Contracting and working and living short term UP NORTH

[oliverson]

I do the opposite - live in Yorkshire and contract in London, though I did spend 3 years living in Sussex.

In 13 years contracting I've probably had 4 years in Yorkshire. I have my own property obviously but rent is far cheaper than darn south and if you wanted to buy then you'll get a lot more for your money unless you're looking at the likes of Harrogate, Ilkley or North Leeds. Contract-wise, it's more laid back than the likes of London and professionalism is often an issue, as are day rates. Also, don't expect to be sat in the same role for any length of time. Most clients just can't afford it and want you in and out asap. There are exceptions to this but it's generally the norm. Agents are still of the view that skanking contractors is fair play. The market doesn't enjoy the same kind of rate % transparency that London does. Having said all this, there are a lot of positives. People are warmer and less concerned about shares and property portfolios. They're usually out the door by 17:00 at the very latest, recognising that life's not just about work. Weather is worse than the south but the scenery is fantastic in comparison. Does get snow though. Makes me laugh whilst living in Sussex and they had the North and South Downs, supposed AONB. Err, those are mole-hills not real hills and where are the rivers? Where are the curry's? Some areas are pretty boring as well. Beautiful but boring. Many people have no sense of humour either, or any character. I don't mind contracting in London for the part of the week I'm down there, better than 2-3 hours a day in the car round-rip to Leeds or Manchester, and I really enjoyed my 3 years living in Sussex but Yorkshire blows it away if you live in a nice part of it.

[SueEllen]

I do the opposite - live in Yorkshire and contract in London, though I did spend 3 years living in Sussex.

In 13 years contracting I've probably had 4 years in Yorkshire. I have my own property obviously but rent is far cheaper than darn south and if you wanted to buy then you'll get a lot more for your money unless you're looking at the likes of Harrogate, Ilkley or North Leeds. Contract-wise, it's more laid back than the likes of London and professionalism is often an issue, as are day rates. Also, don't expect to be sat in the same role for any length of time. Most clients just can't afford it and want you in and out asap. There are exceptions to this but it's generally the norm. Agents are still of the view that skanking contractors is fair play. The market doesn't enjoy the same kind of rate % transparency that London does. Having said all this, there are a lot of positives. People are warmer and less concerned about shares and property portfolios. They're usually out the door by 17:00 at the very latest, recognising that life's not just about work. Weather is worse than the south but the scenery is fantastic in comparison. Does get snow though. Makes me laugh whilst living in Sussex and they had the North and South Downs, supposed AONB. Err, those are mole-hills not real hills and where are the rivers? Where are the curry's? Some areas are pretty boring as well. Beautiful but boring. Many people have no sense of humour either, or any character. I don't mind contracting in London for the part of the week I'm down there, better than 2-3 hours a day in the car round-rip to Leeds or Manchester, and I really enjoyed my 3 years living in Sussex but Yorkshire blows it away if you live in a nice part of it.

If you want a decent curry you go to London or Slough. The two counties of Sussex are not really well-known for their ethnic diversity.

[Alias]

If you want a decent curry you go to London or Slough. The two counties of Sussex are not really well-known for their ethnic diversity.

Southall or Wembley are better for curries...

[cojak]

Living in manchester - less traffic, everywhere is 30 min away (job too), relatively good quality of life and air. Good parks, 1.5h away from lake district.

you can get nice 2 bed with balcony for 500, any decent flats are 500+ but start from 325 for tuliphole.

Living in Manchester, less traffic??

Really??? Do you walk everywhere in Manchester or are you well away from it come 4.30pm??

[SueEllen]

Southall or Wembley are better for curries...

Last time I checked Southall and Wembley were in London.

Also where you go depends on what type of curry you want.

[northernladyuk]

Last time I checked Southall and Wembley were in London.

Also where you go depends on what type of curry you want.

I you want good curry go to London or Leicester.

[SueEllen]

I you want good curry go to London or Leicester.

Personally I prefer to visit friends whose ethnic backgrounds are from the region who can cook....

[MarillionFan]

Anywhere North of Watford is full of Northern Monkeys. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

[DimPrawn]

Anywhere North of Watford is full of Northern Monkeys. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

The nice bits look okay though.

[ladymuck]

....Makes me laugh whilst living in Sussex and they had the North and South Downs, supposed AONB. Err, those are mole-hills not real hills and where are the rivers? Where are the curry's? Some areas are pretty boring as well. Beautiful but boring. Many people have no sense of humour either, or any character...

Having lived in Sussex for all bar the last three years, I find it interesting when people slate the place by basically saying it's not the same as another part of the UK and then claim to have had a nice time despite this.

The north downs run from Surrey to London to Kent (not part of Sussex at all). It's a ridge of low lying chalk hills and two parts of it fall within an AONB. The whole range is not an AONB. Apparently chalk downland is ecologically important.

The south downs run from Hampshire down to Beachy Head in East Sussex. More low lying chalk hills and none of it is an AONB but there are 37 SSSI's and a good chunk is now a national park to stop out of towners building on it.

There are 17 rivers in Sussex - 9 in West, 7 in East and one that is in both (the Ouse, not to be confused with the Yorkshire River Ouse). I'm sorry you weren't able to find any of them.

EDIT: and yes you can get a decent curry. The people can be a bit arsey but only to those who think they're superior. Boring depends on your expectations.