Is it pointless to move to london without a highly skilled job?

Cubanista

I have wanted to move to London for a long time, but I haven't had the finances. I have an "okay" amount of savings and was thinking about moving to London next year.




The problem is i am not skilled in anything particular and i am unsure what the job market is like there. It is my ambition to move to London, but for someone who is not highly skilled or highly qualified in a specific job what are my chances?


I currently work in sales, though it's only call centre office sales work selling travel insurance. it is not something i want to do for the rest of my life, but i am not qualified in anything else.


I am 25 and i live with my parents. I also don't drive. I wanted to drive and have taken 2 tests, but failed them both. The last time i took a test i had spent a lot of money so i have been thinking that maybe if i do move to London i won't have to worry about driving and can just take public transport which doesn't bother me at all.


I don't know what to do, but i also don't want to hang around and stay in this area for much longer. I want to move out of the area and experience London, work in the city and meet new people where there is a lot more opportunity.


I would really appreciate any advice,


Thanks,


Cubanista.

xapprenticex

I wouldnt, it way too expensive, i wouldnt go unless i was going because my secured job was there but i think id rather commute.

Im biased though as i dont like London, too busy, too many one way streets and those 3 story houses are just odd.

pinpin

I don't know much about sort of thing, but I have friends who have excellent jobs and probably earn a very high wage, and some of them genuinely struggle. I think it's very expensive. Wouldn't advise moving there unless you knew you'd be getting paid a boat load

Regarding driving. I hear ya!
People always tell me to 'try again', but i've failed like 6 times now, and spend an obsene amount of money. Would Feel like literally burning money if I was to start paying for lessons and tests anymore!

getmore4less

Look at the things that are pulling you, if any of them cost money then after accomodation travel and food will you have any money left to do them.

Chances are you won't be in "London" but some suburb.

Might be better to try another city with lower living costs.

Cubanista

Okay, so where do you live xapprenticex?


I know it is very expensive, but i have been looking at flatshares in and around zone 2 and 3 of London and the prices aren't too bad considering i could get an okay paying job.


I just don't know whether i should continue trying to pass my test and get a car, or save up for few more months and take the plunge to go to London and live off savings for a few months until i get a job. Obviously i will look for a job while i am here, but i would have money in the bank to tide me over for a short time while i am there.


I know it probably sounds a bit sad, but it is a dream to live in London. I also know it can be difficult if you are not earning a set amount of money per month too though.


Thanks,


Cubanista.

Cubanista

pinpin wrote: »

I don't know much about sort of thing, but I have friends who have excellent jobs and probably earn a very high wage, and some of them genuinely struggle. I think it's very expensive. Wouldn't advise moving there unless you knew you'd be getting paid a boat load

Regarding driving. I hear ya!
People always tell me to 'try again', but i've failed like 6 times now, and spend an obsene amount of money. Would Feel like literally burning money if I was to start paying for lessons and tests anymore!

Hey,


Absolute pinpin. I have also spent a lot of money on driving and that's without the expense of owning and running a car. I do live in an area where a car would be useful, but public transport does run regular so it's not too bad.


I am surprised to hear your friends are earning good money but still struggling. I hear so many different stories from people. Some people say living in London is definitely doable if you know where to live, where to shop and so forth, but then others say they're earning really good salary and still struggle.


Where do your friends live in London?


Thanks,


Cubanista.

Gavin83

I probably wouldn't live in London unless I was earning a minimum of £40k but many survive on less. You need to see what sort of jobs you could get, how much rent will be and if you could cope on that level of disposable income. You'll need to take into account food and bills too but they'll be no different than anywhere else.

I also wouldn't bother with a driving test if you plan on moving, you won't need a car and the money would be better spent elsewhere.

dacouch

You do not need to be able to drive in London

xapprenticex

Cubanista wrote: »

Okay, so where do you live xapprenticex?


I know it is very expensive, but i have been looking at flatshares in and around zone 2 and 3 of London and the prices aren't too bad considering i could get an okay paying job.


I just don't know whether i should continue trying to pass my test and get a car, or save up for few more months and take the plunge to go to London and live off savings for a few months until i get a job. Obviously i will look for a job while i am here, but i would have money in the bank to tide me over for a short time while i am there.


I know it probably sounds a bit sad, but it is a dream to live in London. I also know it can be difficult if you are not earning a set amount of money per month too though.


Thanks,


Cubanista.

I'm from the west midlands.

If London is your dream, then give it a shot, its just so expensive, its just a place I have never liked on the occasions I had to visit there.

boliston

I'd imagine renting a room in a shared flat would be possible in london even on a modest salary if you avoid the ultra pricey areas in the west end. The main thing is to be near a tube station - i'd probably aim for the east end or even south of the thames. It's a volatile market for flatshares and good ones will get snapped up within hours of being advertised. I'd probably move to london if I did not own my own home and have an established job where i live, especially if i was only 25! My sisters both moved there about that age and would never now consider living elsewhere.

Timpu

Cubanista wrote: »

The problem is i am not skilled in anything particular and i am unsure what the job market is like there. It is my ambition to move to London, but for someone who is not highly skilled or highly qualified in a specific job what are my chances?


I currently work in sales, though it's only call centre office sales work selling travel insurance. it is not something i want to do for the rest of my life, but i am not qualified in anything else.

I want to move out of the area and experience London, work in the city and meet new people where there is a lot more opportunity.

Cubanista.

It's great you have the guts to contemplate following your ambitions but I think what may let you down is your lack of clarity in terms of work.

You say you're not skilled at anything in particular, how do you plan to get yourself selected for interviews and therefore jobs? IMHO look closely at your roles to date and start thinking of which areas you want to target career wise before you start thinking of moving. Are there courses you can do in the areas you like that will bolster your CV?

I've worked all my life in London, the competition is tough but worth it in terms of the opportunities you can create for yourself.

Only a few people in zones 1-3 actually bother with a car because public transport is more convenient.

Btw have you spent any time in London to check that you'd actually enjoy living there?

Best of luck