Moving to London next year, any advice?

Malarkey on 22/06/2015 - 15:14
Last edited 22/06/2015 - 15:15

Hi everyone,
I'm planning to move to London next year on a 2 year visa, any tips you have on travel or once I've landed would be greatly appreciated. I was hoping to get a stopover somewhere in asia. Also I'm finding it difficult to book a return flight with a return date so far in advance (2 years).

I'm going over on a 2 year youth mobility visa so I'll be aiming to find some work and travel around Europe etc, if all goes to plan I wouldn't have to use much of my savings and live/travel on the money I make over there. I have 5 years experience in insurance/banking IT so I think I'll be ok finding work.

Travel

Comments

  • ilsan0 on 22/06/2015 - 15:16
    +3

    Dont go, this is the best place to stay in the World.
    Coming from an immigrant albeit a legal one :)

    • Malarkey on 22/06/2015 - 15:31
      +5

      I'm 25 single and finished uni, I want to see the world man! ;)
      I know Australia is pretty great but I feel if I don't travel and explore now I'll never have to chance after settling down and purchasing a house etc

    • YTW on 22/06/2015 - 16:54
      +3

      Definitely go!

      I spent 1.5yrs living in the UK after uni. Loved it. Am so happy we did it and I never would have felt happy if I hadn't taken the plunge and dragged my poor hubby over there. He loved it too. We are now talking about going back for a year with the kids when he has long service leave come up in the next couple of years.

      And yep, there's nothing like living elsewhere in the world to realise that Australia is an amazing country to live in. As much as we loved the other countries we visited, we realised we just couldn't top the life we could give our family here in Australia.

    • Scorpiogirl on 01/08/2015 - 05:39

      Lol. Go and you will see why so many left to come to Australia. You will appreciate what you have and how beautiful it is here. London is fun, an eye opener and plenty of pubs/tourist places for employment if all else fails.

  • djmatt24 on 22/06/2015 - 15:29
    +2

    I just got back from my own 2 year stay in England. Here's a few of my tips:

    1. Get the job before you go. You can claim £8000 in relocation expenses inc. flights and rent.
    2. www.moneysavingexpert.com is like a bible. It has tips on literally EVERYTHING. I can't count the times I've referred to it for car hire, money exchange, hotels, train trips etc. not to mention household expenses.

    Consider a one way ticket perhaps, most airlines don't go that far in advance.

    • Malarkey on 22/06/2015 - 15:35

      I've bookmarked the website and will check it out tonight!

      How exactly does the relocation expenses work? I'm only planning on buying a ticket and taking a suitcase with me.

      • djmatt24 on 22/06/2015 - 15:40
        +2

        It's a tax deduction, so you need to have the receipt showing cost and also something showing the travel date (so you can prove it was after you signed a contract or whatever with your new employer). If your employer uses a payroll company to handle things, they will be able to do all this for you, it's super easy. Otherwise claim it yourself on your tax. You can also claim meals $5/$10/day, travel to/from work and home office use $4/week.

        • NoMoneyNoHoney on 09/10/2015 - 00:17

          Regarding relocation expenses, is this something your new UK employer needs to arrange, or is it an ATO tax deduction? I couldn't find anything associated to this in the ATO site. Thanks!

        • djmatt24 on 09/10/2015 - 00:35
          +1

          @NoMoneyNoHoney: It's something you claim in UK tax.

        • NoMoneyNoHoney on 09/10/2015 - 13:25

          @djmatt24:

          Ah thx for clarifying. I suppose this is after creating an Umbrella Co? So I should try and arrange one before I leave..

  • toniyellow on 22/06/2015 - 15:32

    I would save your time searching for a return date that far in advance and just buy a one way ticket.

    If you are looking to stopover in asia then even easier. You can look for the cheapest ticket from here to a hub like Singapore or Bangkok. Then the cheapest ticket from there to Europe.

    • Malarkey on 22/06/2015 - 15:32

      hmm I was thinking that, although I have a little over 200k QFF points so I might be able to get a nice flight for that?

      • toniyellow on 22/06/2015 - 15:37
        +1

        I would save those for the return, when you might want a really nice flight with a high baggage allowance to bring all your stuff back home.

        And just go cheap on the way there, since you are probably not bringing that much stuff (right? clothes are cheap there. Use this as a chance to declutter)

        But I actually know nothing about having that many FF points. Do they expire or devalue? Best look into that seperately. Sounds like a good position to be in.

      • Randxyz123 on 22/06/2015 - 16:13

        Save that for a upgrade

    • YTW on 22/06/2015 - 17:00

      Just check the requirements on your visa before booking tickets - some require you to have a return ticket booked, rather than just a one-way one.

      We had to return within a year on our return tickets - check the conditions on any you are looking at, also make sure you can change your dates for little or no cost as you never know what will come up. So we just came home to visit our parents for a couple of weeks and then flew back out again to the UK (at the time the price of a return was pretty much the same as a single one so we figured we may as well come say Hi).

      • zappy32 on 24/06/2015 - 02:35

        Yeah, I remember I needed to show I had enough money for the return when I went there on a working holiday visa. They were happy with a printed online statement back in 2007.

  • dasher86 on 22/06/2015 - 15:56

    Hotukdeals.com

    I also joined a paid service called britbound.
    They do all sorts of social events and I defo managed to get the fee back in free drinks along the way. Some of their stuff to be fair seems pushed but you choose what you want.
    I also go some good job agency networks through them.

  • Bill48 on 22/06/2015 - 16:48
    +1

    1) Agree. Save your FF points for returning or emergencies. If you book flights over with Qantas partner airlines and book as a FF that will add points and potential status credits to your account.

    2) Research and book an overland adventure to take on your way. My bias is India/Nepal but go with your own preference. Use a UK company. That way you will be with a lower proportion of Australians and meet UK/European people your own age who will be great contacts for when you are there. This is your time to do it and you'll never regret it. But caution. Get ALL the vaccinations etc. available.

    3) Weekends if you are working full time, or whole weeks/fortnights if casual, everywhere in Europe is only an hour away - use it.

    4) Does your family have any UK/European roots. If so, try to find out as much about them as you can before going and make visiting those places somewhere important. You will regret it one day if you haven't.

    5) Go to as many theatre and music productions as you can afford. Half the performers will be Australians. There is no equivalent back home. In London you could go to a different venue every night for weeks on end.

    6) Give true ales a chance.

  • spacemansam on 23/06/2015 - 02:22
    +2

    I actually just wrote a few blogs on this topic a couple of months ago, hopefully you find them helpful

    The Ultimate Guide for Aussies Moving to London
    http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/thepoonanns/2/1…

    and

    Travelling Europe on the Cheap: A Tightass' guide
    http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/thepoonanns/2/1…

    I'm in London now so if you have any questions feel free to ask :)

  • [Deactivated] on 23/06/2015 - 07:22
    +1

    I went in my 20s and it changed my life and career for the better

    Find some mates to crash with initially then get your own place with friends. I suggest as close to west end as possible NW,W, SW of London

    I also work in IT and work opportunities are always great for Aussies

    Get on all the UK cheap flight email lists because they actually can be very cheap for Europe weekends

    • dasher86 on 23/06/2015 - 08:34
      +1

      the East Side is where all the fun is now.

  • ozzie13 on 23/06/2015 - 08:55
    +1

    Open a UK bank account with HSBC before you leave Australia.

  • Malarkey on 23/06/2015 - 09:56

    Thanks for all the suggestions so far! One think I'm not too sure about is the most efficient way to bring over my initial cash? There is a particular bankwest account that has pretty good rates or is there a better option?

    Edit: Money wise, I was planning on bringing about 8-10k AUD with me, would that be enough to get my started?

    • YTW on 26/06/2015 - 10:12

      lol…yes. That's plenty of money.

      I went with $100 in my hand when I was 18 (and had relatives to stay with initially). Nearly died of shock when the exchange lady handed me back 30 pound for it. A monthly bus ticket in Edinburgh was 40 pounds at that point. Needless to say I did a lot of walking until I go my first pay packet.

      We had about $5K when I went with my hubby in our early 20's. It helped cover our initial rent and costs until our first pay packets came through. But we had plenty left for trips away.

      Pay is often done monthly in the UK, so even if you do find a job immediately you may not have any money coming in for a few weeks. That needs to be considered when making plans.

  • 973728 on 23/06/2015 - 11:55
    +1

    I came here to point out that airlines tend to only allow the return ticket to be up to a year after the departure date (even less for sale fares sometimes). Also, at the time of booking you will only be able to book a date up to 10-11 months in advance.

    That said, I disagree regarding the one way ticket. Buy a return fare and then move the date to the maximum allowed (there will be a change fee, don't pay any other additional fees). Then simply pay for another another return ticket.

    In my experience 2 return fares is not that much more than 2 single fares. Sale or no sale.

    Other than that, in addition to have week or 2 week+ trips around Europe, I suggest you book weekend trips well in advance to various cities. It'll surprise you how much you can do on a weekend.

    Cheers,

  • Carpe Diem on 23/06/2015 - 14:21
    +2

    Assuming you’re flying economy… The best long haul carrier is Singapore Airlines IMO.

    Two main reasons being they have some of the largest width/pitch of seats. When booking your flights, you can then double check the dimensions on seatguru to confirm you won’t be squashed. The differences can be significant. Different airlines/model of planes can vary a lot.

    They are also one of the few airlines that allow you to reserve your seat when booking. It must be on their website. So you can always secure an emergency exit seat for a slight fee, preferably on the limited upstairs section behind BC. Priceless for long haul.

    You may have guessed, I am rather tall & so this is vital for me :)

  • goosegog on 24/06/2015 - 18:01
    -1

    DON'T DO IT. Why do you think us poms emigrate to Australia? - Yes, for a better life style!! & haven't regretted it for all the years we have been here ( as Australian Citizens ) Never want to see England again - dreary, small,dirty,tiny houses,narrow attitudes - & we were only back there in January of this year to visit. This was our 6th time of going back to visit since we emigrated to Australia in 1988- & hopefully our last. It will really be a
    culture shock to you, & maybe one that you would rather not have.

    Should you insist on the experience, try Etihads who have the most comfortable reputation for long haul flights combined with well priced fares.
    Don't forget to pack an umbrella & plenty of warm clothes.

    • YTW on 26/06/2015 - 10:25
      +1

      You poms are hilarious. Aussies tend to love their time in the UK.

      We're too busy out enjoying the history and culture and social aspects to notice the downsides. And for living there for short periods when you are young, those downsides don't really bother you.

  • goosegog on 24/06/2015 - 18:11

    Forgot to say - they do the best curries in the world from the Indian Takeaways & restaurants - probably because most of India, Pakistan, Africa, Poland, Russia & whatever other country you want to name , also live there now ( be it legitimately or not) so there will be a multitude of choice for food.

  • Carpe Diem on 26/06/2015 - 13:00
    +1

    "You poms are hilarious. Aussies tend to love their time in the UK" - Some Poms do love the Motherland sigh :)

  • altomic on 28/06/2015 - 19:22

    only take possessions with you that if you lost them then you wouldn't care - except your credit card and passport.

  • surviv0r on 31/07/2015 - 00:10

    This is perfect! Loving all the advice…. similarly I'm planning to do this next Feb. Same amount of experience albeit in commercial Finance. How are you managing accommodation? I've been told its hard to sign a lease unless you have a job.

    • spacemansam on 31/07/2015 - 01:04

      I'm living in London now. Accommodation isn't too hard if you go into a flat share. They rarely ask for proof of employment, as long as you usually have enough money for the bond then you're pretty good. If you go directly through a real estate agent then they're more likely to be fussy about that. Have a look at spareroom.co.uk which is where most people advertise their flatshares. Also checkout the facebook pages 'Aussies in London' and 'Kiwis in London' which also have plenty of accomm available :)

      • surviv0r on 01/08/2015 - 18:39

        Appreciate the advice, i'll look into it.
        Thanks!

  • Bill48 on 09/10/2015 - 12:19
    +1

    Scan or photo every document or valuable into Dropbox or similar cloud in case of loss or theft.

  • offal spokesman on 09/10/2015 - 13:38

    1 If driving, everywhere takes at least 50% longer than you think it will.
    2 Buses and trains are expensive
    3 Tesco and supermarkets are great, good food cheap
    4 Entertainment is expensive
    5 Everywhere within the UK is further than it seems… a 60k trip in OZ is a doddle, in the UK, it seemed to be a non stop battle.

    Traveling from the UK is Brilliant especially of you can travel midweek or at the drop of a hat.

    Ryanair and easyjeet etc are fantastic as long as you know and follow the rules, DO NOT take more luggage than agreed, they WILL weigh it, and it WILL cost a lot more. They often do 10 pound fares in midweek etc.

    Rather than us plan where we wanted to go… we went where the cheap fares would take us. Two of us went to Venice for a total plane cost of 28 pounds return, its all about timing.

    Travelodge do very cheap rooms in the UK, can quite often pick up overnighters for less than 20 pounds, they arent posh, but usually clean and comfortable.

    If you are planning to see olde worlde stuff in the UK, (castles etc) then check out the National Heritage yearly membership, gets you intro lots of castle, stately home etc free, for about 80 pounds a year.

    and whoever mentioned money supermarket definite +1 best website in UK.

    *We did this for 18 months in 2010/11

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