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Graves

Graves

Well-known member
Hello fellow Seasiders, after having enjoyed the mildest winter of our lives here in Athens, I have decided that in the style of our very own Josh Bowler, it may suit my career better to come back home to the Uk.

Some of you may know the Graves’ recent (and somewhat turbulent) story. My wife is Russian, we were living and working in Moscow peacefully with our little girl, wife pregnant with no2, going about our routine happily and I had a decent job. The proverbial hit the fan and we got out of there ASAP which was very very difficult for us and left us rattled and wondering what to do. We stayed on the good old Gold Coast with family temporarily while we processed what was happening in the world, considering if the passing of time would make it safe to go back to ‘normal’ in Moscow. It didn’t and it still hasn’t. I pray for the Ukraine and for the people of Russia, (please believe me, so many of them do not want this and are either leaving, grieving or have no choice but to carry on).

I got the opportunity to come and work snd live in Greece this summer. So we went for it. Athens is a fantastic, warm and beautiful part of the world to be in, but my wage is just too low here to provide for my families future.

Therefore, I am seriously considering coming back to Britain, long term, to get us settled and stable.

My question is- if you had a job that would allow you a lot of flexibility on where exactly in the UK you could relocate to- where would be a decent spot for your kids to grow up- where would it be? I realise this is a broad question. Perhaps the seaside exiles up and down the country can chip in here. Brighton anyone? Leeds? Err, anywhere safe and affordable?

My wife needs a decent community around her as a full time mum, my toddler will be attending nursery next year, and my baby, well, she’s just happy as long as she gets her cuddles ;)

Of course I am biased towards the Gold Coast, but work opportunities in my sphere are, unfortunately, better in the major cities of England. (Don’t worry, I shall regardless be spending certain Saturdays following our tangerine chaps home and away, when time and dough allows) :)

With respect, John Graves and family.
 
Anywhere but Preston 🤣
Not best qualified to give you any advice, sorry, but wish you and your family the best of luck....hope everything works out for you.
 
If you're looking at Yorkshire, Leeds is probably the best place to find work, Where to live depends on your personal finances, anywhere between Skipton and Leeds would probably be OK and there is, normally, a good rail service in the area. ( Examples: Ilkley expensive, Burley in Wharfedale expensive, Shipley reasonable Saltaire dearer, Bingley reasonable, Skipton so and so)

As for football, we have an active fans group, Yorkshire Seasiders, in the area, and once again travelling, normally, is pretty good with a good rail service between York via Leeds , Bradford, Halifax, and so on to Blackpool North or if driving there is the M62 route, or a more sedate A65 and A59.

Hope this helps.
 
Graves said:
Hello fellow Seasiders, after having enjoyed the mildest winter of our lives here in Athens, I have decided that in the style of our very own Josh Bowler, it may suit my career better to come back home to the Uk.

Some of you may know the Graves’ recent (and somewhat turbulent) story. My wife is Russian, we were living and working in Moscow peacefully with our little girl, wife pregnant with no2, going about our routine happily and I had a decent job. The proverbial hit the fan and we got out of there ASAP which was very very difficult for us and left us rattled and wondering what to do. We stayed on the good old Gold Coast with family temporarily while we processed what was happening in the world, considering if the passing of time would make it safe to go back to ‘normal’ in Moscow. It didn’t and it still hasn’t. I pray for the Ukraine and for the people of Russia, (please believe me, so many of them do not want this and are either leaving, grieving or have no choice but to carry on).

I got the opportunity to come and work snd live in Greece this summer. So we went for it. Athens is a fantastic, warm and beautiful part of the world to be in, but my wage is just too low here to provide for my families future.

Therefore, I am seriously considering coming back to Britain, long term, to get us settled and stable.

My question is- if you had a job that would allow you a lot of flexibility on where exactly in the UK you could relocate to- where would be a decent spot for your kids to grow up- where would it be? I realise this is a broad question. Perhaps the seaside exiles up and down the country can chip in here. Brighton anyone? Leeds? Err, anywhere safe and affordable?

My wife needs a decent community around her as a full time mum, my toddler will be attending nursery next year, and my baby, well, she’s just happy as long as she gets her cuddles ;)

Of course I am biased towards the Gold Coast, but work opportunities in my sphere are, unfortunately, better in the major cities of England. (Don’t worry, I shall regardless be spending certain Saturdays following our tangerine chaps home and away, when time and dough allows) :)

With respect, John Graves and family.
Click to expand...
Have DM'd you
 
Don’t know where the work is that you need, but in terms of affordability the North East is generally not too bad, and has good transport links (usually!) if you don’t want, or can’t afford to live in the City.
 
Whatever your speciality occupation, there will certainly be more opportunities in the cities of the UK. However, as anyone will tell you, our cities suffer transport problems and poorest air quality. You may get higher wages in the cities but the costs are higher. You come across as an amenable character and should settle easily anywhere in the UK.
We all wish you all the best and let us know when you’re settled.
 
Bristol is a great city. In the North, if you need access to large cities but want nice nature and decent house prices then there are still parts of Cheshire that give you all that.
 
Depends what your field is but most companies offer remote working these days otherwise they lose out on talent and other companies are offering just that.
 
I have lived in Blackpool, Manchester, Leeds and London. I have to say Leeds is my favourite of those, it's a great city surrounded by some beautiful countryside and the people are friendly. Ilkley is a lovely place (££) (technically Bradford) but I had a place in Guiseley which was between Ilkley and Leeds, 20 mins into the centre, nice place, my mate lives in Morley which seems nice.

If I was staying in the South East I would consider somewhere like Margate, little seaside town that has a load of character and is on the up. Hertford/Ware way would perhaps be my next choice, if I was going west maybe Twyford way (££).

As the other chaps have mentioned, Bristol is a fantastic city, spent a weekend there for the opening day last season and could definitely see myself living there.

All the best for your move, moving out of the UK myself this year, Swedish Mrs wants to move back to Stockholm.
 
It massively depends on your skills sets John?
There are pockets of cities and towns which specialise in the skills you might have? If you were a game coder I’d suggest Dundee of all places.

Then you have to consider the cost of living versus wages. Better wages in the south but the cost of living is significantly more. Also what are your hobbies?
 
Well you can blame the astonishing behaviour of the IMF/ECB/EU for ruining so much of Greece; (or Germany as they now call it) by giving them crucifying difficult conditions on the 'bail out'. Didn't hear much from the IMF about regional inequality when they screwed them though did we.

Meanwhile; depending on what you do.

Get a Work from Home job and live where you like (the Gold coast is special)

From experience, if you can get a decent income, the North East is very good value for money and has plenty going for it (the Durham Heritage Coast, Northumberland Dark Sky stuff, cities of Durham and Newcastle etc etc). There are plenty of areas which are still genuinely community orientated - BUT, prospects for young people are lower and many move out.
 
If you prefer to be in the North I like the Leeds area suggestions. Lancaster would also be good with its location being handy for The Mighty.
 
Worcester and the surrounding area is quite a nice place to put down roots and being in the Midlands has easy access to Birmingham and the motorway network, also a good train service into London.
 
Hi Graves, I too was going to suggest the Bristol area.. I’ve relatives who have lived in Burnham on sea for a long time and love it.
You and your family really deserve a long period of stability and happiness wherever you do eventually decide to settle…
 
Graves said:
Hello fellow Seasiders, after having enjoyed the mildest winter of our lives here in Athens, I have decided that in the style of our very own Josh Bowler, it may suit my career better to come back home to the Uk.

Some of you may know the Graves’ recent (and somewhat turbulent) story. My wife is Russian, we were living and working in Moscow peacefully with our little girl, wife pregnant with no2, going about our routine happily and I had a decent job. The proverbial hit the fan and we got out of there ASAP which was very very difficult for us and left us rattled and wondering what to do. We stayed on the good old Gold Coast with family temporarily while we processed what was happening in the world, considering if the passing of time would make it safe to go back to ‘normal’ in Moscow. It didn’t and it still hasn’t. I pray for the Ukraine and for the people of Russia, (please believe me, so many of them do not want this and are either leaving, grieving or have no choice but to carry on).

I got the opportunity to come and work snd live in Greece this summer. So we went for it. Athens is a fantastic, warm and beautiful part of the world to be in, but my wage is just too low here to provide for my families future.

Therefore, I am seriously considering coming back to Britain, long term, to get us settled and stable.

My question is- if you had a job that would allow you a lot of flexibility on where exactly in the UK you could relocate to- where would be a decent spot for your kids to grow up- where would it be? I realise this is a broad question. Perhaps the seaside exiles up and down the country can chip in here. Brighton anyone? Leeds? Err, anywhere safe and affordable?

My wife needs a decent community around her as a full time mum, my toddler will be attending nursery next year, and my baby, well, she’s just happy as long as she gets her cuddles ;)

Of course I am biased towards the Gold Coast, but work opportunities in my sphere are, unfortunately, better in the major cities of England. (Don’t worry, I shall regardless be spending certain Saturdays following our tangerine chaps home and away, when time and dough allows) :)

With respect, John Graves and family.
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I don't know but good luck mate
 
Although we live in the frozen north, I have a soft spot for the ancient cities, Bath, York, Winchester and Canterbury. If you could work and live anywhere near those, great friendly city life. Good luck wherever you go.
 
Many thanks to all of you for your input and messages of support. Will have a good think about options.

London’s obviously where the most money is, been there, got my qualification, great place as every nationality in the world can be found there, but just too busy for me and I felt it got a bit heavy after a while. Particularly the cost and quality of accommodation for usual folk. I missed the space and the friendly attitude of the north. The atmosphere is just different but can understand cases for both and fair play to anyone who relocates from the north or elsewhere to make a good go of it.

Sheffield/Leeds lived in both and really like both cities as a good balance between things to do/see and escaping into nature. That’s my ideal balance really. Not too isolated but easy to reach green spaces.

Bristol never actually been but always wanted to. The north east is interesting
too, my grandad originally came from Gateshead before he settled in Blackpool.

I am a an experienced teacher, so one advantage is that I can find jobs in many towns and cities worldwide. I am starting to think the digital era would be nice yo get into in terms of a career… have looked into just teaching online but so far the companies who would take me on take too much of a cut and the return is not great for many hours sat at a laptop teaching English to foreigners, for example. Will keep exploring that as something to perhaps keep us afloat until a long term solution.

Hats off to anyone who works from home, must be nice not having to commute and to take different opportunities to make your working life work for you. I shall have to be on the frontline in a school somewhere, but my ideal case scenario is being at a decent school where I can send my own kids and therefore be around if they need me. Then there’s the joint holidays too. Ideal.

As for hobbies/lifestyle, I like being outdoors, keeping fit, walking, camping, cycling. Then there’s the usual stuff you can do anywhere, music, reading films but my entire world is now my little kids and I am happy if they are happy. Obviously going to the footy is a must for me. Any new country/city I’ve done in my time so far I’ve joined a local team or 5 a side and it’s always been a great way to meet new people. Lancashire area has one football meet-up called ‘kickabout’ on fb specific to new dads with a charitable fundraiser towards mental health as well.

Thanks again for those who took the time to write to me and I’m sure it’s interesting for other readers too. The uk is a great place because it does so much with such limited space. The people do have that unique character too. I feel that if you ever needed help on the street in the uk, 99/100 would help you in most situations.

I’ll figure it out and I’m looking forward to getting back and getting settled with some very good international experiences under my belt. Just a shame that this situation with Russia/Ukraine is going on. It’s not the 1940’s anymore, the world has evolved so much, yet has taken so many steps back these last few years.

Thanks again and God bless.

Johnny G.
 
Sounds like you you’ve really been through the mill but it looks like a positive plan to move to the UK. Your flexibility is a great position to be in so make the most of it, take your time and understand your priorities to ensure you make the right decision. I’d say it’s best to rent first so you have the flexibility to move on if you realise the decision you made ends up as not the right one as it’s easily done.

I’ve moved around England quite a lot and thoroughly enjoyed living in different areas. Most of my moves have been dictated by jobs and family so they won’t be relevant to you so I can’t advise but, having recently moved back up to the Fylde from the south, I really should point out the obvious fact that the weather is so much better down there!
 
Graves said:
Many thanks to all of you for your input and messages of support. Will have a good think about options.

London’s obviously where the most money is, been there, got my qualification, great place as every nationality in the world can be found there, but just too busy for me and I felt it got a bit heavy after a while. Particularly the cost and quality of accommodation for usual folk. I missed the space and the friendly attitude of the north. The atmosphere is just different but can understand cases for both and fair play to anyone who relocates from the north or elsewhere to make a good go of it.

Sheffield/Leeds lived in both and really like both cities as a good balance between things to do/see and escaping into nature. That’s my ideal balance really. Not too isolated but easy to reach green spaces.

Bristol never actually been but always wanted to. The north east is interesting
too, my grandad originally came from Gateshead before he settled in Blackpool.

I am a an experienced teacher, so one advantage is that I can find jobs in many towns and cities worldwide. I am starting to think the digital era would be nice yo get into in terms of a career… have looked into just teaching online but so far the companies who would take me on take too much of a cut and the return is not great for many hours sat at a laptop teaching English to foreigners, for example. Will keep exploring that as something to perhaps keep us afloat until a long term solution.

Hats off to anyone who works from home, must be nice not having to commute and to take different opportunities to make your working life work for you. I shall have to be on the frontline in a school somewhere, but my ideal case scenario is being at a decent school where I can send my own kids and therefore be around if they need me. Then there’s the joint holidays too. Ideal.

As for hobbies/lifestyle, I like being outdoors, keeping fit, walking, camping, cycling. Then there’s the usual stuff you can do anywhere, music, reading films but my entire world is now my little kids and I am happy if they are happy. Obviously going to the footy is a must for me. Any new country/city I’ve done in my time so far I’ve joined a local team or 5 a side and it’s always been a great way to meet new people. Lancashire area has one football meet-up called ‘kickabout’ on fb specific to new dads with a charitable fundraiser towards mental health as well.

Thanks again for those who took the time to write to me and I’m sure it’s interesting for other readers too. The uk is a great place because it does so much with such limited space. The people do have that unique character too. I feel that if you ever needed help on the street in the uk, 99/100 would help you in most situations.

I’ll figure it out and I’m looking forward to getting back and getting settled with some very good international experiences under my belt. Just a shame that this situation with Russia/Ukraine is going on. It’s not the 1940’s anymore, the world has evolved so much, yet has taken so many steps back these last few years.

Thanks again and God bless.

Johnny G.
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I’d be considering Australia - one of the best places to live in the World with teachers in high demand and hence a visa easy to come by.

Fantastic place for kids to grow up as well.
 
Mate who was my best man moved to Sydney nearly 25 years ago. He and his family have a great life there.

But..that was then and this is now - and with the effects of climate change becoming more and more obvious in Oz, I wouldn’t want to bring up a young family there now..

As for England.well basically the North West Coast or the North East Coast Whilst I have friends in Yorkshire it’s fairly tiresome to turn on the tv and be regularly lectured on how uniquely wonderful it is. It has nice areas, but everywhere has nice areas. Some of its seaside areas are nice, but other seaside areas are nice too.
 
MarkL1982 said:
As a York exile now living in Blackpool.. York is a wonderful city.. Deffo safe.. But getting expensive.. Only 2hr 45mins on direct northern rail to Blackpool on a good day...
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I/we like York.
Lovely city.
Last year we were there with our friends from France.
We decided to go into the Cathedral. We got to the door and they said 'That will be £12 each'.
Needless to say we didn't go in. What a rip-off.
£5 or £6 OK, but not £12.
Our friend used to work opposite the Cathedral and she wasn't happy with the price.
Still love the city though.
 
Given your a teacher, good thing is you are well in demand; but every teacher I speak to say it's the hardest/crappiest job ever - but they never leave, so who knows.

You'll have the pick of where you want to live.

I have to say, that up here in the NE other than the "greater Newcastle" area around the A1 (notwithstanding there are massive roadworks at the moment), there isn't ever really that long slog in nose to tail traffic, 'peak time travel' is a lot shorter and there's loads of gorgeous places to live coast/country.

It does get chilly.
 
We've moved around a bit, in the last few years lived in Blackburn (no particular recommendation for there) Norfolk, on the coast a few miles from Great Yarmouth, lovely county but quite isolated when it comes to getting anywhere. Now just outside Whitby, North Yorkshire, some great countryside around here with the coastal path and the moors, plenty of varied walking and cycling and about an hour from York.

Spent quite a bit of time around Northumberland and there are indeed some fantastic places to live.

Best of luck with your choices 👍
 
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