How I Landed a Dream Fashion Job in London and Survived the S$4,000 Monthly Budget
From a stylish flat in Singapore to budget-conscious living in London: The cost and reward of chasing a dream job in fashion marketing.
When Chee An Lyn boarded her flight from Singapore to London, she was making a calculated leap towards a long-held dream. At 26, she had secured a coveted role in marketing and events at Jessica McCormack, a luxury jewellery brand based in London.
With a £35,000 (about S$60,000) annual salary (about £2,300 or S$4,000 take-home pay per month), she entered the luxury fashion space in one of the most iconic cities in the industry. But the move was not without sacrifices and a financial reality check.
Why London?
After a previous stint in New York, An Lyn had her eyes set on London, a city that balanced fashion, proximity to home, and global connectivity. “London is one of the major fashion and luxury capitals of the world,” she says. It was also closer to Singapore than New York, which made visits home more feasible.
What made the transition possible was the UK’s High Potential Individual Visa, which gave her the right to work in the country without company sponsorship for two years. But this freedom came at a cost – close to S$6,000, which she paid out of pocket.
An Lyn taking a wefie with friends in London.
How she landed the job
Getting hired in London wasn’t easy. While still based in Singapore, An Lyn began job-hunting in January, sending out applications and setting up virtual coffee chats with professionals in the UK luxury industry. After months of no responses, a connection sent her a job listing for Jessica McCormack.
She took a chance, emailed both HR and the Head of Marketing directly, and managed to score an interview. It was her first (and only) interview offer after four to five months of job search.
“I knew I had to ace it,” she recalls. “I had the disadvantage of not being from the UK, and also not being physically present for the interview. And I believe they saw my potential because they offered me the role!”
Compared to her earlier move to New York, where she arrived jobless and worked unpaid for three months before landing a role at Diane von Furstenberg, having an income in London provided some financial breathing room.
Checking out Daunt Books in Marylebone.
A day in her life
On weekdays, An Lyn commutes to her office in Queen’s Park by tube. She usually meal-preps and brings lunch to save money. After work, she heads home, goes for a run in Regent’s Park, then cooks dinner and winds down with a Netflix show in bed.
Weekends are a mix of long-distance calls with loved ones in Singapore and exploring the city with friends. She also expands her network through Telegram and WhatsApp groups for the Singaporean community in London.
“The thing I’m most happy about is that there is a huge community of Singaporeans here, and I have quite a few good friends with me, so I never feel too alone,” she shares.
Touching grass at Regent Park.
Every pound counts
Adjusting to London’s cost of living has been a steep learning curve. Initially living in a central, upscale neighbourhood, An Lyn quickly realised it wasn’t sustainable on her salary after an unexpected rent increment. She’s now relocating to a more affordable area, cutting her rent and utilities to £1,125 (about S$1,900) per month from over £1,300 (about S$2,200).
Cafe date with friends.
Here’s how she roughly budgets her monthly expenses:
£1,125 – Rent and utilities
£200 (about S$340) – Groceries
£500 (about S$860) – Social life (dining out, brunches, events, shows)
£200 – Shopping (though she tries to limit fashion spending for now)
£10 (about S$20) – Mobile phone plan
£200 to £300 (about S$510) – Savings for future travel around Europe
When it comes to what she spends the most on, she reveals, “Food and experiences! Since moving here two weeks ago, I have spent some money on household items and essentials, but I do put most of my money into having meals with friends and buying tickets for events or shows.”
She also advises that it’s a good practice to plan your finances. “Make a budget and stick to it as much as possible. Ways to save money are cooking more, only buying the essentials, making use of good deals and discounts and saving on the small things, which can really make a difference. And of course, make sure you reward yourself for achieving your financial goals.”
Catching a musical like this is one of the perks of moving to London.
What she left behind and what she’s gained
Leaving Singapore wasn’t easy. She gave up her beloved rental flat at The Pinnacle @ Duxton, the convenience of affordable hawker food, and the comfort of being surrounded by family. She now sees her loved ones maybe once a year instead of every weekend. Even more difficult is maintaining a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend, who remains in Singapore.
“These last two things might be the hardest to have to give up,” she says. “Despite the difficulties, I don’t regret the move.”
To her, the challenges are a necessary trade-off. “[Living overseas] toughens you as a person. And in return, I get to live and work in one of the most vibrant global cities in the world, where everything and anything you can think of is happening. I also get to travel to Europe more often and for a much cheaper price, so I’m actually getting to see the world.”
Her advice for others looking to do the same
As with all major lifestyle changes, moving to London isn’t for everyone. “You really have to want it,” she says. “We live such a comfortable life back home in Singapore, [but] to live here you’d have to be okay with being a little more scrappy, more independent and flexible with your living standards, especially if you’re on a budget.”
Now, a few weeks into her London journey, An Lyn is still settling in. She’s finding her rhythm, making her new house a home, and planning her European getaway. But she’s exactly where she wants to be, building her dream life, one pound at a time.