South West Factsheet


Introduction to the South West

The South West has a great deal to offer when it comes to work/life balance. The South West traditionally encompasses: Wiltshire, Avon, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Gloucestershire with the major legal markets being found in the cities of Bristol, Bath and Exeter. The South West has and continues to offer an excellent quality of life particularly attractive to those currently living in London and seeking an easier way of life without sacrificing quality of work and career progression.


The Legal Market

In recent years the South West has become a force to be reckoned with within the legal market both regionally and nationally. A number of traditionally regional focused firms have spread their wings and have client lists boasting many well known local, national and international clients.

The work on offer in the South West is of excellent quality and having been seen by many as not being in a position to offer the quality of work to be found in London but this is most definitely no longer the case. In the majority of firms the quality of work is as good as if not better than that undertaken in London practices. Many of the firms are smaller than those in London firms, and so levels of responsibility and interaction with clients are commonly higher. Lawyers who make the move often succeed in ensuring a positive career development path and can be offered greater opportunities.


Money Matters

Salary packages in the South West tend to be lower than those in London but the cost of living is considerably cheaper therefore making the South West a very affordable option. It will, of course, depend on which firm you join as to the remuneration package you will receive. It is standard practice that you will receive similar benefits packages as those offered throughout the country including pension and health insurance.

Approximate salaries are as follows

 

Averages across SW

Bristol

NQ

25000-41000

37500-41000

1

30000-45000

40000-46500

2

35000-50000

42000-51000

3

36000-55000

44000-57000

4

40000-58000

46000-60000

5

46000-60000

48000-65000

6

48000-65000

50000-70000





Average property prices*

Bristol

Bath

Exeter

London

Flats

151,068

216,372

131,850

252,465

Terraced House

166,084

247,988

192,591

260,969

Semi-detached House

197,127

253,883

214,297

253,703

Detached House

293,610

385,054

325,701

406,185


* Figures for Apr-Jun 2009, www.upmystreet.com


After Work

The South West has a great deal to offer to keep you entertained outside of working hours. Within an hour or two of the main cities you have the coast around both Devon and Cornwall including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Jurassic Coast, Cornwall and West Devon Mining landscape and a huge number of National Trust and English Heritage properties and gardens. All the major cities boast excellent theatres, museums and galleries offering a huge variety of productions and exhibitions. If you want to get further afield within the area then there are excellent motorway links and also the international airports of Bristol and Exeter.


Useful Websites:
www.westcountrynow.com
www.bristol.gov.uk
www.bathnes.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk
www.medicsonthemove.co.uk

For more information on living and working in the South West, contact your advising consultant, Zoe Discombe at Garfield Robbins International on +44 (0) 845671 0187. Email: zoe@garfieldrobbins.com

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