Amazon 7 #1 January 24, 2009 OK smart people. I need some current information. Now that the political climate is finally changing... NO THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS BILL I am thinking it’s time to do something different. I have been working for Fortune 50 companies now for the last decade and I need a break. I am an Operations geekette and have worked in the Information Technology field that solves problems. I am giving serious thought to looking for a job across the Atlantic just to do something different. I want to work hard during the week.... and play hard on the weekend. I may do some jumping on good weekends, but on bad weather weekends,( I currently live in the Seattle area.. famous as having Americas version of CRAPPY English weather) I want to wander around some of the countryside where my ancestors ruled. I want to actually see some of the old family lands I have been reading about. Rather than taking vacation trips I think a more immersive experience is in order. If I do this, I will need a smallish flat to live... what do rents run in decent areas to live? I will have to buy a car, nothing new mind you, but something small, something diesel. What kind of insurance is needed and what sort of costs? Taxes, what can I expect as a foreign national? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hairy_Haggis 1 #2 January 25, 2009 In short... lots lots & lots! Rents depend on where in the country you're looking to live and can vary hugely depending on which par t of the country you end up getting a job in (which i suspect will be pretty difficult right now for a foreign national). A crappy 1 bedrrom flat near where I used to live is currently around 700 pounds a month, god knows what something similar in London would cost, probably in the thousands. Car insurance, you'll need at least what's known as "third party only" which is your basic liability insurance. Depends on what kind of car you get, smaller = cheaper obviously but you will still end up paying out the hoop because of your 0 years history with a UK driving license. I couldn't tell you how much cause I never owned a car in the UK, if you live in town where I did you simply don't need one! Taxes, you'll pay the same as everyone else, probably somewhere around 40% of what you earn will disappear from your pay before you get it but remember theres no $200 health insurance to pay every month! In short, you can keep yer crappy UK weather, taxes and all that other cack! That's why I skipped out and hide in Atlanta! It's not the speed that kills ya, it's the sudden stops! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #3 January 25, 2009 Thanks for the information. All of this is just in the planning stage.. but heck.. why not. I have been checking and the points thing you have to have to get a job... I am over the 95 needed so that part is good. English.. check Savings..Check Education..Check Current salary needed to get 45 points....Check... From what I see I will be taking a pretty sizable drop in pay, but hey it’s an adventure and it won’t be that bad. I don’t have a lot of expenses. All in all for what I want to go there for, it’s a net gain for me rather than blowing a lot of airfare and hotels etc. Some of the people I worked with on a former project were based in the London Datacenter... They have just huge amounts of time off, which gives me time to travel on weekends and on holiday. One thing about what I do to justify my existence.. I seem to find people that want me to come fix their stuff... and I am getting tired of working for the same people like Microsoft and Boeing.. where the expectation of working 70 80 hour weeks is expected and is starting to get just STUPID. Small car no problem. I will probably get whatever small diesel I can, so I can go tooling around the country. I like my little VW Diesel that gets 60 MPG, that is my commuter... unless I want to drive the big ole redneck 4x4 diesel for a change of pace I know in Europe they sell the BMW diesels that have not been available here. I will be looking at car clubs to pick up an older sports car. Years ago I had a right hand drive MG-TF... wish I could find another. What better place to find another what. Taxes, well that is a bright spot. There are some tax advantages I can use working out of the USA. Rents, no idea where in the country... so that is an unknown. As long as its warm and cozy.. really small would suit.. I am not planning on buying a country cottage like what I have here. I may even take a couple week trip over to check things out in person... when the weather gets a bit better.. make some contacts.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
