Need Advice about Moving to London

Hi everyone, thanks for reading first of all.

I'm new to this site and this is my first post. Here is my situation.

I live in Canada (born/raised) and work as an engineer and am considering moving to London. My gf is there now and has been working for 7 months. We've been apart for that long and it's time I try to make my move if there are any hopes of us moving on together. What I'm most likely going to do is take a 3 month leave of absence from my current job (they have no idea I'm considering moving) and move, look for work while I'm there and find a company who is willing take a big chance and sponsor me to get a work permit. I've done a bit of job searching from Canada, and the UK market, especially for my specific experience, is not that good so I'm not very at the moment about finding work.

What is the best way to approach the job search? Does anyone have any advice or any info whatsoever about engineering in the UK, finding a job in general, recruiters, sponsorship process, etc. I'm not sure how willing companies are to take a chance on a foreign worker to sponsor me.

If I don't find a job and have to come back (and stay) then our relationship is most likely over, as she won't come here for sure.

I've read a bit about people who move to London and miss Canada, regret their decision, etc. but I've read very little about people who uproot, leave their lives, families, and are very happy with their decision.

My whole life is here in Canada..my family, my career potential is big, I own 2 properties, my friends, so moving would take it all away and I'd literally be starting from scratch. No network, friends, nothing. I want a change in my life and feel like I need it...not necessarily because my gf is there (although that is a big part of it even though we're not doing so so great at the moment) but because I can do something I've never done and have wanted to do all my life and that is to live in a great city, in europe and see how life unfolds. Well, I never did that but here is my chance. I'm 34 and am excited at the idea of starting fresh in a new city like London and ideally having a great lifein London with me gf but part of me also feels like I missed the boat and am trying to recapture my past, you know? I'm struggling to decide if it'll be the right move.

I figure the best way to know and the best thing to do would be to live there for a few months, look for work and see how I like it, see how life is. I've travelled there twice in the past 4 months to visit her so I know a bit about the city and how people are but living there for a period of time is different than short trips.

Anyways, everything sort of hinges on me finding a job and I'm scared it'll be much harder than I think..and I already think it won't be at all easy.

Sorry for this essay but any advice, thoughts, experiences, words of encouragment, doses of reality (even cold, harsh doses) are totally encouraged welcome. I don't have a lot of support for this move from hardly anyone in my life, besides a couple close friends. My family supports me but is struggling with the idea of me leaving and it shows.

Thanks everyone.

Hi,
I'm not an engineer so I don't have specific experience in that, but I would say that most jobs in London are found via agencies so I would google and try to find an agency that specialised in what you do - engineering.

As to giving up your Canadian life, it is a risk, but I think the adventure is worth it. Sometimes I miss my personal space (especially on the tube) but London is a great city, and I can honestly say I've never been homesick in my 4.5 years here (and I love where I'm from). I feel the opportunities are better here in London (for me) and I find it hard to imagine moving back. Though would love to have a summer home there when I retire

You have to keep in mind that making new friends and building a new life does take time. You need to get out there, join in etc but it is worth the effort. Check out meeup.com for groups that do things that interest you, there are some great ones. As well if you get the chance go to one of the Canadian Meetups on the first Monday of the month for wings at the Maple Leave pub I think you will find a happy bunch of Canadians.

The fact that you can come over for 3 months and get a feel for things is great, and will help answer a lot of your questions I'm sure. I take it you have checked the visa options and can't get one with out a sponsor.

The one thing I haven't done as much of since I moved here is taking advantage of all the great things to see in Europe, and part of the reason is there is so much in London to see and do, as well as the rest of the UK.

I hope that helps, will be interested to hear your thoughts after the 3 months.

Michelle
http://bluenosegirl.com

Hi I lived in London for 5 years and moved back to Canada about 3 years ago because I missed the quality of life. That being said, as a person in IT I had much better job prospects over there and am considering moving back for a few more years. I'm not sure I could make it my permanent home forever, but I don't regret moving there as the experience was worth it. With your situation its a bit different since you're so rooted here, but I think your thinking is best in trying to go for a 3-month stay to guage the lifestyle and job prospects as it's low risk - you can always come back and resume life here if you find out it's not for you.

I would say coming here for 3 months to test the waters is a great idea. You'll really figure things out and have a better idea whether it's what you really want to do. As for the job situation, I'm not an engineer, but do know the job situation here is very, very tough at the moment. I moved here about 2 months ago from Canada and have been searching for jobs, but have had no luck, even after a few interviews. I have ample experience and even a masters degree, but it seems to be of no use. I would guess the likelihood of a company sponsoring you would be quite low, since there is still quite a high unemployment rate here, so companies would prefer to hire British/EU nationals. I am here on a working holiday visa, so there isn't even a need for company sponsorship, but I definitely do sense a bias towards hiring British/EU citizens.

I still would say if you have the opportunity to leave work for 3 months, come here and give it your best shot! You never know! Good luck!

I would also suggest scouring websites like monster UK and take a look at the recruiters posting jobs for your industry. Take a look at their websites, etc. (to see what they are really about) and send in your resume/cv to the recruitment agency. Maybe set up a meeting with the recruiter to discuss where you want to be, where they think you may fall, and the current job market. They will be upfront with you about the conditions - if they think you have a chance at jobs, etc.

I unfortunately do not know anything about the engineering industry - only media so I can't help you out there.

Also have a look at the skills shortage list - I don't know if anything to do with engineering is on there, but it might prove to be an option and in your favour.

I think experience screams louder than education in the UK - they believe that their education system is far superior to our education system (and granted, in some respects, it probably is!).

Who knows...maybe after spending 3 months in the UK you won't want to live there?!

I don't know much about your specific job field (my husband works in Investment Banking, so that's what I get to hear about), but I wanted to say a couple things.

1. If you come here for 3 months intending to look for work, DO NOT mention that at customs. I was privy to a conversation at Heathrow back in February where a young woman from Montreal admitted to the immigration officer that she was coming to London to see her boyfriend and look for work, sans Visa. About 15 people, including myself, got through the 2 other immigration officers while she was still standing there trying to explain herself.

2. I gave up a lot to come to the UK. I was younger, 21, when I originally moved to London but it was the best decision for me. It resulted in a now 6 year marriage, 2 wonderful children and a whole lot of travel. We actually moved to Toronto in 2007 thinking that Canada would be better for us and we were very wrong. It's been almost a year back in the UK for me and I can honestly say it's for the best. All my family is in Canada (husband's are in Australia) and I left a lot of friends behind (but thank goodness for facebook to keep us in touch!) but I've made new friends and living here always gives family an excuse to do some international traveling. Europe is at our doorstep (literally since we live near the Chunnel) - we actually drove to and from Paris last weekend for the hell of it.

It's a big step, and a total gamble, but you won't know unless you try, right?

Great reply lolainkent!

You are exactly right, you never know unless you try! I'll second that.

In 2007, I decided it was high time I saw Europe. So I put my things in storage, found a study-abroad program, packed a couple of suitcases, and flew to London. I was 20 years old and didn't know a single person over there.

I absolutely loved it. Can't quite put a finger on why: it's just the atmosphere. Such an exciting, sophisticated, charming, historical city. Busy? Yes. Expensive? Certainly. Rainy? Yeah, and the days are a little short in the winter, as well. But I can't get enough of it. I love the landmarks, the museums, the streets, the tea, the Underground, the shopping, the newspapers, the international population, the buses, the bookshops, the theatres, the banana-flavoured soy-milk (no, honestly)...I've only been back to London once since (the summer of 2009), and I miss it all the time.

Unsurprisingly, my advice would be this: go for it! With your girlfriend there already, you're not likely to feel lonely or lost in England. Try it out! If it works out, great! If not, you'll know soon enough, and the two of you can talk face-to-face about what changes might need to be made. I wish both of you the best of luck!