Moving to London Jan. 2004

Initially it was very hard to arrive in london with 400£ . The economy was weak and companies did not hire in the months of Jan and Feb. It was also extremely difficult to get a bank account or even a library card without a proof of address or employment.



Those problems aside, I really like London. It's very cosmopolitan, international and diverse, with a loads of options. It's amazingly expensive.



I was very lucky to make several nice, very hospitable freinds last year in South America(1 From france, England and Spain). They have all been great and really helpful.





The first week I spent on their computers. First at Rafael's, then Clairelise. Primarily polishing up my CV, searching for apartments, work and recruitment agencies etc.....

The last 3 weeks I stayed with Isabella. First on her floor, then the couch, it goes on..... A crazy house. A colombian lives under the stairs, there is a mexican, and 8 spanish plus two other spanish longterm guests like me, sharing the couch.




6 of the spanish work in the circus . They are nice but definitely different. Most of their freinds live in squats and have especially interesting parties.

The idea of squats is a little new to me. People just break into a abandoned house somtimes the entire building, change the locks, tap the electricity, post a squaters rights document on the door and stay for free. They even have to be given 2 weeks to 3 months notice to be evicted after a court judgement .

During my stay in the Spanish house (almost a squat) my poor mans diet became standard. Turkey and sliced bread, pasta and the occassional greek sandwich with chips. My routine - leave around 8am hit 3-4 recruitment agencies per day, jump from 3-4 libraries a day to send CVs and look for work. As I have no computer the libraries only allow you 30min making it quite a mission.



After much time and effort we were very lucky to find a nice 5 bedroom house with an awsome kitchen for a reasonble price (in London thats almost impossible) for just 5 of us. Each with his own room. 2 girls from spain, a mexican girl, myself and a spanish guy. As I have ran out of money by now I need to get a job in a restaurant evenings and weekends while I searched for somthing better during the day. Wish me luck! If anyone has any contacts in London please let me know.



Being european there are many services offered in london -like facilties to make free calls when searching for work, free computer/internet resources to work on your CV etc.. whcih are quite helpful when you find out about them.

Even a little un-employement if you are starving. It's nice to know they are available if you need them.