Working in London
Discussion
Guys,
I wouldn't normally ask this type of question on a public forum, but I'm after some recommendations and advice.
I've been offered a job in London which I am seriously considering taking up. It's a desk side support role (I currently fire fight issues with servers, usually passing the issues to other departments).
The job comes with a £5k raise, which i am going to try and negotiate and a small relocation package.
I currently live in Sheffield and want to further my career. Would you recommend being in London for future opportunities?
Thanks
I wouldn't normally ask this type of question on a public forum, but I'm after some recommendations and advice.
I've been offered a job in London which I am seriously considering taking up. It's a desk side support role (I currently fire fight issues with servers, usually passing the issues to other departments).
The job comes with a £5k raise, which i am going to try and negotiate and a small relocation package.
I currently live in Sheffield and want to further my career. Would you recommend being in London for future opportunities?
Thanks
Putting a positive spin on this. Short term pain, long term gain!
The North isn't exactly brimming with top IT jobs (hence why I moved South) so I'd imagine staying isn't Sheffield isn't exactly going to get you away from 1st/2nd line support as quickly as you may find in London.
I've not lived in London (considered it) but it seems like it'll be expensive (more than your £5k rise) and everything crammed in. As I said, I'd seriously consider it on the basis that, play your cards right and you'll advance up the ladder quicker than you would in Sheffield.
Good luck
The North isn't exactly brimming with top IT jobs (hence why I moved South) so I'd imagine staying isn't Sheffield isn't exactly going to get you away from 1st/2nd line support as quickly as you may find in London.
I've not lived in London (considered it) but it seems like it'll be expensive (more than your £5k rise) and everything crammed in. As I said, I'd seriously consider it on the basis that, play your cards right and you'll advance up the ladder quicker than you would in Sheffield.
Good luck
Much depends on your age, personal circumstances and aspirations etc. London is a different economy to the rest of the UK. I have worked in a senior role for 13 years in a small organisation, 60+ people, in the centre of London. Many of the employees, particularly the younger ones are drawn to the city by the opportunities and the experience. Materially, however, they are probably worse off in comparison with the same job in other cities, assuming those jobs are available. They know this but don't care because it's not a priority until they want to settle down and buy property etc.
We employed a couple of people in similar support roles to the one you describe. Typically they stay for a couple of years, up their skills and technical qualifications and then move on to better paid roles, often in the City where the higher salaries are paid. They seem to have no problem finding these jobs.
My sense is that you will have difficulty making the maths work, given the higher costs of living etc. If you motives are a different life experience and, longer-term, getting onto a better career trajectory then there is a strong case.
As always, negotiate hard.
We employed a couple of people in similar support roles to the one you describe. Typically they stay for a couple of years, up their skills and technical qualifications and then move on to better paid roles, often in the City where the higher salaries are paid. They seem to have no problem finding these jobs.
My sense is that you will have difficulty making the maths work, given the higher costs of living etc. If you motives are a different life experience and, longer-term, getting onto a better career trajectory then there is a strong case.
As always, negotiate hard.
I don't work in IT but do come from the Sheffield area and have now worked in London for about ten years.
Some pros and cons:
+ No better city to live in if city living is your thing. London is brimming with clubs, bars, gigs, restaurants and something to fill your fancy whatever your interests.
+ Massive pool of career opportunities to very high levels of responsibility / reward available for those capable. A lot of opportunities just not available outside of London.
- Unless you're earning very top dollar you'll be financially poorer in London than with a more 'average' paying job working up North. Unless you're earning very strong money now a five grand pay increase isn't going to offset the higher cost of London. Your increase in rent/mortgage/travel costs will more than exceed that.
- Work life balance skewed heavily towards work.
- London folk in general are not nearly as pleasant as folk up North. We're simply surrounded by too many people and the pace of life is too hectic to be pleasant to everyone all the time.
- Lots of fierce competition for the best jobs.
- Outdoor pursuits nowhere near as pleasant or plentiful as what is on offer on your doorstep (Yorkshire Dales / Peak District). The South just can't compete with that landscape as far as I am concerned.
I've no regrets moving here. I'm fortunate to have a great job (one unavailable outside of London) and I enjoy living in such a busy, vibrant city. But I'll return to the North or at least the countryside one day.
Some pros and cons:
+ No better city to live in if city living is your thing. London is brimming with clubs, bars, gigs, restaurants and something to fill your fancy whatever your interests.
+ Massive pool of career opportunities to very high levels of responsibility / reward available for those capable. A lot of opportunities just not available outside of London.
- Unless you're earning very top dollar you'll be financially poorer in London than with a more 'average' paying job working up North. Unless you're earning very strong money now a five grand pay increase isn't going to offset the higher cost of London. Your increase in rent/mortgage/travel costs will more than exceed that.
- Work life balance skewed heavily towards work.
- London folk in general are not nearly as pleasant as folk up North. We're simply surrounded by too many people and the pace of life is too hectic to be pleasant to everyone all the time.
- Lots of fierce competition for the best jobs.
- Outdoor pursuits nowhere near as pleasant or plentiful as what is on offer on your doorstep (Yorkshire Dales / Peak District). The South just can't compete with that landscape as far as I am concerned.
I've no regrets moving here. I'm fortunate to have a great job (one unavailable outside of London) and I enjoy living in such a busy, vibrant city. But I'll return to the North or at least the countryside one day.
Jasandjules said:
5k may not even cover your train fare. Let alone the increase in mortgage.
I am aware of this, but I am researching costs before I accept the position. MagicalTrevor said:
Putting a positive spin on this. Short term pain, long term gain!
The North isn't exactly brimming with top IT jobs (hence why I moved South) so I'd imagine staying isn't Sheffield isn't exactly going to get you away from 1st/2nd line support as quickly as you may find in London.
I've not lived in London (considered it) but it seems like it'll be expensive (more than your £5k rise) and everything crammed in. As I said, I'd seriously consider it on the basis that, play your cards right and you'll advance up the ladder quicker than you would in Sheffield.
Good luck
This is also my thinking. While A friend of mine has just secured a very good job working for a bank in the North, he has a desirable skill set that I am not able to replicate. I have little chance of climbing the ladder at my place, so a move seems like it may be a good idea. I have worked out that I can rent a room in a house for not much more than I am paying now, so initially I will be better off, until the other bills come. But as I actually live quite cheaply, I tend to have £600+ spare a month, so I figure this shouldnt change too much, depending on travel. The North isn't exactly brimming with top IT jobs (hence why I moved South) so I'd imagine staying isn't Sheffield isn't exactly going to get you away from 1st/2nd line support as quickly as you may find in London.
I've not lived in London (considered it) but it seems like it'll be expensive (more than your £5k rise) and everything crammed in. As I said, I'd seriously consider it on the basis that, play your cards right and you'll advance up the ladder quicker than you would in Sheffield.
Good luck
Podie said:
I work in London, but commute from the Midlands - my standard class train ticket leaves little change from £5k.
In terms of career, I think London is a better bet for IT.
I dont really want to commute. I used to do it from Hull to Sheffield, and it got tiresome. I realise travelling through London isnt going to be a bed of roses.In terms of career, I think London is a better bet for IT.
ChasW said:
Much depends on your age, personal circumstances and aspirations etc. London is a different economy to the rest of the UK. I have worked in a senior role for 13 years in a small organisation, 60+ people, in the centre of London. Many of the employees, particularly the younger ones are drawn to the city by the opportunities and the experience. Materially, however, they are probably worse off in comparison with the same job in other cities, assuming those jobs are available. They know this but don't care because it's not a priority until they want to settle down and buy property etc.
We employed a couple of people in similar support roles to the one you describe. Typically they stay for a couple of years, up their skills and technical qualifications and then move on to better paid roles, often in the City where the higher salaries are paid. They seem to have no problem finding these jobs.
My sense is that you will have difficulty making the maths work, given the higher costs of living etc. If you motives are a different life experience and, longer-term, getting onto a better career trajectory then there is a strong case.
As always, negotiate hard.
We employed a couple of people in similar support roles to the one you describe. Typically they stay for a couple of years, up their skills and technical qualifications and then move on to better paid roles, often in the City where the higher salaries are paid. They seem to have no problem finding these jobs.
My sense is that you will have difficulty making the maths work, given the higher costs of living etc. If you motives are a different life experience and, longer-term, getting onto a better career trajectory then there is a strong case.
As always, negotiate hard.
NewNameNeeded said:
I don't work in IT but do come from the Sheffield area and have now worked in London for about ten years.
Some pros and cons:
+ No better city to live in if city living is your thing. London is brimming with clubs, bars, gigs, restaurants and something to fill your fancy whatever your interests.
+ Massive pool of career opportunities to very high levels of responsibility / reward available for those capable. A lot of opportunities just not available outside of London.
- Unless you're earning very top dollar you'll be financially poorer in London than with a more 'average' paying job working up North. Unless you're earning very strong money now a five grand pay increase isn't going to offset the higher cost of London. Your increase in rent/mortgage/travel costs will more than exceed that.
- Work life balance skewed heavily towards work.
- London folk in general are not nearly as pleasant as folk up North. We're simply surrounded by too many people and the pace of life is too hectic to be pleasant to everyone all the time.
- Lots of fierce competition for the best jobs.
- Outdoor pursuits nowhere near as pleasant or plentiful as what is on offer on your doorstep (Yorkshire Dales / Peak District). The South just can't compete with that landscape as far as I am concerned.
I've no regrets moving here. I'm fortunate to have a great job (one unavailable outside of London) and I enjoy living in such a busy, vibrant city. But I'll return to the North or at least the countryside one day.
I am 32, no kids, no missus (Some pros and cons:
+ No better city to live in if city living is your thing. London is brimming with clubs, bars, gigs, restaurants and something to fill your fancy whatever your interests.
+ Massive pool of career opportunities to very high levels of responsibility / reward available for those capable. A lot of opportunities just not available outside of London.
- Unless you're earning very top dollar you'll be financially poorer in London than with a more 'average' paying job working up North. Unless you're earning very strong money now a five grand pay increase isn't going to offset the higher cost of London. Your increase in rent/mortgage/travel costs will more than exceed that.
- Work life balance skewed heavily towards work.
- London folk in general are not nearly as pleasant as folk up North. We're simply surrounded by too many people and the pace of life is too hectic to be pleasant to everyone all the time.
- Lots of fierce competition for the best jobs.
- Outdoor pursuits nowhere near as pleasant or plentiful as what is on offer on your doorstep (Yorkshire Dales / Peak District). The South just can't compete with that landscape as far as I am concerned.
I've no regrets moving here. I'm fortunate to have a great job (one unavailable outside of London) and I enjoy living in such a busy, vibrant city. But I'll return to the North or at least the countryside one day.
or 
) depending on your disposition). I want to get as far in life as possible, and earn good money. I also do not want to look back at my life and regret not taking an opportunity. I try to regret the things that I do, not the things that I do not do. I am not fussed about wine bars etc, I am a hard working guy who wants to be able to get the nicer things in life, but that doesnt mean pissing it up against a wall all the time. Yeah I enjoy a good night out though! My goals are definitely career driven, and I think I could go further in London than I will in Sheffield. Ive gone futher in Sheffield than I did in my home city of Hull. That is what I would do, get some more experience, get qualifications, look elsewhere. I will be doing the desk side support for an international energy company, so I may have options as well.
I plan on negotiating, but I guess that they could get someone local to do the job. However, they wont have the experience that I do in this job, as I already do work for them.
Re my money, I'll be going onto £29150, which I know isnt massive money, but its a start I guess. Green area doesnt bother me, but then I can always go to Regents Park or something.
Work / Life being skewed towards work doesnt bother me. At the moment my current job means that I might as well do 7 days a week at work, as do 4 on 4 off (2 days, 2 nights), and causes me issues socialising. The new role is Monday to Friday, so will make socialising easier.
One of my ex's is from London. Her family hate me, so I know how unpleasant Londoners can be. I'll win the locals over though with my winning smile and personality hahahaha.
Podie said:
You say you're about to move to a deskside role (if you take this job), so out of curiosity, what's your skill set / qualifications?
Skills are mainly focused around telephone / desktop support in a 1st and 2nd line capacity. My current role is fire fighting issues when they come in, but often passing the issues to other departments (kind of a glorified receptionist).Qualifications, none yet. I will using my spare time to get some.
Cheers guys.
TheAngryDog said:
Decision was made today.
I start on August 12th!!
Try not to get hooked on the Starbucks!I start on August 12th!!
London is a fantastic place where you can spend pennies partying in a warehouse in the East or spend millions in the West on crazy art. And everything between.
Jump on Gumtree and ResidentAdvisor and try something new
Good luck buddy!
TheAngryDog said:
Decision was made today.
I start on August 12th!!
Good luck! You won't regret it. I start on August 12th!!
On the expense thing - my first salary in London was 33k (this was 2005) and on that I lived a five minute walk from work in a nice modern flat (farringdon), bought nice clothes, dined in restaurants and took lots of holidays.
That was sharing with my missus which helps on the accommodation costs.
30k will be fine. Enjoy yourself!
Good luck!
I'm london based for work, although know little differant (barring a year at Bluewater) after uni.
Remember that living costs and commuting times will vary hugely depending on where you want to settle down. Around my way (Orpington/Petts Wood) houseshares with doubles can be had for <£400pm and it takes about an hour door to desk (I cycle and it takes the same time) although it's the same price in places like Lee but the train and cycle time is halved. - I rented a 2 bed flat in Lee earlier this year for £800pm.
Bear in mind that houseshare rents will double in more popular, central places like Clapham/Battersea or be 3 figures for a truely central location! - A friend pays near £750 all in for a room in a house share in Hammersmith
I'm london based for work, although know little differant (barring a year at Bluewater) after uni.
Remember that living costs and commuting times will vary hugely depending on where you want to settle down. Around my way (Orpington/Petts Wood) houseshares with doubles can be had for <£400pm and it takes about an hour door to desk (I cycle and it takes the same time) although it's the same price in places like Lee but the train and cycle time is halved. - I rented a 2 bed flat in Lee earlier this year for £800pm.
Bear in mind that houseshare rents will double in more popular, central places like Clapham/Battersea or be 3 figures for a truely central location! - A friend pays near £750 all in for a room in a house share in Hammersmith
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