New Contract Starts Tomorrow
Discussion
1)I wonder how long it takes to get a computer, with a log in that works, with access to the right folders?
Previously this has taken 4 to 6 weeks, when I've been paid, and couldn't really do much (Although I bought my own Lap Top in and did stuff off line, which I then emailed to my new hiring manager)
2) I wonder if the "South" is different than the "East Midlands" or "The North".
Will working near to London (just North of M25), be an eye opener to a simple Northern Lad like me ?
3) I wonder if they have a bike rack and showers ?
I need to find digs this week (Can't afford to stay in a B&B for 6 months), so I can bring my bike down and get around by push bike, - thus leaving the car at a Northern Station at 5:30 am on a Monday morning and start using the train to get here (Only took me 4.5 hours this afternoon, to cover 202 miles, and god knows what Friday afternoon will bring (M1, M6, M62, M57))
Previously this has taken 4 to 6 weeks, when I've been paid, and couldn't really do much (Although I bought my own Lap Top in and did stuff off line, which I then emailed to my new hiring manager)
2) I wonder if the "South" is different than the "East Midlands" or "The North".
Will working near to London (just North of M25), be an eye opener to a simple Northern Lad like me ?
3) I wonder if they have a bike rack and showers ?
I need to find digs this week (Can't afford to stay in a B&B for 6 months), so I can bring my bike down and get around by push bike, - thus leaving the car at a Northern Station at 5:30 am on a Monday morning and start using the train to get here (Only took me 4.5 hours this afternoon, to cover 202 miles, and god knows what Friday afternoon will bring (M1, M6, M62, M57))
1) Depends on the company. Some big corps, yes, others, no.
2) Yes. It's awful, but more choices of how to be overcharged and unhappy, but it can look good on the CV.
3) Get a shared room in a house (they go quickly) and commute back alternate weekends, not every weekend or you will start the week knackered. Booking advance on the train MIGHT get you a cost cheaper than fuel + parking and a chance to chill out on a Friday night and Monday but depends how critical your timings are, and how flexible your employer is.
2) Yes. It's awful, but more choices of how to be overcharged and unhappy, but it can look good on the CV.
3) Get a shared room in a house (they go quickly) and commute back alternate weekends, not every weekend or you will start the week knackered. Booking advance on the train MIGHT get you a cost cheaper than fuel + parking and a chance to chill out on a Friday night and Monday but depends how critical your timings are, and how flexible your employer is.
Birdster said:
Watford?
If so it's not too bad. You have the shopping centre to walk around and that's about it. Few interesting cars in Watford Central station from time to time. The Travel lodge is best avoided.
Or I'm giving advice for the wrong place.
Hemel Hempstead. I heard someone do "a tunnel Run" up the old high street last night at about midnight. Apart from that all seems normal. If so it's not too bad. You have the shopping centre to walk around and that's about it. Few interesting cars in Watford Central station from time to time. The Travel lodge is best avoided.
Or I'm giving advice for the wrong place.
All Travel Lodges best avoided in my humble opinion. I'm staying in the OLDE Kings Arms this week.
I have 3 "Spare Room" Viewings arranged for Tonight and Tomorrow night.
One near the station, one near the industrial estate, and one half way between.
Vaud said:
3) Get a shared room in a house (they go quickly) and commute back alternate weekends, not every weekend or you will start the week knackered. Booking advance on the train MIGHT get you a cost cheaper than fuel + parking and a chance to chill out on a Friday night and Monday but depends how critical your timings are, and how flexible your employer is.
Wifey will not be happy if I don't come back at weekends, but over the summer, when kids (18 and 21) are off, she's planning on leaving the dog with them, and coming down on the train, for the odd weekend. I'll book us into a hotel (maybe closer to London), as she "ain't sharing a bathroom like a bloody student". If I get another 6 months out of it after that, then I might look at renting a studio, but with my Northern financial Calibration I can't get my head around the cost.
I was renting a studio cottage on a farm near Derby, and paying an all inclusive £350 a month, with wifi thrown in, but a 2 bed flat closer to the client would have been £450 plus bills.
Pit Pony said:
Birdster said:
Watford?
If so it's not too bad. You have the shopping centre to walk around and that's about it. Few interesting cars in Watford Central station from time to time. The Travel lodge is best avoided.
Or I'm giving advice for the wrong place.
Hemel Hempstead. I heard someone do "a tunnel Run" up the old high street last night at about midnight. Apart from that all seems normal. If so it's not too bad. You have the shopping centre to walk around and that's about it. Few interesting cars in Watford Central station from time to time. The Travel lodge is best avoided.
Or I'm giving advice for the wrong place.
All Travel Lodges best avoided in my humble opinion. I'm staying in the OLDE Kings Arms this week.
I have 3 "Spare Room" Viewings arranged for Tonight and Tomorrow night.
One near the station, one near the industrial estate, and one half way between.
Birdster said:
Sounds good. It takes a while to settle in, but you soon find the places to eat, or have a drink.
I went to look at 2 single rooms. One had a desk, so IMHO has everything I need.
Told wife about it, and she thinks it would be odd living in a house with a young (late 20's) couple.
The other one? Well room was as big as the bed, and there was no access to lounge, so a bit miserable.
My first ever contract was in Hemel, I ended up living in ST Albans In a shared house, my room was the lounge and the shower was so crap I only used it twice (joined gym as I was working shifts, we had showers at work too so showers in my lunch hour lol), I can't offer any help other than wish you good luck as it was 21 years ago when I was there (time flies!)
pherlopolus said:
My first ever contract was in Hemel, I ended up living in ST Albans In a shared house, my room was the lounge and the shower was so crap I only used it twice (joined gym as I was working shifts, we had showers at work too so showers in my lunch hour lol), I can't offer any help other than wish you good luck as it was 21 years ago when I was there (time flies!)
Hemel? You were lucky. Mine was Hatfield...
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