philth Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) Ahhh the joy of knowing I'm heading home.I've been in the United States for almost 7 years. I left England at 18 returning an old goat at 25.....and Colorado Elite Biketrials State Champ....(hehe showed them Americans how to ride a bike.)I'm about to graduate with a B.A. in Industrial Design and then I'll be re-crossing the pond. (unless someone offers me a LOT of money and a sweet job) But...I have a job doing Electric motor cycle and bike design...in EDIT...its in Bexhill of all places.My though is to live in Brighton and commute? Anyone from this area, is that a good idea?I assume I won't be buying a car for a bit, as the move is going to suck all my money away. Random questions in no particular order How and where is the best bet to look up digs and flats to rent?Really how is the economy doing? is it as bad as over here in the states?Anyone in Brighton look for a roommate for a bit..?November-ish on...How is the driving test now? I now only have a yanko American license and will need to re-sit my English test, bollocks! How much and where to get info on Railway passes?I heard its all private and mucho expensive now a days.The cost of living difference between London to Brighton ?(I'm from the most Northern town in England and have never venture down south that far, other than for trials events) Are there any freeride/dirt jump parks in south England...I've grown quite attached to DH and DJ in ColoradoWhats is a good and bad price for Rent? I've seen some way different pricing floating around. 500quid a month to 750 for a 1 bedroom. How long does it take to get from Brighton to London?Even phones...what a good company to go with, how much should I expect to drop monthly?I'll no doubt have more questions to add as D-day come closer....Any good input is appreciated..Thanking you much Edited August 7, 2009 by philth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 How and where is the best bet to look up digs and flats to rent?http://www.gumtree.com might have something for you.Really how is the economy doing? is it as bad as over here in the states?It's not great - although if you've got a job, you're doing pretty well for yourself! It's mainly unemployment and the threat of unemployment that seem to be the problem, so if you DO have work then it shouldn't be as much of a worry.How is the driving test now? I now only have a yanko American license and will need to re-sit my English test, bollocks! If you can drive, you shouldn't have a problem. A refresher lesson or two to remember the 'official' way to pass would probably be good, but other than that, it'll be a case of booking your theory, knocking that out, then getting your practical booked ASAP.How much and where to get info on Railway passes?I heard its all private and mucho expensive now a days.Generally, http://www.nationalrail.co.uk will be the one. You're at the top end of the Young Persons Railcard so you won't get any benefit from that, but just search that site for the best season ticket/fare that you might need for commuting/whatever.The cost of living difference between London to Brighton ?(I'm from the most Northern town in England and have never venture down south that far, other than for trials events) Not a massive difference between London and Brighton - still a shitload more expensive than elsewhere. I just moved from London to Newcastle, and the cost of living is pretty much half the price up here it is in London. You'll be paying a fairly large amount for everything down there.Whats is a good and bad price for Rent? I've seen some way different pricing floating around. 500quid a month to 750 for a 1 bedroom. How long does it take to get from Brighton to London?About an hour and a half by car or train, really. Obviously trains are less affected by traffic so it's less of a gamble, but the unreliability of the trains is the only issue then...Even phones...what a good company to go with, how much should I expect to drop monthly?o2 do some really, really cheap SIMs and tariffs now, so maybe just shop around and see what you can get? You should be able to get a reasonably good deal from virtually anyone, but it's as well to check out companies like o2 or Virgin if you want to incorporate your mobile bills into your home bills - they do some good deals for broadband/mobiles/TV packages that are good value if you can get them all together, but that'll depend on your land-lord I suppose.I'll no doubt have more questions to add as D-day come closer....Any good input is appreciated..Thanking you much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Quinn Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Speak to Mike (The Scientist) about flats, and generally Brighton. He's around there and keeps posting stuff on his facebook about looking for flatmates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Speaking of Mike...Yeah Brighton is a nice place to live - I live in hastings which is about 40 mins away but I used to live there and my brother is currently at Brighton Uni so he lives there.If you're looking to house share, go for it, if you're looking to live there on your own you'll need a damn good job as rent is high there. You may be better off nearby, Hove or Shoreham or something...If you're looking at working in London you may want to consider somewhere else closer, like Tunbridge Wells or Sevenoaks - though obviously they're not by the sea and are nowhere near as good as Brighton for shopping, nightlife etc...My MSN is in my profile, hit me on there if you wanna chat, I know the area well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philth Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) Speaking of Mike...Yeah Brighton is a nice place to live - I live in hastings which is about 40 mins away but I used to live there and my brother is currently at Brighton Uni so he lives there.If you're looking to house share, go for it, if you're looking to live there on your own you'll need a damn good job as rent is high there. You may be better off nearby, Hove or Shoreham or something...If you're looking at working in London you may want to consider somewhere else closer, like Tunbridge Wells or Sevenoaks - though obviously they're not by the sea and are nowhere near as good as Brighton for shopping, nightlife etc...My MSN is in my profile, hit me on there if you wanna chat, I know the area well Alright a correction...the Job is in Bexhill. I've been living in a city now for a while...don't really want to move to some small fishing/retirement village (looking for good nightlife). As I mentioned I've never really been that far south.Any input...Pro's and Con's on areas along the coast would be great. I'm thinking Worthing is about as far away from my job as I'd want to get.How is Hove?Anyone from Eastbourne how's thatsMy plan would be to get a place of my own eventually, but until I get home and situated I will be looking to share for a while. Edited August 7, 2009 by philth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 I need a flatmate in Hastings mate Hastings is 10 mins train to Bexhill!Though if you can afford it I'd recommend Brighton over Hastings any day.Hastings & Eastbourne don't have good nightlife - I run events in Hastings sometimes but most of the time (tonight for example) we go to Brighton and get the first train home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philth Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 I need a flatmate in Hastings mate Hastings is 10 mins train to Bexhill!Though if you can afford it I'd recommend Brighton over Hastings any day.Hastings & Eastbourne don't have good nightlife - I run events in Hastings sometimes but most of the time (tonight for example) we go to Brighton and get the first train home.Use to do that....go to Edinburgh or Newcastle then catch the early back. I don't really get on MSN that much. I'll let you know about the room thing...if it works out it may be a good bet. Cheers for the offer and input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 To be honest, if you're starting fresh you might as well go to Brighton. Everyone I know who lives in Hastings wishes they lived in Brighton...EDIT: 'specially if you've got no car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weirdoku Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 This isn't much help, but Brighton is the gay capital of Britain! Don't know if you knew that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philth Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) This isn't much help, but Brighton is the gay capital of Britain! Don't know if you knew that.Not much help, but I will watch my arse when I tie my shoe laces.Chicks feel safe around gay boys....more chicks?My job should send me round Europe a bit so I'm hoping to not just depend on the English lady's. Got a bone to pick with the French....haha Edited August 7, 2009 by philth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomR Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 In terms of dirt theres PORC, UK Bikepark, Chicksands and Woburn just north of london. Check out www.southerndownhill.co.uk forums and www.moredirt.co.uk for info on riding spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philth Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 (edited) Cheers for the input..Can you listen to Pandora online music over there?? Or is is restricted by country. Edited August 9, 2009 by philth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Pretty sure it's restricted - most of them are (Hulu, all the official channel-specific streaming websites etc). But we do have iPlayer! BBC > Anything in the US Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Cheers for the input..Can you listen to Pandora online music over there?? Or is is restricted by country.No, but we have Spotify, same deal except you get adverts every so often.Brighton being gay capital of the UK is old. There are other places that have a larger gay community, it's just Brighton kick started it. Brighton is an awesome place and easily the best night life for long way along the coast, and some way in land.Massively diverse place too, although very, very expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Tunbridge Wells is just as expensive as Brighton, and theres not much going on around there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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