My husband has lived here for almost three years. We have lived in two different locations and I have some suggestions for choosing successful housing.
- Find out what your employer's allotment is for housing. Decide if you want to add your money to lease a more expensive house. Look at prices including listings that are slightly more expensive. Many times agents can persuade people to take a lower monthly price. Housing paid for by a company is seen as an ideal renter. They know they can rely on payments in a timely fashion.
- Decide on how long a commute the person who does the commuting would find acceptable. On a fine sunny day 20 minutes extra seems OK but that actually adds up to one week a year. Remember in Cumbria we get lots of rain, fog, ice and even snow in the higher elevations. Also the commuter will be driving to work and home when it's dark many months of the year. Also thousands of commuters drive to and from Sellafield AT THE SAME TIME. This will add time to the commute. Our roads are not Interstates. The speed limit may be 60 but at shift change that's only theoretical!
- You need to look at things much differently than when buying a home stateside. This is temporary housing. Yes a new place is always nice but not if it's too far away or next to a pig farm and you're a city person! Do you like neighbors or not? When looking at the housing remember this isn't forever. Things are never 100% perfect. Figure out what you can live with. Personally I would have liked another full bath but instead I went for the killer views and never regretted it.
- Keep a good feel for the person who is trying to rent the house. One of our people had to move after about 6 months because the owner went into bankruptcy. Other people have had to move because owners who said two years was fine, changed their mind at the end of the first year. Still others moved after one year because they realized their commute was too long after a stressful day at work and wanted to live closer to the site. Finding a home isn't easy, repeating the process is frustrating. Remember the estate agent, however pleasant, wants to close the deal. Just ask lots of questions. Who is renting, why and how long has it been on the market? Great rentals go quickly. If something has been on the market forever there's a reason. If 15 other people assigned here passed it by, you've got to wonder why?
- What is important for your lifestyle? Do you enjoy being in a rural area or do you want to be closer to town. You can have either. There are apartments (flats), duplex type barn conversions (semi-detached house) and single dwellings (detached house). The problem is there are not many at one time. Some poeple get lucky quickly for others it takes a while, don't get discouraged. Will you be driving? If not, you need to check out bus routes, train stations or stay in town.
- Once you choose your housing, it's time for utilities. Things move more slowly here. BE PATIENT. It can take a few weeks or more to get everything in place Check to see what internet service is like in your area. Some areas are very poor, others are great, and occasionally people have resorted to mobile broadband. Services are provided in steps. First your satellite receiver, then you get your service appointment scheduled, then the card to put in the receiver is mailed to you, and then you're ready to go. Oh, except you can't get satellite TV until you have your phone service! Also you need to have your phone service up and going before you can schedule your internet. I would advise that you have all your services up and going before you move in, not just your electricity.
- Make sure you know who is responsible for your garden (i.e., yard care)
- Check out the appliances that are provided. Refrigerators are smaller than in the States. Icemakers are only a dream. (Actually I do know of only one) If you want to purchase an American Style Refrigerator make sure you have the space for one. Dishwashers and microwaves are similar to the States except microwaves lack the popcorn button. Popcorn is just not as popular here. Washers and dryers are important. Usually they are smaller than in the states. Some houses only have the washer. Hanging out clothes is popular here although I don't understand that whole idea. So make sure there is a dryer if you want one. DO NOT FALL for the all-in-one washer/dryer. Several of us had them and everyone found them inefficient and frustrating. Imagine a bed sheet washed and dried to resemble an ornate origami the size of a soccer ball.
- Check for water pressure and ask questions about heating. There are beautiful old homes that may be difficult to heat or drafty. Is that a deal breaker or are portable electric heaters OK? It very rarely gets very hot so air contitioning is not prevalent even in restaurants or hotels.
Happy home hunting.
Diane
