Advice: Don't go to London to make money or gain experience!

I moved to London a while ago and managed to improve my job prospects although it took a lot of effort. I ended up staying almost 9 years. When I first arrived I had only enough money for 1 weeks stay in a hostel and had to find a job immediately so I took the first job I could find as a labourer on a construction site. I worked 6-7 days a week for the first few months. Then I moved to office temping and eventually got into IT work. I lived in South London (New Cross Gate) for almost two years and didn't have any bad experiences.

I found the first year hard with trying to establish myself. It was incredibly frustrating trying to get a bank account or save enough for a deposit for a room or flat. However once I was settled in a decent job and flat I enjoyed living in the UK a lot. I've been back in Canada for a few years and really miss the UK.

A good friend who has lived in Switzerland and Japan recently asked me if I regretted leaving the UK and I told her, "Absolutely not." When I got back to BC, I got hired to teach at a university and thought, do I miss Starbucks and living with 4 people in the same room? Hell, no.

What I've always noticed is that people with money have a bad time abroad. They are used to getting jobs easy and making loads of cash. I have never had a job handed to me, and I don't know a single person who makes 58K a year. Actually, it would take me 10 years collective to make that. So, if you're from NS, like the woman above, you know what I'm talking about. There are the same struggles in Canada (worse!--attawapiskat) as in Britain. And if you live a crappy life in Canada, I think it's worth checking out other places.

The way that you get treated while on a visa here is no different than how Canada treats those who are on visas and have immigrated. I was very lucky when I got out of college - I had an internship already set up (part of my course) and the company I worked for won a major account. It was the only reason why I had a job in Canada. Did I make a lot? NOPE!! I know ssooo many people at home who can't get a job and it's the same over here.

When I was having difficulties here in the UK, I was talking to someone and he said that 90% of getting a job is luck....and I think that is very true. Lucky for me, I've finally landed a job that pays me just very slightly less per year than what I made when I left Toronto but more than what I was making this exact time last year.

I've noticed that it just depends on who you are as a person. I HATE the rat-race in Toronto - absolutely hate it and find it's an "older city" whereas here in London, I have met sssooo many people around my age or just a slight bit older. I think it depends on your lifestyle as well....those that don't enjoy it here are usually fairly 'set' in their Canadian ways.

The grass is ALWAYS greener.......

I can so relate to Lolainkent's post. Everyone's experience is different, and you either get the British lifestyle, culture & history, beauty, friendliness and quirks, or you don't. I was not born there nor was I born in Canada, but after having lived in the UK years ago (as well as in other countries), my heart still yearns for England and the way of life over there. Now, after 15 years in Canada, I still don't feel settled, and neither does my family, so we plan to move to the UK in the near future. I know it will be tough finding work and yes, there will be adjustments, but I truly believe there are more positives than negatives. England offers a different quality of life to North America, it feels more real and connected to what I believe matters.

Thanks for sharing your story with honesty!

I am here in London now, and I totally understand everything you mentioned in your post. I'll share a bit of my experiences and hopefully they can help others who are wondering if this decision is right for them. I also came here with no job, no place to live and no friends.

I'm 28/F/from Vancouver. I recently graduated from uni and always wanted to come and do a working holiday in Europe. My parents are immigrants (I'm first generation) who worked very hard to make a life in Vancouver, so I'm not a stranger to roughing it. I've lived in China and the U.S, so I've seen a lot of different living conditions.

After being here for a little over 2 weeks, I am 100% certain that I should have just come here for 2-3 months of backpacking and called it a day~

There are many reasons but my main ones are:

-London is historical and there are many great free museums and other sites. However, the houses and flats are also old, and if you're used to living in a newer place (my family home in E.Vancouver was built in the 70's and it's nicer than where I am currently staying), be prepared to live with it. I was surprised that the cost of tiny rooms here are also more than in B.C, and the worst part is it's older, conditions aren't as good, and smaller. So in short, unless you have a lot of money, be prepared to live in worst conditions for more money. Worst conditions means a lot smaller, sharing with a lot of people, old appliances, cold water, and bad heating.

-The people here are generally more grim than in North America. What's strange is that they are strangely proud of it. I've had two ppl independently tell me that they think North Americans are "too fake" because they seem to focus on the positive more than the negative, and because they smile a lot and are friendly to strangers. WTF? If you're prepared to be made to feel like you are fake for being nice than come on down.

*I don't want to say that everyone is like that because I've met some nice people here, but generally, if you're used to nice and friendly people...think carefully before you come here. I remind myself everyday not to become grim and jaded as a result of this experience*

In case you think that I'm feeling this way about London because I'm still struggling, I'm not. I landed a job in an office one week after I got here. I also found a room after 10 days. The job pays enough for me to save for traveling, and the room is pretty cheap for Zone 2 (340pounds/28 days).

My plan is exactly as the original poster suggested, I'll be working for about 6 months and then traveling afterwards. I will definitely not be using the full 2 year visa. In fact, if things don't work out with the job, I'm prepared to leave anytime.

I recommend doing a working holiday here if you A) have a lot of savings where you can afford to live in a nice room in a flatshare that's centrally located (min 550pounds and up) and slowly look for a job of your choice. B) you just finished high school and want to take a gap year with your parents monetary support (at least 500CAD/month). 3) you have very little savings, and really want to work for 6 months to save in order to travel around Europe.

For number 3, make sure you REALLY REALLY want to be here. It will be hard, living standards and quality of life will be lower, it will be expensive, and you will feel homesick. I sincerely wish someone would have told me the realities of living and working abroad (I'm the first in my family to do anything like this) so that's why I want to share my experiences. If I could do it again, I would have saved up about 5,000CAD and came here to backpack for two months. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

*The above is my personal experiences and only reflects my opinions*

I think you have put your finger on one of the cultural differences between North Americans and the British.

British people will often say they have "inbuilt bullshit detectors". In general they don't like things sugar-coated i.e. with a typical North American positive spin - they like to hear the bad news said as bluntly as possible, without it being dressed up to try and sound good.

There is a feeling that while North Americans may "appear" friendly, their friendliness is often only surface deep - hence the often heard comment about them being "fake".

There are obviously plenty of British and North Americans who don't fit these stereotypes, but it does seem these stereotypes somehow permeate the respective cultures.