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Now it's for real: how's the British water?
Hi everyone.
Recently Mario opened a thread about moving to Ireland to work. Several people replied and some said that things still needed a bit of recovery. Now it's my turn: I was invited to work in London as a J2EE developer, but I'm afraid of moving into a fragile marketplace.
So, how are things there? How is the employment situation? Especially how is outsourcing affecting your daily lives?
Any response regarding London's work scene are welcome, more than welcome.
Thanks!
RP
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Apparently they haven't had good dental benefits for years...?
GuyIncognito
Thursday, February 19, 2004
I love London. I think anyone that does not should be taken out back and .... (that's another story)
I have lived in a lot of cities in a lot of countries, and London is one of the best. (after Cape Town).
People that purport to not love London tend to not get out much.
One of the best things about London is that everone is a foreigner. Seriously. Most people are from abroad or other citiies in the UK. Because of that, you never feel like a foreigner.
That and the fact that you can get whatever it is that tickles your fancy, from food, to music and culture.
London is a big place, and all have different vibes. I just moved from South Kensington (ever so posh darling, and lots of old money, with people that speak in the third person) to Canary Wharf (great value for money, brand new buildings, fantastic view of the Thames and lots of young professionals)
The weather is not bad. You get used to it pretty quickly. My only qualm is with the drinking laws, but that's a problem in most of the western wolrd.
Tapiwa
Thursday, February 19, 2004
lack of *NHS* dentists ... plenty of private dentists ...
I'd say things were pretty stable - with demand for devs rising ...
company I work for is certainly interviewing at present (we're just outside london) for j2ee devs
I can't say outsourcing has affected 'us' one bit - tho I wouldn't know if it had meant us losing bids to people using outsourcing to lower costs etc... yucky sales stuff... (mind you we do do BPO to our indian office... so we're probably part of the 'problem')
I don't see you'd have any major problems at the moment - most of the indications I get are of increasing demand (not as daft as it was 3 years ago but steady and increasing)
blargle
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Tapiwa,
What? You mean they have laws to FORCE you to drink??
*grin* ... no wonder there are so many Australians in London
HeWhoMustBeConfused
Friday, February 20, 2004
Work in London + Live in London = Heaven
Work in London + Commute = Hell
Friday, February 20, 2004
The water's much better in Manchester. London water is too soft so you can't make a decent cup of tea.
Forget about bathing. When the EU refused to give the open sewer that was Blackpool beach even one star, the town council went on record as saying that nobody in his right mind would want to go into the sea at Blackpool anyway.
As Tapiwa says there are drinking laws that mean you might be tempted to drink water between eleven at night and eleven in the morning. However you can stock up with cans of lager from France duty free (you're allowed 300 cans each trip) so a bit of planning will solve that problem.
I never found a solution to the problem of having to use water for washing. However if you keep your mouth shut in the shower none should go in :)
Now of course, if you were speaking metaphorically the thing to bear in mind is the astronomical property market. Unless you are earning around $100K a year you will either be in a bedsit or sharing, or living in the suburbs, which last alternative will negate most of the benefits of living in London.
Stephen Jones
Friday, February 20, 2004
> can stock up with cans of lager from France duty free
Or just make friends with some people sitting on park benches muttering to themselves. I'm sure they'll be happy to so share their Special Brew.
Friday, February 20, 2004
The market seems to be picking up, but as commented earlier, you need at least £40,000 to live in something somewhat comfortably, and even then you can expect to spend half your income on rent and transport. Job security in general is somewhat better than in the States, but there is far more a hire-and-fire mentality in the UK than in continental Europe.
Btw, the solution most Brits have for avoiding to have to use water for washing is to forgo washing altogether. You'll have to learn how to hold your breath for extended periods on the tube...
x
Friday, February 20, 2004
The rental market is getting slightly cheaper due to a rise in supply of rental properties.
Depending on where you live you could pay about £800 per month for an apartment of your own in a nice area. If you work in the City (financial sector) you'll probably do well enough.
IMO, best large city in the world.
Richard
Friday, February 20, 2004
London (or the City, which is a lot of the tech market) seems to be picking up quite a bit since last year. Nearly everyone commutes to some extent and the time you spend commuting is not at all proportional to the distance you are from your destination.
My preference (if I were to move back) would be Greenwich/Blackheath in SE London - good links to Docklands and the City now.
Matt
Friday, February 20, 2004
Stephen,
My British coworker insists on double (*double*, mind you) filtered water for making his tea "properly". I'll have to ask him whether he shares your opinion on mineral content...
:)
Rob VH
Friday, February 20, 2004
Tapiwa
How does one speak in the third person?
name withheld out of cowardice
Friday, February 20, 2004
In first person Tapiwa would say: "I am going to the pub."
In third, Tapiwa would say "Tapiwa is going to the pub and he will buy all JoS readers a beer."
Okay. That might not be entirely true...
Friday, February 20, 2004
"A sentence or part of speech in the third person refers to someone or something other than the speaker or person being addressed."
-- about.com
Lovebyte
Saturday, February 21, 2004
One does enjoy these discussions.
A.T.
Monday, February 23, 2004
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