Major Decision! Where to live for 5 Months?
 

I've somehow found myself with the amazing opportunity to take 5 months with the BUNAC program in Britian, which (if you're not familiar with it) means I will be working and living somewhere in Britian with a temporary student work visa. Now, since I have no obligations, such as school, I am free to choose where I'd like to live. This will be for the end of Janurary through June. I am a 19 yr old female, and will be alone, with the exceptions of whomever I meet. So my big question is... London or Edinbourgh for the first month, and if I can manage a decent job outside of the two, where should I go after that? I won't have a car, but I love the country, and won't have too much money either....<BR><BR>Suggestions? Comments? Advice that stems from personal experiences? (&lt;-- preferred, of course).<BR><BR>Oh, and yes, I have traveled alone in a foreign country before, so I'm smart enough to know I know nothing. ;)

Jess,<BR>Edinburgh<BR>Oxford<BR>London<BR>York

Amazing opportunity, no doubt. You might want to learn to spell the name of your adopted country properly. It's BRITAIN, not Britian, you moron.

London and south east is much more expensive than the North although you may want to consider Brighton. Othwerwise head North for one of the big University Towns e.g. Leeds. Hope you have a good trip.

I know London is tempting, but it is very expensive, and full of tourist. I think you will find towns in the North like Manchester, Leeds, or Nottingham more affordable. London is only a short train ride away (and cheap with a student rail card), and you will get to live in a part of the country that few Americans ever get to know. I've lived in Manchester for the past year, and I find it a great place to live (not to great for tourist though). I rarely meet another AMerican except for American Expat events, and I find the people friendlier in the North. I hear the club seen is great, although I'm a little too "mature" for that sort of thing.

Jess, good for you!!<BR><BR>ignore the moron who doesn't understand that typos happen.<BR><BR>Oxford or Cambridge would mean you are close enough to get into London regularly if you want.<BR><BR>I think the coast would be gorgeous. Cornwall is a bit remote, but oh so wild and beautiful. I also like the Cotswolds. What about York? you are near some mighty pretty countryside there & can drive north to Scotland on a lark.

I've just returned from a few days in Bath and even though I've been there several times before, I simply fell in love with the city. A friend lent me my own flat right in the city center, which probably contributed to my enjoyment. It's a beautiful town with a lot going on and you can walk just about everywhere. Devon, London, etc are only about an hour train ride away. Downside is lots of tourists and I don't know how it compares cost-wise with other places -- probably more expensive.

Thanx so much for your suggestions! I don't have many friends who have been to BritIAn, and certIAnly none who have lived there, so your suggestions help a lot. Thanx again. ;)<BR><BR>... Yeah, they don't teach us spelling in American colleges. We're only expected to be smart enough to use spell checkers. Hehe

Jess, let me put a plug in for my favorite "back door", Liverpool. (Can you tell I'm a Beatles fan?) I also think that people up North are friendlier. If you choose to live in Manchester, you can always do Liverpool on a day trip. http://www.merseyworld.com<BR>http://www.visitliverpool.com

I did this in the Summer of 1997 but the other way round; I went to New York from Leeds. One bit of advice if you intend to work, as this might effect your choice. London will have lots of temp jobs but renting is just so expensive. Cornwall is cheaper, but employment opportunities are very hard to come by, especially out of the tourist season when you are travelling. Manchester, Edinburgh and Leeds might be the best choice, trendy City centres, and excellent club and music venues and the people are that little bit less jaded than Londoners. Any way I found it an unbelievable experience to legally live and work in another county.

Jess,<BR><BR>Edinburgh hands down. <BR><BR>I spent five years in Scotland at St. Andrews University (an hour from Edinburgh) - but made it up for the weekends to visit friends in London regularly so I know both quite well. London is a great city - but if you are only going to be in the UK for five months why live somewhere that gets more and more like New York every day - major cities around the world are becoming one huge similar blur - I would visit but skip living there. Edinburgh is truly beautiful, terribly rich in history and cultural - and it has far more character. Go for something different.

Jess, please don't let yourself be put off spending more time in London.. its a fantastic, world class city.

BRIGHTON BRIGHTON BRIGHTON.<BR><BR>Coolest town in England, Little London by the Sea, cosmopolitan, bohemian, restaurants, clubs, bars, gay scene, the beach, gigs, Fatboy Slim, the sea, the South Downs (about to be made a national park), friendly people, the Pavillion, the Brighton Festival (largest European arts festival with the exception of Edinburgh)everything a ten minute walk away, Arundel, Lewes, France a day trip away.<BR><BR>You won't need a car.<BR><BR>From experiene London is not a place to come without knowing people, unless you are going to work where you will meet loads of people. No-one really comes from London and tend to hang out in quite tight cliques. If you do make a friend in Camden and you live in Battersea, meeting up can be a nightmare.<BR><BR>Brighton has two universities, an art college and a technical college, plus tons of language schools so loads of students to play with.<BR><BR>Work to be had in the language schools, and a multitude of bar/restaurant/hotel work (you can work in a bar at 18) plus temping in offices.<BR><BR>Perhaps I should get a job with the Brighton Tourist Board?

Jess,<BR><BR>London is great as a visitor but tougher when working and it is difficult to find affordable accommodation. I would definately say Edinburgh. I am originally from the US and live in europe and considered last year moving to London or Edinburgh. After being in Edinburgh last week I would say that is my reccpommendation. It is easy to get around, a smaller city and not so stand offish (apologies to Londers!) as London. Strangers are much friendlier in Edinburgh and the city is the most beautiful with the Castle in the centre. You will be able to take trips to the highlands and get cheap flights/trains to London and other parts of the UK. I feel it is also easier to meet people in Edinburgh as well