Tuesday 8 September 2015

London: the good, the bad and the downright ugly

First impressions count.  And unfortunately my first impression of London is lukewarm at best.

The Good:

  • Public transport - between all the different modes of transport London has got this down pat.  You can literally get anywhere in London using public transport.  It's easy, quick, reliable and reasonably-priced
  • Consumer's dream - customer service is much better here than Australia.  With most online retailers you can get free shipping or pickup from one of their stores.  Their sales are more impressive too.  Not to mention a lot more variety/options.
  • Public spaces - they have loads of parks and public spaces where you can sit and eat lunch/read a book/people watch.  Just a shame that it's not park weather for most of the year :(
The Bad:
  • At the current AUD/GBP exchange rate everything is soooooo expensive.  From my AUD$7 small takeaway coffee to my AUD$850 500 thread count sheet set (also - bedding is hideously expensive here - no idea why).
  • It's cold.  Yes I'm being a baby about it.  But I caught a cold one week after summer ended.  What is up with that.
The Ugly:
  • Ok.  Where do I start.  I am currently living in a room in a flatshare.  I'm paying £330/week for a room that's half furnished, about 3m x 4m, in a flat that doesn't have hot water or wifi, has a broken (ie warm) fridge and broken furniture.  Oh I forgot to mention the toilet that's blocked/when you flush it, it comes back up the shower drain into the shower.  A fortnightly cleaner was promised who hasn't come in 6 weeks.  The door to my room is broken and I can't close my bedroom door.  I'm sharing the flat with an inconsiderate couple who have not washed their dishes in about 5 days, who leave yoghurt and ham out for days on end, who have made the floors in the flat black with god knows what.  Not loving real estate agents right now.

12 comments:

  1. Oh no!!! The housing situation sounds absolutely terrible!! Do you have plans to move soon?

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    1. Yes that is my #1 priority after eating and sleeping at the moment

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  2. Hope you're going to the local pool/gym to shower!

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  3. Oh hunny, hope things improve for you soon!!!!

    SSG xxx

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  4. I really hope the housing situation gets better for you soon - sounds horrible. Have you tried even something like airbnb? It's easier to see a ranking for people you'd stay with and the places are normally furnished, with a better rate for people staying long term?

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    1. Thanks for the heads up. I actually found it difficult to book Airbnb for long term, don't know why. Just got rejected a lot :(

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  5. I thought the plumbing in London was terrible too! weird

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  6. ps things will start to get better for you soon! It's a big adjustment. As soon as you start earning pounds, you'll stop thinking in AUD.

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  7. Eek hope the flat share is temporary - that is crazy exxy. Hope you find a place with like minded ppl - don't live with a couple. Give it a go it takes awhile to settle down and once you're earning pounds things won't seem as expensive.

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    Replies
    1. Amazing advice, Thankyou Indi. It is definitely temporary, I couldn't live like this long term!!

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  8. Everywhere has both found. We meet to bad and good peoples. World is not equilibrium. On this time, you can take opportunity to getting the Local Moving Services Mansfield TX and get more details.

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Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment :)