North,South divide

[Manchester77]

Should this thread be in General Discussion as opposed to UK railway discussion??

As I said in the housing thread, house prices do shock me on how the same house can cost twice as much in London as it would in Manchester for example!

 

[sonic2009]

Being from the Westcountry, I'd say a more accurate name would be SE England/rest of England divide.

But go to somewhere like the bluebell railway (SE england) and it will take longer to get to London (whether by train or road) than places like Peterborough or Doncaster.

Also, ashford used to be an absolute dump pre HS1. Has it really changed I wonder?

I believe District is from Ashford, why don't you ask him

 

[theblackwatch]

a 2 bedroom house for £140k?! That's cheap! £140k will barely get you a 1 bedroom flat where I live...

Portsmouth is a very cheap part of "down south"

Which is what I said - it's a regional divide, not a north/south one. 1 bed flats are similarly priced here, the majority are in the £105k-£150k region.

 

[eMeS]

Interesting thread.

Like one of the early posters, I'm originally from Manchester, but after National Service and graduating in physics/engineering I found that professional jobs were very scarce in the Manchester area, but plentiful around London. That was in the 1960s. So working at Borehamwood, I bought my first home in Harpenden, and ended up in Milton Keynes in the 1980s as a result of my employer expanding and needing to relocate. Like others above, I echo the "which region are we in?" problem.

To throw another aspect in to the mix - I found it pleasant to leave Manchester and north Cheshire in the 1960s, where having a (good) degree wasn't appreciated by my workmates. I never found any such problem once I'd moved to the London area, except from one boss who fortunately for my sanity, got fired. In the 1960s at least, London was a much more cosmopolitan place than where I'd grown up. However, it's been good to see Manchester getting cleaned up over the last few decades, and it's certainly nearer to "wild" country.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

everyone seems to think that Northumberland beaches are a great colliery spoil tip whereas in fact they're some of the finest beaches I've seen anywhere

Absolutely right, but the other reason Northumberland's beaches are so quiet (along with those also mentioned in NW Scotland, and equally fine beaches on Anglesey and Cardigan Bay) is the usual weather - even when it's sunny, it's usually chilly. Not a problem for surfers/dog-walkers etc, but not so good for the sun-worshippers or swimmers; plus the miles of sand in the more far-flung corners are less good for families, partly because access can be awkward and partly because there are rarely the lifeguards etc ready to act should Little Johnny get into difficulties in the water!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Put it this way - house prices in the most desirable areas of Cardiff are not exactly cheap. As a thought though - with generally lower house prices and (public transport) costs in t'North (over £3K an Annual for a seat less 20 mile commute on some local lines) - with a job that might pay "national rates" - then the North / South debate is firmly in favour for the North ......

 

[yorksrob]

Put it this way - house prices in the most desirable areas of Cardiff are not exactly cheap. As a thought though - with generally lower house prices and (public transport) costs in t'North (over £3K an Annual for a seat less 20 mile commute on some local lines) - with a job that might pay "national rates" - then the North / South debate is firmly in favour for the North ......

I find that the lifestyle afforded up here due to transport and housing costs, is indeed better than I could manage down South. And yes, I do have employment that engages a "national rate" (albeit no doubt much less than the swivell-eyed loons from the right wing policy exchange who would like to get rid of them).

Seems to me that the South East needs an uplift over the rest of the countries national rates, however, this wouldn't suit the prevailing agenda of grinding wages down to the lowest possible level.

 

[Northerner]

As the original OP here I am looking forward to a better standard of living due to the cost of northern accommodation .
As a single working bloke in a one bed flat, I believe I am in minority and the associated costs are immense. I do wonder and worry about the long term future. As being a Train Driver I've struggled I'm not exactly on the minimum wage.

 

[radamfi]

As the original OP here I am looking forward to a better standard of living due to the cost of northern accommodation .
As a single working bloke in a one bed flat, I believe I am in minority and the associated costs are immense. I do wonder and worry about the long term future. As being a Train Driver I've struggled I'm not exactly on the minimum wage.

If you want to save money you could flatshare. Having a whole flat to yourself in much of the south is bound to be expensive.

 

[Northerner]

A whole flat just to myself made me laugh,
Kind advice thou thank you , the flat I'm living in is only just big enough for me, that being a one bed, with a kitchen in the living space.
Although if there are flat shares with Swedish blondes then I may be tempted to reconsider

 

[Carlisle]

There are great people and great countryside up North and there are quality fairly well paid jobs but not enough of them to go round unfortunately as any person who has lived up there for a reasonable length of time will I'm sure have noticed

 

[radamfi]

A whole flat just to myself made me laugh,
Kind advice thou thank you , the flat I'm living in is only just big enough for me, that being a one bed, with a kitchen in the living space.
Although if there are flat shares with Swedish blondes then I may be tempted to reconsider

Seriously though, you can't change the fact that a one bed flat may cost upwards of £1000 per month, plus bills. The only way to cut this cost is to buy a flat (which may cost more if you sell at a loss), flatshare, move to a cheaper area, or move outside the UK.