Contracts in London

[DaveP]

I'm attracted to contracts which are based in London simply because of the rates available.
But I live in the NorthWest of England so you can see the obivous problem.

Just wondered if others have taken contracts in London & have had to source accomodation during the working week.

Apart from sleeping in a bus shelters are there any cheap alternatives ?

[expat]

I'm attracted to contracts which are based in London simply because of the rates available.
But I live in the NorthWest of England so you can see the obivous problem.

Just wondered if others have taken contracts in London & have had to source accomodation during the working week.

Apart from sleeping in a bus shelters are there any cheap alternatives ?

I've got one for myself: I live in commuting distance. Trouble is all I get to commute to is the airports: I can only find good contracts in mainland EU.

ISTR someone had a good B&B/hotel site with as name that sounded like a dog, or something.....

[Tingles]

Smooth hound?


T

[Wilmslow]

I'm attracted to contracts which are based in London simply because of the rates available.
But I live in the NorthWest of England so you can see the obivous problem.

Just wondered if others have taken contracts in London & have had to source accomodation during the working week.

Apart from sleeping in a bus shelters are there any cheap alternatives ?

Dave – I also live in the North West.

I had a successful interview on a cracking Agile project in central London – the cost of commuting down there, and the house share put me off (no hotels not flea infested for less than £80 per night).

If train – you NEED first class – unless you enjoy spending 4 hours sat or stood by the toilet on a Friday evening. Don’t forget the travel from station to home as well. A loooong Friday evening, do laundry, then back to is after a very short weekend.

By the time I did my sums I would need an extra £100 a day at the very least – plus my life would be on hold.

I found a North West gig for £30 a day less – and was much better off, and home every night.

Think VERY carefully before going to the smoke.

Edit: Look at things like Flatmate for a house share on the same tube line that your gig is in, ideally zone 3 – 4 as central-ish for the commute and a lot cheaper than living in zone 1 or 2.

LateRooms also a good site.

[roadster198]

I'm attracted to contracts which are based in London simply because of the rates available.
But I live in the NorthWest of England so you can see the obivous problem.

Just wondered if others have taken contracts in London & have had to source accomodation during the working week.

Apart from sleeping in a bus shelters are there any cheap alternatives ?

You'll be ok if you don't have a Scottish address it would seem. I recently applied for a role in the City and in my short three years as a contractor I have never seen a job Spec which matched my skills so closely. Sent the guy my CV and a day later was told not suitable and this is not the first time either seriously thinking of getting a London address on my CV.

I have also been told by a pimp (by mistake I would asume) when looking for bodies to fill London roles she would only search within a 30 mile radius.

[gadgetman]

I've been on a contract in Canary Wharf for 8 months. I live (arguably) within commuting distance . It takes me around 2 hours each way.

I pay for a 1st class ticket (for reasons described above) and the journey is so awful that I pay £300 a month to stay over in a flat 5 minutes from work two nights a week. The trains are delayed > 30 mins at least two days a week.

Combined with £580 season ticket and £50 Oyster card I was better off on my last gig living away in the week and on a lower rate.

Rents are pretty crazy. For example the tiny (studio) flat I stay over at costs £1300 a month and thats the low end.

The thought of a summer crammed on the tube and DLR fills me with dread. But in the current climate I'm not going to turn down the work.

[DodgyAgent]

– plus my life would be on hold.

.

How Earth shattering would that be?

[MrMark]

and in my short three years as a contractor I have never seen a job Spec which matched my skills so closely. Sent the guy my CV and a day later was told not suitable

Isn't it the pits when this happens? I remember applying for a post a few years ago in Leeds (twas a permie position) and thought I had an excellent chance, seeing how it was nearly impossible for many other candidates to have all the skills. However there was no response, and when I called the agency I ended up with a dreary woman who said she wasn't even going to forward on my cv for consideration, as I was "over-qualified" ie not in the young 20s demo set (of course no-one in that age group could have all the skills required). Anyway I made a point later of destroying any contact details for that agency and woman. All too easy to let things fester and you end up being a one man Al-Kilda. Needless to say I went a long time after that before getting my next gig.
One of the reasons I don't often chase up a cv application - you just know there's a stupid reason why you're not considered for the job - nothing to do with your capability to do the job, and everything to do with a numpty's prejudices. Although I have to be honest and admit that occasionally an agent is a decent type of guy who can help you to present your cv in a different way (eg leave out references to DOB and education so that ageist factors have less chance to come in).

[BlasterBates]

I've been on a contract in Canary Wharf for 8 months. I live (arguably) within commuting distance . It takes me around 2 hours each way.

I pay for a 1st class ticket (for reasons described above) and the journey is so awful that I pay £300 a month to stay over in a flat 5 minutes from work two nights a week. The trains are delayed > 30 mins at least two days a week.

Combined with £580 season ticket and £50 Oyster card I was better off on my last gig living away in the week and on a lower rate.

Rents are pretty crazy. For example the tiny (studio) flat I stay over at costs £1300 a month and thats the low end.

The thought of a summer crammed on the tube and DLR fills me with dread. But in the current climate I'm not going to turn down the work.

You paint a great picture of London.

hmm looks like Switzerland aint so bad after all.

[dang65]

I've mentioned on here before that I use Youth Hostels when working on short contracts in London. Usually less than 20 quid a night, usually including breakfast. Laundry facilities on site, internet connections, clean, friendly, amazing locations, big showers, big rooms (shared, obviously, but still spacious).

Might be difficult to book in the Summer, but I've had no problem all through Autumn/Winter/Spring, even when booking a couple of days before going.

As for travel from the North West, it does depend where you're based in London. I sometimes used to hire a car from near Heathrow on a Friday afternoon and drive back very early Monday a.m. But if you're working in Docklands or something then that's not very practical. The trains are chaotic on boarding, and expensive, but ok if you can get a seat or a spot by a window. (Never tried 1st Class though.) I have managed to book return flights London-Manchester for 40 quid on a couple of occasions, and that's a good option if you're working within range of the airport. Final option I tried was overnight coach from Manchester Airport to Victoria. Very cheap, but overcrowded and hard to sleep. And no good for return trip on a Friday. I did use it a few times though.

So, it is possible to do a London gig for around 120 quid a week, travel + bed & breakfast.