verystormy Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Well, I had some good news on Tuesday night. I got a job offer in the UK! Which I am very pleased with and have accepted. The role is quarry manager at a quarry in Berkshire very close to Heathrow. But.... I need to start work on the 8th March!!!! So, I need to fly on the 5th. That gives us less than two weeks to pack, sell most of our stuff, hopefully sell the house, sell the car and move to the other side of the world. Mad. We spent yesterday booking the dog and should have him sorted this morning. Booked my flight, arranged temporary accomodation. Managed to get a lovely 1 bed room barn conversion on the outskirts of a little village and only two mins walk to a 14th centurary gastro pub today, once the dogs flight is confirmed - hoping for the 10th, I will book my wife, start getting all our stuff on gumtree, pack personal things and arrange to ship them. It it is going to be a busy time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleowag Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Congratulations, that's great news. Sounds like a busy time. Your realistic advice and knowledge on here will be greatly missed VS, could you still contribute from the UK ?! Your new accommodation sounds lovely and glad you've got a good pub near, that's one thing we miss here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 You flying emirates on 5th vs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Congratulations, that's great news. Sounds like a busy time. Your realistic advice and knowledge on here will be greatly missed VS, could you still contribute from the UK ?! Your new accommodation sounds lovely and glad you've got a good pub near, that's one thing we miss here! Don't worry, you cant get rid of me that easy. I will still be on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 You flying emirates on 5th vs? No, Qatar - they were nearly $500 cheaper and cash is important. My wife and dog are flying Emirates though, but not till the 11th (well, the dog actually leaves the 10th) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Wow Stormy that is one whirlwind packup session you have ahead of you. But well done on the job. Can't you rent out the house in case you want to come back - I know you put so much into your dream home and it must be hard to sell it... been there and done that, so understand how hard it can be. anything us PPers can do to help you? Rossy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby pom Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Is your job at one of the 'gravel pits' near Colnbrook / Poyle area? I used to live and work around the Heathrow area so if this area is new to you and need any info then let me know and I'll try to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Is your job at one of the 'gravel pits' near Colnbrook / Poyle area? I used to live and work around the Heathrow area so if this area is new to you and need any info then let me know and I'll try to help. Ooooohhhh thank you. Yes, I am going to be the quarry manager. I have never been to that area and ANY advice is helpful. Such as where to live, what it is like to live, costs, and anything you can think of. In particular, if you know anyone looking to let a property! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Enjoy your new life and the place you are staying sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegg Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 best of luck stormy , really hope all goes well for you guys ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Wow Stormy that is one whirlwind packup session you have ahead of you. But well done on the job. Can't you rent out the house in case you want to come back - I know you put so much into your dream home and it must be hard to sell it... been there and done that, so understand how hard it can be. anything us PPers can do to help you? Rossy Would have loved to rent it out. But, it's not financially viable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted February 25, 2016 Report Share Posted February 25, 2016 Good luck VS, sounds like an exciting next chapter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Thanks everyone, it is going to be hard and we know that there will be some bumps in the road, but, looking forward to a new chapter in our lives. One of the things we have missed most is my wife's brother and his family - two little kids who are a big piece of our hearts, possible because we don't have children. But, my new job and where we will live is 20 minutes away from them. We also love London, but wouldn't want to live in it. So, this is perfect as very close. If we want to go and see a gallery or a museum, it is only half an hour away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Couldn't resist this as I am soooo looking forward to it - particularly the pub at the end of the road. But this is where we are staying when we get back. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/443216?eluid=1&euid=b2b9b209-a331-073c-d076-52f7c0b7d965 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DomDom75 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Awesome mate. What made you go back to Blighty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Would have loved to rent it out. But, it's not financially viable. What a shame... been there too. But you know that life gives us these curve balls and sometimes it works out for the better. Certainly did for me.... I hope the same for you and your wife and woofer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Well, I had some good news on Tuesday night. I got a job offer in the UK! Which I am very pleased with and have accepted. The role is quarry manager at a quarry in Berkshire very close to Heathrow. But.... I need to start work on the 8th March!!!! So, I need to fly on the 5th. That gives us less than two weeks to pack, sell most of our stuff, hopefully sell the house, sell the car and move to the other side of the world. Mad. We spent yesterday booking the dog and should have him sorted this morning. Booked my flight, arranged temporary accomodation. Managed to get a lovely 1 bed room barn conversion on the outskirts of a little village and only two mins walk to a 14th centurary gastro pub today, once the dogs flight is confirmed - hoping for the 10th, I will book my wife, start getting all our stuff on gumtree, pack personal things and arrange to ship them. It it is going to be a busy time! Don't give the house away. Off-peak you can get cheap flights back to oz to deal with legalities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos7 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Couldn't resist this as I am soooo looking forward to it - particularly the pub at the end of the road. But this is where we are staying when we get back. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/443216?eluid=1&euid=b2b9b209-a331-073c-d076-52f7c0b7d965 Good look verystormy. I bet it will feel right when you land back home. We'll wait in Australia West or East for another 2 1/2 years until we can get citizenship, this is mainly for our daughters benefit, so she can go and live in NZ or oz no problem when she's older & then we'll be out of here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Awesome mate. What made you go back to Blighty? No work Dom. In 18 months of patchy contracting I haven't had a sniff of a permanent job. In a month of looking in the UK I have had 4 interviews and one offer and two others considering making an offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Don't give the house away. Off-peak you can get cheap flights back to oz to deal with legalities. We are hoping it will sell before we leave, if not, the agent will just sell it in our absence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 nice place VS! I can smell the fires in the country pub already! Cant wait to go back next weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 nice place VS! I can smell the fires in the country pub already! Cant wait to go back next weekend! Are you on the Emirates flight Saturday night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plimthing Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 yes mate, 10pm take off, unless I can get it airborne any sooner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Will see you there. I am on the Qatar flight that leaves about the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baby pom Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Ooooohhhh thank you. Yes, I am going to be the quarry manager. I have never been to that area and ANY advice is helpful. Such as where to live, what it is like to live, costs, and anything you can think of. In particular, if you know anyone looking to let a property! To look for property to either buy or rent you can check on zoopla website. Nowhere in the area west of London / Heathrow is cheap although like most places there are good areas and not so good areas. The main things to consider would be noise from planes, commuting time and the possibility of flooding if you live near the river. If you look at an aerial view of Heathrow you will see the runways run East / West. If you imagine a straight line from Heathrow towards Windsor and beyond they will be the areas most affected by plane noise. Obviously the further out you go the less you will notice them. Also if you go on the north or south side of Heathrow it is slightly quieter as the planes don't fly directly over these areas. Be warned that if Heathrow ever does get a third runway it will probably be on the north side, but this may never happen. Your commute time will depend on where you end up living and what roads you use. The M25, M4, M40 & M3 in that area are always busy during mornings & evenings and even worse on Friday afternoons and if it is wet. This can cause you commute time to vary wildly even doubling your journey time on a bad day. I usually tried to stick to back roads at peak hours. With regards to flooding, it happens rarely in this area but it does happen. Datchet and Wraysbury / Staines areas got hit quite badly during the last floods I remember about 3 years ago. If you plan regular trips to London and will be taking the train (driving and parking is expensive and can be stressful in London) you should try to be near a train station on the main line to London (probably on the Reading - Waterloo line). The nicer areas would be Windsor or Ascot but these are also expensive areas to live. If you prefer rural living more than town living you will be quite restricted but would suggest looking in the areas between the M4 and M3 motorways outside the M25. Train access will be more limited in some of these areas. If you go as far as Camberley / Farnborough or Bracknell you could be looking at a commute time of up to an hour with heavy traffic. Are you looking to rent a house or a flat and how many bedrooms? I see you also have a dog which may rule out some rentals. Have you booked any transport from the airport to your initial rental? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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