|
guest
6/13/2001 09:57 EST
" I am being relocated by my company to the UK. I can live anywhere so long as it is close to a train station and within 2 hours of London or a major airport. With such a large range, it is difficult to know where to start to look for rentals. I am wondering if anyone might be able to help! -- My husband and I are looking for a smaller/quiet community, close to hiking/walking trails. Does anyone know of communities that might fit the bill without being extremely expensive? We are looking for anything 800 pounds and less. We are fine with a small flat as I will be traveling quite a bit. Also, if you know of any websites that can help me search communities and see pictures, that would help somewhat. Also, is it possible to get around the UK without a car? I was in Switzerland and very impressed by the ease of the rail system... is the UK anything like it? I would like to use the trains if it is realistic? Anyone have thoughts/experiences? Any other tidbits of information would be greatly appreciated! Thank You! "
Post a Reply
 0 0 abuse
|
|
|
|
|
guest
6/13/2001 10:53 EST
" It sounds as though one of the towns for which you might be looking is Marlow in Bucks (Buckinghamshire County-- one of the Home Counties)! Three weeks ago, I relocated to the UK from the US to join my British fiance. We own a home in Marlow and are looking to use it as a rental property. However, if you weren''t interested in seeing that home, I''m posting a property agent site which I found to be extremely useful... I have been very fortunate to find such genuinely helpful people, and either my fiance or I would be happy to do the same for someone else. Marlow, by the way, is a small, self-sustaining community; most of the people here are upper middle class including a good proportion of commuters. All of your basic needs are within walking distance (much less than 10 minutes) including a well-serviced rail station, bus stations, hair salons, pubs, post, etc. It takes 35-40 by train to get into central London from Marlow. I have been ""on the go"" since my arrival and have been happily surprised to see how easy it is to travel, go grocery shopping-- anything-- without a vehicle. If you''re patient enough to figure out the train tables and willing to ""dive right in"" and ask questions at stations or via the telephone, I think you, too, will find that life will be quite fine without the convenience/inconvenience of a vehicle (parking is often so troublesome that it nullifies the freedom of a car, petrol is about $5/gallon, and sometimes one must go out of her way just to use the motorway when a railway route would be more expedient). I''m actually coming to see the commute as good ""debriefing"", reading, or snoozing time. Please feel to contact me via e-mail. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
guest
6/13/2001 10:56 EST
" It sounds as though one of the towns for which you might be looking is Marlow in Bucks (Buckinghamshire County-- one of the Home Counties)! Three weeks ago, I relocated to the UK from the US to join my British fiance. We own a home in Marlow and are looking to use it as a rental property. However, if you weren''t interested in seeing that home, I''m posting a property agent site which I found to be extremely useful... I have been very fortunate to find such genuinely helpful people, and either my fiance or I would be happy to do the same for someone else. Marlow, by the way, is a small, self-sustaining community; most of the people here are upper middle class including a good proportion of commuters. All of your basic needs are within walking distance (much less than 10 minutes) including a well-serviced rail station, bus stations, hair salons, pubs, post, etc. It takes 35-40 by train to get into central London from Marlow. I have been ""on the go"" since my arrival and have been happily surprised to see how easy it is to travel, go grocery shopping-- anything-- without a vehicle. If you''re patient enough to figure out the train tables and willing to ""dive right in"" and ask questions at stations or via the telephone, I think you, too, will find that life will be quite fine without the convenience/inconvenience of a vehicle (parking is often so troublesome that it nullifies the freedom of a car, petrol is about $5/gallon, and sometimes one must go out of her way just to use the motorway when a railway route would be more expedient). I''m actually coming to see the commute as good ""debriefing"", reading, or snoozing time. Please feel to contact me via e-mail. http://www.net-lettings.co.uk/ http://www.marlowtown.co.uk/ http://ukyankee.8k.com/ I hope I have been helpful in some way. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
guest
6/13/2001 11:01 EST
" I''m sorry ... Marlow is a 1hr train ride from central London not 35-40"" (that''s how long it would take by car during off-peak hours). "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/14/2001 02:07 EST
" I had a company car while I lived in England, but I really didn''t need it. It seemed I just used it for driving the 3 miles to and from work. Parking is a pain and driving was traumatic for a while until I became accustomed to it. It was a hoot to be able to drive my visiting friends around on the left side of the road. But, getting a driving permit is quite a bit harder than in the US and a course is recommended (where you have to put the hand break on everytime you come to a rest!). I think the public transit system is really good in the UK and many, many people use it. I lived in Reading which had regular and frequent non-stop trains to london paddington (~30 min). I never relied on it to get to work, so it might not be as great as I remember. People there did seem to complain about it a lot, but it was always good for me. A couple of times I did have to go into london during peak hours; The trains were late and it was 24 pounds round-trip! I like the way the towns are compact in the center so that shopping is quite easy. There''s also the open markets in the town centres to get fresh meat, produce, and bread. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
guest user
6/14/2001 06:59 EST
" Thanks for the info Kim and Margi! I was supposed to move to Switzerland with the company and then at the last minute they''re changing their minds to the UK... so I had researched a lot of Switzerland and didn''t know how the public transport stacked up in the UK. It sounds like the trains can be quite late sometimes - in Switzerland it''s almost incredible how on time they are. You always pull out at 20 seconds past the time you''re supposed to leave! I did have another question about the rails, though. If you live in a smaller community, is it likely that the town will have a train station, or will you have to rely on Bus connections? Do you know if there is a web page which gives time tables and station information for all of the UK? Finally, in regards to renting an apartment, how much lead time should I expect to wait before moving in? Thanks! Jen "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/14/2001 08:12 EST
" I always used this website for all of my travels in the UK: <a href=""http://sprysgi.sghms.ac.uk/~cspry/links/travel.html""> http://sprysgi.sghms.ac.uk/~cspry/links/travel.html</a> <p> But for some reason the rail link on it isn''t good. For the train times, go here: <a href=""http://www.rail.co.uk/ukrail/planner/planner.htm"">http://www.rail.co.uk/ukrail/planner/planner.htm</a> <p> I found a flat 1 day after my plane landed and it was right by the town centre, and it was clean. I stayed there the whole 1.5 years. I suppose you should give yourself a month (I think most relocation packages give you month of temporary housing). I think the housing situation in the UK is good; you can find decent accomodations pretty quickly. The thing to watch out for is the up-front cost of renting - much higher than in the US. In the US I paid a $200 deposit on my $1000/per apartment + a one-time processing fee of $25. In the UK I paid 1.5 times my rent in the deposit which was almost 1000 pounds (at the time about $1600) + the first months rent + a legal fee of 120 pounds. On top of that, each time I renewed my lease, I had to pay a 60 pound legal fee to the letting agency. It is quite normal to have to pay 1.5 * rent in deposit, but happily I received ALL of it back when I moved out. The other thing is that it is quite common that bathrooms have only a bath and no shower. Many of them try to pretend by having a hose and shower head attached to the faucet, but it''s not a real shower. I''m quite enjoying taking showers now (France seems more modern in terms of plumbing). "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/14/2001 12:58 EST
" London is great-it takes awhile to get settled, but it is worth it. Here is some info for you: Finding a Home: places go FAST! Once you know what you want, be prepared to move quickly. There are numerous online sources and I’ll include two links for you. Both are helpful at determining prices and such. I would suggest that you look at a map of Greater London (you’ll want to buy the A-Z London guide when you get here-it’s a comprehensive street map available at most stores) and figure out a general area that is convenient for you (Greater London includes lots of towns and a broad area). Then, visit some of the towns and see what you think. I literally spent a day taking the tube around the area close to my office exploring each town. In Greater London, all towns will have numerous estate agents on the main street with pictures and details of flats and homes in the window. Once I isolated a few areas, I called estate agents, gave them my requirements, and they set up viewings for me. It took less than a week. I live in Harrow, which is a NW borough of about 200,000 in numerous towns. It is less expensive than Central London, has lots of parks and things, and it takes me about 30-40 minutes to ‘get Central’. As Kim mentioned, be prepared for agency fees and such. And, be prepared for places that are much smaller than in the US, have limited storage, and no dryer (most flats have a washer, no dryer). http://www.propertyfinder.co.uk www.loot.com Utilities: most are paid quarterly, with some having a monthly option. Long-distance companies are not regulated so it is possible to find, for example, charges from 3 to 25pence a minute to call the US. Gas, electric, water, are inline with the US prices (for me anyway). Taxes: we pay a monthly (or annual) council tax, which is similar to US city tax or property tax. This can be expensive, and varies by area. I know someone who pays 50 a month (for a house) and someone who pays 90 a month (for a flat). It is something to consider when working on your budget. Transport: the tube and train system is not great, but it isn’t awful. We all encounter delays, strikes, cancellations, but learn to deal with it. One thing to watch is that most tube trains stop running at midnight, and after that it is either a night bus or a taxi to get home. The buses can take hours, and the taxis can be pricey if you live a bit out. The tube website is www.thetube.com if you need a schedule or fare info. Greater London is divided into zones, with the fare based on the zone(s) you travel in or through. Monthly, weekly, daily passes are available. I’ve gotten around fine on the tube and while I miss my car, I don’t miss car payments, insurance, gas prices, etc. Banks: it can be difficult for some to open an account here, as credit history is checked for UK only, not for your US history. Some get an account right away, it took me 3 months and my US cards charge me conversion fees on all international purchases. Just a caution for you. Clothing: can be as much as 50% higher than in the US, which can be a shocker. Buy your jeans before you come over. Grocery: you’ll find lots of fun markets, fresh produce, bakeries with decent prices. Prices were not as expensive as I expected, except for some American items (as they are imported). See www.americanexpats.co.uk for more info on things to bring, things you can find, things you can’t. Medical care: is free if you are a resident. You register with a DR in your area, fill out a card and are set. It is not always that easy, but the that’s the premise. Your employer might offer private insurance (mine does) and the price is less than in the US. If you take prescriptions or rely on any medications you might want to stock up as not all are available here. (A doctor I saw here had never heard of the allergy pills I take so I get them in the US). Feel free to email if you have questions or need additional info- "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
guest
6/15/2001 01:22 EST
" You might want to look at some of the areas in Surrey, Berkshire, or Buckinghamshire that fall outside of the London Orbital (M25). Public transportation is readily available, but the areas still have a surprising number of trails, forests, fields, and trees. It is quite beautiful out this way. We live in the Windsor/Maidenhead area and find it very easy to go to London (25-40 minutes from Maidenhead station to Paddington station - depending upon which train you catch). The towns along the River Thames are breathtakingly beautiful. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/19/2001 02:13 EST
" Hello - I have been in the UK for about 9 months now and love it. You have quite a range of choices if you can live 2 hours from London! If you stay out of the immediate influence of London, you should be able to find something nice for 800. You might start out with a book I got from Amazon called Living and Working in Britain. It is packed with useful information. There are also some great webs sites for real estate and rentals (""Lettings"" here). Try www.rightmoves.co.uk and www.propertyworld.co.uk. In terms of finding out about places, I think its hard to get a feel for a place remotely, but a good tourbook might be a start. I think that north of London in the midlands (Birmingham-Leicester) is not very interesting (but not bad either), but there are areas to the south and west of London that are stunning. There is good walking almost everywhere - the Brits are very serious about it - just depends on the terrain you prefer. Spend some time doing some web searches - there are a series of websites for towns such as www.thisiswarrington.co.uk for larger towns that have good information. Me, I live out in the country about 1/2 south of Manchester, up north. Will your employer pay for you to go on a visit so you can look around a bit? Or you could take a temp place for a while before settling in. Lots of places rent for just a week at a time, mostly for business travelers. Drop me an email if you like - we could talk more. Lisa. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/19/2001 06:10 EST
" Number One piece of advice: buy LIVING IN LONDON: A Practical Guide, which is published by the Junior League of London and written from advice and knowledge of the members. It has LOTS of info on taxes, banking, school system, driving, housing, etc. See www.jll.org.uk for ordering info. Although it is more London-specific in some ways, it also has very useful advice on expat living in the UK in general. Secondly, Marlow is beautiful but breathtakingly expensive. The book has info on relocation agents, but you should also search for estate and letting agents on a UK specific engine, such as Virgin Net or UKPlus. Also, homesonline.com (or co.uk, but I think it''s .com) has lots of advice. Having also enjoyed Swiss trains, UK cannot begin to hold a candle to that level of comfort or efficiency (or even sticking to the timetable). Some train lines are better than others, but in general, sadly, they all have their problems - simply too many people living outside the capital having to commute in. So, you may want to consider the pros and cons of living too far outside London if you would have to come in every day - a long commute can be exhausting and frustrating, so you come back to only a few hours of countryside peace versus all the hassle. (And, for heavens sake, it''s cold and dark in the evenings for much of the year, so you can''t really enjoy it outside anyway - although when it is warm and light for long evenings for a couple of months, it is glorious!) If you may be travelling abroad a lot, look around the counties of Surrey (especially if you have to go via Gatwick alot), Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and south Oxfordshire (all more accessible for Heathrow). I''m in London, but have heard that the towns around Amersham, Berks, are lovely. "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/25/2001 23:41 EST
" Hello You might want to try www.propertyfinder.co.uk - a really good site with a lot of choice. I can also recommend a private agent in the right area who is very good indeed - shirley Emmerson, e mail address: emmersonsr@aol.com We run a company in Switzerland which specialises in helping people like you and have just spent 6 months finding a new home for a very demanding lclient in the same area tha you are talking about so we have files full of agents detials etc. If you would like to give me a call I''d be happy to run through a few things with you - I am British and know the market very well at the moment because of the above menitoned case. The number is +41 901 555 056 Web address: www.leconcierge.ch Good luck and just let me klnow if we can help yours sincerely Nicola Auf der Maur Le Concierge Zug Switzerland "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
guest
6/26/2001 07:36 EST
" I think I''m more interested (at this point) in the York area. Does anyone live there and if so how do you like it? Also, how difficult is it to get to airports (Manchester or LHR/LGW)? Thanks!!! Jen "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
guest user
6/26/2001 08:29 EST
" I just recently moved (less than 3 weeks ago) from NY to the UK and am working in London. I have gotten a flat in Windsor, and can highly recommend the town (not to mention, having the castle in town is kind of cool to brag about to the friends back home.) This town has a lot of the amenities and lots of park space (not to mention sitting on the Thames.) For getting into London, it''s about 30 minutes on the Thames Trains if you time it correctly. While most of the things that I need are available around the town centre, I dont think that I am going to be able to get along for long without a car of some sort (havent gotten it yet, but was browsing the board looking to see if anyone had any experiences or other thoughts.) "
Post a Reply
00abuse
|
|
|
|
|
|
