Moving to Bath/Southwest in 5 weeks, advice req'd
Discussion
Hi all.
After working the last eight years in the glamourous world of plumbing supplies, I've managed to change career for something more interesting, albeit at a substantially lower salary to begin with.
Only problem is that it's based in Bath and I currently live in West Lothian. I'm looking to move down there in about five weeks and I really don't have a clue as to how much the cost of living is going to be as I currently live with my parents. Buying cars is more fun than buying houses!
I'll be looking to rent a flat with a mate who happens to live quite locally (with parents) and the going rate seems to be £500 per month for something half decent with two bedrooms. That in itself isn't a problem it's all the bills on top of that. So I was wondering if any PH'er's could offer me any advice on such matters?
Can anyone with experience of living in similar circumstances advise on what sort of money's involved per month? I get the feeling council tax may be a bit of a nightmare.
Also, any tips on getting somewhere to rent? There are alot of websites offering places but it's hard to say if one is better than another.
What are the scammers like in this neck of the woods (currently arguing with D&G scams as it is)?
Lastly, good curry house recommendations also greatfully appreciated.
Cheers!
After working the last eight years in the glamourous world of plumbing supplies, I've managed to change career for something more interesting, albeit at a substantially lower salary to begin with.
Only problem is that it's based in Bath and I currently live in West Lothian. I'm looking to move down there in about five weeks and I really don't have a clue as to how much the cost of living is going to be as I currently live with my parents. Buying cars is more fun than buying houses!
I'll be looking to rent a flat with a mate who happens to live quite locally (with parents) and the going rate seems to be £500 per month for something half decent with two bedrooms. That in itself isn't a problem it's all the bills on top of that. So I was wondering if any PH'er's could offer me any advice on such matters?
Can anyone with experience of living in similar circumstances advise on what sort of money's involved per month? I get the feeling council tax may be a bit of a nightmare.
Also, any tips on getting somewhere to rent? There are alot of websites offering places but it's hard to say if one is better than another.
What are the scammers like in this neck of the woods (currently arguing with D&G scams as it is)?
Lastly, good curry house recommendations also greatfully appreciated.
Cheers!
Dougie. said:
Can anyone with experience of living in similar circumstances advise on what sort of money's involved per month? I get the feeling council tax may be a bit of a nightmare.
try here for council tax rates, apart from that it's difficult to estimate other costs as it depends on size of house, insulation (for heating costs) what companies you use for utilities etc
Dougie. said:
Hi all.
After working the last eight years in the glamourous world of plumbing supplies, I've managed to change career for something more interesting, albeit at a substantially lower salary to begin with.
Only problem is that it's based in Bath and I currently live in West Lothian. I'm looking to move down there in about five weeks and I really don't have a clue as to how much the cost of living is going to be as I currently live with my parents. Buying cars is more fun than buying houses!
I'll be looking to rent a flat with a mate who happens to live quite locally (with parents) and the going rate seems to be £500 per month for something half decent with two bedrooms. That in itself isn't a problem it's all the bills on top of that. So I was wondering if any PH'er's could offer me any advice on such matters?
Can anyone with experience of living in similar circumstances advise on what sort of money's involved per month? I get the feeling council tax may be a bit of a nightmare.
Also, any tips on getting somewhere to rent? There are alot of websites offering places but it's hard to say if one is better than another.
What are the scammers like in this neck of the woods (currently arguing with D&G scams as it is)?
Lastly, good curry house recommendations also greatfully appreciated.
Cheers!
First of all, this a fantastic part of the country to live, so worry not. Living in the centre of Bath is quite pricey, in terms of rents, property prices and council tax. Transport in Bath is a nightmare - it has been made very hard to get around by car, with few parking spaces and an army of over-zealous private vultures. Just like anyother city in Britain then...
My first advice would be not to live in Central Bath unless you absolutely have to. That way you won't have to cope with the tranpsort malaise, the hordes of tourists and the artificially elevated costs. The city is surrounded by some stunning viollages taht are far more affordable and provide an excellent standard of life.
Have a look at the Bath Chronicle website (www.thisisbath.com) and get yourself down here for a recce.
I'm North Wilts and not Bath and Somerset, but close enough to throw stones at!
Its a loverly part of the world and if you can see through the "quaintness" for the tourists, its actually very nice indeed. As recommended, outlying villages and towns a good idea for Bath, but where-ever you go, check them out first. Try going for a drive at rush hour, kicking out at schools and rush hour in the evenings....
Its amazing how different things can be....
But other than that, its really nice here and in easy access for pretty much everything you might like. Ok, it might be an hour or so's drive away, be we have just about everything - mountains, valleys, lakes, coast line, rivers, plains, forests etc etc.... so much more to do here...
Its a loverly part of the world and if you can see through the "quaintness" for the tourists, its actually very nice indeed. As recommended, outlying villages and towns a good idea for Bath, but where-ever you go, check them out first. Try going for a drive at rush hour, kicking out at schools and rush hour in the evenings....
Its amazing how different things can be....
But other than that, its really nice here and in easy access for pretty much everything you might like. Ok, it might be an hour or so's drive away, be we have just about everything - mountains, valleys, lakes, coast line, rivers, plains, forests etc etc.... so much more to do here...
JagLover said:
Stop Please!!!
You are making me jealous.
Some of us have to live and work in this cess pit called London.
You probably don't you know...
I spent years on the daily grind into Covent Garden. Not only has my business not suffered at all from moving back to the West Country, I'd go so far as to say that it is showing signs of benefitting. Factor in the personal benefits of living here,add the lower costs and the friendlier people and it really is a no-brainer.
Mon Ami Mate said:
Stop Please!!!
You are making me jealous.
Some of us have to live and work in this cess pit called London.
You probably don't you know...
I spent years on the daily grind into Covent Garden. Not only has my business not suffered at all from moving back to the West Country, I'd go so far as to say that it is showing signs of benefitting. Factor in the personal benefits of living here,add the lower costs and the friendlier people and it really is a no-brainer.
I probably do actually- I have a chance for partnership in my current firm. If it doesn't work out I would definitely look for a job in the West country-there are accountants all over.
I have this sinking feeling that i will only be able to follow my dream and move out west when I retire-Oh well-only another 30 or so years to go.
JagLover said:
JagLover said:
Stop Please!!!
You are making me jealous.
Some of us have to live and work in this cess pit called London.
You probably don't you know...
I spent years on the daily grind into Covent Garden. Not only has my business not suffered at all from moving back to the West Country, I'd go so far as to say that it is showing signs of benefitting. Factor in the personal benefits of living here,add the lower costs and the friendlier people and it really is a no-brainer.
I probably do actually- I have a chance for partnership in my current firm. If it doesn't work out I would definitely look for a job in the West country-there are accountants all over.
I have this sinking feeling that i will only be able to follow my dream and move out west when I retire-Oh well-only another 30 or so years to go.
I was saying exactly that two years ago...and then I realised what really matters in life.
In any case, I know people who commute, daily, from Bath. It generally takes about 20 minutes longer than it used to take me to commute from High Wycombe to Covent Garden...
I worked in London for 12 years before moving down here, colleagues I left behind have got promoted etc higher than me but who has the better quality of life? I still go to London 3 or 4 times a month and there are many on the train who get their season tickets out when the inspector comes around (it's £6k a year).
Mon Ami Mate said:
In any case, I know people who commute, daily, from Bath. It generally takes about 20 minutes longer than it used to take me to commute from High Wycombe to Covent Garden...
Yeah, but have you seen how much? YIKES!!!!
I commute in 3 days a week for a client so dont get the privilege of weekly / monthly tickets, but it still hurts....
...but not so much of a problem now that my firm has coughed up for a company "corporate" credit card.... at long last....
The centre of Bath, as mentioned before, is very pricey. There are, however, many excellent places to live within striking distance, but you need to be a little careful. You will find plenty of affordable property in areas like Calne, Trowbridge, Peasedown, Odd Down etc all of which are close, but horrible. I would look in villages like Bathford, Batheaston, Colerne and so on. Chippenham is not bad - I live on the western edge which is great for access to Bath, but Chippenham itself has very little to offer in the way of shops and nightlife.
In Bath, Oldfield Park / Wellsway is student land, Twerton and Southdown are really very nasty indeed. Weston is OK but very expensive.
In Bath, Oldfield Park / Wellsway is student land, Twerton and Southdown are really very nasty indeed. Weston is OK but very expensive.
thats where i live!!!! Dougie. said:
Just got off phone to mate whose found a place in Corsham which could be ideal. He's dead keen to move out as his step-mother is a Psycho Hose Beast
I've only driven through the place but it seems nice. In fact I'll probably lower the tone a bit.
Corsham's quite nice - in fact my niece works behind the bar of one of the pubs there. Just keep away from Melksham...
I lived in Bath when I was a student. I absolutely loved it and have to say I would go back in a second if I had a chance. Oldfield park is cheapish and very handy for town but you -will- have students for neighbours with all that entails. I also spent a year in Twerton but the least said about that the better.
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