Reviews of cities, countries, employers and services abroad

Destination

London· London

World-class museums, high prices and changeable weather

I spent eight days in London as a visitor. The free museums are extraordinary: I could have spent a week in the British Museum alone. Getting around was easy with contactless payment and daily caps on the Tube and buses. Parks like Hampstead Heath and Regent's Park are a real highlight. But London is expensive, even compared with US cities. My hotel near King's Cross was 145 pounds a night, and meals in tourist areas were overpriced and average. The Tube was hot and crowded in July. I enjoyed it, but I preferred Edinburgh and Manchester for atmosphere and value.

Free world-class museums

Easy contactless transport

Expensive hotels and food

Crowded, hot Tube in summer

Megan Carter10 days ago5

Destination

Manchester· Manchester

Friendly, affordable and full of opportunity for healthcare workers

Manchester has been a wonderful first home in the UK. People are chatty and warm, and I have never felt as anonymous as friends say they feel in London. Rents are much lower than the south: I pay 875 pounds for a one bedroom flat in Salford. There are several large hospital trusts, so there is plenty of choice for nurses and doctors. The trams make commuting easy, although buses can be unreliable at night. The Indian community is large, with temples, grocery shops in Rusholme and the Curry Mile, and big festival celebrations. Yes, it rains a lot, but you get used to it and the Peak District is only an hour away for weekend walks.

Employer

NHS acute hospital trust, Greater Manchester· Manchester

Good support for international nurses, stretched wards

My trust recruited me from India and supported me well. They paid my flight, visa, first month of accommodation and OSCE fee, and ran a structured OSCE preparation programme with mock exams. After registration I had a preceptor for six months. Training opportunities are genuine: I completed a wound care course for free. The challenge is staffing. Some shifts are very busy, and breaks get cut short. There is a repayment clause if you leave within two years, so read your contract. Colleagues and managers have been kind, and the trust has a strong international nurses network.

Paid relocation and OSCE support

Bank

Monzo

Easy to open as a new arrival, great for budgeting

Traditional banks asked me for proof of address that I did not have in my first week. Monzo let me open an account with my passport and visa, and the card arrived in three days. The app shows every payment instantly and the savings pots help me set aside money for rent and sending money home. Customer support in the app has been fast and friendly. It is useful to have a second account with a high street bank later for things like branch services and some mortgages, but for day to day banking Monzo has been perfect for me.

Quick to open without proof of address