subject: Tips To Move To London [print this page] London is one of the most recognisable cities both by name and by its landmarks. The city has a rich history and heritage evident in the city's layout and architecture. It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities and there is a lot to see in the different cultures represented.
But London is also one of the three top financial hubs in the world and also the head office of many multinational businesses and organizations. This has made the city attractive for professionals from all over the world looking to launch a career in their area of professional competence. So, how do you live and work in London?
The high cost of living in London is legendary. However, life in London can be affordable if you plan well and budget accordingly. For example, there are areas in the city classified as Zone 1 (includes Westminster, Chelsea and Kensington) that would not be affordable for someone just starting life anew. Zone 2 and 3 (south or north of the river Thames) are more popular both with visitors and locals who do not want to fork out too much for accommodation.
If you are a foreigner looking to work and live in London, consider contacting a friend or family member who already lives in the city. They can come in handy in providing you with temporary accommodation that will allow you to save some money before you are able to find your own place. Such contacts would also be invaluable in helping you find London Jobs.
A cheap form of short term accommodation in London is the hostels. But this is only in the short term for a couple of weeks at the most. Hostels tend to be more costly than other forms of accommodation in the long run.
They have an added advantage in that they enable one to network with many people you meet there who might give you hints on how to find your way around the city. You will also have to sacrifice on privacy because up to four people may be required to share a single room.
Your other option for accommodation is renting a house. When renting, plan well beforehand as you will be required to pay a bond upfront that would be equivalent to 4 or 6 weeks of rent.
So with some place to stay and hopefully a job, how do you get to work? Even though London offers a wide array of public transport options, these do not come cheap. Once you become a regular commuter, transport charges could place a significant dent on your monthly expenses. Of course the ideal is to live near enough to your place of work to reach it on foot.
You can save on transport costs by getting a travel swipe card known as the oyster card. For instance, with the oyster card the cost of a one way tube journey in zone 1 is 1.50 pounds while without the card the same journey would cost 4 pounds, more than double.
Friends and family can give you great pointers on looking for work. But partnering with a reliable UK jobs websites such as Jobsite.co.uk will give an even greater reach and access to jobs that fit your skill set.
