Cardiff

[kiwiMark]

So I was gonna bump the thread I made a month or three back about my moving to Wales, but then I remembered I actually just bitchjacked !luck's scotland thread, so I'll make a new one.

Just basically looking for anything that you think I should check out in the UK over the next six months. I've lived in Cambridge before for six months and been to London a couple times, but other than that I haven't seen much.

I was pretty excited to pick up an argos catalogue today.

[Pascal]

You're moving to Cardiff? Sweet. Where about exactly?

Will you have a car?

[DoubleJ]

...moving to Wales...

WAT!!?

[Luco]

Just basically looking for anything that you think I should check out in the UK over the next six months. I've lived in Cambridge before for six months and been to London a couple times, but other than that I haven't seen much.

I was pretty excited to pick up an argos catalogue today.

Willbur's chicken van ldo. Also Argos sucks.

Welcome to Wales, I may or may not drive down to Cardiff and say hi

[kiwiMark]

Thankee thankee. Yup, I arrive in Cardiff yesterday. I'm staying at a hostel right now while I look for a flat, so don't yet know where exactly but my girlfriend's living in a uni flat so with any luck somewhere near cathays I guess.

And nope, I've got neither a license nor car.

Does anyone know if there's a specific day or specific days in the UK (or wales, or cardiff) when's best to buy the local paper and look for properties? IIRC back home there're way more rental listings on like Wednesdays and Sundays than other days, for example.

[Pascal]

I'm in Cathays a fair bit, a friend lives down there. Odd place, but cheap rent and plenty of decent takeaways around.

South Wales Echo and Western Mail are the best papers to look in but not sure what days they do property pages. One day a week they'll probably do a special property section in the middle of the paper, any newsagent will know if you ask

[kiwiMark]

Perfect, that's exactly what I'm after. Thanks!

Cool, when I'm settled in a bit more we should defo meet up for a beer or something.

[OngBonga]

lol from NZ to Cardiff... are you mssing a chromosome?

Check the websites for those papers pascal mentioned... their sites should have property listings, or at least tell you what day to expect them in the physical paper. You really shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere in Cardiff.

And stuff to do... get some weed in, head for the mountains. Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Cambrian Mountains and the Black Mountains all very beautiful. There's tons to do if you like walking, kayaking, climbing or anything like that. Not the best time of year really, but if the weather is calm it's real nice provided you're well clothed. Some nice beaches in the SW corner around Tenby and all up the W and NW coast. Tor Bay in Swansea is nice, not sure if there's any nice beaches in Cardiff though. Again though, you've picked the worst time of year to move to Wales, it gets wet and cold through the winter months.

If you want my honest advice, get on the first plane back to NZ. You're crazy.

[BankItDrew]

... or something.

[kiwiMark]

lol from NZ to Cardiff... are you mssing a chromosome?

Check the websites for those papers pascal mentioned... their sites should have property listings, or at least tell you what day to expect them in the physical paper. You really shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere in Cardiff.

And stuff to do... get some weed in, head for the mountains. Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Cambrian Mountains and the Black Mountains all very beautiful. There's tons to do if you like walking, kayaking, climbing or anything like that. Not the best time of year really, but if the weather is calm it's real nice provided you're well clothed. Some nice beaches in the SW corner around Tenby and all up the W and NW coast. Tor Bay in Swansea is nice, not sure if there's any nice beaches in Cardiff though. Again though, you've picked the worst time of year to move to Wales, it gets wet and cold through the winter months.

If you want my honest advice, get on the first plane back to NZ. You're crazy.

NZ to Germany to Holland to Wales (hopping along to the next when visas expire), dunno if that makes it better or worse for you though.
Think I might take a break from the weed after the netherlands, although I'll admit to having sorted out a cardiff hookup before moving here.

I'm definitely not looking forward to the winter-induced depression but I'm yet to find anywhere on the top half of the world where I can hide from it. My girlfriend's doing an exchange year in Cardiff is the reasoning behind being here for the next six months, so maybe that'll help some anyway.

Good point on the websites of the newspapers, I'll go check that out now and see what days they have property listings. Actually I'll drink some more beer and do that tomorrow morning!

[rong]

In your situation (job, visa, references) I wouldn't bother with the property pages just yet. Google letting agents for the town you're in and take a walk down there, they'll typically all be located near eachother. Then go in each one and explain your situation plus what you're looking for and what price. You may find it quite difficult to find somewhere so if its a case of ruling out all properties via agents then so be it but at least then you'll know what to focus on.

[kiwiMark]

You mean that I'm quite likely gonna have to go for something through a "private" landlord or whatever you call someone who does his own shit directly, right?

That's basically my suspicion too, I think that the 6 month thing is likely to be the biggest problem. I emailed a few agencies on Friday and will do a bit more on Monday, basically as you say in the interests of ruling that out ASAP if it's not going to be a goer.

[rong]

Exactly. Prvt landlords are a whole different ball game. They'll except pretty much anyone, but it might help to pay a few months up front if you can.

[kiwiMark]

Yeah I'm in the happy position that I think I can even stretch to the full six months (still trying to get a bit of a feeling for what utilities/food/going out etc. is gonna cost before I wanna promise that to any potential landlord), and I'm guessing that'll be my biggest/only bargaining chip.

Thanks for the advice!

[Pascal]

Perfect, that's exactly what I'm after. Thanks!

Cool, when I'm settled in a bit more we should defo meet up for a beer or something.

In for that, just let me know when you're free and I can get a lift down any weekday night inc Friday.

Good luck finding somewhere to live

[Ash256]

And stuff to do... get some weed in, head for the mountains. Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, Cambrian Mountains and the Black Mountains all very beautiful. There's tons to do if you like walking, kayaking, climbing or anything like that. Not the best time of year really, but if the weather is calm it's real nice provided you're well clothed. Some nice beaches in the SW corner around Tenby and all up the W and NW coast. Tor Bay in Swansea is nice, not sure if there's any nice beaches in Cardiff though. Again though, you've picked the worst time of year to move to Wales, it gets wet and cold through the winter months.

This. And get yourself down to Clwb Ifor Bach if you want a night out, always fun. They do loads of different nights so peruse the listings and enjoy yourself.

Croeso i Gymru, brawd.