Expatriating to London Q & A

Expatriating to London Q & A
By Jill Gordon
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0109/expatriating_to_london.shtml



Since my article on “London’s Overlooked Neighborhoods” ran in the March/April 2001 issue, I’ve received a deluge of emails from readers seeking advice on living and working in London. Regrettably, the process of expatriating and settling here is full of confusing and sometimes even ridiculous requirements that will acquaint you with Britain’s backward—if still lovable—idiosyncrasies before you ever leave home. Expat hopefuls may feel that the Brits are as keen on keeping foreigners out of their dreary isle as they are on keeping out rabies. Nevertheless, Britain hosts a thriving community of American expatriates.

How can I become eligible to work in the U.K.?

To legally hold a job in the U.K. you need a working visa from the British Embassy in the U.S. Unfortunately, obtaining a work visa is a process that can only be undertaken by an employer who wants to hire you and can demonstrate why a particular American candidate fits that job better than any EU candidate.

To make matters worse, work permits can only be secured for certain professions (not for clerical jobs or nannies, for example). For specific information on work permit procedures and availability check out www.workpermits.gov.uk.

Can’t I just move to the U.K. and then look for a job?

Technically, it is illegal for Americans to enter the U.K. and begin job-hunting and interviewing when they’re on a tourist visa. Actually, many people do it.

How can I legally find a job in the U.K. if I cannot job search in the U.K.?

There is no easy answer to this most popular of questions. It is possible to search for jobs in the U.K. over the Internet. The best job bank I’ve seen so far for London jobs is The Guardian, a major newspaper here in London. You can find the job listings online at www.jobsunlimited.co.uk. Other popular Internet sites with tons of London job listings include www.monster.co.uk and www.jobsite.co.uk.

Two sites specifically for international candidates looking for a job abroad (although they don’t post nearly the number or variety of vacancies that U.K. job boards do) are www.overseasjobs.com and www.escapeartist.com.

Another option is to contact multinational U.S.-based companies and inquire about jobs in their London offices. My husband, for example, found a job in London after meeting with the New York office of an investment bank and interviewing via teleconference with its London office. (Investment banks and news organizations have traditionally been a major source of jobs for Americans in London.)

Once I’ve found a job, how can I find housing in London?

Regardless of whether you are interested in renting or buying in the U.K., your first step in house hunting should be to contact an estate agent. With links to many estate agents and neighborhood descriptions www.net-lettings.co.uk is a great place to start.

The cost of housing in London has exploded over the past few years. Rent can currently range anywhere from £100 per week (approximately $623 per month) to £700 per week ($4,515 per month) for a 1-bedroom apartment. (Rental prices for flats are priced on a weekly rate, and the British calculate 4.3 weeks in a month.)

Where in London should I live?

London is an endless series of interconnected neighborhoods and villages, each with its own distinct character. So choosing your location is very important.

If it’s imperative that you live in the most central and fashionable districts of London, the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Knights-bridge, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Soho, and South Kensington are the places to start. If you’re looking for more affordable (and less centrally located) housing but don’t want to sacrifice atmosphere, check out Battersea, Bayswater, Clapham, Fulham, Islington, and Maida Vale.

Two invaluable resources for the London house-hunter are Where to Live in London and London Property Guide, which describe neighborhoods, price ranges, and the London housing market in general. Find them at major U.K. bookstores. Living in London: A Practical Guide (£16), published each year by London’s Junior League (011-44-20-7499-8159), covers everything from housing and taxes to cultural activities and is stuffed with priceless information compiled by past London expats.

In order to succeed in expatriating to the U.K., you’ll need lots of patience and even more determination. But for almost every American I know here in London it’s been worth it.

JILL GORDAN, who lives in London, is a regular contributor to Transitions Abroad.