London is an attractive but fairly expensive European city
Moving to the British capital comes with a number of challenges. The largest city in Western Europe is known for its high cost of living, especially renting or buying housing. Some find it hard to get used to the peculiar British weather, especially those from sunny countries. And finally, despite London being a modern city, its culture is rooted in centuries-old British traditions that are not always familiar or understandable to foreigners.
But most people manage to fit into London life. In a 2015 survey by HSBC bank, Britain was named "the best place for foreigners who prefer to socialize with locals rather than with their own diaspora" (such foreigners account for 49% here, compared to the global average of 31%). Half of all foreign immigrants coming to Britain find partners there with whom they start a life.
So, what do you need to know to make the experience of moving to London a positive one?
First of all, we are interested in finding a job. According to official data, in 2014 the UK issued 538,817 work visas. That is 37% more than in 2013. Nevertheless, finding a job in London can be difficult, regardless of whether you are in the city or searching from abroad. If you want to move to the British capital but do not have EU citizenship or family ties in Britain, getting a job offer from an employer is practically your only option.
Highly skilled workers from outside the EU have three main paths to obtaining a work permit. It is granted for occupations with a shortage of personnel; in cases where no suitable local candidate can be found; and for intra-company transfers. In February 2015, the British government's immigration committee added 10 additional specialties to the shortage occupation list, mostly in technology and medicine.
Even if you have the right to live and work in Britain under some other visa (e.g., a spousal visa), you still need to study the job market in advance. "To make a job search abroad more effective, you don't necessarily have to put in a huge amount of effort, but it is important to understand where exactly to direct that effort," advises Lisa Larue from the London-based company Careerworx, which offers career consulting services for incoming foreigners. "Getting a position similar to the one you held before moving can be difficult, if not impossible." Some foreigners find that the skills and qualifications sufficient for a certain job in their home country are not enough for Britain.
35-year-old Angela Randall faced this problem when she moved to the UK from Los Angeles, USA, four years ago to join her husband, a British citizen. "I think my story is not unique at all," says Angela, who successfully worked in social media at a marketing and advertising company and, according to her, was expecting a promotion. She sent out her resume, started looking for American companies with branches in Britain, and also used recruitment agencies. However, every time she went to what seemed like a suitable interview, it turned out that her skills "did not match the requirements at all."
In the end, Randall got a job as a manager in a shoe store, where her experience helped boost sales somewhat. But she lost her job while on maternity leave – the company closed its stores and began trading only online.
Larue advises joining British social media groups before moving to get a better idea of the job market and available opportunities. She also suggests joining British professional associations and finding out how existing certifications match British standards. Keep your resume to a maximum of two pages and sign up for career development courses in the UK – this may give you access to specialized job boards.
Understanding all the nuances of obtaining a visa can be challenging – many get help from professional consultants within their company or from third-party private consultants. Typically, a visa allowing job search is valid for six months, and before the end of this period, the holder is contacted by the UK immigration service.
London has a favorable environment for those who can think creatively. Shoreditch, a district in East London, is often compared to California's "Silicon Valley" – it houses many high-tech companies. Even if your startup is not high-tech, a creative approach can greatly help in settling into London life.
34-year-old Nicole Vaughan Weatherly, originally from the US state of Mississippi, met her British husband in New York. In the US, Weatherly worked for a large corporation, but in London the couple decided to start their own business. "I really like Britain, I have happily embraced its culture. But London is so diverse and multicultural that I started thinking about what I could bring here from my homeland," she says. That is how the idea for the cold tea company Sweet Sally Tea came about.
Weatherly researched the market by renting a spot in a store at Old Street underground station for two weeks. In addition, she made many new acquaintances, which can be a difficult task for a person moving to a foreign country with a spouse, without the support of colleagues and friends. Since its launch in 2014, Sweet Sally has continued to successfully develop and grow. The company's teas are now served in London pubs and restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms.
London is among the six richest cities in the world, but housing is a sad affair. Finding shelter in a city of 8.6 million people is not so easy. According to a recent report by consulting firm KPMG, a first-time homebuyer in London needs an income of around £77,000 ($188,000) per year. In reality, the average income of a London resident is £28,000 ($43,000).
Renting is also difficult because there are many applicants. HSBC advises being ready to agree to rent immediately after viewing a potential rental apartment and paying a deposit covering six weeks (given that the average rent for a three-bedroom unfurnished apartment is £1,700 per month, or about $2,600).
The cost of housing and rent is significantly lower for those willing to live outside London. But remember that transport is not cheap. A short trip on the underground will cost nearly £3 ($4.30). Motorists pay a congestion charge for driving into the city center, and parking there is exorbitantly expensive and often time-limited.
However, not everything in London is prohibitively expensive – free education will be a big plus for those coming with children. London has decent state schools, but there are also paid options for those who can afford it – for example, the American School and the French Lycée for French expatriates. A year of private school (without boarding) will cost about £12,000 (over $18,000).