Porsche challenge red Ken over congestion charge hike

[PAH]

Carlisle? I've only ever seen 1 tech job advertised there at anywhere near a suitable rate (and that was about 8 years ago when i was a permie with 2 years experience)
And being a Carlisle native I do check!

From what I've seen the only places you can get London style rates is London or the surrounding area. Occasionally I'll see something closer to home that looks a good rate but I expect they're just trawling for CVs.

[shaunbhoy]

Carlisle? I've only ever seen 1 tech job advertised there at anywhere near a suitable rate

Yes, and let us be totally honest here, dislodging stones from horses hooves is really pushing the envelope of what can realistically be classed as "tech".

[scaramanga]

There's so many tubes and buses I don't know why people choose to drive in London anyway. Must be they're too snobby to sit/stand alongside someone they look down to.

I drive to work in Canary Wharf when the tube would take roughly the same amount of time.

The reduction in colds and having to stand/sit alongside people I look down upon is worth the expense (which is tax-free naturally).

If red Ken puts Canary Wharf into the congestion zone I'll just register my car as a private hire minicab.

[Shimano105]

Yes, and let us be totally honest here, dislodging stones from horses hooves is really pushing the envelope of what can realistically be classed as "tech".

Compared to VB6 development it is

[BrilloPad]

Do any of you actually USE the public transport system in London. Its not good at all. The trains are ALWAYS packed, the tube is dirty and Always packed. There is a problem on the Jubilee line (and im sure many other tube lines) nearly every day which will create a 30 min to 2hr delay in gettin to work or home and the prices are extortionate..... I work in Canary Wharf and if it didnt take 3hrs in rush hr to get here in a car, i would drive. I will be risking life and limb everyday on the bike when the weather gets better. Anything to get off the poor public transport system.

I think the trains are great. But I work from 6:30am to 4pm.

[bogeyman]

Around 10 years, though only 5 different contracts in that time, seeing as they keep extending me. Either good or cheap, maybe both.

Just going from experience. When offered roles in central London, the rates are not much different from those in Surrey and the other surrounding counties. So I've so far chosen to stay outside the M25.

Yes I see your thinking. I worked in central London (West End and the City) for many years with only a shortish train/tube commute from Ealing Broadway. It went from being fun, and very convenient to being a total effin nightmare.

Now the jobs are worse, the transport is worse, the people on the trains/streets are definitely worse. Sod it. I wouldn't want to work in London ever again.

The outer M25 zones are better, but not much. If you possibly can, why not cast your net much further and look at Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, Tokyo etc? If it wasn't for the wishes of my dear missus to stick here, that's where I'd be looking.

[PAH]

If you possibly can, why not cast your net much further and look at Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, Tokyo etc? If it wasn't for the wishes of my dear missus to stick here, that's where I'd be looking.

I am under the impression working overseas isn't as straight forward in that you have to have visas, greencards, or other bits of paper other than a CV.

Also, it's very much a lifestyle choice, where money isn't something that tempts people there.

The cynic in me thinks a lot of the overseas options aren't going to be that much better/different when you've spent some time there. The grass is greener and all that. So I prefer to work here where I'm familiar with it, and spend time abroad when I want to get away from work altogether.

[bogeyman]

The cynic in me thinks a lot of the overseas options aren't going to be that much better/different when you've spent some time there. The grass is greener and all that. So I prefer to work here where I'm familiar with it, and spend time abroad when I want to get away from work altogether.

Well if you've never tried it, don't knock it.

I think you're missing out.

Sounds like all you want is more money for doing the same job, in the same place, which you clearly don't enjoy anyway.

[PAH]

Well if you've never tried it, don't knock it.

I think you're missing out.

Sounds like all you want is more money for doing the same job, in the same place, which you clearly don't enjoy anyway.

It's the thought of less money in a place I may not like after the first few months that puts me off. I'm all for exploring these places in the form of holidays, just not so sure about rebasing my 'career' on them.

I think if I can get back on track and save/invest for the future I'd like to look forward to escaping the UK come retirement, rather than do it now and then wonder where to go afterwards if it doesn't live up to the dream.

[bogeyman]

It's the thought of less money in a place I may not like after the first few months that puts me off. I'm all for exploring these places in the form of holidays, just not so sure about rebasing my 'career' on them.

I think if I can get back on track and save/invest for the future I'd like to look forward to escaping the UK come retirement, rather than do it now and then wonder where to go afterwards if it doesn't live up to the dream.

Dear chap. How are you going to invest for your future when in your own words you 'spunked the money away' ?

If you don't have kids in school, or any serious ties to this God-forsaken island then I urge you to look for work abroad. Almost anywhere except Zimbabwe will do at a push. I'd miss out the USSA too. Mate of mine just pitched up in Helsinki and loving it - not some high-falutin' job - just basic C++ coding. He's 52 divorced and loving it. The bastard!