Why Aussie & Kiwi Engineers Are Choosing Life 'Beyond London'

Thinking about making the move to the UK for civil engineering work? You're in good company — and here's something you might not know: you don’t have to live in London to land a great role or have an epic experience.

In fact, many Aussie and Kiwi engineers are now choosing to live and work beyond London — and saving thousands while still getting the same (if not better) opportunities.

Download below for the full guide:

Aussie & Kiwi Engineering Guide.pdf

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Why London Isn’t Always the Dream

Sure, London is a global city with big-name infrastructure projects, endless things to do, and solid career potential. But it also comes with sky-high rent, packed commutes, and fierce competition. Average London rent (1-bed flat): £1,800–£2,500/month

If you’re looking to enjoy life and grow your engineering career, there are smarter places to live — and we’ve got them.

Where You Can Work (and Live Well)

Here’s a breakdown of key UK locations where engineering roles are booming — and your money goes way further.

Manchester

• Rent: £900–£1,300

• Why move: Great culture, growing infrastructure scene, awesome nightlife

  
  

Birmingham

• Rent: £850–£1,200

• Why move: Home of HS2, big civil projects, central location for travel

  
  

Oxford & Cambridge

• Rent: £1,200–£1,600

• Why move: Historic, beautiful, great access to London without the cost

  
  

Plymouth / Devonport

• Rent: £700–£1,000

• Why move: Naval + marine engineering, relaxed lifestyle by the sea

  
  

Suffolk (Sizewell)

• Rent: £800–£1,100

• Why move: Major energy projects and a slower, peaceful pace of life

  
  

Liverpool

• Rent: £800–£1,100

• Why move: Friendly vibe, city regeneration, solid work opportunities

  
  

Scotland & Wales

• Rent: £700–£1,000 (avg)

• Why move: Amazing scenery, growing investment in infrastructure, lower living costs

Real Cost of Living Breakdown

Location	Avg Rent (1-Bed Flat)	Lifestyle Perks
London	£1,800–£2,500	High energy, high cost
Manchester	£900–£1,300	Big city feel, lower cost of living
Oxford	£1,300–£1,600	Historic charm, great career prospects
Cambridge	£1,200–£1,500	Close-knit community, excellent projects
Devonport	£700–£1,000	Coastal lifestyle, growing project pipeline

💡 Pro tip: Choosing a city like Plymouth or Manchester over London could save you £10,000+ a year on rent alone.

Travel Europe Without Living in London

Living outside of London doesn’t mean missing out on travel. Whether you're based in Birmingham, Oxford, or Devonport, you're never far from an airport or train station that can get you across the UK or to Europe for a weekend break.

• Budget airlines fly from everywhere (Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, etc.)

• Train network is solid and connects most major cities

• Travel is quick + cheap once you're here

Where the Jobs Are Now

At CarmichaelUK, we're placing engineers from Australia and New Zealand in high-quality projects across the UK — including:

✅ Manchester

✅ Oxford

✅ Cambridge

✅ Devonport

✅ Suffolk (Sizewell)

✅ Birmingham

✅ Liverpool

✅ Scotland

✅ Wales

Final Thought: You Don’t Need London

If you're serious about moving over for work, know this:

✅ You’ll still get the career opportunities

✅ You’ll save more money

✅ You’ll experience the UK more fully

✅ And you’ll still have access to Europe, great pubs, and weekend trips

So skip the stress of the capital and live (and work) better — beyond London.