I went for an interview for a job in Balham (London) the other day... I was successful, and its left me with a decision to make in pretty short order. Stay at home or move out? Move to London, or stay in Liverpool?
Now for some background -- I've recently turned 25, and I currently live at home with my parents. For the past year I've only been working part time while I studied, getting about £590 a month for working 3 days a week. Its a very secure job. In terms of outgoings -- I pay £100 to my parents, £70 to pay up an old loan, £25 for my mobile phone bill and £8 laptop insurance. Quarterly, I pay for medicash insurance that covers me for health emergency / dentist / optometrist costs. So lets say I have about £350-400 to play with each month.
As of Wednesday, I'll be going full-time with my current employer, and recieve £13,011 annually (about £898 a month AFTER tax - a £300 a month improvement). Again, this is a very secure job. I'm fairly sure I will feel an improvement in my life if I stay here in Liverpool... I would pay more to my parents at home, but I'd have a bit more money to play with. If I wanted to (and I'm looking into it) I may even move out, and get myself into a bedsit/flat/house in the city center or something.
Here's what going to London would mean:
I would get £18,251 annually, after tax thats ~£1175 pcm.My student loan would becomes repayable, so thats an extra £25 a month going out. The job would represent a small promotion/advancement on what I do now, but I think I could achieve that kind of promotion here at home or elsewhere in the country easily. My main concern here is quality of life... the job is in Balham, smack bang between Balham and Tooting Bec tube stations. I would want to live as locally to that as possible as I know from coming down for the job interview that travel is expensive! I don't want to end up in the situation where I am now working more hours, having gave up a very secure job, and seeing so little money that I end up miserable. So I don't want to pay more than £500-550 pcm for rent. And IDEALLY, I would want to share with people so I don't even end up paying that! Student-flats, bedsits, house share... that kind of thing. In this situation, I'd be buying my own food, and depending on the rent agreement, possibly paying additional bills etc. I would certainly want a TV license and internet connection.
- So are there any further concerns I should have?
- Is accomodation easy to come by? Do you think I can find something in that price range or better?
- Whats life in London like generally? I would be working with only 4 people, so I'd want to get out and meet new people and have a good time if poss.
