Best places for Canadians to live in Europe? Use SWAP or not

Hello!

I am looking at moving to Europe in Feb 2009 and was wondering about the best places to live. I have looked into Ireland, UK and Belgium (briefly) and would prefer a country that speaks English (as a 1st or common 2nd language) but am open to suggestions. I gather that a Working Holiday Maker to the UK would be best?

Also, I am trying to decide whether or not to use an agency such as SWAP.ca or to attempt to navigate the paperwork myself.any suggestions either way would be greatly appreciated!

I look forward to any advice on this process as it can be quite overwhelming.
Devon

I also looked into using SWAP and honestly, I thought it was just waste of money.

A few friends of mine did use that agency for UK programs and they did not talked me into using SWAP. Basically, SWAP fills the Visa application for you. that's pretty much it.

Plus, SWAP does not offer a job when you get to where you want to go. They do provide a list but you have to do all the work yourself anyway.

For UK WHM Visa, that would really be your best option if you plan to work and travel. It is valid for two full years but the only condition is that you must not work more than half of that time.

First of all, you fill the online application and send your online payment. Then, you need to visit Worldbridge website to arrange an appointment in a VAC Center, where your biometrical information will be taken (fingerprints and photo). They will give you documents at the appointment that you need to send through mail to the British High Commission with any supporting document you want to include with your application (statements, current job confirmation, payslip, etc). That's pretty much it, really.

Since WHM Visa fees are ~460$ and SWAP is ~800$, why spend 400$ simply to get someone to fill those applications for you ? That's my opinion, but if you are able to do this on your own, that'll save you a lot of money and allow you to understand better how procedures work.

Thanks for the great advice! My only concern is that I would like to try living in both Ireland (Dublin/Cork) and the UK.is it relatively simple to arrange this on my own?

Also, how much money should I have saved when applying for a WHM Visa? I've read anything from $2500 to $6000.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Devon

About the savings, really, I have no idea. There is no clear amount written anywhere, unfortunately. But you do need to show evidence that you can live on your own for three full months once you get there. If you have accomodation arranged already, that'd make it easier.

What I did is I opened a line of credit that I do not intend to use, but simply to show Worldbridge that I have that amount available if anything happens. Not that I'm really poor here, it's just that I'd rather have more money available just in case it might help me get the Visa. FYI, I sent my documents on Friday and I am awaiting a response.

As for Ireland vs UK, a native could probably be more useful for those answers.