I hate you Northerners.

mizzbiz

The thing with London is that it's where all the jobs and money are, hence where everybody wants to be and where about 95% of tourist money goes. As it's so crowded, naturally the demand and price for houses reflects this.

By contrast however, I lived in Amsterdam as part of my industrial year at uni and paid the equivelant of £250 for a large room in a nice flat (that's per month). Somehow, despite it's tinyness and amount of people, Amsterdam prices aren't too much worse than any normal place in England. I could certainly afford to live there and have a really good time, where I would have barely survived in London.

I live up in the North East and we have hardly any tourists, even though I live in what was once a thriving holiday destination by the sea. There also aren't so many jobs, and they certainly aren't as highly paid. There aren't as many cafes, psy-trance parties and other cultural to-do's, which make London worth the price.

The thing that we do have up hear is peace, tranquility, lots of countryside, the sea is cheap to live beside (our flat would be five times the amount, if not more, in a comparitive southern area). Mot of all, the poeple are generally lovely up here. I've travelled quite a lot and always had a longing for 'friendly northerners' when i'm away. Also, my foreign friends, when visiting, say the same thing, (once they get over the fact that I live in England but I don't live in LONDON).

If I had the choice (and I suppose I do), I would always stay up here. In fact, when house prices drop a bit more we are looking for a nice cottage in Northumberland which we can repair and live in.

I did live in Wolverhampton rceently for work, and although the countryside was amazing, I hated the people and the way of life (not to mention the accent). Not that I want to offend anyone from the West Midlands, but I would never go back!

neverdespairgirl

HelpWhereIcan wrote: »

After all, how often do families really see eachother more than a few times a month these days?

My parents live about 6 miles away, and my Dad works very near where we live and work.

I tend to see my mother twice a week, on average - one weekday evening, and on Saturdays, as she is doing a singing course near our flat. We also go over to theirs for dinner on Sunday evening quite often.

I see my Dad most weekdays, if only for a cuppa or he pops over to say hi after work.

1sue23

I have lived all over the country and have now settled in Skipton in North Yorkshire this town has a castle and the canal and great walks and is surrounded by great country side, the people are very friendly and have time to pass the time of day ,house prices are cheaper and getting cheaper and a lot less than I would have been paying if I had stayed in the South. This is the best move I have ever made and I am staying here.

LillyJ

I grew up in the Home Counties but came up to Brum for uni and have been here for the last 7 years. It's a brilliant city and we are settled here now.
In our lines of work (NHS and Police Service) we would only make London allowance extra (and only London Fringe allowance in the Home Counties).
I love living here, it is vibrant, exciting, beautiful (yes there are amazing buildings etc in Brum!) and we live less than 10 mins drive from beautiful countryside (Lickey Hills etc for those who know the area). You can walk round the whole of the city centre easily, the shopping is great, the restaurants and nightlife are good and varied, there are theatres, a good airport.....
I also get to walk round the corner to work which I love. (OH has to drive but then would not want to live on his patch anyway!).
My family are less than 2 hrs drive away so that suits us fine.
Saying that my Sister works in London (and commands a London salary), and my Dad worked in London most of his working life (apart from when posted abroad) and they wouldn't work/live anywhere else. My Sister went to Uni up North but went straight back South again after graduation.

HelpWhereIcan

BARGAINHUNTER! wrote: »

If you have a job where it really does not make much difference where in the country you work I would say go for it - it could be the best move you ever made. However, I think for certain types of jobs the big money can only really be made in London. I know for a fact that in my job, I wouldn't make much more if I did the same job in London, and that extra would be swallowed up by the extra mortgage payments.

I have often wondered why more people in the service industries don't base themselves at home up North like one Consultant type I know.

He works from home most of the time, but travels to London for a few days a month to hold meetings with clients and collegues.

One IFA from here lives and works in Spain but comes back to the UK for a week a month to hold meetings.

Modern telecommunications technology surely has a better use than bickering in type with strangers you will never meet.

surfcat

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

It's difficult for people to move from one end of the country to another. Obviously lots of people do, and end up very happy with the move, but it's not for everyone.

I love London, and I love living here. Even if I didn't, though, my parents, sisters, brother and uncles are all in London or in the Home Counties. If I moved to, say, Newcastle, my family would be a long way away. That (for me) is a deal-breaker.

But people have been moving north to south for years for employment: they have to leave their families. You can't have it both ways!

LiGhTfasT

I have no idea how people live in london its awful. I have to travel from the north wast when we get jobs in london and i hate it. The traffic alone makes me want to kill myself.

A decent 3 bed semi would cost you 90-120k around here with a drive and big garden. I can go carvary for £3.50 and £2 a pint of carlsberg the country side only a 2 minute walk away what more could i want?

globalds

You never know, The government may announce they are finally building that high speed rail link all the way to Newcastle as part of the Pre Budget stimulus.

Gorgeous_George

Well, I was in Chester last week and bought two pints for £2.88 at the Falcon.

Three holidays might be pushing it but I had two weeks in the Canaries in June and I am about to go for two more. Had a couple of weekend breaks in between and visited family a few times up north.

GG

Gorgeous_George

LiGhTfasT wrote: »

I have no idea how people live in london its awful. I have to travel from the north wast ...

Should that be North West or North waste?



GG