Hey everyone !

First post here, hope you won't mind me staying for a bit !

Anyway, back on topic.

I'm 22 years old, just finished my exams (yaay !), and I'm going to move to the UK. No, I don't have a job. No, I don't have any relatives there. No, I have no idea how it's going to unfold. What I do know, is that I'm highly motivated, and I want to live in the UK. Maybe not for good, but at least for a few years. Later, who knows, maybe another country. I want to move around.

First of all, there's a few questions that have been sitting on the back of my mind lately, and considering I'd like to move around August 5th, it might be nice to start getting some answers.

I'm currently residing in France, but am of Belgian nationality. I know I'm from the EEA, so I don't need a work permit, nor do I need a Visa, which is awesome (at least, that's what I gathered from the Internet, stop me if I'm wrong). I also know that my driving license is valid for the next 3 years, but that I'll eventually have to undergo some kind of test/evaluation. But that's not a big deal.

Like I said earlier, I just finished my exams, which means I have no clue if I did or did not pass the exams But to be fair, I don't really care. It's a BTS (roughly equivalent to an HND IIRC), more particularly a Computer Science Degree. Yeah, I'm a CS geek ! But that kinda gives you an idea of what I want to do. Be a programmer. Basically.

• The first question I'd like to ask, is where to ?

I know I'm moving to the UK, but there's such an awful lot of places in the UK that attract me. I'd love to go to Cardiff, because, coming from Perpignan, I know people are gonna love me, and at least I'll know how to meet new people So really, Cardiff would be my number one destination. I wouldn't mind other places, really, excepted for these gigantic cities you have (I'm really not feeling London or Manchester, at first, if you catch my drift). I haven't really thought this over, but I'm just in love with Cardiff. Any pointers are greatly appreciated !

• The second question, is how to get "in" ?

What I'm meaning by that, is that, well, it's all nice and well to go somewhere, and crash at someone's place for a couple of days (I know somebody who knows somebody), but I'm just a student, remember, so I'm not going to be able to afford a hotel for more than a few days after my initial crash. After that, I'm going to need a flat. Now, I went over to findaproperty.com a few times, and I've seen tons of things that interest me, but here's a few questions:

• - Will I get a flat without a job ?
• - Do I need a bank account to get a flat ?

From what I've read on the forum (not been here long, just browsing quickly), I seem to remember that it's easier (necessary ?) to get a bank account once you've moved in. Can anyone confirm this ? I'm currently at the BNP Paribas bank. I've been on their website, but not a lot of info has seeped through, unless you're a multi-billionaire ! Can my bank arrange for bank-related stuff ? Have you seen things like this ? My bank only opens tomorrow, so I will ask 'em.

• Next step, would of course be "finding a job"

And quite frankly, that's the sweetest challenge I've had in some time !

First of all, is it a good idea to start sending out letters/CVs right now, while I have no idea about the results of my exams, and thus, potentially sending out a false CV ? I don't think writing "Oy, I just passed my exams, I'll keep you posted, right o' ?" is going to be very positive. I should have the results around July 3rd. Wait 'till there ?
Second of all, when writing the CV, I'm guessing translating everything is going to be a big no-no, right ? I mean, it's not exactly the same, there might be equivalents, but there's gonna hick ups if I start blatantly using UK-based names for my degrees, right ? So, just use the french names, and a small description of what it means ?
Also, I don't mind doing a little bit of research, finding the name of the HR guy, and handwriting a letter aimed at him, how would that be looked upon in the UK ? Positive, or not ? Do you even think I'll get any interviews before actually living there ? Even though this might seem quite arrogant (don't worry, I *really* am arrogant), but I'm good at what I do. Is there any chance people might actually want to hire me just based on a letter and CV ? Did this happen to you ? Did the company help you with anything related to the move ? Or does the "overseas" part give 'em the creeps, and make them never return your phone calls, even when you've moved up-country ?

On a side note, I should have enough money to survive for about 2-3, maybe 4 months, before a job will be absolutely necessary. After that, it's back to France, and working at Uni for the rest of my life. Such a timing is of course, extremely optimistic, and I'm pretty sure, that not knowing the costs of real life Great-UK-land, and other unknown expenses, this might drain it down to a smaller say, month, month and a half period. That would be, quite pessimistic, I admit, but still, you ought to be prepared. All of this, just to ask. Think it's feasible ?

If you have any experience about any of this, if your dog came overseas and wants to chat about it, I'd love to hear all the info you can get. I'll take everything.

Thanks for your time, and thanks for reading. It's greatly appreciated.