Living in London - What's it like?
- Thread starter Dragonistic
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- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
I'm definately sorted for bikes, already owning one and I hope to do my full test this year (direct access) so I need never do a CBT again as I've been on Ls forever. I just need the cash (which the signing bonus would cover, insurance premium will go up alot though compared to where I am now but I have 5 years no claims on bikes).
I think what we're establishing is it's doable but difficult to travel in via motorbike, right now my bike breaks before I ever do with journeys in bad weather and such but I could potentially use public transport in the dire winter or get rid of my baby which is probably the sensible thing to do and get a CG125 (which makes me oh so sad).
I managed to not have a signal when they phoned me today, but they'll be calling tomorrow. I'll follow the process for interview experience but ultimately I don't think I'm prepared for such a drastic change in circumstances. Similarly, eventually I'm bound to get a job fairly locally and I'll have so much more money to pass my driving test, motorbike test and start saving in general though I may blow alot of money on a gaming PC if I'm on a really good wage. The alternative is a massive risk and I have little to fall back on if things go wrong, I'll lose a tonne of money on deposits, rent and the move itself with no savings to help me if I want to leave. I will continue with the process and keep the option open as long as I can as I'm not certain for sure.
Now I have 13 jobs to apply for, what a fun filled evening!
I love telling them how much I want to work for their company that I've never heard of before etc.
- 15,494
- UK
Don't brown nose too much.
You're right, you may well not be prepared for it, heck you may even hate London and the job, but is it worth a try? What's the worse that's going to happen? It will all help you find whatever it is you actually want to do. I've been in a similar situation, and although it was utterly crap, I'm glad I did it.
You're right, you may well not be prepared for it, heck you may even hate London and the job, but is it worth a try? What's the worse that's going to happen? It will all help you find whatever it is you actually want to do. I've been in a similar situation, and although it was utterly crap, I'm glad I did it.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
The worst that could happen when you have practically zero capital is pretty bad in the scheme of things (I can come back next year for the same scheme almost certainly, and if it's me who turns the job down now then I'm clearly a good candidate for this and other jobs to). I've also been in a relationship for over 4 years now, whilst any opportunity to work at home will be financially the best choice by far which gives me capital to fall back on if I apply for another graduate scheme involving a move to start a year later.
It's a gamble in many respects either way, but I feel this is too rushed for me to fully commit to this particularly opportunity. I don't want to spend the next 3 years of my life sucked in to living in a place I may not like, the alternative is giving myself a year to get some security and generally get the things I want and can enjoy to the fullest at this stage in my life whilst making more decisions about what I want to do. The long and short of it is simple, I'm not prepared enough for such a drastic change. It makes so much more sense to work locally for at least a year and get myself both financially and mentally prepared. That being said if nothing else is offered to me, I will strongly reconsider.
I could do with a full rejection or a job offer from one other job just to get a feeling for how strong an applicant I am. So far I'm 2 for 2 in going through to the latter stages of jobs, the first 2 I've applied for now both want me in to the late stages (interview ish stage, around 50 applicants on the other job) one is very close and the other is the graduate scheme we're talking about here. One is the job I want now (out of 20+ similar roles locally!) and offers study support for the professional body I'm already a member of and offers massive financial gains comparatively and the other is the job I might wish I'd done a few years down the line with potentially better training and life experience. I have so much time ahead of me at this point in my life including time to make mistakes, there's no need to throw myself head first in to a situation I don't think I'm ready for especially as there's plenty more graduate schemes to apply for next year which might be at more interesting firms.
Unfortunately my job interview for the local job is a way off, the 25th to be exact. However that, coupled with the graduate scheme opportunity shows I have a strong CV for this kind of job which I believe is down to voluntary placement in a similar role. I would say my CV is the weakest point of my application, though I have no interview experience but any sort of impromptu presentation is something I've always excelled at when I'm given the chance. I don't think I've got either of these positions in the palm of my hand, but I think I have a good shot at anything aimed towards trainee/assistant/graduate roles so I shouldn't panic and make massive decisions for at least a month or 2 and I'll remain open to any opportunity I get. If the local job is offered to me though, I won't even blink before accepting.
It's a gamble in many respects either way, but I feel this is too rushed for me to fully commit to this particularly opportunity. I don't want to spend the next 3 years of my life sucked in to living in a place I may not like, the alternative is giving myself a year to get some security and generally get the things I want and can enjoy to the fullest at this stage in my life whilst making more decisions about what I want to do. The long and short of it is simple, I'm not prepared enough for such a drastic change. It makes so much more sense to work locally for at least a year and get myself both financially and mentally prepared. That being said if nothing else is offered to me, I will strongly reconsider.
I could do with a full rejection or a job offer from one other job just to get a feeling for how strong an applicant I am. So far I'm 2 for 2 in going through to the latter stages of jobs, the first 2 I've applied for now both want me in to the late stages (interview ish stage, around 50 applicants on the other job) one is very close and the other is the graduate scheme we're talking about here. One is the job I want now (out of 20+ similar roles locally!) and offers study support for the professional body I'm already a member of and offers massive financial gains comparatively and the other is the job I might wish I'd done a few years down the line with potentially better training and life experience. I have so much time ahead of me at this point in my life including time to make mistakes, there's no need to throw myself head first in to a situation I don't think I'm ready for especially as there's plenty more graduate schemes to apply for next year which might be at more interesting firms.
Unfortunately my job interview for the local job is a way off, the 25th to be exact. However that, coupled with the graduate scheme opportunity shows I have a strong CV for this kind of job which I believe is down to voluntary placement in a similar role. I would say my CV is the weakest point of my application, though I have no interview experience but any sort of impromptu presentation is something I've always excelled at when I'm given the chance. I don't think I've got either of these positions in the palm of my hand, but I think I have a good shot at anything aimed towards trainee/assistant/graduate roles so I shouldn't panic and make massive decisions for at least a month or 2 and I'll remain open to any opportunity I get. If the local job is offered to me though, I won't even blink before accepting.
- 12,901
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
London is the 25th most expensive city in the world to live in:
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/lu...le-the-cities-more-expensive-than-london.html
Personally I'd rather stick with my 2 bed semi detached in Warwickshire than end up living in a tiny ****hole of a place in a city that's mainly populated by smug, arrogant wideboys.
But that's just me. Although my friend's sister and her fiancee are moving back up here after living in London for a while because they can get an insanely nice house up here on their wages (They've transferred)
It depends how badly you want the job!
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/lu...le-the-cities-more-expensive-than-london.html
Personally I'd rather stick with my 2 bed semi detached in Warwickshire than end up living in a tiny ****hole of a place in a city that's mainly populated by smug, arrogant wideboys.
But that's just me. Although my friend's sister and her fiancee are moving back up here after living in London for a while because they can get an insanely nice house up here on their wages (They've transferred)
It depends how badly you want the job!
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
I've looked into living in London too, since it's where many of the journalism jobs are.
I quickly stopped looking at living inside the M25, and started looking further afield.
For West London, I'd suggest Farnborough - it's where quite a few of the car journos seem to live, or thereabouts, and it's significantly cheaper than London. Not too grim either, likely cheaper on council tax and safer crime-wise, and a ~30 minute drive to some of the nicer West London suburbs.
Of course, if you were working in central London it'd then be another hour getting into the centre (I've a friend in Wimbledon, and I've done that journey a few times - an hour is about right, for the ten miles or so). In which case, F'brough also has a rail link.
I quickly stopped looking at living inside the M25, and started looking further afield.
For West London, I'd suggest Farnborough - it's where quite a few of the car journos seem to live, or thereabouts, and it's significantly cheaper than London. Not too grim either, likely cheaper on council tax and safer crime-wise, and a ~30 minute drive to some of the nicer West London suburbs.
Of course, if you were working in central London it'd then be another hour getting into the centre (I've a friend in Wimbledon, and I've done that journey a few times - an hour is about right, for the ten miles or so). In which case, F'brough also has a rail link.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
All the location suggestions will be very helpful come actual crunch time, so thanks for all those guys 👍. I'm happy to drive an hour or so (maybe 90 mins tops), as I used to do that for school on a god damn moped on the A5 which is pretty much as bad as a commute gets, though the little soldier did top out at 55 so I wasn't eaten alive by traffic. I will have to learn to drive less... spiritedly if I do commute via motorbike in to any city. I'm used to small towns with little traffic and barely a camera in sight let alone an actual police car, though I rarely ever go at any great speed outside of my own country lanes, I am a bit of a police magnet when I go near built up areas (never got more then a verbal warning though, been pulled far to many times in Telford considering I only visit the area for a week or 2 a year). Investment in a bike satnav will be vital though, I'll get so lost so fast without one.
I've found out I can defer my entry to the course, which is great news. I can also confirm a salary of £23,000 + £2000 signing bonus for London based placements in the first year which is also good to know. I will likely defer my entry, and if a better job comes up in a better location I can take that instead or I may decide down the line this is the right way to go.
I've found out I can defer my entry to the course, which is great news. I can also confirm a salary of £23,000 + £2000 signing bonus for London based placements in the first year which is also good to know. I will likely defer my entry, and if a better job comes up in a better location I can take that instead or I may decide down the line this is the right way to go.
- 7,436
- Canada
- photonrider
Wow - never realised these cities were so expensive to live in; from the link:
"As well, the three African capitals, three Swiss cities (Geneva, Zurich and Bern), three Japanese cities (Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya) and four Australian cities (Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane) were all more expensive than anywhere in the UK."
Dragonistic - fare thee well, man, and hope to hear more as you go along with this venture. This thread has been an eye-opener about London.
I have never been to London - my knowledge of it is only second-hand; books, movies, and the many visits from my cousins - I have lots of family over there. In fact, many years ago, when it came time for me to emmigrate, I had a choice of three countries to go to - Australia, England or Canada, and I chose Canada, though a part of me will always wonder 'what if?' had I chosen the others. I have always had a thing for London - (in a second hand way
)I love when my cousins come over because I can't understand a word they say - the 'English' they speak is just about as cockney as Syd's (from the Brit series Mind Your Language). It's a riot. They all live in London - though I have some in Surrey.
Good Luck!
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
Well I phoned back today about the placement options I had, given the fact that neither are what I actually want to do long term and both lead to the same point come 2nd year placement I opted to stay away from London for now though I will likely be moving there next year if I ultimately take the graduate scheme. It would mean a slightly worse job in the first year, but potentially much more money (Birmingham or Manchester). However the 2nd part of the scheme is no guaranteed, I want to move in to Finance and they do not guarantee I will be as it is a more operations based scheme despite claiming to be very flexible. There is still a good chance of moving in to finance, but this does put me off the scheme.
On the positive, the man was extremely keen to keep me on the course complimenting my test results (particularly when he found out it was my first attempt) and trying to find out what other things I'd apply for and subsequently selling this scheme to me more by highlighting study support and other benefits. They may well say the same to anyone but it gives me confidence that of over 100 applicants to start off they value my application (and potentially moreover then other candidates still going) which gives me more belief that I could get in to a graduate or trainee position in the right field locally as I would ultimately like to. He was also keen to move my assessment centre to a closer date and location instead of London which is the norm as soon as I delayed his initial offering from the 26th (due to the job interview locally which I informed him of) to the 3rd of July. Hopefully this is all reflective that I am a stand-out applicant, but it might just be them trying to give themselves the most choice, with my lack of application experience I can't be sure.
On the positive, the man was extremely keen to keep me on the course complimenting my test results (particularly when he found out it was my first attempt) and trying to find out what other things I'd apply for and subsequently selling this scheme to me more by highlighting study support and other benefits. They may well say the same to anyone but it gives me confidence that of over 100 applicants to start off they value my application (and potentially moreover then other candidates still going) which gives me more belief that I could get in to a graduate or trainee position in the right field locally as I would ultimately like to. He was also keen to move my assessment centre to a closer date and location instead of London which is the norm as soon as I delayed his initial offering from the 26th (due to the job interview locally which I informed him of) to the 3rd of July. Hopefully this is all reflective that I am a stand-out applicant, but it might just be them trying to give themselves the most choice, with my lack of application experience I can't be sure.
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- 1,945
- Treviglio
- PAPPACLART
- PAPPALCART
In some respects although not entirely ideal for you as outlined, it would have been a good idea go off and take the job, after all it is darn hard to get a job these days, and experience counts for a hell of allot.
I remember I was at college, at the time I was working as a courier and doing other random/manual jobs in between my study. I really wanted to get in an office, so applied for stacks of office Junior roles but had no success. (this was 2001/2002)
I ended up looking through the business pages (I did not have a computer then ! lol) and searched through all companies based out in the City Of London (financial part) and sent letters to about 30 a day asking if I could come and work voluntary to gain work experience. Weeks passed, some would reply to say no thanks but keep trying, while most I would never hear from. About 3 months of doing this passed, with a stack of my VERY limited cash going on stamps, I eventually got a reply from a reassurance group, (RGA) and started a few days later in their accounts/Admin department.
I used to work there as often as I could, mostly 1-2 days a week. I did this for a year, then went applying for jobs again, and had loads of responses and ended up working for a big Law firm.
Moral of the story, experience counts, its very tough for experienced people to land jobs now, let alone guys/Gals fresh out of university.
My experience was 10 years or so ago, its a very different climate out there now.
I remember I was at college, at the time I was working as a courier and doing other random/manual jobs in between my study. I really wanted to get in an office, so applied for stacks of office Junior roles but had no success. (this was 2001/2002)
I ended up looking through the business pages (I did not have a computer then ! lol) and searched through all companies based out in the City Of London (financial part) and sent letters to about 30 a day asking if I could come and work voluntary to gain work experience. Weeks passed, some would reply to say no thanks but keep trying, while most I would never hear from. About 3 months of doing this passed, with a stack of my VERY limited cash going on stamps, I eventually got a reply from a reassurance group, (RGA) and started a few days later in their accounts/Admin department.
I used to work there as often as I could, mostly 1-2 days a week. I did this for a year, then went applying for jobs again, and had loads of responses and ended up working for a big Law firm.
Moral of the story, experience counts, its very tough for experienced people to land jobs now, let alone guys/Gals fresh out of university.
My experience was 10 years or so ago, its a very different climate out there now.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
My option is still open, so no worries just yet. What has to be remembered is the fact I 1) haven't turned them down and 2) haven't completed the entire application process I may yet be rejected. I will attend the assessment centre if I haven't got a job from the other interview, if the other applicants are graduates for that as well I have alot going for me compared to most in terms of more then no experience (and volunteering) as well as being local, well presented and fairly eloquent. In more good news, another agency has phoned me today to check how 'compatible' I am with another job I applied for this morning before forwarding my details to the employer and think the position is perfect for me and I'm pretty much perfect for it so hopefully that will be another interview soon.
Technically right now though all I have is a few half open doors that could just as easily shut as they could open, as soon as one does open I'll go straight for it. I've been applying for many accountancy jobs in about a 40-50 mile radius with intentions to travel, now I've rattled through those I can move on to other jobs which can see me through short term and gain me experience working within a business environment be it office or not.
Technically right now though all I have is a few half open doors that could just as easily shut as they could open, as soon as one does open I'll go straight for it. I've been applying for many accountancy jobs in about a 40-50 mile radius with intentions to travel, now I've rattled through those I can move on to other jobs which can see me through short term and gain me experience working within a business environment be it office or not.
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
Thread dig up and update time.
I could not have made a more correct decision then to turn down the graduate scheme and skip the move. I got the local graduate job I was gunning for which is not only preferable due to location it's more appropriate and ultimately more interesting for me. Infact it is pretty much the job made for me rather then me making myself right for the job and clearly the employer agrees after the 2nd interview yesterday.
I believe at this point I would normally say something like "walking out of university straight in to the perfect job like a boss" but that would be unprofessional given my new job. No start date yet, it'll be given in writing on Monday.
I could not have made a more correct decision then to turn down the graduate scheme and skip the move. I got the local graduate job I was gunning for which is not only preferable due to location it's more appropriate and ultimately more interesting for me. Infact it is pretty much the job made for me rather then me making myself right for the job and clearly the employer agrees after the 2nd interview yesterday.
I believe at this point I would normally say something like "walking out of university straight in to the perfect job like a boss" but that would be unprofessional given my new job. No start date yet, it'll be given in writing on Monday.
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