Moving to Edinburgh from Norway - what do I need to know?
Discussion
Hi,
I have been lurking around these boards for quite some time, but now that I definately know that I moving to Scotland I have a few (car related) questions:
- first of all, should I just forget about owning a car in the town centre?
- how much is parking (street/underground/garage) per month?
- what is the range of insurance quotes I can expect for a 5-6000 pound hot-hatch or older sports car?
- how does one go about purchasing a car in the UK? What paperwork is involved?
- does anyone have any experience with these folks? http://www.cccedinburgh.co.uk/
I am very happy to be moving and would like to become a more active member of this forum. I am quitting my current job to do a masters degree at the University of Edinburgh. As for the cars I have owned:
1993 Ford Aerostar (I am not joking, this was my first car)
1994 Ford Thunderbird LX
1992 BMW 535i
1984 BMW 745i Turbo
1998 BMW 320i
Thank you for any replies!
I have been lurking around these boards for quite some time, but now that I definately know that I moving to Scotland I have a few (car related) questions:
- first of all, should I just forget about owning a car in the town centre?
- how much is parking (street/underground/garage) per month?
- what is the range of insurance quotes I can expect for a 5-6000 pound hot-hatch or older sports car?
- how does one go about purchasing a car in the UK? What paperwork is involved?
- does anyone have any experience with these folks? http://www.cccedinburgh.co.uk/
I am very happy to be moving and would like to become a more active member of this forum. I am quitting my current job to do a masters degree at the University of Edinburgh. As for the cars I have owned:
1993 Ford Aerostar (I am not joking, this was my first car)
1994 Ford Thunderbird LX
1992 BMW 535i
1984 BMW 745i Turbo
1998 BMW 320i
Thank you for any replies!
Where about do you plan to stay?
The Council operate Residents' parking permits in town for on-street parking. There are two areas, which are each split into smaller zones. A permit for a Central zone will set you back £160 for 12 months. Peripheral/Extended zones are £80. The permits allow you to park in the resident bays inside that particular zone but don't guarantee you a spot as the Council issue more permits than there are bays. There is private off-street parking in some areas but I don't much about the details for them.
As for whether it's worth having a car? Depends where you're staying and what you'd use it for. The university is fairly central (although there are several campuses) and well served by buses. The typical student areas (i.e. lots of flats for rent) are mostly within walking distance of George Square or Kings Buildings. Neither site has much parking as far as I know (although I'm only an undergraduate) so you'll need to pay to park on nearby streets. Going into town in a car is to be avoided if you car due to the current disaster areas that are the tram works. But once you get out into the suburbs, it's not so bad at all and there's plenty of places to go outside Edinburgh.
The Council operate Residents' parking permits in town for on-street parking. There are two areas, which are each split into smaller zones. A permit for a Central zone will set you back £160 for 12 months. Peripheral/Extended zones are £80. The permits allow you to park in the resident bays inside that particular zone but don't guarantee you a spot as the Council issue more permits than there are bays. There is private off-street parking in some areas but I don't much about the details for them.
As for whether it's worth having a car? Depends where you're staying and what you'd use it for. The university is fairly central (although there are several campuses) and well served by buses. The typical student areas (i.e. lots of flats for rent) are mostly within walking distance of George Square or Kings Buildings. Neither site has much parking as far as I know (although I'm only an undergraduate) so you'll need to pay to park on nearby streets. Going into town in a car is to be avoided if you car due to the current disaster areas that are the tram works. But once you get out into the suburbs, it's not so bad at all and there's plenty of places to go outside Edinburgh.
Your average hot hatch quote as depending on age,if you are under 25 anything vaguely sporty will be silly money to insure.should be no grater than £1000.
Average price of a pint of lager is £3
Average price of a vodka and coke is £2
Living in the center of Edinburgh I would not bother with a car if you can make do without one. You can get to most places in the UK by bus, plane or train.
Average price of a pint of lager is £3
Average price of a vodka and coke is £2
Living in the center of Edinburgh I would not bother with a car if you can make do without one. You can get to most places in the UK by bus, plane or train.
- how much is parking (street/underground/garage) per month?
Someone else has mentioned the permits for on street. Garages are probably too expensive to bother with in the centre of town. A lock up on the edges of town is possibly a better idea but organising one could be an issue. Prices vary.
- what is the range of insurance quotes I can expect for a 5-6000 pound hot-hatch or older sports car?
Insurance rates vary hugely in the UK depending on the driver age, experience & car. As far as risk stats go, all Edinburgh postcodes and surrounding area is deemed high risk.
Random sample figures - I'm 33 & own a Mk1 Focus RS, paying £300 a year fully comp. I know a 19 year old lad with a 1.5 Diesel Pug 106 and he's paying £1000 a year fully comp.
- how does one go about purchasing a car in the UK? What paperwork is involved?
Grey area in the UK about who owns a car and who "keeps" the car. Only doc showing its yours is a V5 from the UK DVLA. Someone on the ground here can show you round one I'm sure but this confirms who the registered keeper is. When money changes hands for a car, the new keepers details are filled out on the current V5 back to DVLA and the new keeper gets a new one out with their details on.
Purchasing - Private or trade. Literally turn up with money at someones house who has advertised their car for sale, or turn up at a dealers/dealership and sign on the dotted line.
- does anyone have any experience with these folks? http://www.cccedinburgh.co.uk/
No direct experience with them but I live nearby and know them to be a well established company in town at the line of work they are in.
Thanks for all replies.
@Kiltie: I am living and working in Oslo - a terrible, cold and god-forsaken place
Can't wait to get out.
The reason I'd like a car would be for weekend getaways mainly. The hassle of parking seems to mean it's not worth it, as I could just as easily rent a car at the airport when needed.
Perhaps I'll end up with CCC and drive sports cars every now and again instead?
@Kiltie: I am living and working in Oslo - a terrible, cold and god-forsaken place
Can't wait to get out.The reason I'd like a car would be for weekend getaways mainly. The hassle of parking seems to mean it's not worth it, as I could just as easily rent a car at the airport when needed.
Perhaps I'll end up with CCC and drive sports cars every now and again instead?
[quote=riskhunter]Thanks for all replies.
@Kiltie: I am living and working in Oslo - a terrible, cold and god-forsaken place Can't wait to get out.
You will fit in well in Scotland as most people have similar views of our weather!
Hope you enjoying being over here and hopeully see you on some of our runs
Paul
xx]
@Kiltie: I am living and working in Oslo - a terrible, cold and god-forsaken place
Can't wait to get out.You will fit in well in Scotland as most people have similar views of our weather!
Hope you enjoying being over here and hopeully see you on some of our runs
Paul
xx]
riskhunter said:
@Kiltie: I am living and working in Oslo - a terrible, cold and god-forsaken place Can't wait to get out.
OK, I can easy do an "Oslo reminiscences (mostly pubs)" thread. Can't wait to get out.
Some of the happiest years of my life was when we lived in Sandvika. I worked mostly in Lysaker (Kværner) and my wife worked for DNV in Høvik.
Oh for a night out in Aker Brygge.
Cheers,
Eric
Parking is a nightmare!
I was through in Edinburgh from Glasgow last night and trying to park within 20 minutes walk of the city centre was impossible, by the time we were heading back to our car at 11:30pm some people had abandoned their cars and double parked widthways on some streets, nearly blocking off the roads by simply parking on the main carriageway, is this normal in Edinburgh?
I was through in Edinburgh from Glasgow last night and trying to park within 20 minutes walk of the city centre was impossible, by the time we were heading back to our car at 11:30pm some people had abandoned their cars and double parked widthways on some streets, nearly blocking off the roads by simply parking on the main carriageway, is this normal in Edinburgh?
What about a park and ride? Some of them allow 24hr parking. Seems like a convenient way to do it (plus, I would need a bus pass anyway).
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Transport/Par...
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Transport/Par...
A lot depends were you want to live, out of the central area parking is free, and a central parking permit is cheaper than a lock up, my lockup gargae is £150 a month and it's hard to find a lock up for anything less than £100 on the edge of town.
Also it is possible to get a central flat with an allocated parking space, i would check out were you want to live first and see if it is one one off the direct bus routes to the university
Jason
Also it is possible to get a central flat with an allocated parking space, i would check out were you want to live first and see if it is one one off the direct bus routes to the university
Jason
Matt from the Classic Car Club is on here http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/profile.asp?m...
Great fun to be had there and even better as you'll be living in Edinburgh.
Great fun to be had there and even better as you'll be living in Edinburgh.
Kiltie said:
Some of the happiest years of my life was when we lived in Sandvika. I worked mostly in Lysaker (Kværner) and my wife worked for DNV in Høvik.
Oh for a night out in Aker Brygge.
Aker Brygge in she spring\summer sitting on the barges and boats having a beer or an evening in the Dubliner... awesome. Maybe even kicking a football about in Frognerparken.. watching the girls in their bra's or bikini's happy days. Oh for a night out in Aker Brygge.
I too lived in Sandvika and a few other parts of Oslo during 2008, Toyen and Torshov. I loved my the time there, would go back in a flash. I was working in Stabekk and then Sandvika.
As for cars you'll get a lot more for your money over here that's for sure. Petrol is about the same price, however you guys don't seem to complain about petrol as for you it's cheap since your salaries are higher.
I see you have a 320, so I was thinking a E36 M3 Evo, but maybe not if you're living on a student budget, you could easily find a mint 328i coupe.
Edited by scz4 on Tuesday 9th March 18:52
Hope all works out well Martin,
I enjoyed my 6 month stay in the Bryggen quarter of Bergen and now live in Edinburgh.
Bergen is by far the wettest place I’ve ever lived, incredible rain. Not sure if Oslo suffers the same fate? Our Winter months are generally bright, crisp and cold, however nicely balanced out by the Summers months which are generally dull, damp and cold.
I’d say from my last 13 years here, April to June give us the best weather.
I enjoyed my 6 month stay in the Bryggen quarter of Bergen and now live in Edinburgh.
Bergen is by far the wettest place I’ve ever lived, incredible rain. Not sure if Oslo suffers the same fate? Our Winter months are generally bright, crisp and cold, however nicely balanced out by the Summers months which are generally dull, damp and cold.
I’d say from my last 13 years here, April to June give us the best weather.
Gassing Station | Scotland | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff