Should I be paying for a relocation package to London?

So you've made the momentous decision to uproot your life from the safety and security of home and head over to London.  The only problem is you don't know a hell of a lot about the place other than it's cold in winter, there are heaps of old buildings and it's on the doorstep of Europe so travel is a breeze.

Yes, that is another 'Keep Calm' poster

There are certain things you'll need in London when you relocate. A bank account, a mobile phone sim card, an NI number to name a few.  If you Google relocating to London, it's likely that you'll find some the first things to pop up will be companies offering soft landing packs to London.  These start from about £35 ranging all the way up to a couple of hundred pounds depending on what services you require.

There's no doubt that you need things like bank account, sim card, National Insurance number etc, but here's the big secret YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM!

Global can actually provide you with all of these things for free.  Not just that, but we provide genuine assistance with finding you work in the UK.  Many other packages being offered by companies are full of things you don't need.  Things like 3 day gym passes, free entry to a nightclub or the chance to join a pub crawl are all surplus to requirements.  If you're looking for social interaction, Facebook pages like Kiwis in London or Aussies/Ozzies in London can hook you up with all sorts of functions.  If you have a phone and an ear, you can organise your own NI number, you should never pay anyone to do that for you.  Global can hook you up with a referral for a bank account and can give you a Lebara Sim so you have a number before you depart.

We are also the only company with a proven track record of helping professionals find their dream job in London.  Get in touch with us and see how we can help you...for free!

Pub Review - The King's Arms (SE1)

Some pubs you go to because they've got cheap drinks, others are popular with the opposite sex and others just have a certain ambience.  The Kings Arms has what I consider to be one of the best reasons to go ever; outstanding ribs at a knock down price!

I was first introduced to this pub a couple of years back and it was on the recommendation of the Tuesday night £10 ribs night.  My first thought was the pub looked like it was past its best.  The interior was pretty tired and it looked like a place on the down slope rather than on its way up. Then I tasted the ribs and all my misconceptions disappeared.  The serving size was excellent, the stickiness of the sauce was just right and the chips were top drawer.

Now you see them

Now you don't

It was not that long after that the pub actually closed and I was momentarily worried that I may never taste their ribs again.  The good news was that it was closed for a refurbishment and when it threw its doors open the refreshed pub was excellent.  Yes, the ribs were £1 more expensive, but the pub had improved significantly.  There is a good range of lagers on tap and the wine list is reasonable.  The big draw card here is the food though, the chefs are really doing a great job here.

Given it was shabby for a little while, but the refurb and menu are fantastic, it gets a big one thumb up from me.

This seems appropriate on St Paddy's day