Working Holiday UK Visa job prospects

I would like to know if anyone had a problem finding steady work in the UK. While on a Working Holiday UK Visa. It's too bad they changed the rules. Now you can only work 12 months out of the 2 years. I plan to stay for one year.

I was going to go to London. But, the cost of living is way too expensive. I have decided on going to Manchester. The of living there is not too expensive. Has anyone on here worked in Manchester? Are the job prospects good? Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Yes, I'm working in Manchester now on a working holiday visa. I don't think you'll have too many troubles finding work here. There's certainly more work to go around than in Vancouver. I managed to find a job before I even arrived in Manchester (through the company I worked for in Canada - Honeywell). But my boyfriend has managed to find steady work just by going through an agency, which is what most people do here. I don't know anyone who's gone without work for longer than a few weeks here, and that's if you're picky about what work you do.

The cost of living here is definitely lower than London. I've managed to find a large-ish studio flat in South Manchester for £325/month, though we also pay council tax on top of that. My local pub has bitter and basic run-of-the-mill lager for less than £2, and you can go to Primark if you're looking for inexpensive clothes (£3.50-£10 for trousers, for example). Lively music scene here as well, and lots of good places to hang out if you know where to look. I have some tips on Manchester on my virtual tourist pages if you want to get a taste for what's here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/935eb/ (or my vt name is susiederkins if the link doesn't work).

I hope you enjoy your time here - good luck with the job situation, though I don't think you'll need much luck.

[quote="Susie D"]Yes, I'm working in Manchester now on a working holiday visa. I don't think you'll have too many troubles finding work here. There's certainly more work to go around than in Vancouver. I managed to find a job before I even arrived in Manchester (through the company I worked for in Canada - Honeywell). But my boyfriend has managed to find steady work just by going through an agency, which is what most people do here. I don't know anyone who's gone without work for longer than a few weeks here, and that's if you're picky about what work you do.

The cost of living here is definitely lower than London. I've managed to find a large-ish studio flat in South Manchester for £325/month, though we also pay council tax on top of that. My local pub has bitter and basic run-of-the-mill lager for less than £2, and you can go to Primark if you're looking for inexpensive clothes (£3.50-£10 for trousers, for example). Lively music scene here as well, and lots of good places to hang out if you know where to look. I have some tips on Manchester on my virtual tourist pages if you want to get a taste for what's here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/935eb/ (or my vt name is susiederkins if the link doesn't work).

I hope you enjoy your time here - good luck with the job situation, though I don't think you'll need much luck.[/quote]


Hi! Susie,

Thanks for the info.

When you first arrived in Manchester. Did you stay in a hostel or motel at first? I'm hoping to get flat sorted before I leave Canada. But, doubt they will rent a flat to me without seeing me in person.



[quote="Susie D"]Yes, I'm working in Manchester now on a working holiday visa. I don't think you'll have too many troubles finding work here. There's certainly more work to go around than in Vancouver. I managed to find a job before I even arrived in Manchester (through the company I worked for in Canada - Honeywell). But my boyfriend has managed to find steady work just by going through an agency, which is what most people do here. I don't know anyone who's gone without work for longer than a few weeks here, and that's if you're picky about what work you do.

The cost of living here is definitely lower than London. I've managed to find a large-ish studio flat in South Manchester for £325/month, though we also pay council tax on top of that. My local pub has bitter and basic run-of-the-mill lager for less than £2, and you can go to Primark if you're looking for inexpensive clothes (£3.50-£10 for trousers, for example). Lively music scene here as well, and lots of good places to hang out if you know where to look. I have some tips on Manchester on my virtual tourist pages if you want to get a taste for what's here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/935eb/ (or my vt name is susiederkins if the link doesn't work).

I hope you enjoy your time here - good luck with the job situation, though I don't think you'll need much luck.[/quote]

My situation was a little strange. I was living in the Midlands with my boyfriend, and he arranged for our flat before we moved up to Manchester. His brother lived here, so we had him have a look to make sure it was okay before accepting it.

However, I think that it is possible to arrange for a flat before your arrival. It's very common here to go through a letting agency. As some of them have their own websites, you should be able to contact them with any questions. We're renting through Montrose Properties in South Manchester (a single bus ride into town). If you want to have a look, here's their website: http://www.montroseproperties.co.uk/

Of course, you could always do a search for "letting agency" in Manchester and see what's out there.

A few quick recommendations:

1) Avoid Moss Side - very dodgy area
2) Didsbury (and West Didsbury) seem to have a few Canadians around, and is a lovely clean and safe area (that's where I live)
3) Withington isn't too bad (also south Manchester)
4) Fallowfield is the student area, and as such can be quite a loud party area
5) Stockport is also meant to be nice, though it's a separate community from Manchester proper. I think transportation is good there, and I met a girl from Texas who lived there.
6) There are places right in the town centre apparently, but I wouldn't want to live there. It's quite busy in town, and the pubs at closing time empty all their noisy patrons into the streets. However, if you like to be in the centre of things, that's an option.

Good luck! And bear in mind when you see the rental price, that you will likely have about £100 on top of that in monthly council tax fees.

For renting a flat do you have to show proof your working? I don't have a job lined up yet.


[quote="Susie D"]My situation was a little strange. I was living in the Midlands with my boyfriend, and he arranged for our flat before we moved up to Manchester. His brother lived here, so we had him have a look to make sure it was okay before accepting it.

However, I think that it is possible to arrange for a flat before your arrival. It's very common here to go through a letting agency. As some of them have their own websites, you should be able to contact them with any questions. We're renting through Montrose Properties in South Manchester (a single bus ride into town). If you want to have a look, here's their website: http://www.montroseproperties.co.uk/

Of course, you could always do a search for "letting agency" in Manchester and see what's out there.

A few quick recommendations:

1) Avoid Moss Side - very dodgy area
2) Didsbury (and West Didsbury) seem to have a few Canadians around, and is a lovely clean and safe area (that's where I live)
3) Withington isn't too bad (also south Manchester)
4) Fallowfield is the student area, and as such can be quite a loud party area
5) Stockport is also meant to be nice, though it's a separate community from Manchester proper. I think transportation is good there, and I met a girl from Texas who lived there.
6) There are places right in the town centre apparently, but I wouldn't want to live there. It's quite busy in town, and the pubs at closing time empty all their noisy patrons into the streets. However, if you like to be in the centre of things, that's an option.

Good luck! And bear in mind when you see the rental price, that you will likely have about £100 on top of that in monthly council tax fees.[/quote]

I honestly don't know what you need to be able to rent a flat. I'd suggest contacting a letting agency (probably via e-mail), and asking what they require.