Member from UK, I need your help.....

jetbdude · 10-13-2005, 10:42 AM

OK, here's the deal. I quit my job in August, the plan was to go work in the Islands.... so far the plan is not working that well... we are still in Canada, waiting on some calls back.... The only job offer I have so far is in England, in Devon. The problem is I don't know nothing about that area. I think the job could be fun but I'm not to sure about moving over there....

Anyone from that area in here that could give me some info?

abtech · 10-13-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetbdude

OK, here's the deal. I quit my job in August, the plan was to go work in the Islands.... so far the plan is not working that well... we are still in Canada, waiting on some calls back.... The only job offer I have so far is in England, in Devon. The problem is I don't know nothing about that area. I think the job could be fun but I'm not to sure about moving over there....

Anyone from that area in here that could give me some info?

Don't do it. You'll miss Grattan . . . (Although you could make Snetterton, Brands, Cadwell, Donington, Mallory, Oulton etc.)

sheepofblue · 10-13-2005, 10:54 AM

I thought the intent of the islands was for warm and fun while making some $$. Am I missing something? England might be interesting but it is different than the Islands.

jetbdude · 10-13-2005, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

I thought the intent of the islands was for warm and fun while making some $$. Am I missing something? England might be interesting but it is different than the Islands.

Yeah, that's why I'm not sure about it and asking for some input..... That is the only REAL job offer I have so far.

As far as Gratan..... I can make it back here for 3 days

gt702 · 10-13-2005, 1:10 PM

I've only visited the UK (work near London and bike tour through England and Scotland), so my help is limited. That is a nice area in the UK. I think the weather is fairly stable due to the ocean currents, so not too cold in the winter. Some pretty good riding through out the UK, including Wales and Scottland, and a very motorcycle friendly environment. To me, for the right job, it would be worth trying for a couple years, if someplace warmer isn't available and you want to go somewhere.

Good luck in the job search, and the new marriage.

Proto · 10-13-2005, 3:38 PM

If I could choose a place to live in the UK it would be Devon. We spend two weeks a year on holiday there, Kingsbride to be specific which is south coast. Very beautiful, picture postcard stuff. Rolling hills, rivers, boats, etc, etc. Very mild climate.

North Devon is also a great place. A bit more rugged but still very pretty. Fair amount of surfing off the North Devon coast too if that's your thing - do a search for Croyde Bay.

Devon is a great place to ride motorcycles too. If you want bendy, twisty raods with plenty of elevation cahnges, then get yourself over.

My wife and I, depending how life shapes up over the next few years, hope to retire to Totnes.

BTW if you do come, don't bring one of your cars. Much too big for Devon.

PM me if I can hep in any way. Geniune offer.

jetbdude · 10-13-2005, 4:05 PM

Man, you make it sounds like it's paradise....

I do surf and enjoy a good twisty roads... Here is the shop I could work for http://www.simcomarine.com/ They are pretty big over there, and selling boats all over UK, they are the exclusive Doral dealer for all UK, so I'd be traveling A LOT over there, But I would be based in Devon. The owner is a real nice guy, the kind I would thrust and make that kind of move for.

It's not the British Virgin Island but it's a great offer and would be a nice experience. Me and Veronique are really thinking about it....

Thanks for your help Proto, you can expect a PM soon wit a bunch of questions.....

jetbdude · 10-13-2005, 11:02 PM

OK, it's not as warm as the Island could be but.........

HOW ABOUT A FREAKING TRAK DAY IN SILVERSTONE

http://www.trackdays.co.uk/calendar/

That will be a hard decision.........

oldfogey · 10-14-2005, 12:57 PM

Sorry for not replying sooner, jetbdude, been away for a while.

Devon is small, cosy, rural, pretty,touristy, hilly. It's cool and wet in winter, sometimes misty but usually sunny and warm in summer with great surfing in the Atlantic northern beaches. Roads are narrow and slow, often full of tourists and caravans going even more slowly in summer.

Exeter is a lively university city on the south coast, biggest urban area.

There's not much else there, and it's a long way from most other place in England, including race tracks and culture of any kind other than surf.

These may be of help:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/
http://www.devon.gov.uk/
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/...ncornwall.html

jetbdude · 10-14-2005, 10:28 PM

Thank you oldfogey, that is exactly the king of info I'm looking for. I'm going to talk again with the owners next week. We are not decide yet but seriously thinking about that option......

Thanks again

sheepofblue · 10-14-2005, 11:21 PM

You might warn Veronique that thier English will make sheep seem clear

colryn · 10-15-2005, 5:31 AM

Threadjack:
O.K. Now you peak my curiosity. Surfing in England?

I have never heard of it. Sounds like some mighty cold water temps.

Proto · 10-15-2005, 5:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colryn

Threadjack:
O.K. Now you peak my curiosity. Surfing in England?

I have never heard of it. Sounds like some mighty cold water temps.

Well, you do indeed need a wetsuit. According to this site water temp this morning at Croyde was 15 degrees. Pretty cold compared to
southern hemisphere stuff.
Even more extreme is the surfing off the north Scotland, near Cape wrath. Very cold indeed but they say the waves are worth it.

http://www.croyde-surf-cam.com/

http://www.britsurf.org/index.html

colryn · 10-15-2005, 5:51 AM

WoW. I had no idea.

Proto · 10-15-2005, 7:09 AM

[quote=oldfogey]
Exeter is a lively university city on the south coast, biggest urban area.

My son is a student at Exeter Universty and loves the city. Having a ball (and doing a little bit of work too, I hope)

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

There's not much else there, and it's a long way from most other place in England, including race tracks and culture of any kind other than surf.

Well it's true that Devon and Cornwall are a bit cut off from the rest of Engalnd but in US/Canadian terms the distances are very small. For example you could get from Totnes to Silverstone in something like four hours, 200 miles. Thruxton, Castle Coombe, Keevil are all much closer.

BTW one time I was at Croyde, there was a motorcycle race meeting at the RAF station at Barnstable, RAF Chivenor, north Devon.

Jetdude, if I was you I'd hop on a plane and get over and do a recce. Devon is a very attractive place to live. Oh, and don't bother packing your skis, snow in southern England, and especially the south west, is almost unheard of. Getting a bit rare in the rest of England these days too.

oldfogey · 10-17-2005, 4:57 AM

Another thought: the Torbay area is quite possibly where a job in your industry might be. This is not typical Devon, it's a major resort area in the south. It's byline is "the Riviera of England" but it definitely cooler in temperature than the south of France. Very pleasant area to live and work, structured like a series of coastal villages with green areas, cliffs and coves. Decent roads from here towards Proto's suggested race circuits, too.

http://www.torbay.gov.uk/
http://www.powerboat-instruction.co.uk/

allive · 10-17-2005, 6:12 AM

I’ve been to Devon several times and it's really nice town. I’ll take it over London any day.

oldfogey · 10-17-2005, 9:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allive

I’ve been to Devon several times and it's really nice town. I’ll take it over London any day.

That's rather the problem, aliive, lots of retirees and holidaymakers do exactly that. It's finding jobs that's the problem normally, but it sounds like jetbdude may have the answer to that one.

Jetbdude, don't forget our high taxes and housing costs if you're doing financial comparisons with Quebec.

jetbdude · 10-17-2005, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

Jetbdude, don't forget our high taxes and housing costs if you're doing financial comparisons with Quebec.

That was my next question....... I know we have it pretty bad here in Quebec...... 35 to 45% income tax, 15% sales tax.......

any numbers you can give me?

oldfogey · 10-18-2005, 5:12 AM

http://www.hwca.com/taxrates2005-2006.php may help. 17.5% VAT / sales tax. Local tax via housing, varies on area and value of property, say £1000 per annum, usually payable on top of rentals. No deductibles to speak of (no mortgage or loan interest deductible) other than pension payments if you're an employee. Much better situation if you are self-employed, when more of your "costs of doing business" are allowable.

cbrbiker · 10-24-2005, 5:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

http://www.hwca.com/taxrates2005-2006.php may help. 17.5% VAT / sales tax. Local tax via housing, varies on area and value of property, say £1000 per annum, usually payable on top of rentals. No deductibles to speak of (no mortgage or loan interest deductible) other than pension payments if you're an employee. Much better situation if you are self-employed, when more of your "costs of doing business" are allowable.

Good grief, a fellow Albanian!

Erm, I know this is my first post an' all, but I was just browsing when I spotted this bloke! I live in Marshalswick, near the Quadrant!

Anyhoo, UK is ok. Far too expensive and has a leader that's in bed with Dubya, but apart from that and the rain, it's ok...

Hmmmm, guess I'd better go and introduce myself somewhere...

Red Rider · 10-24-2005, 7:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrbiker

Good grief, a fellow Albanian!

Erm, I know this is my first post an' all, but I was just browsing when I spotted this bloke! I live in Marshalswick, near the Quadrant!

Anyhoo, UK is ok. Far too expensive and has a leader that's in bed with Dubya, but apart from that and the rain, it's ok...

Hmmmm, guess I'd better go and introduce myself somewhere...

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