Getting a job in London

tylerjames

Hi everyone,
I have an opportunity to live in central London, sharing with a friend who has lived there for several years and established himself in a reasonable job.
I currently live in Reading and have done all my life, I'm fed up here, in a manual job with no future, living at parents, aged 31. Not good.
I've got some savings and just looking for advice whether to take a risk, and move up to the city, surely there are jobs there? I'd take a low end job but something different to what I do now. I am thinking maybe work in a kitchen, as a waiter, or in a hotel or something.
I'd probably look at studying alongside this with the aim of progressing to a better job in a few years.
Thanks for any replies!

terryw

Are you still here? You should be on the bus/train by now not just thinking about it!

Go for it.

sniggings

Central London is very expensive so if you have somewhere you can live, getting a job shouldn't be a problem, just make sure you have a fall back plan in case things don't work out, finding a place by yourself will be all but impossible there.

frugal_bear_2

Go for it, I think you'll definitely be able to find something in London to tide you over, and then you could look for another job in an area of work that interests you. If you find that where you live now is a bit boring then living in London won't be! There's always things to do and once you make some friends in London I'm sure you'll have a great social life.

tylerjames

Thanks for the positive responses! I had the opportunity before, a few years ago, but I had never imagined myself living there. I have generally thought one day I'd move somewhere the opposite, like by the coast.

In my situation now though, I feel a change is needed, even if it's just for a year or two, and I can't think of anywhere with more opportunities than the capital?

Sharon87

I moved to London straight from uni with some savings (just under 2k) although that didn't last me very long though lol. I did some work at agencies, temporary work and then moved onto a permanent job, before I got my career break. So go for it. I just claimed JSA and housing benefit when I was there and declared any work I did. Some people may be judgemental about claiming benefits, but it helped me through until I got a job.

I'd say go for it, you only live once!

It may be difficult getting a house first though without a job. But there are hostels you can stay in whilst you go for interviews, some are cheap and you dont share with many people either. Good luck!

claire16c

Id apply for the job before moving there, seems silly when youre only 20 mins away on the train to pack up everything, jack your job in and then potentially not find one for a while, when you can pop back and forth now!

Maybe you should look at some courses too, find something you want to do and apply for it, and then try to find a job that fits around it.

And then if it doesnt work out, Reading and surrounding areas have low unemployment so at least you could go back, get a job and live with your parents for a while until you sorted yourself out.

But I dont see why it shouldnt. Just be prepared to pay a LOT to live in a share house.

If you dont do a course, then I wouldnt limit yourself to only applying for low end jobs - the money wont go far, you should be applying for stuff thats a step up from your current job if possible, at 31 you must have enough experience!

maninthestreet

Find a job there first.

shmeeko69

Your biggest problem will not be in finding a decent job, but getting affordable accommodation. The fact that you've got someone to share the rental costs is who is already living there and that you've got a few quid behind you is great, as the monthly rates for a small room in Central London are well in excess of £1000pm.

juliaroberts

Use the examples that you used during the recruitment process when you apply for other jobs.
dougleschan.com

bargainbetty

My current flat mate moved down from Yorkshire last year. He had a houseshare and a potential job. Within a week, he knew the job was a joke and the houseshare was hideous.

I offered to let him stay with me for a month or two, to get himself on his feet. He has a great job after a couple of false starts, is loving the life in the Smoke and still hasn't moved out after a year as we get along so well. He swears blind it was the best thing he ever did.