Lots of questions on moving to the UK: $, Work, housing

All,

I am currently living in NYC and will be moving to London (with a HSMP working visa) in January.  I have already started the process of finding answers to many o f the following questions, but know that first hand experience is still better and more reliable than anything I will be able to find on-line.

Here are the questions/concern areas:

-I am looking for flats within the first 3 tube zones on line.  I have been communicating with agents on line and they believe that it is reasonable to expect to find something around 200lbs/week. For a 1 bedroom in this area, does this seem reasonable? Can anyone recommend an agent? What is a standard commission rate? Does anyone know of any short term alternatives to housing that will be less costly? What is a normal turnaround time for finding a place and being able to move in for a foreigner?

-I have an HSMP working visa.  I have been told that this is enough for me to be able to apply for a job like anyone else.  Are there any other strings attached.

-I do not have a bank account there which complicates signing on for an flat.  What recommendations do you have for finding a flat (that requires/prefers a bank account) and setting up a bank account (that requires documents supporting you having a flat)

-Does anyone know of any associations groups that work with educational reform for middle and high schools?

As stated, I know that this is an onslaught of questions, but help in regards to any of these would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!

Check out Turnam Green and Chiswick on the District line, zone 3 and nice places

800 a month sounds too low to me, but I live in the suburbs so I couldn't say for sure. I agree with Chiswick - nice area but the transport isn't great. I suppose it sort of depends what you want in a neighbourhood - do you want it to feel urban? Do you want somewhere sort of hip? Do you want something leafy? There are a lot of things like that which could influence where we would suggest you look.

You don't need an agent and it works differently over here anyway. One agent can only show you places that their estate agency has listed - they won't show you everything for rent in an area (unless you use a relocation company which IMHO isn't necessary and is a bit of a rip off). I would probably suggest getting temporary accomodation for a month and then choosing an area and going into each estate agent on the high street and asking them what they've got. That's what I ended up doing.

The bank account thing is going to be a drag without a job. You may be able to get a basic account (no frills - no overdraft, etc.) or a top-up credit card (I think the post office may have those now). But you also may need a guarantor for renting a place. I had to have a friend of my husband act as a guarantor for my rent for our first place because I didn't have a job yet.

That's about all I can think to tell you - I don't know anything at all about education jobs but check the Guardian online - they do an education edition once a week and the jobs would all be on their website.

Good luck and have fun with it all - it's an adventure to be sure!

£200 per week should get you something quite nice.  Take a look at Battersea as well as places already mentioned.

You can work the same as anyone else with an HSMP, there are no conditions.  Though you may want to check out the new rules on extensions on www.workingintheuk.gov.uk to make sure you have no problems in two years time.

Vicky

As far as housing,I would also recommend something temporary till you find work.I would not want to be working in lets say NE London and living in the SW London. Commuting all across the city everyday sucks. Goodluck with your move.