Craigslist for both.  Canvas potential places to live to see if they have job offerings that appeal to you/that you are qualified for and housing you are able to afford. 

best way to look is online in the field you want to work and then call the places directly and ask as many questions as you can. Send in your resume through their HR rep via email and try to get a solid interview then go there and do that. Don't move till you got the job for sure and then get you a place. I'd save up enough money to rent and maybe live off of for a small amount of time during the transitional period but if you gotta do it on shorter notice then get a loan and use it to live there.

I'd get a credit card for smaller expenses and use a loan for renting an apartment or something.

They got alot of online sources for offshore work. Rigzone is a major one but just using google for your wanted job position and field will lead you to those places. I like what I do because where I'm working isn't necessarily where I'm gonna live. It might still be miles away. It might be international. So I can pick to live where the fuck ever and still work with alot of different companies. Its harder as an unlicensed though cus I gotta fly myself to my job office or yard where we go to work from there unless we're working international then the employer flies me from the nearest airport to wherever we're working. Some companies do that all of the time though for licensed or unlicensed. It just depends whos willing to dish out what.

I've moved to three different countries now, but I've always applied for jobs weeks before I've moved and saved a shit load to fall back on. Stay in a hostel and you might meet people who are doing the same thing you are.

JMickle do you live in London? I've been here just over two months.

I initially got mine through applying online. What I did was send in my resume with prior training and work experience on it. If you've got any contacts I'd  add that too. Even if you could get a typed letter from your employer mentioning your work ethic or what the fuck ever that helps alot too. My employer only accepts online resumes initially. They use them to sift through potential employees and figure out which one is closest to what they're looking for and then they contact potential employee through internet or phone and a face to face interview is set up.

I wouldn't try too hard when you get into it man. Pretty much speak plainly dress fairly nicely but don't act like something you're not. Try to get a resume typed up that is professional but not riddled with half made up bullshit and if you fit the spot they want you should get hired. I don't know what field you're looking to work in but as a responsible, fairly intelligent young person you shouldn't have a problem getting hired.

Shit I showed up to my interview in plaid shorts and a quicksilver t-shirt or some shit with my hair all bed head lookin and I looked hung over because I had to drive five hours to get there and I probably was hung over and I got the job without a problem. As long as you know the job and your responsibilies, try hard enough and don't act like a shithead you shouldn't have a problem.

I dunno it might be different for me I don't really deal with everyday people like hospitality or some shit they might expect you to look and act all primped up. I pretty much refuse to work for anyone anyways that goes off of what I look like and not how I speak, work, and what I know though.

Also a good note is to keep stuff like training certificates if you've got to take any classes for your work. Keep copies of them and use that too. Also ask any of your supervisers you're cool with for letters of reccomendation that pretty much seals the deal. I got like two different chief mates letters of reccomendation and a captains. I could have gotten more but I haven't planned on moving to another employer atm.

Also if your employer gives quarterly or annual evaluations and they're not mediocre I'd keep and use copies of those too.

I would recommend that you take as few things with you as possible when you move.  When I moved from Omaha to San Diego for graduate school, I only brought 2 dufflebags of things with me, aside from my bicycle.  While that might be on the extreme side, it is a decision I have yet to regret, and there are probably many things you might be surprised how well you can do without.

Oh also on the subject of jobs, you said you want to work in a lab, which is great, but there's something to be wary of when it comes to online job postings.  Many times, especially at universities, those postings are nothing but a formality.  They already have chosen someone for the position, but to satisfy certain bureaucratic requirements, they must announce the position.  When possible, it's best to get some face-time with whoever is involved with the posting, because they will usually be candid about how realistic your prospects are, and whether they have someone in mind for the position.  If you don't have a lot of work experience in laboratories, one thing you might consider is doing volunteer research assistance while working some crappy job on the side to make rent.  It would be a very good opportunity to get to know more people who potentially could get you hired into paying positions.
 
At least, this has been my experience with cognitive science.

For sure, just hit me up

I've been a member of this place forever so might as well meet some of you.

Stay in Nottingham, London is a terrible place to be.

One of these days ill escape!

I agree with Neuropath, even starting out with some volunteer work for what ever field your in, is never a bad thing and at the very least you will get some sort of experience from it.