Possible positives of moving to the UK in winter?

[5co77ie]

our cold is nothing like your winters by the way - we go down to below zero celsius very rarely, and we live in stone houses not wooden batches.

[HGavin]

True, winter's aren't terribly cold in Auckland where I'm currently living, houses definitely aren't well insulated though. In Dunedin where I grew up it gets pretty cold, they survive via heatpumps mostly. Not the student flats though, you just have to suffer the freeze in them. I'm guessing English housing is much more prepared for the weather.

Edited October 23, 2014 by HGavin

[philipsteak]

Yeah, it is. Central or storage heating rather than heat pumps usually.

I spent 4 years in Queenstown. Considering its a ski resort, and therefore you'd expect it to get pretty cold in winter, I couldn't believe how badly insulated and heated the houses were. The worst house I've lived in in the UK was much better than the best house I lived in NZ.

(saying all that, I'd be back like a shot if I could)

Edited October 23, 2014 by philipsteak

[russycarps]

Yeh it really isnt cold in london in winter these days. It's a bit grey, a bit rainy. Might get a day or two of snow (which destroys the public transport network) but generally the nice pollution keeps us all toasty.

[atomised]

I think you're right. London stays a reasonable temperature throughout

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I think you're right. London stays a reasonable temperature throughout

Is that temperature cool?

Apologies, I couldn't resist. I've got nothing against London really.

[HGavin]

Could start a seperate thread for this but may as well keep this nice one going - what are some London-UK gigs coming up early next year, Jan onwards that people are going to?

Edited October 26, 2014 by HGavin

[atomised]

Slipknot in london in January with korn. What sort of music are you into.

[HGavin]

Indie, rap, rock, most shit.. Would have been keen to be there for Morrissey next month Bombay Bicycle in Dec, but there's always shit on over there so not too bothered bout missing a few.

[atomised]

Youll always find plenty on in London then. January can be a quiet month as far as big tours go but smaller gigs continue throughout the year and are a great way to explore

[atomised]

Any closer to deciding when you'll be making it over

[A-Rob]

Going to be in London for a short holiday 4 days next week. Going to attend Slowdive gig on Friday and hopefully Manics gig on Wednesday (tickets depending).

anybody going to these gigs?

Also what the are the best things to do around Camden area

[russycarps]

Going to be in London for a short holiday 4 days next week. Going to attend Slowdive gig on Friday and hopefully Manics gig on Wednesday (tickets depending).

anybody going to these gigs?

Also what the are the best things to do around Camden area

You arent far from the Abbey Road crossing. Go and get your photo taken there would be no.1 on my list.

Then I'd get pissed.

[midnight]

Going to be in London for a short holiday 4 days next week. Going to attend Slowdive gig on Friday and hopefully Manics gig on Wednesday (tickets depending).

anybody going to these gigs?

Also what the are the best things to do around Camden area

I'd have a look at Koko, Roundhouse, Jazz Cafe, Dingwalls and Underworld to see what's on. There are several pubs along Camden High Street (and its little side streets) that regularly have live music, can't really recommend one over the other as it is the luck of the draw what the craic is going to be, some nights are just much better than others.

Camden market is crowded and a tourist trap, if that doesn't put you off, it's a good place to pick up some unusal gifts (and haggling somethimes works) and definitely a good place to eat - lots of choice and much cheaper than the local restaurants. Plenty of pickpockets about, though.

Regents Park is nice and just a short walk away. On the canal, there's a restaurant boat called Feng Shang Princess (chinese food), it looks really nice in the dark when lit, but it is quite expensive, it's on the way to the zoo.

Hope you'll have fun - I really like Camden.

Edited December 11, 2014 by midnight

[Bisque]

I would very much recommend The Boat Show Comedy nights on Friday & Saturday on the Tattershill Castle, right across from the London Eye so great views. I know its not music, there's a disco after, but I have never had a bad evening there but I'd be careful of the bouncers.

fabriclive on Fridays has some great DJs, but be careful not to lose your friends! That's in Faringdon.

I do hate whatever bridge I cross during winter ruins my hair do.

Personally I prefer living in smaller cities, less dicking about & cheaper. Unless I was a millionaire.

Edited December 12, 2014 by Couchy

[russycarps]

London doesnt have to be stupidly expensive. You can have a fantastic day/weekend out and not spend a single penny (if you take a packed lunch with you)

[A-Rob]

Cheers for the advice fellas

[LondonTom]

London doesnt have to be stupidly expensive. You can have a fantastic day/weekend out and not spend a single penny (if you take a packed lunch with you)

Agreed, even just spending a couple of hours wandering along the south bank can be great fun. (Used to be better, especially since they opened all the shitty new coffee shops and started putting Christmas markets in there. "Cleaned Up" indeed!). The parks are great in the summer, pinic, few cans and mates what more do you want? Love going over Greenwhich, which if you ignore the pubs can be decent and cheap!

But its err a bit cold for those, being in Camden you are not far from the museums (Science/Natural History) and if you avoid weekends (and get in this week before Christmas holidays start!) they can be great fun!

Closer to camden is the British Library and the British Museum though. Not as fun but intresting if you've never done them before. Think Midnight coverd most of the night time stuff but Dublin Castle/Barfly are worth checking out for drinking/live music .

[russycarps]

Agreed, even just spending a couple of hours wandering along the south bank can be great fun. (Used to be better, especially since they opened all the shitty new coffee shops and started putting Christmas markets in there. "Cleaned Up" indeed!). The parks are great in the summer, pinic, few cans and mates what more do you want? Love going over Greenwhich, which if you ignore the pubs can be decent and cheap!

But its err a bit cold for those, being in Camden you are not far from the museums (Science/Natural History) and if you avoid weekends (and get in this week before Christmas holidays start!) they can be great fun!

Closer to camden is the British Library and the British Museum though. Not as fun but intresting if you've never done them before. Think Midnight coverd most of the night time stuff but Dublin Castle/Barfly are worth checking out for drinking/live music .

Indeed. And not using the tube is also a really good way of seeing stuff you didnt even know existed. Central london is not that huge. The walk from the west end to the city is really pleasant, and only 40 mins or so. Either along the river (as said) or through the streets you'll stumble across some really historic stuff.

Also, if you want a good elevated view of the city then forget about the rip off shard or the big wheel, go up the monument. It only costs £4.