nights and the buzz which surrounds Christmas.

Not only that but your almost guaranteed to get the ride or two with some lonely singletons. It has been statistically proven that both single men and women are gagging for it in late December.

It's a no brainer really.

[HGavin]

Actually that is a good point December-January does seem to be a lucky time for getting laid.

I also have a ticket to Bombay Bicycle Club at Earls Court on the 13th. Last Earls Court gig I hear.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Actually that is a good point December-January does seem to be a lucky time for getting laid.

I also have a ticket to Bombay Bicycle Club at Earls Court on the 13th. Last Earls Court gig I hear.

I wish you fun over here when you do come over. The only downside I can see is that January and February can be quite cold.

Oh, one more thing - if you are staying in London and get a job in the media you are going to have to wear silly clothes, as it's the law. If you look at pictures of Rupert the Bear, then this will help in the sartorial direction you'll need to go down.

[russycarps]

Itll be London, and I currently work in media, television over so would probably look for something like that. Or just any work through recruitment agencies for office work or just any kind of work to make cash if I have to.

Ah I've no idea about those sectors, sorry.

But there are more job opportunities than ever before in london right now, it's surpassed the 2007 peak (if you believe the local papers) so you should be ok.

You biggest concern should be where you are going to live. Rental prices are an absolute disgrace these days. You will need to choose your place of residence carefully.

Unless you are rich of course.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Ah I've no idea about those sectors, sorry.

But there are more job opportunities than ever before in london right now, it's surpassed the 2007 peak (if you believe the local papers) so you should be ok.

You biggest concern should be where you are going to live. Rental prices are an absolute disgrace these days. You will need to choose your place of residence carefully.

Unless you are rich of course.

The price off accommodation in London staggers me. Car parking spaces are another mind bending element - wasn't there a car park space that went for £0.5M a few days ago? I don't know how people survive there, as you can't all be rich. I'm not knocking the place, it's just that I'd rather live elsewhere and have more disposable income than know that I could go out around the clock in London - if only I could afford to.

[russycarps]

The price off accommodation in London staggers me. Car parking spaces are another mind bending element - wasn't there a car park space that went for £0.5M a few days ago? I don't know how people survive there, as you can't all be rich. I'm not knocking the place, it's just that I'd rather live elsewhere and have more disposable income than know that I could go out around the clock in London - if only I could afford to.

well the trick is to live in one of the less glamorous parts of london, eg SE london.

10mins commute in the morning and vastly reduced living costs. No-one wants to live here because the media say it's unfashionable and there is no underground line (even though the overland train runs later...). Oh and we all get stabbed to death here every day too of course.

I guarantee you though this fellow will choose to live in one of the "trendy" areas, paying an extra £500 a month and end up having an inferior experience because he cant afford to do anything like you say!

[Ed209]

The price off accommodation in London staggers me. Car parking spaces are another mind bending element - wasn't there a car park space that went for £0.5M a few days ago? I don't know how people survive there, as you can't all be rich. I'm not knocking the place, it's just that I'd rather live elsewhere and have more disposable income than know that I could go out around the clock in London - if only I could afford to.

It is ridiculous and it is a real struggle for a huge number of londoners. I wouldn't live here anymore if it wasn't for the fact my job is in central london. I do love London, the haters can hate but there really is no other city like it, but I've reached a point where if I had the option I would probably move to a completely different part of the UK.

It's an issue that comes with such a capitalcentric country like the UK. So many industries and sectors are only found or predominantly found in London. I imagine it will be an issue for HGavin too. Apart from the BBC's recent move up north, almost all television production is centred in London. If he wants to do his job then he has to be in London, and has to pay the high rents, and the rents are high because he has to be here.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

It is ridiculous and it is a real struggle for a huge number of londoners. I wouldn't live here anymore if it wasn't for the fact my job is in central london. I do love London, the haters can hate but there really is no other city like it, but I've reached a point where if I had the option I would probably move to a completely different part of the UK.

It's an issue that comes with such a capitalcentric country like the UK. So many industries and sectors are only found or predominantly found in London. I imagine it will be an issue for HGavin too. Apart from the BBC's recent move up north, almost all television production is centred in London. If he wants to do his job then he has to be in London, and has to pay the high rents, and the rents are high because he has to be here.

I like visiting London, but that's really only ever to go to a party. I'd quite like to see a bit more of it really - especially The Tate Modern. We haven't got a major modern art gallery in Birmingham so I crave to go to a place like the Tate. I guess nowhere else in the country has the variety of things to do as London, so if that's your bag you have to be there.

[HGavin]

I guarantee you though this fellow will choose to live in one of the "trendy" areas, paying an extra £500 a month and end up having an inferior experience because he cant afford to do anything like you say!

I don't know I'll probably try move where my friends are but I'm open to anywhere. I think they're whitechapel atm. Probably better just to be independent and go where the cheap rent is.

[russycarps]

I don't know I'll probably try move where my friends are but I'm open to anywhere. I think they're whitechapel atm. Probably better just to be independent and go where the cheap rent is.

If you are willing to share with others you'll probably get something for £600-£700 a month round there (if you dont mind living in a bit of shithole of a house)

Living close to your friends is vital I'd say.

Edited October 20, 2014 by russycarps

[LondonTom]

10mins commute in the morning and vastly reduced living costs. No-one wants to live here because the media say it's unfashionable and there is no underground line (even though the overland train runs later...).

Just wait until next year when we have 24 hour tube \\o//.

(That said yeah anywhere with a decent tube connection is stupidly priced, even Newham/Stratford since the Olympics have become unaffordable! 300 quid a week to live in Stratford ffs!)

Edited October 20, 2014 by LondonTom

[russycarps]

Fuck me. You could rent a town for that round here.

Although this is a lie you'd probably get a decent sized three bedroom terrace or two bed semi.

aye, I have very fond memories of my time in the NW and NE of england.

but come on now, who wouldnt want to live here!

"This is a lovely and luxurious property"

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-43286122.html

Edited October 20, 2014 by russycarps

[The Nal]

aye, I have very fond memories of my time in the NW and NE of england.

but come on now, who wouldnt want to live here!

"This is a lovely and luxurious property"

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-43286122.html

This property comprises of fully furnished rooms and a fully fitted kitchen as well as a toilet and bathroom area that is in immaculate condition.

Wheres the living room?!

[russycarps]

This property comprises of fully furnished rooms and a fully fitted kitchen as well as a toilet and bathroom area that is in immaculate condition.

Wheres the living room?!

there's a chair in the kitchen, what more do you want!

[Ed209]

If you are willing to share with others you'll probably get something for £600-£700 a month round there (if you dont mind living in a bit of shithole of a house)

Living close to your friends is vital I'd say.

Repeat that sentiment - If you have a social group within a few tube stops (or train stops if you're one of those SE london lot) of one another then it makes all the difference to your enjoyment of a place. The fact that I'm within 20 minutes journey of a large number of mates makes all the difference to London feeling like a home and not an impersonal monstrosity.

Edited October 20, 2014 by Ed209

[Ed209]

anyway .. back to the OP question.

Why not december? Weather here is never *that* bad and London at Christmas is a nice place to be - except Oxford Street, which is the manifestation of hell on earth.

[russycarps]

We've been talking about moving out of London, and every time I contemplate it, I think I can't do it.

In the last few months, I went to see Prince for £10 at the Electric Ballroom on the spur of the moment. I saw Laura Mvula perform one of the most astounding concerts at the Albert Hall doing her whole album and extras with a full symphony orchestra, again just turning up on the night. My sister saw the Foo Fighters at Islington Town Hall just by turning up (I've had enough of them for now, but I did have a splendid run of seeing them at smaller gigs before they went a bit boring...). Went for a drink near London Bridge last Friday, and had a fantastic walk along the south bank to Waterloo to get my train home... it wa such a cool night, so many people just hanging out and enjoying the river. Buskers, even bands playing all along the way.... If you love music, London is amazing.

London is great... but insanely expensive. We're only here because we were here years ago. I don't know how anyone can do it anymore. One of my daughters has moved to Manchester, the other one has moved back in with us because she can't afford anywhere (in London). Flats near us are advertised in Singapore (and elsewhere) as investments... it's so fucked up.

where would you move to? I sometimes think my time here is up but nowhere else really appeals anymore. I guess I'll end up on the coast somewhere.

But in fairness it's only housing that is insanely expensive. You can have a great weekend and spend virtually no money at all. there are loads and loads of cheap bars, cheap restaurants and cafes, free museums, free art galleries, free parks, cheap gigs...

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

If you've had enough of London or can't afford it then please feel free to come to Birmingham and enjoy all that it has to offer. We've even got a new library that looks so shit it doesn't even register on The Bristol Stool Chart. And if you say ' here comes the bus' instead of 'here comes the buzz' you'll probably be thought of as posh and will be robbed.

[Thearg]

And if you say ' here comes the bus' instead of 'here comes the buzz' you'll probably be thought of as posh and will be robbed.

I can concur with this having recently moved from the big smoke to the west midlands,my brightly coloured trousers and lairy shirts with dickie bow ties don't go at all well down the local watering hole,I've managed to get around this by having two wardrobes,my going to London one and the one I mostly bought from Sports Direct.

They still have a dig though ''check yaous with your fancy new clothes''.

[midnight]

Agree with all the above on making the most of London, and December is ok, although there probably won't be much work between Christmas and New Year.

House shares are popular to keep rental costs down, also a good way to meet people if you're new in town, and you can move on with relative ease if you don't like it. Where you'll want to live will probably depend on where you find work (apart from finances), commuting across town can be very time consuming. It isn't always the distance, but how the connections pan out.

The public sector employs lots of agency staff, and draws heavily on people from Australia, NZ and South Africa (IT, commissioning, procurement and office work as far as I know).

And London would be a very good base if you wanted to pay brief visits to other European countries whilst you're over here.

[HGavin]

Man thanks heaps for the advice everyone. Yet to make a final decision although thinking now I'll be waiting to go late Jan.. in spite of the cold and maybe not great job market.