[RedQueenAvenged]

Hello there!
I'm a Senior at my High School here in the U.S. and I've been thinking about living in London for quite sometime.
I've always been fascinated about this great city.
I'm not going to be beating around the bush here. So I'll just say it. I HATE the U.S.
I always loved Europe. Every other year, my family and I would go visit Portugal and I always loved it (except for the fact that I wasn't able to tour for myself of course haha)

Anyway, I've been researching and according to what seems to be a lot of people, I can survive in london with about more or less 1500 pounds a month.
According to most people, that money isn't all that hard to make there. I'm planning on being a freelance photographer to help make that cash quick and easy. My only question is, Is it possible for a freelance photographer to live in London?
This has always been a dream of mine. So if a lot of people can assure me that it's possible, then I'll be hitting London fairly soon........gotta finish school ya know =/

[musicdisciple]

Do you qualify for any sort of visa that will allow you to work there legally? Check http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ to see what your options are.

[RedQueenAvenged]

Thanks for that information. If you have any more information on working there or finding a place to stay, please tell me.

[blonde_soph]

You might need to think of something a bit more stable than freelance photography in London to make your money. I live in London and because of the many students and just ordinary people with the same dream you might find it hard to find work so perhaps thinking about something more stable until you find your feet might be an idea.

[RedQueenAvenged]

Thanks for that. I'm also interested in computers inside and out. So I suppose I'll take that into some consideration. There's a poet in me as well.
I'm not sure if these two other talents of mine will help me in any way there, but I can sure as hell try.
Thanks again =]

[Chad]

I think it'd be a mistake for you to up and move to a city before spending any amount of time there at all. I'm an American, and I've lived in Europe twice (currently in Spain). While America has its faults, Europe has plenty also. There are trade offs for everything.

As an American citizen you're not going to believe the bureaucratic red-tape you're going to have to go through in order to get a job in the UK. An 18 year old highschool graduate is not going to be able to find a job pulling in £1500 per month that involves keeping your clothes on.. that is absolute fantasy land. Further more they're not going to just let you up and move into the UK. The immigration laws are very strict. You wouldn't believe the hassle I go through each time I have an international flight that transfers through the UK--even flights within the European Union. They are very very strict about who gets in and for how long they stay.

As someone that spent every summer somewhere in Portugal, it sounds like you come from a solid financial backing. My advice to you is to spend a month over here this summer, go home and start university in the fall, study abroad for either a semester or a year, graduate college and then move over here. You're 18, and you seem a little blinded by your own ambition. You've got the right idea, you just may want to go about it a different way.

[RedQueenAvenged]

I've known about that for quite some time now. Due to my financial problems (mum and dad aren't exactly generous), I'll have to spend probably a year or two here working and going to a university. Then once I hit the age of 20, I'm going to move straight there. I do know the problems that I'll have because I'm American, but honestly I'll do whatever it takes to get out of this wretched place. I do know about all the paperwork and whatnot (student vista, work vista, etc.). Whatever the case, I'll be sure to get that done.........Furthermore, imagine having to spend 18 years of your life in a place where ignorance and reputation will be the only two things you'll be known for. The fact that that's true is more hurtful than the fact that you're actually living there. Let's not forget your dream. Oh yes, your dream. You want to be a photographer, but not just any kind of photographer. You want to be a photographer that gets to take marvelous pictures of places in Europe AND recide somewhere in Europe. Preferablly a place that you have been fascinated with for as long as you can remember. Are you imagining that? That is EXACTLY what I am. Oh, I almost forgot to mention inflation, recession, and possible draft. Enough said. I may only be 17-years-old and sadly only a senior in an "American" high school, but don't you think for a minute that I'll give up that dream. If it's one thing I've learned while living in this place, it's to never give up or let down.......I know, I have a lot to say on this subject, but I'm serious about living in England.......Still deciding between Notting Hill and London (any area in London that's close to central) =D
I'm not going to let something like paperwork bring me down. Thanks goes to the last reply I've received about this matter. I humbly thank you for reminding me that in the end, after going through a lot of processing, it'll be worth it........Still taking opinions though!!
If anyone else out there would like to tell me some interesting things about London (best places to eat, live, etc.), then please reply.
Thank you!
Thank you all!
=D =) =] (= [= (no backwards D lol)

[musicdisciple]

Once you get into university check out what options your uni has for studying overseas. You may be able to spend a semester or two in various places. Go wherever they are willing to send you, even if it's not somewhere you would normally go.

[RedQueenAvenged]

I'm counting on it. I'm already planning ahead for the study abroad program at the university I'm going to attend this coming fall. Let's just hope I actually plan on returning once I do haha.

[RedQueenAvenged]

Hello all, again.
I've been doing some reading and I've come to find that it does not necessarily matter what your current finances are to live in London, but rather your will and motivation.
My will is extremely strong, as well as my motivation.
I can only hope that my dream will come true.....

[LEW123]

Hi,

I just started reading your thread. I currently live and work in London and admit it is a great city (if a little pricey he he he)...£1500 a month would be plenty to live off here but it is not easy to automatically earn that month. I came to the city earning much less then that a month after tax and survived just fine.

Also, living in Notting Hill and anywhere very central is seriously expensive. there are plenty of great, cheaper places if you are prepared to go just a tiny bit out. For example, I live about 25mins on the tube out of central and my rent is reduced by a couple of hundred a month because of it. You can get more for your money in certain parts of East London (and it is much cooler) then you can in West London in areas like Notting Hill. Transport isn't a problem at all as tubes, buses and night buses will get you pretty much anywhere!

I hope this helps!

[RedQueenAvenged]

Hello again. Sorry I haven't been able to reply for quite some time (college got me caught up hehe). Anyway, I'm still considering living in London and I think I have come to my ultimatum on where to settle. I believe I'd be better off in Eastern London due to prices. For now, of course hehe. Oh, one question, would anyone here know if I'd be able to get a job as a clinical psychologist there with a Psychology Degree from the states? Oh, and I'm also majoring in English. Figured I might as well because I love literature =]
Any replies would be much appreciated =]

[angelinadavid84]

London is a beautiful place even i have idea to settle down in London....

[Jo1977]

Is that £1,500 before tax & NI or after?

Freelance photography will be unlikely to provide such an income, especially as these self-employed ventures take a lot of time to build up (that's if you don't run out of money first!)

Don't fall for the stereotypical image that the London streets are paved with gold - they're not. They're occupied by homeless people.

Take care.