UK owners. relocation help...

[obiparis]

good idea. I will make sure to buy more underwear/socks.

I found out the location. It's Didsbury, south of Manchester. Any comments on it? I just did some research and it seems like it's a nice city and the rent is not too bad.

[X5 Sport]

Before you arrange to rent anywhere I would check it out as Manchester has some real bad area's One that Springs to mind is Moss Side !Which is proberly the roughest part of the UK! I would also consider your traveling time to work. As we are a small country with a massive population. To give you a idea twice as many people living here as in the whole of Canada all shoved into a country smaller than Ontario or Florida.

[obiparis]

Thanks, X5 Sport. I also read that Moss Side MUST be avoided. I think I'll rent a place for 6 months (somewhere close to work), then I can pick where I really want to stay during these 6 months.

[X5 Sport]

I take it you have to go there first before you move try and find out where the other people at work live I am afraid I cant be much help with the particular area around Manchester as i am over 300 miles away and have only been there once. I rememeber Stalybridge being quite nice but that was over 15 years ago

[obiparis]

Guys, I accepted the offer. The offer is satisfactory, not super great. But considering the opportunity and experience, I think it should be a good move.

Thanks everyone for all the inputs. I appreciate that.

Now, what kind of car do yoy guys suggest/recommend? I have car allowance. I don't think I'll get X5. Maybe a wagon (I'm selling my 540it). I like the practicality of wagons. Do I need a smaller car for UK streets?

Maybe I'll post a new thread about this among other parts that I am going to sell.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by obiparis

Guys, I accepted the offer. The offer is satisfactory, not super great. But considering the opportunity and experience, I think it should be a good move.

Thanks everyone for all the inputs. I appreciate that.

Now, what kind of car do yoy guys suggest/recommend? I have car allowance. I don't think I'll get X5. Maybe a wagon (I'm selling my 540it). I like the practicality of wagons. Do I need a smaller car for UK streets?

Maybe I'll post a new thread about this among other parts that I am going to sell.

Got to be a Mini Cooper S then join www.mini2.com sign up for a few of the runs great way to see the countryside drive on some fantastic roads and meat loads of great people and make some great friends.

not forgetting to drop in our small website www.x5drivers.co.uk and ask any questions you want about the UK.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by obiparis

Guys, I accepted the offer. The offer is satisfactory, not super great. But considering the opportunity and experience, I think it should be a good move.

Thanks everyone for all the inputs. I appreciate that.

Now, what kind of car do yoy guys suggest/recommend? I have car allowance. I don't think I'll get X5. Maybe a wagon (I'm selling my 540it). I like the practicality of wagons. Do I need a smaller car for UK streets?

Good luck, it can be a great adventure.

For a vehicle, if you like a wagon, I would look at a 320d. Go to the BMW.co.uk site, and notice how the models all have the emissions listed in terms of what the company car tax rate is. It can vary significantly depending on model and engine. Make it part of the decision criteria. Also, check if there are deals set up with certain leasing companies. My company in the UK offered an allowance (so you could do your own thing) or a vehicle through a standard leasing company, at what was a pretty good rate. We had a huge list of cars to pick from, and they handled all the details, including delivering it to the office, maintaining it, etc.

Jeff

[obiparis]

Great info. I'm going to check out the lease program. But due to the mileage that I'll be driving, it may not work out well. However, worth a try. 3 series wagon may sound good. I'll do some more research.

my wife loves mini cooper. But I'm 6'2-6'3". That's kind of small for my size.

hmm...maybe an X3.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by obiparis

Great info. I'm going to check out the lease program. But due to the mileage that I'll be driving, it may not work out well. However, worth a try. 3 series wagon may sound good. I'll do some more research.

my wife loves mini cooper. But I'm 6'2-6'3". That's kind of small for my size.

hmm...maybe an X3.

that's the height my Allan is and he has no problems.

[obiparis]

That's good to know. Maybe I should test drive one here and see if I feel comfortable inside.

Please see my post on the parts that I'm selling and also pictures of my car (which I'll be selling as well).