Where should Sarah live?
From time to time I like to use this blog to solve problems collectively. In the past we’ve provided career advice, consoled someone on losing their job, clubbed together to produce the most comprehensive review guide in existence, and so on. Today we are going to help veteran blog reader Sarah with the question: where in Britain should she live? Below a recent post, she wrote this:
I’ve all but made up my mind that I should move to the UK after my stay at the Edinburgh festival this year. So basically, starting Aug 29th I am looking for somewhere to live and a job. If any watsonians work in the health/life sciences, or know someone who does, I’d love to have a chance to pick their brains about what they do, where they work, and what their jobs are like.
Also, if anyone is looking for a flatshare in September, that would be great. And a question for all the UK-based watsonians, what is great about your city? I more or less have my pick of the litter in terms of where to live, my decision will likely be job-related, but I’d love to hear what you guys have to say about where you are.Oh, and one more thing. Anyone who’s moved between countries have any advice for me? I have lived in the same house my whole life (apart from moving a 2 hour drive away to uni), so any tips on adjusting to a new country would also be great.
I know this sounds like a lot to ask, but Watsonians are a delightful bunch of smart people, and I need all the help I can get to prevent me from imploding with stress about these decisions.
So, I’d like your nominations for cities/towns (either your own, or just one you think is nice). Why should someone move there? Although Sarah doesn’t know it yet, I’m going to make sure she does move to whichever town has the best case made for it. So this poll has potential legal ramifications.
Personally – to start the ball rolling – I’d like to make a case for Bristol. Loads of green space, a manageably-sized city centre, good nightlife without being intimidating, some handsome architecture, and quite an endearing accent. But I’m possibly biased, since just yesterday I was named in Bristol Zoo’s 50 Prominent Bristolians for the Walk of Fame. You might remember I tried to canvas your votes a couple of months ago, and it seems to have worked, getting me ahead of some much more prominent people. So thank you very much, if you;re one of those who bothered to do that. I hope my little engraved name isn’t in the reptile house or anywhere like that.
Anyway – enough about me being a Bristol legend – if you have advice for Sarah, post it for her or send it to me on Twitter and I’ll pass it on. Let’s try and make sure she ends up somwhere nice, shall we? She’s our guest.
Posted by marcus aloisi on March 31, 2011
Coventry is a clean city with a low rate of crime. The buses have friendly drivers.
Posted by Clembear on March 7, 2011
@h2oSarah
Ah, I didn’t mean people home sickness (although that happens to and you have to make an effort), but cultural homesickness. Its weird, but its things like missing foods or streets or activities or places. When I left the UK, I ended up missing drizzle, marmalade, and the gongs on the News at Ten. And things like what the country looks like. The landscape feels different – the plants, curve of the land, and the air are different. Its weird.
Posted by h2osarah on March 4, 2011
@Clembear
Thanks for your advice!
Yeah, as the time nears, I’ll try my best to sort out most of those admin tasks. But first I need to work out a work visa and a job. If I don’t have an apartment when I move, I’d be planning on spending time with Misha and other twitter folk until I find myself an place to live. I’ve had a few offers already for sofas to sleep on.
Packing: I’d like to move with just 2 suitcases. I have VERY little worth keeping in my student apartment. Probably just clothes and a few other bits. Not worth moving this junk. I’ll probably bring my laptop and not much else electronics-wise.
I’m ready for homesickness, I’ve got skype and stuff to keep in touch with my family. I already live 2 hours from my family home and very rarely feel the need to go home anymore. Having friends there already should help.
Posted by Hannahq on March 4, 2011
Move to Brighton!
Its got loads of amazing tiny quirky shops in the Laines, loads of restaurants, cafes, nightlife etc. Also, I think I heard somewhere it has the most pubs per square mile of anywhere in the UK. AND it’s got a beach (althouhg its pebbly, its lovely) and apier, and its only an hour away by train from London Victoria, and we’ve got the Pavilion (Regency Palace) right in the centre of town with all its gardens around it. And the buses are really good. And the seafront is just really pretty. And we’ve got a relatively low crime rate. Its super-nice. Live here.
Posted by Clembear on March 4, 2011
London, London, London.
Seriously, its one of the world’s most interesting cities – food, culture, museums, art, nightlife, parks, politics, shopping. Connected easily to the rest of Europe etc. Well worth it but it is expensive.
As someone who’s moved countries four times, tips are as follows.
Admin: bank accounts, taxes, visas, setting up bills, accomodation. All are very doable, but look into how to do each before you arrive. Particularly tax situation. Fundamentally make sure you can access money, this makes everything better. Credit cards can be an issue – Amex isn’t that accepted here, Visa, Mastercard are. Will you stay in a hotel when you arrive, prepare to budget for that.
Packing: You’ll probably do suitcases then freight the rest? Bring less, you’ll probably buy it over here. Especially electronics, buying endless converters grates a bit. Bring stuff you like though.
General: Be prepared to miss the familiar. This is homesickness and very normal.
Posted by h2osarah on March 4, 2011
To everyone, but especially Margaret,
I am currently doing my MSc in Neuroscience, and also have a BSc in Life Sciences in the research stream, both at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. I enjoy neuroscience and find the link between brain and behaviour fascinating, but I am not limiting my search to a job in neuroscience.
My general, Life Science degree has provided me a pretty solid background and an ability to adapt without a lot of trouble to a varied array of Health Sciences. My time doing research has given me skills for working with animals (animal care being something I find quite rewarding and exciting, hence the zoo mention) as well as running clinical studies (which would also be something that I would enjoy). On top of that, my degrees have given me a good founding for data collection, analysis and interpretation as well as scientific writing.
Because of that, I wanted to keep my description pretty broad. I’m quite flexible and would have no problems starting my career in a field that’s new to me. The other reason I kept my description so broad was to see if I could get anyone to respond. Becuase even if there was someone who had a job I wouldn’t enjoy/wasn’t qualified for, I might still want to talk to that person because there could be related jobs that would suit me.
Thanks for reading my little bit of self-promotion, if you did. Any input would be very much appreciated.
Posted by Katie D on March 4, 2011
The 3 years I spent as one of Bristol’s many many students were the best of my life. It’s rare to find nasty people, it rains a LOT but when it’s sunny it’s absolutely beautiful. Even the dodgy bits of the city are full of wonderful people, the buildings are amazing, culture is amazing…what more could you want!!
If you do end up in London for work, you could always live outside London an commute in, I live in Chatham in Kent at the minute with my family and there is a new (expensive) High speed train service that’ll get you into North London in 36 minutes. Not that Chatham is a nice place. At all. Seriously, don’t move to Chatham. It’s neighbouring city of Rochester is lush though!
Posted by MargaretL on March 3, 2011
Sarah, regarding your job search, perhaps it would help if you gave some pointers about which discipline within Health Sciences you’re interested and/or qualified in? It’s such a broad subject, covering numerous professions, so further details could be helpful and might lead to suggestions and advice from someone working in your specific field?
Posted by h2osarah on March 3, 2011
@Suzanne I’ve got a lot of twitter and forum folk based in the UK, and I’ll probably annoy the hell out of them/you guys for the first little while until I get settled. And I figure that through work, comedy gigs and possibly joining a recreational sports team, I should find some new friends without too long. It’s not a bad idea though!
@ Everyone Thanks for your brilliant suggestions guys! I’m keeping a tally chart. Now, if only I could find a job somewhere. Even better if it’s in one of the higher ranking cities!
Posted by Suzanne, aka Senior on March 3, 2011
Firstly congratulations, Mark!!! Was only wondering about it last week so excellent timing with the info … I haven’t been to the Zoo for umpteen years so will have to go again to see you immortalised (hope it’s not painful!)…
Sarah, I’m originally from East Anglia but, having lived most of my life near Bristol, I agree with all the other advocates who tell you that it’s a vibrant, multi-cultured, historic and beautiful city …
And it has the advantage of being within a 10 minute train journey of another city boasting a long and illustrious history ie Bath! Two great cities for the price of one! An absolute bargain!
This area is also a great place to be based and is within easy reach of so many other places of interest …
Perhaps we should find out where the majority of Watsonians are based thus providing you with the most ready made friends??? The first thing you need and encounter in a new location is PEOPLE … to befriend and help you settle in … Just a thought!
Wishing you luck in your great adventure!!!
Posted by Sarah on March 3, 2011
Not gonna lie, I got a bit freaked out when I saw the title of this blog post!!
Posted by Rhian on March 3, 2011
I agree with DeborahF, Sheffield is great. I moved back here, having studied at the uni, and being away for a few years. The main reasons were for proximity to the Peak District, affordable housing (compared to London), and lots of stuff to do – gigs, theatre, cinema etc. It doesn’t have the most fab restaurant scene (there’s a lot of quantity over quality, and meat – not so good for veggies), but it is improving. It is pretty central to the rest of the UK too – good train connections to London, and the north. It’s not so much a pretty tourist destination, but it’s very liveable in (if that doesn’t sound too twonkish).
Posted by Craig Tubb on March 3, 2011
Not Essex.
Not Liverpool.
Not Devon.
Posted by Laura on March 3, 2011
Well done on the zoo thing, Mark. I would like to add that I didn’t vote because I couldn’t decide if it was ethically acceptable as I couldn’t find out much about the zoo itself. Had I have voted it would have been for you, obviously.
Posted by Beth (Doomed1) on March 3, 2011
Firstly – Reptile house is the only place to be at the zoo!!
I also vote for Bristol – and now Mark I can let you know that ive completed two of my major TYSIC challanges! I will be moving to Bristol at the end of the month to move in with my boyfriend in a lovely flat by the harbour, and starting my new job as a project assistant for renewable energy projects!!
Which im pretty sure is very grown up! I’ve also been helping at my local brownies for about 10 years, and im now moving up to being a guide leader!!
So Bristol – My favourite thing is there is always something going on in Bristol – random music and food festivals!! without being too big, its a beautiful city! with lots to do!! your nto too far from the countryside! Shopping is great, lovely food places to discover! and its the home of cider!
No competition!
Posted by EmT on March 3, 2011
Can I put in a slightly controversial (what with Bristol being so popular with others) vote for Bristol’s smaller neighbour and my former home city of Bath. Pretty, surrounded by stunning countryside, great atmosphere. Just seen that Lydia has also suggested Bath so I am very much backing her up. If I could get another job there I would move there right now (and I would need a flatmate!). Bath is slightly expensive but I thought it was definitely worth it.
Now I am off to dwell on my memories of my lovely flat, all my old friends and that stunning city while I sit here in our dull office in Kingston Upon Thames.
Posted by Josh (the magnificent one) on March 3, 2011
City wise. I’m voting for Bristol and Sheffield, despite having never lived in either, for all of the reasons discussed below.
Sheffield is rather hill-orientated though, if you don’t like that sort of thing, and I suppose Bristol has its moments in that department.
Posted by Catriona on March 3, 2011
I would have to say Edinburgh, it really is lovely here… apart from the winter when it is cold. It’s just about the right size, not too big, you can walk most places, nice parks etc etc. Plus you already like it!
Also the zoo is quite nice even if it doesn’t have Mark’s name somewhere.
Posted by Benjamin on March 3, 2011
Move to Cambridge. It’s like Oxford just smaller and nicer.
Posted by Jen on March 3, 2011
I’m an American studying for a semester in York. Which means I haven’t seen too much yet outside of York, sadly. (I was just in Edinburgh last weekend, however, and admit it’s a glorious city, if too hilly to walk around all day without ending up exhausted) Despite my limited experience, I’d still have to suggest York. It’s a good size, full of things to do, dripping with history, and set in an entertainingly confusing layout but full of enough distinctive landmarks that I’m never lost for too long.
Posted by h2osarah on March 3, 2011
@ Cathy
I am applying for a UK ancestry visa, since my Granny was born in Scotland. It’s not points-based so I don’t think they can really refuse you if you have all the adequate supporting documentation. Which I do. I don’t have a job yet, but I’m looking. Part of that looking involves begging online communities for any contact info so that I’m not just cold-calling people. I’m terrified, but just after finishing my degree, before I have a place to call my own, boyfriend, or job seems the ideal time to go.
@Rick
I love Edinburgh, I went for 5 days in 2008 and I was swept off my feet like a lovestruck teenager. Seriously, completely obsessed by it in every way. I’ve been back in 2009 and 2010 for 2 weeks each time and I still love it. I’ve got 3 weeks there this year and I’m giddy at the thought!
I will take you up on that offer of a tour, I have just added you on twitter so if you think of anybody in health sciences, let me know. They don’t have to work somewhere that’s hiring or anything, but I’m just trying to get my name out there, and gather advice on where might employ me.
@Lisa
THANK YOU!
1) I was definitely going to do that anyway. I hate most of the stuff that I have here, becuase it’s all borrowedfrom my family. I’m a student, so I’m not partial to very much here. If I could move with 2 suitcases, I’d be thrilled.
2) I like London when I’ve been there, but it’s currently tied for 6th in places recommended by people here, and I don’t think I could deal with such a massive city, although I’d like to be near it for shows and stuff.
3) That is excellent advice and I hadn’t thought of that. I don’t have a lot of money right now, but I’m hoping to line up a job before moving. That said, I need to work a lot harder to find one.
Posted by Lisa D on March 3, 2011
Sarah,
I can’t join in the recommended locations argument not being from there, but I have don’t the expat thing so here’s two cents of advice:
1) Get rid of most of your stuff. Shipping it is a nightmare, storage is either expensive or annoying for your family and if you haven’t moved a lot in your life than chances are you have a LOT of stuff you don’t need. Clothes that only sort of fit, books that you read once & so forth. Be brutal. It can be hard to do but a surprising relief as well.
2) A mid-sized city is better than a massive metropolis. You’ll be adjusting to a lot of stuff all at once, adding the pressure of navigating a city that is both strange and huge can really overwhelm ones mind. If you do end up choosing London, I humbly suggest sticking to your neighborhood as much as possible for the first few months. You’re going to be living there; you don’t need to see everything in the first week.
3) Whatever you think it’s going to cost, double it. Make the biggest, worst-case scenario, all possibilities covered estimate, and then double it. Moving to another country is fantastic, but it is also like being in a trapeze act with total strangers and no net. You might make friends easily and quickly but “lend me a tenner ’til payday” friends take time to gain. There are going to be expenses no one mentioned and emergencies no one saw coming. Even with a job already lined up things can go awry. And you want to be able to save asking your parents for circumstances more dire than your computer crashing or your bike chain breaking on the way to work (both of which happened to me in my first week in Paris).
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on March 3, 2011
Sarah,
I went to England for vacation a long time ago (Nov. 1997). I was in London and in a small town/village in Cornwall. I saw Stonehenge from the highway. My vote goes to Cornwall because the clotted cream and treacle was to die for. Haven’t had it since. Really miss that at tea time.
London was okay. I’ve never lived in a big city, but have visited Atlanta, New York and Madrid. I liked that there was lots to do, metro, and plenty of history. I’ve never been to Essex, but Eddie Izzard lived there. So they must have a sense of humor in Essex. I guess the same can be said for Bristol since Mark is from there. I’m partial to an Irish accent, but you can always visit there.
Also how does one immigrate to the UK? I thought it was virtually impossible to get a job and live there if you were not from an EU country. I envy you, Sarah. What a wonderful adventure you have ahead of you.
Cathy x
Posted by Rick Procter on March 3, 2011
Hi Sarah – delighted to hear you’re charmed by the UK. Yeah, Edinburgh is terrific isn’t it?
I wholeheartedly recommend Bristol as a place to live. As well as what MW has said, a key point is it’s overall size – big enough that loads is going on (whatever you’re into, you’ll find it in Bristol) but colossal like London, which is a hellishly busy urban shock for anyone not used to it. Bristol is not unlike Edinburgh in fact – a bit bigger too, although not quite as pretty (or as busy in August).
It’s just a really cool place – lots of quality pubs, cafes, shops, streets… Come to Bristol and I’ll happily give you a tour, introduce you to a few of my lovely friends, and all that. I must know someone who works in health science, let me think…
Posted by Beth on March 2, 2011
Sarah, I know it’s so cliche, but I have to say London. It’s…dirty, and smelly, and can be dangerous, and it’s hideously expensive, and lots of people are rude, and when the tube goes wrong it goes REALLY wrong, and it’s already overcrowded…but I really, truly, honestly cannot understand why anyone would live anywhere else.
No matter what you like doing, you can do it in London, or a nice convenient daytrip from London if your thing is trekking through the countryside. We have 270 languages and over 300 nationalities, and all those people have brought their food and produce and culture with them.
I have lived in London for 4 years now. I’m moving back to Australia after the Olympics, and I’m already terribly depressed about it because I know that even after 5.5 years I won’t be done with London.
It genuinely is the most amazing city in the entire world!
Posted by Josh (the magnificent one) on March 2, 2011
What’s wrong with the reptile house?
That’s one of my favourites.
That and the Ruddy Duck enclosure.
Posted by DeborahF on March 2, 2011
How about Sheffield? I like it as a city. It’s not huge but has two universities with science faculties and a range of hospitals including a Children’s hospital as well as specialist cancer and dental hospitals. There are also a few science/pharmaceutical companies around, but I don’t know much about them. Anyway that might help with getting a job over here.
As far as nightlife, having lots of students usually guarantees good bars and clubs. For a more cultured evening there is the Crucible and Lyceum theatres, the City Hall which has a programme of bands and comedy. There is an art-house style cinema as well as an arena for larger events.
If you’re interested in taking part or watching sport you’d be spoilt for choice what with two football clubs, ice hockey and basketball teams, and a competition standard swimming pool complex. Then a little further out there is the Don Valley stadium which sometimes hosts national athletic events and even a speedway stadium.
Sheffield is also just on the edge of the Peak District National Park with acres of stunningly beautiful moorland and rolling hills, with lots of cycle trails, footpaths, bridle paths and some of the best rock climbing in the country.
I think I’ve probably waffled on enough – but you can always check out this website for more info – http://www.creativesheffield.co.uk/LiveInSheffield
Posted by lisan66 on March 2, 2011
I have never been in/lived in the UK, but my vote would be for somewhere in Scotland just because of the accent
Posted by Alice on March 2, 2011
I’m also putting in a vote for Bristol (there’s a chance it will score high on this blog), as someone who moved here last summer. It has The Downs which makes for extensive parkland, Clifton Village for chichi restaurants, a zoo that honours our leader, but for me the attraction is the culture. This city is stuffed to the gills with people who have a ‘get on with it’ attitude to making art, theatre or music which means there’s something going on at any given time. It boasts three producing theatres, art galleries are popping up throughout the centre and there are countless live music venues. And some of the loveliest restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating in.
As for the life sciences I’m afraid I’m not able to give even an educated guess but there are two universities so it’s entirely possible something like you’re looking for is available. I manage to live here very simply but having lived in the north I can definitely see why some would say the south’s an expensive place. But I manage on a barmaid’s wage supplemented by acting, so someone with real qualifications may well fair better anyway!
Well that’s my two cents for Bristol, City of Dreams. Leeds is also nice, went to uni there, so I’ve a rather rose-tinted, romantic view of it so should let someone who lives there as an adult back that one.
Posted by Ingrid on March 2, 2011
Sarah, I think you should move to Oxford!
I dont live there, and I’ve only been once, but by god i love it! It is stunningly beautiful, the colleges are like something form story books. There is a lovely garden place, the streets are all cobbled and there is this market thing thats just so great. Also there’s an awesome bakery that make the most amazing cakes I’ve ever seen (or eaten)! xx
Posted by Kate B on March 2, 2011
Sarah- I have to agree with Mark on Bristol, although I’ve never lived there it is one of my favourite cities. But I would also like to suggest my own town of Cambridge. It has beautiful architecture, including some of the best colleges in the UK and it’s big enough to always have something to do but not so big as to make you feel insignificant or overcrowded. It also has very pretty scenery with the river Cam, the Botanic Gardens and lots of really nice fields and parks. It is also only a 45 minute train ride to London. However, housing can be pretty expensive if that is an issue and there are lots of tourists. But it’s really nice I promise and I imagine it’s a pretty good place for sciences.
Mark- Well done of getting on Bristol Zoo Walk of Fame! Great news.
Posted by A lot of Rachels on March 2, 2011
I think I’ll go for Bristol as well. I always love visiting my family there and yeah I like it. But maybe a bit expensive?
Posted by MusicalLottie on March 2, 2011
Sarah:
Oh, Cardiff is lovely! I’m a country girl through and through but instantly fell in love with Cardiff the first time I visited. Obviously that’s not as good a recommendation as from somebody living there, but I know a few who live either in the city or close by and they all love it too.
Due to the relatively small size of the UK, you could live in the countryside but still near enough to a city if you wanted, providing you either have your own transport or pick somewhere that has good public transport. I see somebody mentioned St. Albans; whilst nice, there’s also Harpenden which feels a little more rural (but it’s on the same train line as St. Albans).
Mark:
I’m rather more pleased than I feel I have any right to be about your inclusion in the walk of fame
Posted by Alex on March 2, 2011
TOOOOOOOOOON!
Ahem. I vote for Newcastle, for much the same reasons you gave for Bristol (I like Bristol), whilst also being much, much cheaper. Like, seriously cheap. It’s brilliant- really friendly etc, but more than anything it just sort of inspires this huge pride in anyone who’s lived there for even a few months. I’m moving in on 4 years now, so it pretty much feels like home. Amazing place. It’s also much closer to Edinburgh than most of the rest of England if you want to get there cheaply, but that’s just extra detail.
I LOVE THE TOON. (Living there for too long does make you shout things like that at seemingly random intervals)
I’d also like to put in a good word for Birmingham. lt’s great if you’re willing to put up with people thinking you come from a shithole without ever having actually been there. And the accent. The accent isn’t great. The city is though, I promise. It’s quite big though- that’s another great thing about Newcastle, it feels like a big city, and has pretty much everything you could want, whilst actually being relatively small and easy to get around.
Really I think places you don’t want to live are more important. To that end: Middlesbrough. Not great. Really.
Posted by Sephy on March 2, 2011
Move to Manchester! brilliant nightlife, friendly people, great hospitals which is good if you work in health sciences, You get to live in a buzzing city but the rents are miniscule compared to London. And the peak district is half an hour away if you’re into that sort of thing. I moved to Birmingham when I started Uni but I’m desperate to move back, I really miss it. xxx
Posted by h2osarah on March 2, 2011
Thanks for your input guys! I’ve created an excel spreadsheet with city names, a +/- count and little comments. My decision will be largely based upon where someone is willing to hire me, so if anyone has contacts in the health/life sciences, or… I dunno… bristol zoo *coughs loudly* let me know. Anything other than sending job applications in cold would be greatly helpful.
Posted by Beth on March 2, 2011
My vote is for Newcastle. There are two universities and the centre for life is world leading in terms of research. It isn’t too big or too small and there are plenty of green spaces including the town moor (which has cows on it!). The nightlife is great and the people are friendly. It is close to the beach which is lovely in the summer and finally house prices/ rent are very low!
Posted by Kathryn on March 2, 2011
I did not know Cambridge was good for science. Although I suppose it’s kind of obvious; I’m surrounded by labs and stuff, and apparently the local hospital is huge and good for research projects or something. Don’t quote me on that- it’s quite clear I don’t know much about it…
Anyway, it is a lovely city, small and historic and very pretty, particularly if you like grand architecture. It’s also incredibly safe to walk around at night, which is a sharp contrast to home for me. And as I proved on Monday night, it’s very quick and simple to get in and out of London if you happen to want to go to live radio broadcasts and such things. We do tend to get comedians coming here as well.
The downside is always the cost. I’m living in halls/in college so I don’t have a good sense of things like rent but in general it is a very expensive place to live even if you’re only buying food and books. And the sheer volume of cyclists is a general annoyance, unless you’re cycling in which case it’s the clueless pedestrians and the people in cars who don’t understand the concept of a pedestrian zone. I have issues with the lack of green space near where I live but there are some trees and parks and a river and things about the place.
That’s my fairly terrible advocacy of Cambridge. I have nowhere else to compare it against except home- Bangor (Ireland, not Wales) which is lovely but unfortunately across a bit of water.
Posted by cymruangel on March 2, 2011
Mark – awesome news about the zoo.
Sarah – Welcome (in advance of August)!
I’m not an expat, but I know serveral, most of whom have been settled here for many years. My advice would be to go for a big, well-known UK city as there are more likely to be other expats around who can help you out. That said, if you’re coming from Australia/New Zealand/ America/Canada, you should be fine anywhere, and there are also lots of localised diasporas (like the Italians in South Wales).
For health/ life sciences, university towns like London (obviously), Cardiff, Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge are good (the latter two with good transport links to London), and also Nottingham, where the university is part-funded by a leading UK pharmaceutical store (Boots).
Posted by Dan on March 2, 2011
St Albans, its 20 minutes on the train to London and its very nice
Posted by DiB (Sue) on March 2, 2011
I can only comment on Bristol as a place to live and work, although I left in 1988, so any info I could pass on would be well out of date.
But I can comment on adjusting to a new country, having moved across the world from Bristol to Brisbane. The best way to describe it is, it’s an adventure… Things will probably seem different to what you expected. You might miss your friends, then you might miss your family. But you will make new friends, and let’s face it, you have a lot of online friends already, so you are already ahead of the game.
In the future you might go back home for a holiday. Before you leave you might feel nostalgic, when you get home you will either want to go back to the UK to pack your bags and move back home, or you will remember why you left!
One last thing… life in the UK is not like Eastenders and Coronation Street. (At least that’s how we felt when we realised Brisbane was not quite like Neighbours).
Posted by Misha on March 2, 2011
Mind you if i’m being really biased I vote London, because I love it and intend to move there as soon as I can.
Posted by Misha on March 2, 2011
I’m going to start out by saying NOT COVENTRY. Goodness knows it’s really quite a grotty place to live.
I would however cheerfully put in a vote for Bristol. From what i’ve seen of it it’s a nice city, has some good comedy, good links with London and of course the glorious Bristolian accent.
It’s also 20 minutes on the train from me. Not that i’m biased or anything.
I’ve also got a few good things to say for Cardiff; the people are generally all very pleasant and friendly. (Not counting that one tosser in the night club back in september) I live here (again, not that i’m biased) it’s close to Bristol. Reasonable travel links with London, it’s about 3 hours by train. Comedy scene is nice, there’s a few good pubs and it’s pretty cheap living wise. I’m in a flatshare next year for £650 a month. Which is fairly reasonable for a 2 bed flat 10 minutes walk from central Cardiff.
Either way, the offer to marry you for British citizenship still stands
Posted by Lydia on March 2, 2011
Well done on the zoo thing, it’s awesome.
I’ve only ever lived in Devon so I don’t really know where else is good. I probably wouldn’t recommend Devon (particularly the Torbay area). It’s nice and everything, and I do like living here, but… It’s just kind of lacking in stuff to do (apart from when Mark came, lol). But then I suppose everyone says that about where they live.
I really like Bath though. It’s pretty, there’s a lot there and it’s fairly easy to find your way around. And they have weird statues scattered around, which are kind of cool. The literary festivals are really fun, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Posted by Rachael on March 2, 2011
I think Cambridge is nice, it isn’t too big so you get lost all the time and there are lots of parks. But rent here is super expensive. So, I would vote for Norwich. It is a nice size (again), has everything you need but isn’t so expensive. Plus you can always hop on the train to just abouts anywhere. Plus, according to the New York Times it is a great place for book lovers, Norfolk is the place to be.
Posted by Andrew on March 2, 2011
Although it’s completely against my nature to be parochial, I have to say that having lived most of my life in Oxford it compares favourably to many other cities. Although it is not the city people imagine it to be (I saw Andrew Lawrence recently and he alluded to exactly this misconception, saying that he’d spent time here and he knew full well that Oxford is one third university, one third tourists and one third scumbags – a rather brilliant appraisal), it is nevertheless very easy on the eye, has a vibrant cultural life and hosts a whole bunch of potential employers for someone working in health/life sciences (indeed, I am typing this looking out over the Oxford Science Park). It is also very convenient for the Kassam Stadium.
Having gone to university there I can also recommend Bristol, although since I haven’t been back in 20 years it may have changed somewhat. I bet that lovely little record shop halfway up Park Street – the one where you had to walk through the second hand clothes in the front of the store first – isn’t there any more. If I never go back I can just remember it that way.
Posted by amycool on March 2, 2011
Well done on the zoo front! I bet they didn’t expect the celebrities to do canvassing. Your fame and influence worked!
My advice to Sarah would be not to live in Stockport. It’s okay, but really not worth moving to another country for.
One of my favourite cities is York. Very pretty, it has a nice river, lots of museums and quaint shops. I guess the only downside would be lots of tourists but at least the accent won’t stand out.