Expert: Bill Cissna - 1/13/2007

Question
Bill,
Thank you for this excellent info.  Regarding what you said about work; I have heard that...I didn't mention I am on disability and may just work part time. Does the country discourage "welfare" people from coming in? although my check would go with me. I heard that about Australia.
Thanks again for your time, and other wise thanks for excellent info!


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Bill,
I see you are from the US so I think you would be the best to answer this question. What is the music like there?
Does it sound like American music? I know that many world wide popular bands I believe are from there; Bee Gees, Celine Dion, Rolling Stones..., i think.
I am a songwriter/musician and am thinking of possibly relocating there, i am currently in southern California and love it here too, but am seeking a change in life. I am wondering how - style wise- i would fit in there. I know that London is a big music place. Since my music career is  the most important for me, I know that otherwise it is very beautiful I'm sure.
Any suggestions would be great..., I can CD shop but i think an insider would know better. Thank you for your time!
Leah
-----Answer-----
Leah,

I'll answer with what little I can, as I tend to be more of a tourist than a music expert. Yes, of course, there is a large London music scene, as you anticipate. It's a very large city, though, and not inexpensive to live in. Furthermore, if you are a Southern Californian, you would be in for a pretty major climate change (weather-wise) to move to London.

As far as the music is concerned, there is probably as much diversity in musical tastes and styles in London as where you are. The bigger issue you would want to research before making a move is: can you work there? (Also, if you have any pets, the rules are pretty strict on moving pets into the U.K. - long-ish quarantines, for instance.)

But there is something of a challenge for an American to get the right to work in the U.K., because the U.K. has higher unemployment than we do, and they therefore make it more difficult for an outsider to come in and take jobs. You can probably do some research with the U.S. Government websites, or the British ones, but you should certainly be aware that it MIGHT not be easy for you.

But all that aside, if you're looking for a change and a new culture outside of the U.S., you could do much worse than Britain. I very much enjoy visiting there, but equally, they speak our language (basically), so the conversion is not as challenging as, say, going to Paris or Rome.

Good luck with making a choice!

Bill

Answer
Leah,

I don't know that they would discourage or encourage "welfare" recipients coming in. It MIGHT help that you would only be seeking part-time work, but I suspect they will challenge to some extent any outsider, from wherever, who wants to take part in their economy. You might want to try the state department's website, which might have some guidance on working in other countries, including the U.K., or nowadays, the U.K. itself probably has an information site of some kind, too!

Bill