Nice People 13: Nice Save

GDB2222

Generali wrote: »

It's in London.

I suspect that almost anyone in Athens knows where the British Museum is.

GDB2222

Masomnia wrote: »

My god Herts will be North! :eek:

It'll be less than an hour, one change. The past year it has taken me over an hour to go 8 miles, so it won't be a problem to do that. I did like the look of Kilburn but QP is slightly more convenient overground-wise.Actually I tell a lie I'm thinking of Kensal rise! Getting confused already.

Is there any particular reason for choosing Kensal rise? All I know about Kensal rise is that it is a suburban part of London that I occasionally drive through. I have never thought about whether it has anything particularly to recommend it, I am afraid. Personally, I would want to live further outside London, as pollution and rents tend to be lower.

It certainly is unusual to live in London and commute out to Hertfordshire. Usually, it is the other way around.

You could possibly turn the whole question round. You could tell people where you are going to be working and then ask for advice about where to live.

Nikkster

GDB2222 wrote: »

It certainly is unusual to live in London and commute out to Hertfordshire. Usually, it is the other way around.

I wouldn't. And for an hour's travel across London with a change would not be my first choice - having had an hour's tube ride as part of my commute (and no changes either if I walked for 15 mins once into London) that was only on very good days - add in a signal failure (or strike) and it was a lot longer. I guess you'd be heading to somewhere like Euston to change?

You commute 5x days a week - you can still go into Town weekends (and even evenings) - and it will be off peak prices.

I've even been gone into the Big Smoke for the evening from north of the Hertland - the train home is a little slow after a certain time, but the service is otherwise good.

Having said that, moving to the SE for the first time I'd have been drawn to the bright lights of London too

Masomnia

Yes bright lights are a draw I have a lot of friends in London, and feeling out on a limb as I do now is not something I want to do for another year.

I'd be going to the very south of Inner Herts, which is why I'm looking at North London. It'd be the overground to Harrow and Wealdstone and then a short train ride North. Looking at rental costs further up, I won't be paying any more if I choose carefully, and I think the extra commuting costs will be worth it if I'm happier - which I think I will be. I've done the sums and I'll still have plenty left over after salary, bills, student loan deductions, and a 7% pension contribution has been made. So money to eat, go out a bit, and save a bit.

I promise I won't make any posts about how it's impossible to save for a deposit though

GDB2222

So, are you saying that you have friends in Kensal Rise? That seems an excellent plus point.

I am utterly confused by "It'd be the overground to Harrow and Wealdstone and then a short train ride North." What is the difference between the Overground and a train? Even, a short train?

I gather that you are working somewhere on the train line that ends at Watford Junction. It is quite an advantage to live somewhere on that line, rather than Kensal Rise, which involves changing at Willesden Junction. (As Pastures would say, what could possibly go wrong?)

Personally, if I needed to get onto that train line, I would probably live in Bushey or Carpenders Park. But my criteria are rather different from yours, and I greatly value having green spaces around, and the bright lights of London leave me unmoved.

lostinrates

I'm going to go against the grain.

Mas is young. He has friends in Town ( well, sort of, ....lir gives a snobby sniff;)) and deciding to rent in Town for say, a year, while he decides whether to stay doing the commute or move closer to work, doesn't seem a bad idea to me.

What I would say though is that you don't necessarily need to live that close to your chums if you have paid for the oyster anyway, and you live in an area suitable for getting to there or somewhere more central to meet them.....you'll me making lots of new friends......its not a bad thing to move your comfort zone a bit.

I would pick the area that makes your WORK commute simple. Your partying commute requires less motivation with a sore head early on a grey, wet morning.


Now, its not often you'll get me recommending something not tight. But there you go. Live a little.

LydiaJ

lostinrates wrote: »

I would pick the area that makes your WORK commute simple. Your partying commute requires less motivation with a sore head early on a grey, wet morning.

This.

Beyond that, I don't feel I've much to say. People who live in London and the SE have such different ideas about distances and travel times from mine.

foundinrates

lostinrates wrote: »

Tbh, my knowledge of processed cheese is not that broad ranging. Does it bust the wrapper?


All this processed cheese talking is making me want one of those triangle cheeses, laughing cow. ( which macputer takes more seriously than I and wants to correct to, laughing vow)

Cheeeeeeese....

Nikkster

lostinrates wrote: »

I would pick the area that makes your WORK commute simple. Your partying commute requires less motivation with a sore head early on a grey, wet morning.


Now, its not often you'll get me recommending something not tight. But there you go. Live a little.

For me it's not about the money. It's more about the commute. I was thinking about it on my commute home - and came up with the same conclusion as you (and Lydia). I'm happier making an effort to do fun stuff, whereas a commute to and from work becomes a grind rather quickly.

Not sure whether the friends live in Kensal Rise or just 'In London' and KR seemed like a good midway point? I'd be after a straightforward commute - and one where there are alternatives (in case of signal failures, strikes, other delays) especially if my employer wasn't flexible about working from home or I was trying to make a fabulous impression by being there no matter what.

And at the very first, I'd definitely be seeing if someone had a sofa for me to kip on when I first got there. It's easy to find a room quickly in London - much easier once you're there.

LydiaJ

Hello foundinrates :hello: