Live-in couple jobs

immuno

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have experience of living as a live-in domestic couple or au-pair? We are interested in it, in order to save money on rent. I've seen many full-time jobs for couples in luxury estates, working alongside butlers, chefs, etc. Firstly, we don't drive...which is an issue for these large estates outside of London. Secondly, I don't think it'd be great for our CVs to spend time away from our usual jobs for more than a couple of months, so I'd love to find a family who needs ocassional help in the evenings and weekends, and perhaps staying at home to look after pets or something and only provide a room and a very modest salary...as opposed to a full-time position, but one which pays £700/week and offers an entire house! Does anyone know if it's realistic to find au-pair couple work and still work full-time? Any experiences of this? My partner has housekeeping experience and nanny experience, whereas I guess I have some experience of working in hospitals and care homes, which might help!

Any recommendations for agencies, websites, etc. would all be appreciated! :j

Thanks!

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Look in The Lady magazine.

immuno

Thank you, although those also seem quite high-end with luxury estates, etc!

lincroft1710

Try classified ads section of your local newspaper under "Domestic Help" or similar. Or why not place your own ad?

immuno

Thank you! I hadn't thought about placing our own ad.

Does anyone have first-hand experience of this? I thought it might be a good way of saving money?

JennyG84

Have you thought about looking for a live in position for just one of you as it may be easier?

I was a court manager for a retirement court and they provided live-in accommodation for me (a two bed flat) and they had no issues with my partner staying there too. That way only one of you would have to stay away from other income.

It definitely saved us money as there was no rent to pay and no heating or hot water either (though that would probably be different in other live in positions).

immuno

JennyG84 wrote: »

Have you thought about looking for a live in position for just one of you as it may be easier?

I was a court manager for a retirement court and they provided live-in accommodation for me (a two bed flat) and they had no issues with my partner staying there too. That way only one of you would have to stay away from other income.

It definitely saved us money as there was no rent to pay and no heating or hot water either (though that would probably be different in other live in positions).

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Didn't think they'd let us both live there..

I'm guessing you had some kind of relevant experience, before you applied for that job? I'm just wondering where I can find such positions...the only idea I've had is applying to work as a warden at the uni I currently work at, but they won't have vacancies for a while..

JennyG84

I had comparably little experience really as I'd been a junior care assistant at a rest home as a teenager and otherwise had admin jobs (a lot of admin goes into being a court manager!), so don't close yourself off mentally to things as you might have abilities suitable. The warden idea could be a good one if you can wait for it.

missbiggles1

If you have room (or can make room) it might be simpler to have a lodger or two.

immuno

JennyG84 wrote: »

I had comparably little experience really as I'd been a junior care assistant at a rest home as a teenager and otherwise had admin jobs (a lot of admin goes into being a court manager!), so don't close yourself off mentally to things as you might have abilities suitable. The warden idea could be a good one if you can wait for it.

Thanks.

Sadly, we've just moved from a one-bed rent flat to a room in a shared house.

The warden position has just opened! I guess it'll be very competitive, though..
I suppose it'd be ideal to find a live-in position where we can just work in the evenings and still do our day jobs. Perhaps placing our own ad is the way to go...