Milton Keynes ????

Manitou21
New Member



Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 1

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 7:20 am

 

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I'm currently considering a transfer from Toronto to Milton Keynes....anybody ever visit MK? what about cost of living?Daycare??? what's the biggest adjustment for Canadias moving to the UK...

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Chrystyna
New Member



Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Birmingham

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:27 am

 

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I'm in Birmingham rather than MK, so I can't help there, but I can share a few observations having moved to the UK from Toronto myself.

In regards to Daycare...it can be extortion! Someone I've worked with said that her nursery charges £1.00 a minute for every minute you are late in picking up your child...I don't know what others are like not having a child but that seems crazy to me!

Milton Keynes is pretty much a commuter town for London so at least you'll have the capital close by. Some may not view that as a benefit, however coming from Toronto, you may miss big city life and London is definitely a big city! I prefer Tdot myself but perhaps I'm biased.

However, there are some great things about the UK. The history that looms around every corner never ceases to amaze me. I mean, I've sat in a pub that William Shakespeare frequented. You don't get that in Canada!

Also, travelling to continental Europe is great. I've flown from Birmingham to Spain for the weekend at £0.02 return plus my taxes. Yes that's TWO PENCE! If it weren't for the airport tax, that'd be cheaper than riding the TTC!

Good luck with moving to the UK. I do enjoy it here but don't be surprised if you get the comment..."You're from Canada? What are you doing here then?!"
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"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell..."

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CamMoose
New Member



Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Cambridge, UK

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:38 am

 

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Milton Keynes is probably one of the least typical places in the UK. It reminds me, in parts, to suburbia in Canada. The town was designed from scratch as a 'New Town' to rehouse people following the housing crisis that occurred after the war when large parts of Britain's cities were flattened.

The design was/is quite revolutionary for the UK - streets are set out on a grid plan regularly divided by large boulevards that are lettered and numbered (but also, in deference to British sensibilities, named). Some people here find MK to be a bit characterless as a consequence. I reckon it is OK...There is a good shopping centre, easy access to the M1 motorway and is midway between Cambridge and Oxford so location is pretty convenient. Brits will tend to be a bit negative about MK but you should judge for yourself...it all depends on what you are used to!

One humourous aspect....it is famous for its concrete cows.

After MK was opened up for families to settle the city fathers bought in an artist to create concrete cows in park to give it more of a countryside feel...the rest of country considers this to be a bit of a joke!

Neil

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Blue and White Army
Senior Member


Back to Vancouver in March!

Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Posts: 110
Location: West Sussex, UK

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:58 am

 

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Just don't support the MK Dons Football Club!

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cyndagunn99
New Member



Joined: 19 Sep 2004
Posts: 1
Location: Milton Keynes England

Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 1:29 am

 

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I am An American living in Milton Keynes. it is a HARD town to adjust to.

I been here 4 years and Hate it. people are not friendly to new comers.

However if your heart is set on coming to MK, I run a social group.
For expats, and anyone else that might want to join.

There are loads of expats here..just trying to find them and having a group here..in Milton Keynes is difficult

MK is a metropolitan bedroom of sorts, everyone works either in London or Birmingham or somewhere like that. and if you're young you might fit in. but if you are newly married and do not know a soul..can be difficult.

Contact me.
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American living in England.

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