Moving to the UK, where to live?

Hi Chadwyckp,

Ealing/Chiswick area to Marlow area commute will NOT be 25-30 minutes during rush hour!
I understand what you mean by 'reverse' commute - but I'd say the flow and heavyness of the traffic coming out of Ealing area in the mornings is only marginally lighter than the traffic heading into the area and further into London. I live in Slough, and when I worked in Ealing for 3 years, my daily commute would be 45-55 minutes on a daily basis - using the A40 - offices were right on the Gyratory. When schools were out, it was 20-25 minutes, 15 mins if I drove to enjoy my car - worst cases, i'd be stuck for like an hour to 75 mins. going the 'other way' and the traffic on the A40 coming out of London, yes, that side would be pretty busy and heavy too, as it turns into a motorway from the Slough junction, then the 15-20 miles or so from that junction to Marlow area I'd roughly estimate would add on 25- 40 mins to your journey in the mornings, so Ealing to Slough junction about 35-50mins plus 25-40 mins for that 2nd leg. Coming back in the evenings, possibly the same sort of times too.

As quite a few posters live around the West London, Berkshire, Bucks, Hertfordshire and Surrey areas, I think you do have other areas to consider living at in order to commute to Marlow and have the choice to hop into London for relaxing etc.

Hope the above helps a bit ! - Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

31 year old single Jamaican in London? We should have dinner. 

Now why don't I get offers like that?!  must be because I live in Slough!

LOL Slough to me is just a word but by the way you say it, it doesnt sound like a very good place.... Im still doing my househunting in London but if i find something in that area, Ill let you show me around.  Ill be in London in May via Florida, also for employment.

Hiya!

Yes, It's a running joke on this forum with a few members (you all know who you are!) as well as people you meet in general! Slough has a 'reputation' as being a bit grotty, but like pretty much every large town in the whole of the UK, theres nasty areas and good ones! Fortunatley, there are some awesome and fantastic suburbs of the town!

Historically, Slough is an industrial town, if you're looking for a place steeped in lots of history, stories and art culture - look elsewhere. If you're looking for a town that's now completely high end blue chip employers, a stone's throw from Heathrow & windsor , very very quick and easy to get into London, close to countryside and leafy green suburbs and smaller towns and villiages, employment opportunities, 'relatively' affordable housing/rentals availability - then Slough could be on the map for you!

There is of course, the fact that many UKY posters are simply living in Denial ! or that they're scared of me as I control who gets into my town ... end my Godfather accent there!

Cheers ! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Hiya!

Yes, It's a running joke on this forum with a few members (you all know who you are!)

It's not just us....Betjeman started it!

 

Vicky

I would try and live near Paddington or a tube stop or 2 away from there and take the train. I would think driving would be a major pain. Cars can be very expensive here, they are definitely more than cars in the states and everything adds up- petrol, road tax, etc. I guess it depends on what time you have to be to work as the school run can back things up. Also, insurance will be high if you're driving on a US license and you only have a year to take the test(s) for a UK one.

The train can actually be a relief as you can just sit there with a newspaper and a cup of coffee.

Living near Paddington.  Hmmm.  I wouldn't agree.  You will find that either VERY expensive or end up somewhere a bit grotty.


Vicky

Yeah if you're going to train it I'd stick with Ealing.  Remember Tony Blair lives in Paddington! Property prices have gone up there! 

31 year old single Jamaican in London? We should have dinner. 

  Count me in, since I either have a couple of octogenarian aunts/uncles or I only know exactly one person in my age group in all of England (and he's married with a family), I will need all the dinner invites and new friends I can handle.

Courtney
-Thanks for the offer, once things are finalized I will definitely shoot you a PM, all my research on the Ealing, Acton, Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush area comes up roses for me so far. Seems like the best compromise of living closer to London, without scarificing an arm and a leg to do so.

DtM
-Question about the commute, when I google-mapped addresses in Ealing (for flats I found on rightmove) to my job address in marlow. Most of them suggested I use the A40 for 7 miles to the M40 for another 13 miles, and it doesn't seem to go through Slough, it seems much more north. Does that make much of a difference?

In relation to Ealing where are these areas? "Berkshire, Bucks, Hertfordshire and Surrey" didn't have much luck on google maps.

JVJM
-I am still contemplating the car thing, I have been driving since I was 17 and am actually quite the petrolhead (got that from Top Gear on BBCAmerica haha). I not sure I could survive without a car, plus I looked at a one month ticket plan for Ealing-Broadway to Marlow (via Maidenhead and Bourne End) and that was like 252 pounds a month, thats more than I pay in the states for my car note and insurance! I am still on the fence car vs. train, actually I am even getting the crazy thought of getting a motorcycle which would surely send up my mother's blood pressure.

Count me in, since I either have a couple of octogenarian aunts/uncles or I only know exactly one person in my age group in all of England (and he's married with a family), I will need all the dinner invites and new friends I can handle.

Well you know more people than me! Im moving to England not knowing a soul! We need to keep and stay in touch.

Well you know more people than me! Im moving to England not knowing a soul! We need to keep and stay in touch.

agreed, sounds like you will be there a couple months ahead of me, my estimate arrival is August, so you should be in full swing by the time I touch down