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Old 07-06-2017, 01:43 PM   #1
ilesterg
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Working in the UK or Germany


Hi!

I have a stable job in Manila but lately I have been thinking of finding a work in Germany or the UK. Firstly for financial reasons to support my family (bigger money when converted here) and secondly to explore the world. Let's say I'm in a whole new level of boredom and (mild) depression right now and I'd like to just go away in a new place and then see what happens. So I'd like to hear it my from you guys, from expats who migrated to the UK (probably London) or Germany - how's the work culture there, how is the standard of living for a (junior) Linux & UNIX sys ad, and any tips you have for me?

FYI - I have started learning German a month ago and quite getting the hang of it.

Cheers!
 
Old 07-07-2017, 11:59 AM   #2
Laserbeak
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I'm an American citizen and looked into moving to the Netherlands in Europe since I have several good friends there and it seems extremely difficult. Maybe these other countries would be easier, but just letting you know my experience.
 
Old 07-07-2017, 12:28 PM   #3
DavidMcCann
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The UK is expensive (particularly in London) but there's actually a shortage of computer staff here. These sites offer some good advice:
http://www.expatica.com/uk/employmen...bs_103154.html
http://www.internations.org/great-britain-expats/guide
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-...work-in-the-uk
and this covers the legalities
http://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

For Germany, start here
http://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/b...or-job-seakers

Last edited by DavidMcCann; 07-07-2017 at 12:29 PM.
 
Old 07-07-2017, 04:13 PM   #4
Hungry ghost
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From my experience when I lived in the UK, finding a job was not difficult (at least in the software linguistic QA area), but the pay was very bad in the particular company I worked for (maybe I was unlucky and landed in the wrong company). I don't know particularly about IT, as I worked in another field, but if there's a shortage of computer staff, as DavidMcCann said, then it might be good news for you (more and better paid jobs).

If you're going to London, you have to keep in mind it's very expensive, specially in regards to accommodation and transportation. The average price for a room in a shared flat/house is around 600 pounds a month (that's for a room only, not for a studio flat, which is about twice that amount and up), so you'd need to earn *at least* about 2000 pounds to have a decent living. But apart from that, it's a vibrant, exciting and wonderful city. And if it turns out to be too expensive, you can move to a smaller/cheaper city.
 
Old 07-10-2017, 06:21 AM   #5
ilesterg
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I have the same concern with working in London and Singapore (which is much closer here) - expensive standard of living. If 2000 pounds would suffice for a 'decent living' as mentioned by odiseo77, then I don't think 30,000 pounds/year is enough based on my calculations (-tax, -deductions, etc.).

I'm also looking at Netherlands actually, and Poland.

Thanks all for the inputs and DavidMcCann for the links, I'll check them out later.
 
Old 07-10-2017, 06:28 AM   #6
hazel
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Living in London is actually not expensive apart from the accommodation costs, but they are becoming ruinous.
 
Old 02-17-2020, 05:33 AM   #7
ilesterg
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Finally

It's been 2 years and 7 months since I made this post. I never thought I would make it, it seemed like an impossible goal at first. But I guess careful planning, consistency, and continuously upgrading your skills eventually does the trick. Towards the end of last month, I arrived in Germany and started on my new job.

Sorry but I just can't contain my happiness finding this old post of mine back when I first set a goal to move to another country.
 
Old 02-17-2020, 05:39 AM   #8
hazel
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Congratulations!
 
Old 02-17-2020, 12:05 PM   #9
Germany_chris
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Congratulations..

Especially Munich, a beautiful city.
 
Old 02-17-2020, 03:31 PM   #10
ChuangTzu
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Well done and thank you for the update. Truly wonderful how a sincere post can "shrink" the size of the world.

München ist eine wunderbare Stadt.
 
Old 03-02-2020, 11:08 PM   #11
VeraP
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I would like to recommend Germany based on my friend's experience..Germany is said to be a good place study and some courses are allowed to learn in English.As you have started to learn German thing would be even better for you. Also, the living cost is said to be affordable.
 
  


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