Moving to the United Kingdom - General

Stay out of the countryside if you want to have fun. Good nightlife can be found in most of the major cities (I'd avoid Birmingham though). Living costs in the South are much more expensive than the North. I've got a 2 bed flat in a nice part of Brighton which costs £1200/month.

I find that the further away from London you get, the weirder people get. Plus [I]that[/I] northern accent, god. AHM FRURM BURRRMINGHEM

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[QUOTE=kizza55;39914216]I find that the further away from London you get, the weirder people get. Plus [I]that[/I] northern accent, god. AHM FRURM BURRRMINGHEM[/QUOTE] That's hardly a northern accent.

I've done the Australia to (near) London move, just when I was three. Don't remember much. There's some good nurseries in some of the commuter towns.

Make sure you make your self familiar with these native creatures, better known as "Chavs" [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGFVp66JArE/T0qEv3fOx6I/AAAAAAAAAjM/bsbrbzyiUrc/s1600/6a0120a65f3bd1970c01347fd02f7e970c-800wi.jpg[/img] You'll end up coming across some, but they're not too difficult to deal with. Don't make eye contact, or any attempt to communicate with them. Just keep walking.

[QUOTE=Yellowamoeba;39910122] In short go to large cities apart from London, or just go to Afghanistan. I hear Kabul is nice this time of year and as an Aussie you're less likely to get stabbed there.[/QUOTE] as an aussie you'll fit right in with the 110 degree f days

[QUOTE=Orange_Rain;39914609]There's a lot of factors that can interfere with your visa application, I'd just be a bit cautious before planning your entire trip. Are you independent or working through a program? Many companies offer job opportunities before your departure.[/QUOTE] I'll hopefully have enough money so I won't have to work for at least a little over a month as I want to see a little of Europe after I get a place etc. I've been told the main thing they look at is your funds so you can live without the use of public funds, and I think I'll have that covered. [QUOTE=a dumb bear;39915182]Make sure you make your self familiar with these native creatures, better known as "Chavs" [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGFVp66JArE/T0qEv3fOx6I/AAAAAAAAAjM/bsbrbzyiUrc/s1600/6a0120a65f3bd1970c01347fd02f7e970c-800wi.jpg[/img] You'll end up coming across some, but they're not too difficult to deal with. Don't make eye contact, or any attempt to communicate with them. Just keep walking.[/QUOTE] Yes we have types like that here in Australia, a lot of them are all talk when it comes to hassling someone, and they mainly hang around the train stations trying to "bum a ciggi brah"

Ask random youths if they're having a giggle

[QUOTE=kizza55;39914216]I find that the further away from London you get, the weirder people get. Plus [I]that[/I] northern accent, god. AHM FRURM BURRRMINGHEM[/QUOTE] Birmingham is the midlands, not really the north

[QUOTE=matt.ant;39920316]Birmingham is the midlands, not really the north[/QUOTE] As far as southerners are concerned, anywhere above London is northern. I've been trying to protest that the East Midlands isn't in the north the years with no avail.

once you get past the great tourist attractions london becomes an huge, expensive, impersonal place

[QUOTE=Averice;39918020]I'll hopefully have enough money so I won't have to work for at least a little over a month as I want to see a little of Europe after I get a place etc. I've been told the main thing they look at is your funds so you can live without the use of public funds, and I think I'll have that covered. Yes we have types like that here in Australia, a lot of them are all talk when it comes to hassling someone, and they mainly hang around the train stations trying to "bum a ciggi brah"[/QUOTE] Are they as bad as this? [url]http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=568861776457703%22[/url]

Don't be scared at Six Bonger. Just keep your head down and keep walking. [QUOTE=kizza55;39914216]I find that the further away from London you get, the weirder people get. Plus [I]that[/I] northern accent, god. AHM FRURM BURRRMINGHEM[/QUOTE] more like "OIM FRUHM BOIMINGHAM"

Come to Stoke if you like being harrased by drunk school children,honest you'll love it.

[QUOTE=The-Happy-Emo;39923040]Come to Stoke if you like being harrased by drunk school children,honest you'll love it.[/QUOTE] I live in Stoke & I can confirm this is true.

[QUOTE=tommyc225;39904622]Said nobody ever[/QUOTE] Suddenly, Milton Keynes. [editline]15th March 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=a dumb bear;39915182]Make sure you make your self familiar with these native creatures, better known as "Chavs" [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KGFVp66JArE/T0qEv3fOx6I/AAAAAAAAAjM/bsbrbzyiUrc/s1600/6a0120a65f3bd1970c01347fd02f7e970c-800wi.jpg[/img] You'll end up coming across some, but they're not too difficult to deal with. Don't make eye contact, or any attempt to communicate with them. Just keep walking.[/QUOTE] Haha those are the nerdiest chavs I've ever seen, where was that photo taken, Cambridge?

[QUOTE=Averice;39897799]I'll be moving to the UK in the next 3-6 months (granted my visa application gets accepted, why wouldn't it?) and I want to know a little about what to expect. I'll be going on my own though I do have a few relatives in London and Bristol, but I won't be staying with them cause let's face it, there's no fun traveling around the world to stay with family members. I'm from Australia so I should be able to get into the country quiet easily, money is not a problem by the time I leave I will have a little over 15,000 AUD which given the exchange rate should still be enough for a month or two without work, I'll be on the Tier 5 YMS visa so I'll only be there for 2 years max. Personally I'm looking at hitting London up as sort of a base camp as I'm a chef and there's a lot more job opportunities in London for chefs. For the first few months I will probably see as much of the uk/europe as I can so what I'd like to know is stuff like the nightlife, where good places to live while still being close enough to an inner city and what the culture is like towards us Aussies ( I have heard good things ) I'm pretty good at meeting new people and making friends so that shouldn't be a problem as I'm a pretty confident and laid back person. Has anyone on Facepunch done this before by themselves? I've used the search and I've seen a few people moving around to study but not so many people moving just for a change of atmosphere. Anyway, if anyone could give me a rundown for what to expect that would be sweet. [URL="http://facepunch.com/member.php?u=106247"]Source[/URL][/QUOTE] Don't move to London. It's not that simple to find good earning work as a chef anyway. London is far too expensive to live in for starting off in that career. Go on the outskirts of London so you can still catch the tube if you want. Or a nearby town like Luton, Watford or St Albans. They have direct trains into London. But they're all shit. Specially Luton.

[QUOTE=Artisticpolo;39909513]I went there once fucking imax ruining everything never again[/QUOTE] They finally tore it down a month or so ago iirc.

[QUOTE=Averice;39897799]I'll be moving to the UK in the next 3-6 months (granted my visa application gets accepted, why wouldn't it?) and I want to know a little about what to expect. I'll be going on my own though I do have a few relatives in London and Bristol, but I won't be staying with them cause let's face it, there's no fun traveling around the world to stay with family members. I'm from Australia so I should be able to get into the country quiet easily, money is not a problem by the time I leave I will have a little over 15,000 AUD which given the exchange rate should still be enough for a month or two without work, I'll be on the Tier 5 YMS visa so I'll only be there for 2 years max. Personally I'm looking at hitting London up as sort of a base camp as I'm a chef and there's a lot more job opportunities in London for chefs. For the first few months I will probably see as much of the uk/europe as I can so what I'd like to know is stuff like the nightlife, where good places to live while still being close enough to an inner city and what the culture is like towards us Aussies ( I have heard good things ) I'm pretty good at meeting new people and making friends so that shouldn't be a problem as I'm a pretty confident and laid back person. Has anyone on Facepunch done this before by themselves? I've used the search and I've seen a few people moving around to study but not so many people moving just for a change of atmosphere. Anyway, if anyone could give me a rundown for what to expect that would be sweet. [URL="http://facepunch.com/member.php?u=106247"]Source[/URL][/QUOTE] OK in London you will be fine, it is very easy to meet people and very friendly especially if you go to more traditional pubs and bars. A personal reccomendation is a club called Elektrowerks on a Saturday behind Angel tube station, you can bring your own alcohol and it goes from 10pm until 10am (usually later though if it's busy). you WILL meet friends in there and there are 3 floors and 6 rooms of awesome music, The bouncers are really friendly and are now like family to me there :) In terms of London itself avoid anywhere south of the river as that is where a majority of the muggings and bad stuff happen, most places north of the river bar east London are fairly safe (although even east London is safer than the south). The internet here in London is pretty bad, you can expect to get around 7 - 14mb avarage download speed and around 0.3 to 1meg upload. If you win what we call the post code lottery (meaning if you live in one of around 6 areas) you may live in a cabled area and will be able to get 100mb down 10mb up with Virgin Media, otherwise it's ADSL for you. The best current ISP to go with would be PlusNet, in the UK you will need to get a phone with your broadband (it's a requirement sadly) and PlusNet also do phone packages. Avoid TalkTalk, BSkyB (Sky) and BT if you can. Taxi's are very expensive so it is not uncommon for a stranger to ask you where you are going if you are waiting for a taxi, and if they are going in the same direction to ask if you want to share the taxi fair. Don't be weirded out this is considered normal behaver. Your fastest mode of transport in London is going to be the Tube, it is generally advisable to live within walking distance of a Tube station (It's the blue circle with a red horizontal line through it, very easy to spot). I'm not sure what the conversion rate of Ausy dollars is but I'm guessing that will be around 8 grand, that should get you through 2 months comfortably, or 3 (or even 4) months if you budget. Finding a job over here is definitely no easy feat so be prepared to spend every day in the week looking for several months. Night work is a lot easier to find than day work so you may want to look into that. Making friends in England pretty much always happens in nightclubs, bars and pubs and will most likely happen while you have a few drinks down you, it is a very big part of our culture and it is 'normal' to "have a pint" during a work lunch break so keep that in mind. I have met some of my best friends who are now like brothers while out drinking. As for general safety the usual rules apply, keep your wallet close and preferably in a front pocket, be extra careful at busy tube stations. Zip up any pockets with zips on them and just generally use common sense and you'll be fine. I've lived here 2 years and not had any problems. Homophobia, discrimination and racism is frowned upon, so if you are uncomfortable seeing to guys kissing or transsexuals then you will want to rethink coming to England, if however you are gay or generally not bothered by it then you will not have any problems. Now outside of London is generally ok is you stick to the South, the north is generally a lot more violent and you are likely to get a smack in the mouth (our word for a punch) if you ask for directions or look lost (Don't ask me why I have no idea lol). Pretty much anywhere north of Sheffield is to be avoided really, Bristol (My hometown and where I was bought up) I have one word for.... avoid, Bristol is a very violent city and is unlike many places in England, you will get mugged and it is common for people to be mugged and beaten in broad daylight with people walking past. If you must go, then get taxi's everywhere and spend as little time as possible there. Something I feel is very important for all people moving here should know is that customer service is very very bad here, nothing ever really works the way it should so be prepared for disappointments, unexpected delays, and even unexpected charges. A good example of this is when I had the internet getting installed, twice the engineer did not show up without any explanation and I still got charges. This is considered normal here sadly and can be very frustrating if you are not used to the experiences. On the flip side of this you will very often get discounts in shops or bus fairs if the drivers don't have the right change and I've even had several free bus journeys or items from a shop.

Did you just recommend fucking PLUSNET? They're easily the shittiest ISP ever. Get Virgin. [editline]15th March 2013[/editline] Or anything really. Use a carrier pigeon if you have to.

[QUOTE=Chaoss86;39924187]As for general safety the usual rules apply, keep your wallet close and preferably in a front pocket, be extra careful at busy tube stations. Zip up any pockets with zips on them and just generally use common sense and you'll be fine. I've lived here 2 years and not had any problems. Homophobia, discrimination and racism is frowned upon, so if you are uncomfortable seeing to guys kissing or transsexuals then you will want to rethink coming to England, if however you are gay or generally not bothered by it then you will not have any problems. Now outside of London is generally ok is you stick to the South, the north is generally a lot more violent and you are likely to get a smack in the mouth (our word for a punch) if you ask for directions or look lost (Don't ask me why I have no idea lol). Pretty much anywhere north of Sheffield is to be avoided really, Bristol (My hometown and where I was bought up) I have one word for.... avoid, Bristol is a very violent city and is unlike many places in England, you will get mugged and it is common for people to be mugged and beaten in broad daylight with people walking past. If you must go, then get taxi's everywhere and spend as little time as possible there. [/QUOTE] Making some massive assumptions and generalisations there mate. If anything, the further south you get the more stuck up and unfriendly it gets. It may be a bit rougher up north, but thats mainly due to the general wealth difference between North and South. I always thought Bristol was a pretty nice, safe place, maybe it was just a bad area? (regular daylight assaults seem a bit extreme) I'm hoping to be moving down from the outskirts of Birmingham (REALLY not as bad as everyone is making out) to London myself in September (providing I get the grades for Imperial). Planning on using the tube everywhere and hitting up whatever bar I can with OTC.

[QUOTE=>>oubliette<<;39921852]Are they as bad as this? [url]http://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=568861776457703%22[/url][/QUOTE] Yes we get people like that as well except in Australia we don't tolerate it, if someone on our trains is acting like that it's not uncommon for someone to stand up and take them down a notch as you'll find most Australians aren't intimidated by these creatures we call "train rats" not saying that I would bring my Australian ways over to england, if people keep their heads down during a situation like that then I guess I will too.

[QUOTE=Averice;39929451]Yes we get people like that as well except in Australia we don't tolerate it, if someone on our trains is acting like that it's not uncommon for someone to stand up and take them down a notch as you'll find most Australians aren't intimidated by these creatures we call "train rats" not saying that I would bring my Australian ways over to england, if people keep their heads down during a situation like that then I guess I will too.[/QUOTE] Definitely don't or else you're likely to be stabbed

Watch out for a blue police box and a strange man who likes running a lot.

it rains a lot, and it's cold that's about it

I've never been to the uk before and I'm not entirely sure what a bristle is but when you're in england you need to always remember to stay away from tourist spots like the eifel tower or the golden gate bridge because thats where criminals hide oh and london has jack the ripper so watch out good luck!

also the official currency is digestive biscuits

[QUOTE=Atlascore;39935103]dont forget to drink your crumpets and tea once a day or youll be executed by the queen[/QUOTE] Watch out for prince phillip too. If he catches wind that you're a foreigner you'll be fed to the swans.

Move to Hampshire, not London. Trust me...