- FAQ
- Login
- Register
- Call Workpermit.com for a paid service +44 (0)344-991-9222
ESC
Welcome to immigrationboards.com!
Moderators: Casa, Amber, archigabe, batleykhan, ca.funke, ChetanOjha, EUsmileWEallsmile, JAJ, John, Obie, push, geriatrix, vinny, CR001, zimba, meself2, Administrator
Are you a qualified Psychologist and have you been woking in that capacity back in the US? If that is the case, you might be able to find work as a Psychologist in this country...It might be tricky finding a permanent post (that doesn`t appear to be your objective anyway) but there is a fair bit of temp work around (fairly well paid as well, depending on experience) as most Psychologists somehow seem to be young women who tend to be on perpetual maternity leave!MissIntrigued wrote:Hi. Apologies in advance if this is long, but I need some serious advice, maybe from someone in similiar situation.
I am 25 years old, female, live in NY. I am not rich, and often struggle with money, but I make it work here in NY. I grew up here, my family is here, I have a car here, an apartment I pay rent on. It's hard for me, but I make it work.
I really wanted to try living in London for a year or two, see the world a bit. I have friends there, sort of , so I do know some people there. I might even be able to get myself a Tier 1 visa. But, I guess Im wondering....is it worth it?
I work in a field in which salaries dont tend to be too high (social services). I manage to make it work in NY, but Im afraid if I come to London, and am only able to find work in this same field, will I be sturggling? Will I be forced to live in some crap neighborhood? London seems so much more expensive than even New York! I am more than willing to try a new field, but with no experience outside of healthcare Im sure I wont find a really high salary starting out in a new field. I have a degree in psych from a great school in the US, so I am more than capable of learning a new trade.
I guess it's something I direly want to do, and in the same way I still am scared of such a big move. I think it's the money thing that scares me most, i worry about losing the little amount of comfort and stability I have here by moving there. Worried about finding work, I guess, even if I do get the visa.
Anyone else in a situation like, or close, to mine? It seems that so many of the people that apply to HSMP/Tier 1 are in jobs such as banking , finance, tech where they are guaranteed a high salary no matter where they go.
Anyway, any input would be appreciated.......
Hi,MissIntrigued wrote:Hi. Apologies in advance if this is long, but I need some serious advice, maybe from someone in similiar situation.
I am 25 years old, female, live in NY. I am not rich, and often struggle with money, but I make it work here in NY. I grew up here, my family is here, I have a car here, an apartment I pay rent on. It's hard for me, but I make it work.
I really wanted to try living in London for a year or two, see the world a bit. I have friends there, sort of , so I do know some people there. I might even be able to get myself a Tier 1 visa. But, I guess Im wondering....is it worth it?
I work in a field in which salaries dont tend to be too high (social services). I manage to make it work in NY, but Im afraid if I come to London, and am only able to find work in this same field, will I be sturggling? Will I be forced to live in some crap neighborhood? London seems so much more expensive than even New York! I am more than willing to try a new field, but with no experience outside of healthcare Im sure I wont find a really high salary starting out in a new field. I have a degree in psych from a great school in the US, so I am more than capable of learning a new trade.
I guess it's something I direly want to do, and in the same way I still am scared of such a big move. I think it's the money thing that scares me most, i worry about losing the little amount of comfort and stability I have here by moving there. Worried about finding work, I guess, even if I do get the visa.
Anyone else in a situation like, or close, to mine? It seems that so many of the people that apply to HSMP/Tier 1 are in jobs such as banking , finance, tech where they are guaranteed a high salary no matter where they go.
Anyway, any input would be appreciated.......
RobinLondon wrote:Given everything you've provided, I would not suggest that you make the move. From personal experience, I imagine that there are only three reasons why an American should make the move to the UK. Mind you, that's just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth.
1) You're being transferred by your company, who will assist you in making the move and hold your hand during the initial process. Also, you will have a support net of fellow employees as you initially create a new social circle.
2) You're partnered with a Brit. Again there is the promise of a social circle already established, and you can lean on his/her family/friends for support when you first get over here.
3) You're coming over for a short-term "adventure" from 3-12 months to see what life is like over here. Maybe it's tied to a short-term work assignment or some academic course or an extended holiday. The thing about this, though, is you see what life is like but don't cut your ties (e.g., job, housing, social connections) back home. If you develop a winning social circle and see you like it, then you consider making a more permanent move. If you see that it doesn't pan out, you still can head back home comfortably with your head held high. And hey, you've probably had a great learning experience to boot.
The reason why I say this is because for the vast majority of Americans without pre-existing family or work ties to the UK, there is really no reason to move over here. Life's not easier than in the US, and your network and situation is probably much better there (relatively) than starting from zero over here. In most fields including social work/psychology, it's not like there's some massive pay benefit to working in the UK vs. the US. In fact, it's likely worse when you consider the hassle, the expense and the exchange rates experienced to move over here. A lot of Americans have this fantasy of moving to the UK, but that's just what it is. A fantasy. Life's not any better. In fact, it's probably worse if you don't know people, don't have a job, and most importantly aren't prepared for the disruption and chaos that such a big shift brings.
So again, just my opinion. All the negatives can be superseded by the plusses of family, good friends and an amenable work-life situation. But if you don't have that in the UK, maybe it's wiser to just consider improving those aspects of your life in New York. All in all, it's probably cheaper!
And you won't have to deal with immigration issues either. Because trust me, that's a right b*tch.
I agree, go to London; I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated, as Alan Partridge once said.Liberal Immigrant wrote:if its the British life u r fascinated about, then instead of moving 2 london, u can try somewhere far cheaper i.e. rest of the UK e.g. Edinburgh.
afterall, it seems 2 me that its the fascination of britain which is so appealing 2 u and if thats the case, then Edinburgh i am sure will not disappoint u. once u settle down there, u can always then look around and consider moving down 2 london.
but moving from US to london is a NO NO! london is toooooo expensive, an average 1 bed flat in an average neighbourhood will cost u atleast £700-900 / month in rent. the same thing in manchester or edinburgh or birmingham will be half the price.
Alan Partridge is God;UKbound wrote:"mugged or not appreciated"
Hahahaha, that made me laugh..
So it's clear that the OP wants to do this temporarily. I think it's a great idea. I took a job in Europe after I finished school for this exact reason. Why the hell not live somewhere else for a while and see what the world is like?I really wanted to try living in London for a year or two, see the world a bit.
American citizens don't qualify for the ancestry visa (or working holiday visa) unless they also hold citizenship of a Commonwealth country.Platinum wrote: If you can find a job and a work permit (which is sounding iffy, I have to admit), or if you can figure out some other way of getting to the UK (ancestry visa, maybe?),
SYH, I wouldn't be coming because of the bloke, not at all. I have actual friends besides him that live in London, and even if me and him didn't date, we would still be friends. I'm saying if things went well with him while I was there that would be a huge bonus, but it's not my sole reason to move there.SYH wrote:I wouldnt come even because of that bloke who won't chance another long distance relationship. Once you are here, you are dependent on him whether you are financially or not. How old are you? There are some youth programs you could try that might provide you a visa.
Now doth protest too much.MissIntrigued wrote:SYH, I wouldn't be coming because of the bloke, not at all. I have actual friends blah blah and him didn't date, we would still be friends. I'm saying if things went well blah blah huge bonus, but it's not my sole reason to blah blah.SYH wrote:I wouldnt come even because of that bloke who won't chance another long distance relationship. Once you are here, you are dependent on him whether you are financially or not. How old are you? There are some youth programs you could try that might provide you a visa.
Main reasons are blah blah. That is why blah blah this, because I want to blah blah and not blah blah. I suppose blah blah *
Home is not going anywhere. If you are here for 6 months or 12 months, nothing will have changed. If you don't like it, you can go back. My advice would be to do lots of research on salaries to see if you will earn enough to enjoy yourself when you are here. Be aware that buying power is less so lifestyle compromises and flexibility are needed. Maybe look at all the options on where you could go before deciding on London? There are lots of places with friendlier visa regimes and nicer weatherMissIntrigued wrote:Main reasons are really the urge to try something new, to live somewhere new , for a while, travel, etc. That is why I am very careful about deciding this, because I want to be sure that I can find a way to support myself and not have to rely on anyone. I suppose worse comes to worse I am forced to come back to USA right.... *sigh*
Yes, definitely. Especially if you're willing to live in shared accommodation. What with travelling and everything, you won't save anything, mind you. But you can definitely do what you want on 25K/year. (Obviously, this is assuming you aren't a profligate spender.)UK is in the range of 25K GBP per year. That's about 50 thousand USD, which I could live off of here in NY, but is that feasible in London?
Everyone keeps saying how difficult it is to get a visa, but Im a little confused. I read into this former-HSMP/now Tier 1 visa, and it would appear that if you have enough points, there is no reason to be denied, right? I mean, I have 20 points for age (Im 25 years old), 30 points for education (bachelor's), and enough salary for the remainder 25 points between my two jobs. I obviously have the english language requirement, and will have saved enough to satisfy maintenance funds by then. So I imagine the only difficult part is the hassle of getting all the documentation to prove this, but once I do, they shouldn't have reason to deny me, right? I would think the hardest part isn't even finding the visa, which in it's own right is expensive and a pain in the bum, but finding the job afterward. That's the part that worries me more....spending all that time and money getting a visa and then having no job!Platinum wrote:Yes, definitely. Especially if you're willing to live in shared accommodation. What with travelling and everything, you won't save anything, mind you. But you can definitely do what you want on 25K/year. (Obviously, this is assuming you aren't a profligate spender.)UK is in the range of 25K GBP per year. That's about 50 thousand USD, which I could live off of here in NY, but is that feasible in London?
Your only problem really is how you could get a visa/work permit/what-have-you. This may be more difficult than you'd think.
This made me laugh; surely one can't have forgotten that Miss Intrigued lives in New York ?!?!martin001 wrote: [...] London [...] is a nasty, dirty, overpopulated, expensive, violent city and i cannot wait to leave.