New in the city
When bagging your first graduate job you may be expected to move to a new city. Here’s some top advice on finding your feet in a new town
The reality is many graduates may be required to start work in any part of the UK, so you have to be prepared to set yourself up in a new town. Take Manchester as an example. You know it is the hometown of Old Trafford and the birthplace of Oasis, but other than that, you’re from Bournemouth and went to university in Bristol, and now you are going to work and live in a city that you’ve never even visited! Here’s some tips to get you settled.
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It’s always worth asking your employer whether they offer any assistance with helping you move. Alexandra Hawes, 26, moved to Malta when she got her first graduate job. “The company placed me in serviced accommodation for the first three months and then helped me to find rented accommodation.”
Similarly, FDM Consultant Ben Buxton moved to the US for his first job: “For my first job after university this was a big move, but FDM gave me all the support I needed to adjust and settle down. They prepared and applied for a visa on my behalf, supplied me with the flights to and from my placement and organised my accommodation.”
And for those of you who need to find a house share, this can be a great way of making new friends in a new city. There is a range of house share websites out there most of which allow you to search by age group and sex, so you can find what suits you.
Free time!
Every city has its dedicated ‘special offers’ site. If you haven’t already, register with the likes of Livingsocial or Groupon for your new city to ensure you get daily offers on a range of activities. Post-recession, many restaurants offer 2-for-1 vouchers, so it’s worth getting on some of your favourite chains’ mailing lists so you know when to take advantage.
Staying fit
Some companies offer subsidised gym memberships, so it is worth checking with your HR department once you have started your new job. If not, some gyms such as Virgin Active offer special rates for under 25s. If you’re looking for something even more bargain bucket, check out your local parks and invest in some good running shoes!
Getting around
With any big city, research the public transport in your area and never underestimate the luxury of living close to a tube or bus stop with a regular service, especially as you may not have a car. Also ensure you check out if your work route is easily commutable.
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