Relocating to London: Need your inputs

[Caleb0718]

Hello all,

I am relocating to London next month and I have the following clarifications and I think you guys are the best people to help me.

1. Where is the best place to find a flat if my office is at 103 Wigmore Street
London?
2. How much is the average rent per month for a decent 1 bedroom flat near my work area?
3. How much is the average daily/monthly expense for a single guy?
4. Is GBP 80,000 annual salary enough for me to live and save in London? I am a bit hesitant in getting the new role from my company as I know that London is charging 40% tax, I might not be able to save :(.

Apologies if these questions has been asked previously but I can not find a thread talking about this stuff.

Cheers.

Caleb

[Steve.r]

Can i ask how you got your job for £80000 ? Are you sure it is genuine????

[Terpe]

Hello all,

I am relocating to London next month and I have the following clarifications and I think you guys are the best people to help me.

1. Where is the best place to find a flat if my office is at 103 Wigmore Street
London?
2. How much is the average rent per month for a decent 1 bedroom flat near my work area?
3. How much is the average daily/monthly expense for a single guy?
4. Is GBP 80,000 annual salary enough for me to live and save in London? I am a bit hesitant in getting the new role from my company as I know that London is charging 40% tax, I might not be able to save :(.

Apologies if these questions has been asked previously but I can not find a thread talking about this stuff.

Cheers.

Caleb

Well Caleb, your best bet is to ask your employer either here in UK or wherever you are currently located.

Considering the time and money they already spent in getting you through the Intra-company sponsorship visa they must already have all the details of the package including the 'appropriate salary', allowances and accommodation package.

[grahamw48]

:laugher:

Sorry....don't know why I'm laughing. :Erm:

[Steve.r]

Isn't your real name Nathan ??????? :Erm:

[Terpe]

Isn't your real name Nathan ??????? :Erm:

Don't know what happened to Caleb/Nathan :Erm:
He was online for over an hour looking at his posting but didn't find the motivation to provide more information.
Just can't help some people :NoNo:

I hope he returns soon as he may be able to help me.

[Caleb0718]

Hello Peeps, am new in this site,, just got back..

I am working under same company and I am not changing my post, I only requested to relocate due to personal reasons. So I believe that answers your question if my employment for real.

--Someone is laughing, :) good to know that I am entertaining you, errr apologies for my sarcasm

-- Yeap let me know how I may help you guys, I wont hesitate to extend my hand if I know that I can.

[Caleb0718]

funny, i responded using the other button for "reply" birth pain, it is my first time to access this site.

To Steve and Terpe thanks for responding, to someone who is laughing am sorry but I find you sarcastic and I do not appreciate that.

Steve, I am not changing my company been working with them for 3 years I just need to relocate to London due to personal reasons and project requirement. Yes, my real name is Caleb Nathan.

@Terpe, I am back, been away for a while doing some stuff. With regard to my companies relocating agency, they are actually giving me a month to stay in a hotel and they will help me in finding my flat but still I need to do my homework for me to be equipped, last time in South Africa I have to suffer for a month as I got the not so nice flat.

[Caleb0718]

Lemme know why you find my post funny, I will be happy to answer any clarification from your end.
:laugher:

Sorry....don't know why I'm laughing. :Erm:

[Caleb0718]

Hello Steve, I am not changing my company nor my post, I am only relocating due to personal reason and project requirement
Can i ask how you got your job for £80000 ? Are you sure it is genuine????

[Terpe]

funny, i responded using the other button for "reply" birth pain, it is my first time to access this site.

To Steve and Terpe thanks for responding, to someone who is laughing am sorry but I find you sarcastic and I do not appreciate that.

Steve, I am not changing my company been working with them for 3 years I just need to relocate to London due to personal reasons and project requirement. Yes, my real name is Caleb Nathan.

@Terpe, I am back, been away for a while doing some stuff. With regard to my companies relocating agency, they are actually giving me a month to stay in a hotel and they will help me in finding my flat but still I need to do my homework for me to be equipped, last time in South Africa I have to suffer for a month as I got the not so nice flat.

Caleb, good to see you back.
As you know, a 1 bed flat in that area of London is rather expensive.
But anyway I hope you can help me.
How did your company secure that Intra-company visa? Did they use a specialist agency or their own HR folks?
How many points did you need to make?

My friend secured 50 pts but still unable to secure the sponsorship.
I would be most interested to learn your experience.

BTW you were lucky to find a reasonable hotel with rooms to spare

[Caleb0718]

Sorry buddy, been out for some weekend stuff, may I know the information that you need from me. Apologies if I am bombarding you guys with repeated response, I think I am experiencing technical problems.

-- For the corporate package, indeed I have, but it is only for a month while our company agent is helping me to find my flat. Still I need to do my own research and I want to hear your thoughts.

Steve,, I am not changing my employment nor my role. I am only relocating due to personal reason and project requirement. I got my job 3 years ago and I was hired directly by my company.
Don't know what happened to Caleb/Nathan :Erm:
He was online for over an hour looking at his posting but didn't find the motivation to provide more information.
Just can't help some people :NoNo:

I hope he returns soon as he may be able to help me.

[Terpe]

Caleb, what line of business are you in?

Depending on your lifestyle I think you may struggle in London with that compensation package.

Had you considered living within say 1 hour of London by train journey?
That would yield very significant savings in your costs.
Do you prefer ocean side or country side?

[Caleb0718]

Hello Terpe, yeah I am thinking of the same thing as I believe that the 40% tax is unbearable :( the most that my company can do is give me a free accomodation, transpo and meal allowance and they are all in actuals (I have to submit all the receipts every month, such a pain) now I wonder if I will again negotiate for my package. Can you give me the average monthly spending of a single guy in London? covering utility bills, transpo, food and flat rent.

You are very helpful, appreciate your time being spent for me.
Caleb, what line of business are you in?

Depending on your lifestyle I think you may struggle in London with that compensation package.

Had you considered living within say 1 hour of London by train journey?
That would yield very significant savings in your costs.
Do you prefer ocean side or country side?

[Caleb0718]

Sorry i did not answer your question, I am a Geophysicist of a mining company based in London.

[Caleb0718]

sorry am kinda stupid in this site, some of my posts does not go trough, so I keep on repeating myself. Please delete my duplicate posts.

Can you give me the average monthly spending for a single guy, including the utility bills, transpo, meals and flat rent. Now I think I should go back to my company and renegotiate my package as I am afraid I won't even be able to save with the current package they are giving me.

By the way, Steve, I will answer you again as it seems that my posts are not successful earlier, I am not changing my employment, I am only relocating due to personal reason and project requirement. My rate has not been changed as well as I am currently Singapore based and they told me that London has cheaper cost of living compared to Singapore which I doubt.

[CBM]

Dear Caleb,

Let me take a shot at some answers. You don't say so but I am going to assume that you are young and single, because you haven't asked about family issues on relocation.

1. Where is the best place to find a flat if my office is at 103 Wigmore Street London?

London has fairly good public transport; by and large, Londoners do not live near to their placed of work. The nearest Underground (MRT) station to your office is Bond Street which is in easy walking distance and is served by the Central and Jubilee lines. There are a number of attractive suburbs served by the Jubilee Line which stops at Bond Street - Canary Wharf would put you in a sizeable East Asian community in financial services, for example. Alternatively you can look at the Holland Park area on the Central Line to the West.

2. How much is the average rent per month for a decent 1 bedroom flat near my work area?

Don't plan on living near your work area; its in the West End and flats are fearsomely expensive there.

3. How much is the average daily/monthly expense for a single guy?

You will be able to live very comfortably on your salary; its more than most of us here get.

4. Is GBP 80,000 annual salary enough for me to live and save in London? I am a bit hesitant in getting the new role from my company as I know that London is charging 40% tax, I might not be able to save :(.

Yes, but you will need to take some advice on the best way to save - the UK does not have anything like Singapore's excellent CPF, but you may well be able to make Additional Voluntary Contributions into a pension - these are tax free but there may be restrictions on taking the pension out of the country. You should get advice on this.

[Caleb0718]

Hello Terpe, I had my Business Visa in London for 3 years already as I use to have business trips every now and then but longest I stay is just 1 week. This time they changed my VISA status for a permanent employment which made me taxable in UK. We have our own legal department working on our documents, I do not even know the points system, they only asked me to provide my credentials and I signed a 2 year employment bond with my company because they deposit a substantial amount of money under my name or something and it will stay in the bank while I am working in UK.

[Terpe]

Caleb,
You must understand that your compensation package (per visa sponsorship certification) will not support an acceptable lifestyle in central London for you.

You need to also understand that 40% tax rate is applicable nationwide in UK at £80k pa so unavoidable I'm afraid.

Which floor are you working on at Nations House?

You must inform your HR dept about London weighting for salary.

Are you able to help me with the points needed for intra-company transfer?
I really want to get my friend some work here.

According to the points based system he has an appropriate salary and he has shortage emplyment category etc.

I noticed your salary and compensation package is somewhat less than my friend that's why I ask.
Please inform me Caleb

[Caleb0718]

Hello CBM,

This is very helpful, you provided me an answer to every question I asked. Also you guess it right I am single indeed and I am living alone plus my dog that is why I want to gain friends in this site.

It might be too much but can you give me at least 3 options where I can look at in finding my flat. 30 minute train or bus wouldn't hurt as long as I am in a safe community.

If I am going to get a place in Canary Wharf, how much will a one bed room flat cost me per month at an average?

Finally you enlightened me and it seems that there are actually ways for me to increase my base tax exemption, I am thinking now of putting into a pension a material amount so that I won't be absorbing the 40% tax for the rest of my income, I will consult a financial officer for me to avoid paying massive tax in a legal way.

Thank you very much to you CBD, Steve and Terpe. I want to meet you guys once I am settled.
Dear Caleb,

Let me take a shot at some answers. You don't say so but I am going to assume that you are young and single, because you haven't asked about family issues on relocation.

1. Where is the best place to find a flat if my office is at 103 Wigmore Street London?

London has fairly good public transport; by and large, Londoners do not live near to their placed of work. The nearest Underground (MRT) station to your office is Bond Street which is in easy walking distance and is served by the Central and Jubilee lines. There are a number of attractive suburbs served by the Jubilee Line which stops at Bond Street - Canary Wharf would put you in a sizeable East Asian community in financial services, for example. Alternatively you can look at the Holland Park area on the Central Line to the West.

2. How much is the average rent per month for a decent 1 bedroom flat near my work area?

Don't plan on living near your work area; its in the West End and flats are fearsomely expensive there.

3. How much is the average daily/monthly expense for a single guy?

You will be able to live very comfortably on your salary; its more than most of us here get.

4. Is GBP 80,000 annual salary enough for me to live and save in London? I am a bit hesitant in getting the new role from my company as I know that London is charging 40% tax, I might not be able to save :(.

Yes, but you will need to take some advice on the best way to save - the UK does not have anything like Singapore's excellent CPF, but you may well be able to make Additional Voluntary Contributions into a pension - these are tax free but there may be restrictions on taking the pension out of the country. You should get advice on this.

[Caleb0718]

Hello Terpe,

It seems that I am getting different views with regard to monthly spending in Central London, I am thinking of taking advantage of my benefit to reimburse my rent, meals and transpo by taking the best that I can have as my living allowance is not fixed instead it is in actuals. So I am looking at spending only for my personal shopping and clubbin. Though I am a Filipino so I am used to stretch my budget. On the other hand, I believe I should talk to my boss about my package and ask for a little bit more.

Yeah, I am totally clear with the 40% tax but there are non taxable stuff such as contributions which somehow save me a couple of pounds.

For the weighting salary, it will be added on top of my base salary but I am not looking into it as I am doing my budget on a conservative basis for me to move those extra income directly to my savings.

For the points, I do not know if I can help you because I am not really familiar with the application, I just provided all documents that our legal has asked.

Since he has a better compensation package than me then he should get a Visa easily. As my company was able to manage it with ease, I bet his company is far better than mine.


Caleb,
You must understand that your compensation package (per visa sponsorship certification) will not support an acceptable lifestyle in central London for you.

You need to also understand that 40% tax rate is applicable nationwide in UK at £80k pa so unavoidable I'm afraid.

Which floor are you working on at Nations House?

You must inform your HR dept about London weighting for salary.

Are you able to help me with the points needed for intra-company transfer?
I really want to get my friend some work here.

According to the points based system he has an appropriate salary and he has shortage emplyment category etc.

I noticed your salary and compensation package is somewhat less than my friend that's why I ask.
Please inform me Caleb

[grahamw48]

Lemme know why you find my post funny, I will be happy to answer any clarification from your end.

Nothing personal.

I'm just prone to sudden outbursts of spontaneous laughter.

I'm seeking help for my affliction. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[CBM]

Dear Caleb,

As it happens the Chief Accountant at the UK office of my employers, where I work, is Filipino - ex SyCip. If by Monday you have enough posts to have your "newbie" restrictions lifed by the moderators (at the rate you are going, you should do that easily!) I will be able to give you his contacts by PM

[Terpe]

Caleb, I get the feeling you are joshing me :rolleyes:

Please inform me which field of geophysics do you specialise in ore detection, hydrocarbon exploration or geotechnical characterization ?

How did you secure a position in that field ? Especially as that is not included in the UK employment shortage listing.

Do you know Graeme, Rachel or Ruffo (Pinoy) at your London Office?

[CBM]

Caleb I think the reason why Terpe and I have given different answers is that we have made different assumptions about your lifestyle.

£80K pa is certainly enough to live on but it won't permit a "Boat Quay lifestyle" - as soon as you want to do that sort of thing, London becomes very, very expensive.

[Caleb0718]

Perfect, appreciate that CBM, You are indeed very kind.
Dear Caleb,

As it happens the Chief Accountant at the UK office of my employers, where I work, is Filipino - ex SyCip. If by Monday you have enough posts to have your "newbie" restrictions lifed by gthe moderators (at the rate you are going, you should do that easily!) I will be able to give you his contacts by PM

[RickyR]

You may also be interested in the Earls Court area, I don't know what property rentals are like, but I guess they are cheaper then some. The area is very popular with Filipinos and there are Filipino restaurants and supermarkets, so at least you can grab some Filipino food on the way home.

[Caleb0718]

Kinda funny Terpe but I do not want to waste my time nor anyone's time in here asking questions which I wont benefit at all.

I have a non-disclosure agreement with regard to the job that I am doing so if you are really interested to know, we can meet when I get there.

As I have mentioned a while ago, I have been in my post for a considerable time and I am relocating only because I want it and the project required it too.

For those guys, they don't ring a belle except for Rachel as it is kinda universal name, I am working with thousands of people and I am just a speck in our organization so there is a small chance for me to know everyone.
Caleb, I get the feeling you are joshing me :rolleyes:

Please inform me which field of geophysics do you specialise in ore detection, hydrocarbon exploration or geotechnical characterization ?

How did you secure a position in that field ? Especially as that is not included in the UK employment shortage listing.

Do you know Graeme, Rachel or Ruffo (Pinoy) at your London Office?

[Caleb0718]

You are awesome CBM, you are very familiar with Singapore living :) I think I should be able to manage the 80K with a weekly clubbin schedule but a little more should be better, wish my boss will grant my request
Caleb I think the reason why Terpe and I have given different answers is that we have made different assumptions about your lifestyle.

£80K pa is certainly enough to live on but it won't permit a "Boat Quay lifestyle" - as soon as you want to do that sort of thing, London becomes very, very expensive.

[Caleb0718]

Thank you very much Ricky, I cook almost everyday so if there are Filipino stores nearby I will surely consider those area.
You may also be interested in the Earls Court area, I don't know what property rentals are like, but I guess they are cheaper then some. The area is very popular with Filipinos and there are Filipino restaurants and supermarkets, so at least you can grab some Filipino food on the way home.

[Terpe]

.... I am just a speck in our organization so there is a small chance for me to know everyone.

Kinda funny Caleb, that you don't recognise the CEO of your company.
Kinda funny that you don't want to tell me your specialist field ( as UKBA demand it)
Kinda funny that you don't want to help with your sponsorship points.
Kinda funny that you never answer any direct questions.

What do you really want Caleb Nathan?
Why do you feel we should take you seriously and help you? when you obviously don't want to help us?

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[grahamw48]

Oops...I'm feeling my Tourettes coming on again. :doh

[Caleb0718]

:) Sorry but I guess you are talking about a different company as our CEO is not a Filipino.
If you are familiar with the Non-disclosure agreement which I believe you are as I suppose you are in the Executive Management Level, you should understand why I am limiting the information I am giving.
Am I getting you right? I am not helping with my sponsorship points? It is funny indeed,,
Direct Questions? as I said I am filtering the information I am giving and I have a reason for that.

What help do you need? You have to respect someone if you are in any case asking for help, just like me, if no one want to answer me then I should not go mad because I am only asking for guidance,, if no one wants to answer me I have to respect it.

I am not here to start a useless conversation, let us be professional and act accordingly. I have been into multiple countries with huge Pinoy groups and your attitude towards me is surprising, wowwww.. does not make it more fun in Philippnes :) sigh
Kinda funny Caleb, that you don't recognise the CEO of your company.
Kinda funny that you don't want to tell me your specialist field ( as UKBA demand it)
Kinda funny that you don't want to help with your sponsorship points.
Kinda funny that you never answer any direct questions.

What do you really want Caleb Nathan?
Why do you feel we should take you seriously and help you? when you obviously don't want to help us?

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[Steve.r]

:) If you are familiar with the Non-disclosure agreement which I believe you are as I suppose you are in the Executive Management Level, you should understand why I am limiting the information I am giving.

But hang on Nathan..... didn't you already breech that by trying to impress us with a disclosed salary of £80,000 + :Erm::Erm::Erm: If you want expert help, open up.... what are we gonna do? tell on you for talking about your company ?? You have a strange outlook.:doh

[grahamw48]

I can fully sympathise, as I regularly have trouble with my package. :cwm3:

[Terpe]

Bye Calib Nathan:doh
I'm getting bored now.

[lastlid]

Caleb, I get the feeling you are joshing me :rolleyes:

Please inform me which field of geophysics do you specialise in ore detection, hydrocarbon exploration or geotechnical characterization ?

How did you secure a position in that field ? Especially as that is not included in the UK employment shortage listing.

Do you know Graeme, Rachel or Ruffo (Pinoy) at your London Office?

Mining Geophysics. So that will be ore detection. Rather than hydrocarbons. :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[grahamw48]

Now my head hurts. :cwm3:

[lastlid]

Caleb. What datum point do you use for your seismic surveys?

[joebloggs]

your real name is Caleb Nathan :D

Caleb, played by Nathan Fillion, is a fictional character in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caleb_%28Buffy_the_Vampire_Slayer%29

whats the chances of that :rolleyes:

[Iani]

I don't know what I'm missing, but someone saying they can't afford to live on 80k, even if they are working in London (You just live in Guildford or Worthing for example and commute in), it's just beyond me

[RickyR]

I'm not sure whether its a case of not being able to afford to live in london on 80k, but I certainly wouldn't move to London for less then 150K (although its high unlikely anyone would offer me 150k to work in london, so the chances of me moving there are ZERO) to be able to maintain the standard of living that I enjoy.

[joebloggs]

I'm not sure whether its a case of not being able to afford to live in london on 80k, but I certainly wouldn't move to London for less then 150K (although its high unlikely anyone would offer me 150k to work in london, so the chances of me moving there are ZERO) to be able to maintain the standard of living that I enjoy.

:yikes: £150,000 to maintain your standard of living if you lived in London, I dont think even hard faced May would set the minimum income threshold at that :D
i live in a nice 3 bed semi-detached house, it has a large back garden, to rent cost me about £350 a month, i would hate to think what that would cost in London :cwm24:

[grahamw48]

Only £350 a month ? :omg:

Give us a clue Joe. :)

[RickyR]

Exactly Joe.

In the North of England in a beautiful rural or even coastal area you could buy a large detached place with land for the same price as you'd get a 1 bedroom apartment in Central London.

I like having a nice big garden and fresh air.

[joebloggs]

Only £350 a month ? :omg:

Give us a clue Joe. :)

housing association graham :D i had to wait more than a yr thou because I'm British, and have local connections oh and because i'm working :doh, if not i would have got a place quicker :icon_lol:

they recently put a new roof on it, new central heating and boiler, new bath room suite and kitchen :rolleyes:

[raynaputi]

housing association graham :D i had to wait more than a yr thou because I'm British, and have local connections oh and because i'm working :doh, if not i would have got a place quicker :icon_lol:

they recently put a new roof on it, new central heating and boiler, new bath room suite and kitchen :rolleyes:

Our Housing Association had renovated our kitchen and did a complete rewiring last March. They hired different companies for everything. It's supposed to finish in 3 weeks they said..but everything was messed up by the electricians...imagine, they've put all the sockets behind the bedside tables and the closets and not where we wanted! They've done a stupid rewiring in the toilet and busted 4 bulbs and the fan in just a week! We also almost had a fire as we didn't realized the wires we're melted after the bulbs in the toilet were blown up. Electrics in the bedrooms, toilet and living rooms were gone for 3 nights and we have to call the emergency electrician of the housing association just to trip the fuse because we can't reach it, fuse box was placed practically in the loft! And everything was finished in 6 weeks! :doh :NoNo:

[grahamw48]

Hmm....must put my name down for an old folks' bungalow. :Erm:

I pay 750 a month for this place, plus the rest. :cwm3:

[joebloggs]

:icon_lol: tell me about it Rayna, they wanted to rewire the house after i had just decorated it :cwm23: i told them no way :angry: as it looked like it had been rewired recently. so they rewired just the lights, still made a mess of the walls, pulled up the new carpet/floorboards etc. took a new extraction fan that they had just installed a couple of months earlier and put a new fan which was the exact same model in its place :doh

i could go on and on .. :rolleyes:

at least everything is ok now, but the stress :furious3:, the problem is they use contractors, so if they dont do the job they dont get paid, so some do the work even if it doesn't need doing or drag it out..

the bathroom fan it took them 5 visits b4 they finally replaced the thing :doh

[CYV Industries]

Hi Caleb,

Just joined this forum & spotted this thread. Anyway, hope youve sorted things out for yourself. But incase you may be interested, I have a client who specialises in London Relocation services and is also a good friend of mine. If you want to check her website its: REMOVED if you do get in touch, tell her I sent you over... she doesnt charge for an initial chat about your circumstances and may provide you with some expert tips, so may be worth the effort : ) Best of Luck!

Mark

[Steve.r]

Hi Caleb,

Just joined this forum & spotted this thread. Anyway, hope youve sorted things out for yourself. But incase you may be interested, I have a client who specialises in London Relocation services and is also a good friend of mine. If you want to check her website its: REMOVED if you do get in touch, tell her I sent you over... she doesnt charge for an initial chat about your circumstances and may provide you with some expert tips, so may be worth the effort : ) Best of Luck!

Mark
You may not have noticed but this member has been Banned.

Do not post links in your posts or this may happen to you too. Thank you

[London_Manila]

:yikes: £150,000 to maintain your standard of living if you lived in London, I dont think even hard faced May would set the minimum income threshold at that :D
i live in a nice 3 bed semi-detached house, it has a large back garden, to rent cost me about £350 a month, i would hate to think what that would cost in London :cwm24:

Around £1500 a month in the suburbs for anything decent

Zones 1 and 2 you can pay more than that for a self contained room

[grahamw48]

I used to pay £8 a week for my nice big room with balcony in Chelsea, but it was a few years ago. :)