krolyk55
I may be transfering permanatly from the US to a job in London soon. Specifically in the Marylebone area. I've never been to London before. I have no idea where to start looking for a home.
I have a family of 4, two small kids with one or two more coming in the future. I would like to within a reasonable commute to the Marylebone area, but would like to rent a 4 bedroom house, for between £1000-£1500/month. I would like to be in a safe area with good schools if possible.
From what I can see this won't be possible to find in the city, can anyone give some suggestions on good suburbs to look at?
Answer
You'll be very hard pressed to rent a 4 bedroom "house" for £1000-£1500/month in a good area - particularly if you want it to be so close to central London.
You'll have to weigh up the advantage of moving further out of London, with the very expensive cost of transport to get into work. Also, factor in council tax when looking at wherever you're planning to rent - as it varies by council and can add up to another £100/month, which the tenant is responsible for.
My strongest piece of advice would be to really think about all of the costs involved with where you move - as they'll surprise you - and be prepared to make some genuine compromises about what you're prepared to live without. That includes the costs of your family enjoying their time there, as I know friends (couples & families) who've moved to an outer suburb and end up spending large amounts of money on taxis or public transport to always travel miles for shopping and/or entertainment.
A lot of the inner London schools suffer from very poor educational standards and discipline - so choosing an area with a good school invariably means you're paying extra, particularly for a house.
If your work is prepared to do so you HAVE to insist on being put up in a hotel or similar for a month or so whilst you look for your home - as you'll never get the feel for it by trying to arrange anything from abroad. Shipping of your personal belongings to the UK and back when you leave are also musts, if they're prepared to do it - as that's very expensive.
Also, speaking the same language is deceptive, as the culture shock is always bigger than you imagine (advice you'll see repeated an any and all expat forums). Don't worry about asking for estate agents (realtors) to explain anything. They charge a lot, so should earn their money.
You might find a 3 bedroom flat (apartment) somewhere like Wimbledon/Southfields in the South-West for that money - and it'll take you about an hour to get to Marleybone with train and tube. There are good schools out there, and you're able to enjoy Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, etc. with the kids.
You should also look at Putney, Clapham, Balham or possibly even Vauxhall - all South of the river "safe" areas with good schools and a young family feel. Your budget will possibly get you a three bedroom house or more likely part of a house and a little space. Queens Park in the North, not too far from Marylebone, has good schools and is a really nice pocket of London that often has good spaces (plus a little bit of a urban village feel) as well.
Most other parts of London that are within an hour's commute to Marylebone, are either too expensive or aren't very savoury and don't have decent quality schools (e.g.: Elephant & Castle, Bermondsey, Kilburn, Acton).
A left-field thought would be to find a large two bedroom flat close in, where the kids can share a room and you can walk to work as well as enjoy the excitement of London without the high expense of public transport. For example, Bayswater would be twenty minutes walk from Marylebone High Street, and you'd have Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens as well as the West End all strolling distance away - so more fun for your wife and children, as the outer suburbs of London tend to be a little lacking in things to see and do! Maida Vale, also walking distance, is also an area you might be lucky enough to find a two or two and a half bedroom flat in your price range.
Failing all of the above, you could look at moving further out to somewhere like Dorking or Reigate in Surrey - which is a safe and nice area outside of London in the South. You might get a house for that price, and the local schools are very good. Your commute to Marylebone will be about an hour and a half door to door, and it'll cost you around £25 per day for the train tickets.
----
I've also just done a quick search for expat forums, particularly for Americans in order to have genuine comparisons. Listed below, but you should be able to find more if you like:
http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/shores/9910/
http://www.londonexpatriate.com/
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-london
http://www.easyexpat.com/london_en.htm
http://www.moveandstay.com/london/info_info_for_expatriates.asp
You'll be very hard pressed to rent a 4 bedroom "house" for £1000-£1500/month in a good area - particularly if you want it to be so close to central London.
You'll have to weigh up the advantage of moving further out of London, with the very expensive cost of transport to get into work. Also, factor in council tax when looking at wherever you're planning to rent - as it varies by council and can add up to another £100/month, which the tenant is responsible for.
My strongest piece of advice would be to really think about all of the costs involved with where you move - as they'll surprise you - and be prepared to make some genuine compromises about what you're prepared to live without. That includes the costs of your family enjoying their time there, as I know friends (couples & families) who've moved to an outer suburb and end up spending large amounts of money on taxis or public transport to always travel miles for shopping and/or entertainment.
A lot of the inner London schools suffer from very poor educational standards and discipline - so choosing an area with a good school invariably means you're paying extra, particularly for a house.
If your work is prepared to do so you HAVE to insist on being put up in a hotel or similar for a month or so whilst you look for your home - as you'll never get the feel for it by trying to arrange anything from abroad. Shipping of your personal belongings to the UK and back when you leave are also musts, if they're prepared to do it - as that's very expensive.
Also, speaking the same language is deceptive, as the culture shock is always bigger than you imagine (advice you'll see repeated an any and all expat forums). Don't worry about asking for estate agents (realtors) to explain anything. They charge a lot, so should earn their money.
You might find a 3 bedroom flat (apartment) somewhere like Wimbledon/Southfields in the South-West for that money - and it'll take you about an hour to get to Marleybone with train and tube. There are good schools out there, and you're able to enjoy Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, etc. with the kids.
You should also look at Putney, Clapham, Balham or possibly even Vauxhall - all South of the river "safe" areas with good schools and a young family feel. Your budget will possibly get you a three bedroom house or more likely part of a house and a little space. Queens Park in the North, not too far from Marylebone, has good schools and is a really nice pocket of London that often has good spaces (plus a little bit of a urban village feel) as well.
Most other parts of London that are within an hour's commute to Marylebone, are either too expensive or aren't very savoury and don't have decent quality schools (e.g.: Elephant & Castle, Bermondsey, Kilburn, Acton).
A left-field thought would be to find a large two bedroom flat close in, where the kids can share a room and you can walk to work as well as enjoy the excitement of London without the high expense of public transport. For example, Bayswater would be twenty minutes walk from Marylebone High Street, and you'd have Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens as well as the West End all strolling distance away - so more fun for your wife and children, as the outer suburbs of London tend to be a little lacking in things to see and do! Maida Vale, also walking distance, is also an area you might be lucky enough to find a two or two and a half bedroom flat in your price range.
Failing all of the above, you could look at moving further out to somewhere like Dorking or Reigate in Surrey - which is a safe and nice area outside of London in the South. You might get a house for that price, and the local schools are very good. Your commute to Marylebone will be about an hour and a half door to door, and it'll cost you around £25 per day for the train tickets.
----
I've also just done a quick search for expat forums, particularly for Americans in order to have genuine comparisons. Listed below, but you should be able to find more if you like:
http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/shores/9910/
http://www.londonexpatriate.com/
http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-london
http://www.easyexpat.com/london_en.htm
http://www.moveandstay.com/london/info_info_for_expatriates.asp
Do ants build different nests inside your apartment?
Hi Ok Bye!
My bedroom is infested with ants. Today I did an experiment. I threw tiny pieces of potato chips on the ground. Naturally the ants came after them. But each one took the piece to a different hole. Are these holes supposed to be the ant house? Should I spray them with vinegar? Aren't ants supposed to live in one nest?
Answer
2 Possible answers:
1.) There are several "Armies" of ants living in your home. What I mean is ants have their own queens which is the "Queen Ant" that serves as their mother so maybe your apartment has a 3 or 4 Queen Ants hiding inside the holes.
2.) The holes are connected and serves as a passage way for ants to locate and gather food easily. Actually I prefer this one.
Call an exterminator, he knows what to do.
2 Possible answers:
1.) There are several "Armies" of ants living in your home. What I mean is ants have their own queens which is the "Queen Ant" that serves as their mother so maybe your apartment has a 3 or 4 Queen Ants hiding inside the holes.
2.) The holes are connected and serves as a passage way for ants to locate and gather food easily. Actually I prefer this one.
Call an exterminator, he knows what to do.
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