Long Short Term Stay

While I get my degree rolling, I would love to spend a couple months next summer (June-July next year) living in a small town in England and was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction to live affordably for a couple of months.  I want to get the feel of living there, even though I won't be able to work in the UK, I want to get the feel of what it will be like before I arrive there later down the road.  I would prefer a town that has access to the rail, so I can get to/from London.

Thanks for your input.

May I answer a question with a question?   What would you be doing for those couple of months?  Coming to a town without contacts, not working, I find myself worried that you might get just a tad bored and lonely. And I also find myself wondering of the immigration officer at the airport would wonder if you had other plans.  Think about approaching it from some sort of hobby / interest perspective - something that will keep you fascinated for the who time you're visiting, will have you meet people with a similar interest, and will seem much more logical to the guy at the airport.  You'll also feel much more that you're living and not just existing on any long evenings in Aldershot, Billericay or Chesham 

Definately going out and meeting people, getting used to Pub life.. and social night life.  I would be unable to take a temporary job to get used to the working aspect however..

Maybe instead I'll go with Bunac, spend 6 months.. have a job.. get a good grasp that way.  Would that be a recommended option?

What would you be doing for those couple of months?  Coming to a town without contacts, not working, I find myself worried that you might get just a tad bored and lonely. And I also find myself wondering of the immigration officer at the airport would wonder if you had other plans. 

I wouldn't worry about immigration officers. I moved over with no plans to work and  had no problems at all. But, yes, you might get bored. However, if you're like me, you'll find there's so much to see and do in this country that you'll never be at a loss for something to occupy your time with. In fact (I see I'm the lone voice of dissent yet again!), I think you'd be better off not working. It would give you far more time to get to know the country and to do some traveling around to different areas.

I wouldn't worry about immigration officers. I moved over with no plans to work and  had no problems at all. But, yes, you might get bored. However, if you're like me, you'll find there's so much to see and do in this country that you'll never be at a loss for something to occupy your time with. In fact (I see I'm the lone voice of dissent yet again!), I think you'd be better off not working. It would give you far more time to get to know the country and to do some traveling around to different areas.

Problem is I'd be 20 next summer, not old enough to rent a car (atleast from the large guys).  All my travels would have to be on public transportation (rail, tube, etc).  Although that too was fun, the furthest I've gone on public transportation was from Chelmsford, Essex to London.  Not really far in comparision to a journey from Birmingham to London or something else.  I would love to just be able to travel around, one of my hobbies is photography which would be wonderful for this.  But my goal is to try and get a feel for life, I doubt I'd spend most of my non-holiday time traveling the country taking a picture of nature or architecture.  Although that would be a fun job.

I wouldn't worry about immigration officers. I moved over with no plans to work and  had no problems at all. But, yes, you might get bored. However, if you're like me, you'll find there's so much to see and do in this country that you'll never be at a loss for something to occupy your time with. In fact (I see I'm the lone voice of dissent yet again!), I think you'd be better off not working. It would give you far more time to get to know the country and to do some traveling around to different areas.

But you had a British passport, didn't you Belindaloo?
There would be no reason for them to ask what you were going to be doing with your time....

Has Osiris got a UK passport as well?

But you had a British passport, didn't you Belindaloo?
There would be no reason for them to ask what you were going to be doing with your time....

Has Osiris got a UK passport as well?

Doh! You're right. I did use my UK passport. How quickly we forget! But I do remember being a bit worried that they'd want to know why there was no stamp showing that I'd left the UK to go the US. This was the first time I was using my UK passport, so it was a bit odd that my first use was on entering the UK. Still, nobody said anything. And I still think Osiris will be OK -- after all, a couple of months is really just an extended vacation, especially if you're a student.

Yeah, a couple of months wont really raise any eyebrows, as long as you've got enough cash to support yourself for that time.

I've got to find a place to stay, and how to secure it so when I'm there I can go straight there.  A hotel would be out of the question, the costs would be extremely high for 1-2 months.  I've never done this before, never had to plan to be away from home for so long.

A B&B or a youth hostel might be a good starting place. Depending on where you're headed in the UK, I'm sure people on UKY would be able to get you referrals and phone numbers. For a 1-2 month stay, if you're coming in the off-season, you may be able to get a good deal on a self-catering flat or cottage. Their summer rates are high, but in the winter they'd be drastically reduced -- especially if you're staying for a couple of months; you might be able to negotiate yourself a good deal.

You might also want to post on craigslist if you want to come anywhere near London...as in you need a place to stay for x amount of money for x number of months.

You might also want to post on craigslist if you want to come anywhere near London...as in you need a place to stay for x amount of money for x number of months.

I actually would like to be either near Chelmsford, Essex (would this be comsidered "near London") or in Birmingham.  I am going to try to come out in the fall, to have a lower expense in air travel and flat cost (if I manage to find one anyway).