Moving to London

[ArmaniSmith]

Hi guys.
Im thinking about moving to London next year. I’m 20 and have worked as an estate agent where I live since I finished college. I’ve been in contact with an estate agency in London where I’d roughly be making 100k in the first year, and then £150k-200k per year from then. I’m planning on renting and living there for 5 years and then moving back up here and buying a house with the money I’ve saved. Is this a good plan? Has anyone else done anything similar? Tia!

If you want to do it, then you are at the perfect age. I gave up my job and moved to London at 27 for a new one in a totally different field earning nowhere near what you are doing! Have been here over 12yrs since, met my now husband, bought a house, had two children etc. So you might decide you want to stay! But equally, if you decide to go back to your home area, then you'll have had a great life experience.

Presumably your salary is commission based so not guaranteed? So I'd look for a house share to start with so that you save money just in case the earnings are not as suggested and also meet some people to make friends / go out with etc. If it doesn't work out, there's no shame in going back home, but at least you've given it a try. Good luck!

That sounds extremely high for an estate agent. I assume it is one of these ‘buying London’ type agents. Assuming it’s commission based, maybe watch those shows and realise how difficult most of them find it to make significant money

Yes it’s definitely way above average and yes it would be commission based. I have watched the shows (Buying London, Selling Sunset etc.) and they’re definitely dramatised as it’s reality TV. With decent experience and hard work I think it’s definitely possible to make the money I’ve been told I can make. I do have some savings as a back up. 😄

Loved reading this! Yeh absolutely I feel like this age is a good time to do it. Yeh my salary would be purely commission so definitely a risk but I think it’s definitely worth a shot if it means earning 160k more than my job now hehe! I have a good amount saved from my work and a little bit of parents so thst can act as a bit of a safety barrier for rent and bills. And like you say If I don’t enjoy it all I have to do is pack up and move back!!

If its purely commission based, you will definitely need some savings, so id concentrate on saving hard before you make a final decision. Mostly houseshares in London can be found on spareroom so you could start browsing as well to get a sense of how much you might need for accommodation + bills and then add on your monthly living expenses (plus a bit extra for London cost of living / transport). Maybe try and save up 6months worth so you can give it a decent go, knowing you've got your savings behind you?

I think your main question is: what is the reputation of the estate agents in question? I would say which area of London you will be operating in and see if someone on here can let you know what the main names in that area are. If it's not one of those, this promise of commission may not be realistic

Personally I wouldn't move to London for a commission only job. Why should you work for free?

OP: you will not be making that money as a 20 y.o. with no London experience. No way. They are leading you on.

Personally I would walk away as they sound like liars. But you’re 20, if you’re going to take a risk now is the time. Move to London, get a cheap flatshare (you probably won’t be able to rent by yourself). Give it a go. When they turn out to be full of shit you move on and get a better job with someone else. Treat it as an adventure.

Sounds way too good to be true. I very much doubt you’ll earn that much. Especially if you have no higher qualifications than college.