London: The Real Deal
In Unfiled on 28 May 2003. Tagged Unfiled.
Let me clarify some things. Life in London isn’t all peachy. In fact, it’s not even appley or that easy to peel tangerine-y. It’s durian. It smells kinda fishy, at first taste, it’s disgusting, and for some they may get so used to it that they fool themselves into liking it while those who see clearly and have sane tastebuds still maintain that it tastes like it smells.
Back in the hey day of dot com, being in Europe but getting paid American money was the way to go. You get ex-pat bonuses (i.e., insane cost of living adjustments), the US company covers the tax difference, and you get set up in an apartment in the middle of town that usually is reserved for Gwenyth Paltrow (her flat is in Covent Garden I believe).
Now for reality:
If I actually worked here for a UK company, the pay would suck. Not just “oh I’m not paid Trilogy salary” suck. Like “I’m sorry, you couldn’t have meant my ANNUAL salary, you meant monthly right?” suck.
I live in a hotel at the end of the landing flight path. It’s a 10GPB cab ride to a tube station that’s an hour of town. I choose from 4 restaurants each week night. I see the same 5 people every day and every night. I’ve done this for 2 months and I did it 2 months in November as well.
I am not getting this new flat completely covered. The budget assigned to us is so low that I would’ve ended up in a shithole that had no room service and was still close to no amenities but hey, it’s further from work, too! No, I pay quite a bit on top with my own money just to live somewhere decent out here for work.
I also pay Austin rent and numerous other expenses.
The cost of living adjustment we receive is a ONE THIRD that of a banking company in NYC that sent some people to London.
To add insult to injury, we’ll probably still get laid off despite all this suffering on their behalf.
To further add insult to injury, anytime I feel like it’s not so bad, I’ll have somebody remind me just how bad it is and go on about it longer than the a parrt with energizer extra-life batteries.
My consolation is that I AM moving to a better place even if it’s costing me a bit and I have some sanity joining me very very soon.
For those who missed the link btw. Here’s some pics of the new digs (which I am quite psyched about because it moves me away from a lot of the aforementioned points). There’s a sofa bed so visitors are welcome! New Flat.
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