Things have been very quiet here over the last couple of weeks simply because there aren’t enough hours in the day. I accepted an offer on my house over two weeks ago but after that had to start looking for somewhere to live.
Being honest I thought finding a flat in London would be easier than it has proved to be. About ten days ago I found somewhere I wanted to put an offer in on and phoned the bank to confirm my mortgage agreement in principle. Unfortunately because of a couple of things earlier in the year (when I took a couple of months off work) the application took longer than anticipated and so I lost out on the flat I wanted to buy.
No matter, I had a second choice of place which I then proceeded to put an offer in on. Unfortunately the people selling that one decided that they were going to take it off the market the same day I offered! Beginning to think that I was being conspired against I started looking again. This is where it gets interesting. I found a place I really liked on the River Thames looking across to Canary Wharf, the problem was that the flat was quite a bit above my (self imposed) budget. I decided to take a punt to see whether my luck had changed and as expected the offer was rejected out of hand. I returned with a slightly higher offer but still much lower than the asking price and just sat and waited. Well last night I got a call to say that, shock, horror, my offer has been accepted.
This is great news as I think I’m getting a great deal, now I just have to try and get everything moving with the solicitor and bank as quickly as possible. But hopefully it means I’ll be moving some time towards the end of October, or beginning of November assuming that there are no more problems.
My commute will be dropping from just under two hours each way to under 30 minutes. Not sure what I’m going to do with all the extra time! Woohoo!
Congratulations Matt! I lived on the Isle of Dogs for several months back in the early ’90s, when Canary Wharf was in its infancy. I take it from your description this puts you on the south side of the river, north of Greenwich, but I’m curious if you get to see good sunrises or sunsets. Also, what transit line would you take? I understand the Jubilee line comes to Greenwich, but I don’t think that’ll get you easily to Liverpool Street (although I may be confused about your current work location).
I just overhauled my own commute here in DC by bying an electric assist bicycle. I can cover in 25 minutes what used to take 45 by foot – subway – foot, or 35 by foot – subway – cab (adding $8 to the cost). The electric assist comes in handy because one goal I had was not to have to change clothes/shower. Since its mostly uphill on the way home, the electric assist also keeps my return time down to 30-35 minutes whereas a regular bike might require 50+. I understand this arrangement is more common in the UK/Europe, but so far I’m the only person I know here with one (although lots of folks ride regular bikes).
Now I’ll think of you every time I catch the opening to a rerun of EastEnders
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Your London geography sounds spot on. The flat is in Surrey Quays, on the south bank of the Thames and a five minute walk from Surrey Quays tube station. That’s on the East London line which means I can get onto the Jubilee which runs to London Bridge (I am working a ten minute walk from there) or up to the District line from where I can get to Monument or Liverpool Street both of which are a five minute walk from the office.
Matt
I see it (google maps). Don’t have my 15-year-old tube map in front of me, but is the “East London Line” new like the Jubilee? Also looks like the DLR has expanded a good bit…does it go under the River at Island Gardens – Greenwich, or is that a separate line on the south side? Very weird…last time I was there was before the Internet and mobile phones were common…so much has changed. Is Nelson at least still in Trafalgar Square?
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The East London line isn’t new but it’s very short so a bit ignored by the world. There are plans to extend it both north and south but not for another 5 years or so.
The DLR is getting pretty big these days, it runs south of the river to Lewisham (going under the river at Greenwich as you said), and it also runs right down to Woolwich on the north side of the river as well. A pretty good service all round actually.
Nelson is still there but looking somewhat different as they have been working on restoring him all this summer for the first time in 25 years or so.
You need to get over here to see how things have changed since you were last here!
Matt
You mean Heathrow doesn’t count?
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The sad thing is I’ve probably changed planes at Heathrow 4 or 5 times in the last 6 years, but never ventured out. Paul is twisting my arm to come to ILUG next year, so perhaps I’ll make it yet.
I don’t suppose my 15 year-old BT phone cards would still work? Oh, and I probably have 20-30 quid in small change, but I’m pretty sure those aren’t collector’s items yet.
Please give my regards to Horatio. He’ll remember me…I was the drunk bloke in the square at New Year’s 1992
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