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Title say it all really. Would you move to Cardiff from London?
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
I'd move to pretty much anywhere from London!
Having said that - capital city to capital city - Hmmmmmm
I'd move to pretty much anywhere from London!
Having said that - capital city to capital city - Hmmmmmm
In reply to mumtaz.ay: Why would a climber ask a question like that ???
In reply to Billg: Cardiff's not a great climbing city tbh-better than London though!And it's a friendly, manageable size.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
I lived in cardiff for 4 years and loved it.
Also 20 minutes and you can be out in the country. Not too far from the gower either
I lived in cardiff for 4 years and loved it.
Also 20 minutes and you can be out in the country. Not too far from the gower either
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
I don't live in Cardiff
I don't live in Cardiff
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
As a climber, no...i
As everything else, yes ..
But it's where I was born and all that .
Why/what are you thinking of moving for?
As a climber, no...i
As everything else, yes ..
But it's where I was born and all that .
Why/what are you thinking of moving for?
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
Although not actually from London, a couple of my friends have moved to Cardiff and they love it. One was a Buckinghamshire married couple with a son who moved there about 7 or 8 years ago and one was a single girl, originally from Manchester, in her early 20s moved there last year from Maidenhead. From what they've said, it seems a friendly enough place.
Although not actually from London, a couple of my friends have moved to Cardiff and they love it. One was a Buckinghamshire married couple with a son who moved there about 7 or 8 years ago and one was a single girl, originally from Manchester, in her early 20s moved there last year from Maidenhead. From what they've said, it seems a friendly enough place.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
No question really, I'd move. Cardiff is a really nice city with loads going for it.
I may be bias as I'm from there originally.
No question really, I'd move. Cardiff is a really nice city with loads going for it.
I may be bias as I'm from there originally.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
In a heart beat.
I use to live in London, and unless you actually know anybody it is the loneliest place in the country.
Wales on the other hand is a different story. You have the North Welsh and the South Welsh. The South Welsh are among the most friendly and welcoming people there are.
In a heart beat.
I use to live in London, and unless you actually know anybody it is the loneliest place in the country.
Wales on the other hand is a different story. You have the North Welsh and the South Welsh. The South Welsh are among the most friendly and welcoming people there are.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
Definitely. As others have said, Cardiff is near lots of good climbing, 20-30 minutes to the Valleys and Ogmore, 45 minutes to the Gower and Wye Valley, 1 hour to Bristol, 2 hours to Pembroke, bit longer but Dartmoor and Devon aren't that far away either. You can get up to the Roaches in 2.5 hours as well. So as a climber you'll like it.
It's a nice place to live in general. Friendly people, decent shops & restaurants. Great mountain biking and walking. You get a decent amount of bands, theatre and the like passing through. People are much friendlier in general.
While it's not London, I moved from Milton Keynes to South Wales and I prefer it here.
Definitely. As others have said, Cardiff is near lots of good climbing, 20-30 minutes to the Valleys and Ogmore, 45 minutes to the Gower and Wye Valley, 1 hour to Bristol, 2 hours to Pembroke, bit longer but Dartmoor and Devon aren't that far away either. You can get up to the Roaches in 2.5 hours as well. So as a climber you'll like it.
It's a nice place to live in general. Friendly people, decent shops & restaurants. Great mountain biking and walking. You get a decent amount of bands, theatre and the like passing through. People are much friendlier in general.
While it's not London, I moved from Milton Keynes to South Wales and I prefer it here.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
I live in Cardiff.
It is a nice city, plenty of greenery and the lovely Cardiff Bay, and the countryside is very close and easy to get to. Although getting to the national parks in Northern England and Wales is not easy from here.
If you're used to a lively city like London, then Cardiff is a massive departure. In comparison it is tiny (300,000 compared to 10,000,000). You will find it very small and very quiet so finding an open shop after certain times is a pain etc. On the other hand, you won't have to deal with unfriendly londoners
I live in Cardiff.
It is a nice city, plenty of greenery and the lovely Cardiff Bay, and the countryside is very close and easy to get to. Although getting to the national parks in Northern England and Wales is not easy from here.
If you're used to a lively city like London, then Cardiff is a massive departure. In comparison it is tiny (300,000 compared to 10,000,000). You will find it very small and very quiet so finding an open shop after certain times is a pain etc. On the other hand, you won't have to deal with unfriendly londoners
In reply to The Lemming:
I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
> (In reply to mumtaz.ay)
>
> In a heart beat.
>
> I use to live in London, and unless you actually know anybody it is the loneliest place in the country.
>
>
> In a heart beat.
>
> I use to live in London, and unless you actually know anybody it is the loneliest place in the country.
>
I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
In reply to mattrm: 'Cardiff is near lots of good climbing, 20-30 minutes to the Valleys and Ogmore.'
Er... there's a contradiction in terms if ever there was one, and only possible for someone who hasn't lived within easy reach of the Peak or Yorkshire!
Er... there's a contradiction in terms if ever there was one, and only possible for someone who hasn't lived within easy reach of the Peak or Yorkshire!
In reply to Cú Chullain:
I agree. Londoners are often a bit slick and hard to pin down, but not unfriendly. It's easy to get a wide circle of friends here, usually amongst the "outsiders" who are all in the same boat. You end up with friends from everywhere.
Plus, aside from climbing (which sucks), London is very, very interesting.
I agree. Londoners are often a bit slick and hard to pin down, but not unfriendly. It's easy to get a wide circle of friends here, usually amongst the "outsiders" who are all in the same boat. You end up with friends from everywhere.
Plus, aside from climbing (which sucks), London is very, very interesting.
In reply to Cú Chullain: I used to love living in London too, was (and I'ms sure still is) a great place to be young.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Yeah nothing compared to the Peaks, but there are a few decent quarries nearby. The best are probably Wye Valley, about an hour away, and Gower, about 1 hr 45
Yeah nothing compared to the Peaks, but there are a few decent quarries nearby. The best are probably Wye Valley, about an hour away, and Gower, about 1 hr 45
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
True. However when I wrote that sentence, I started with the Gower and Wye Valley, then thought I ought to add the Valleys & Ogmore in. So maybe it would be better like this:
There's some manky climbing in the Valleys which is 20-30 mins away.
There's some 'interesting' trad climbing at Ogmore and a nice sport crag there as well, which is 30 minutes away. There's some good climbing in the Gower and Wye Valley.
It's still better than nowt tho and better than what you'll get in London...
> (In reply to mattrm) 'Cardiff is near lots of good climbing, 20-30 minutes to the Valleys and Ogmore.'
> Er... there's a contradiction in terms if ever there was one, and only possible for someone who hasn't lived within easy reach of the Peak or Yorkshire!
> Er... there's a contradiction in terms if ever there was one, and only possible for someone who hasn't lived within easy reach of the Peak or Yorkshire!
True. However when I wrote that sentence, I started with the Gower and Wye Valley, then thought I ought to add the Valleys & Ogmore in. So maybe it would be better like this:
There's some manky climbing in the Valleys which is 20-30 mins away.
There's some 'interesting' trad climbing at Ogmore and a nice sport crag there as well, which is 30 minutes away. There's some good climbing in the Gower and Wye Valley.
It's still better than nowt tho and better than what you'll get in London...
In reply to Cú Chullain:
How about being brought up in a pub?
Surely, there are lots of opportunities to make friends. Being transient to an area can help to make friends but if you want to put down roots I'd say London is quite hard.
> (In reply to The Lemming)
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends.
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends.
How about being brought up in a pub?
Surely, there are lots of opportunities to make friends. Being transient to an area can help to make friends but if you want to put down roots I'd say London is quite hard.
In reply to adsheff:
People who think Londoners are unfriendly can piss off.
> On the other hand, you won't have to deal with unfriendly londoners
People who think Londoners are unfriendly can piss off.
In reply to Cú Chullain:
Totally agree, In a social occasion if you get talking to people in a pub regularly or join a club in whatever you're interested in (climbing?) or go down the climbing wall Londoners are as friendly as people anywhere. People aren't talking to eachother on the tube not because they are unfriendly but because they recognise others' right for a moment of peace and anonymity when surrounded by thousands of people in a very busy place.
If you go somewhere in a negative mindset of course you're not gonna make friends but that's of course a common trait of winging northerner's when down south
> (In reply to The Lemming)
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
Totally agree, In a social occasion if you get talking to people in a pub regularly or join a club in whatever you're interested in (climbing?) or go down the climbing wall Londoners are as friendly as people anywhere. People aren't talking to eachother on the tube not because they are unfriendly but because they recognise others' right for a moment of peace and anonymity when surrounded by thousands of people in a very busy place.
If you go somewhere in a negative mindset of course you're not gonna make friends but that's of course a common trait of winging northerner's when down south
In reply to The Lemming:
Not really that hard to put down roots, I have been living in London on and off for the last 20 years. Each time I have returned to London I have lived in a different part from last time. First thing I always do is join the local rugby club or get myself down to Westway, Castle or Mile End climbing walls, you are having banter with like minded people within minutes, within a few months you have a new circle of friends. I have been living in Barnes for the last 5 years, I am not from there but consider it home now, I have taken the time to forge friendships with my neighbours, landlords and shopkeepers etc. I like it when I walk down the street I can say hello to people and generally get a sense of belonging and being part of a community.
> (In reply to Cú Chullain)
> [...]
>
> How about being brought up in a pub?
>
> Surely, there are lots of opportunities to make friends. Being transient to an area can help to make friends but if you want to put down roots I'd say London is quite hard.
> [...]
>
> How about being brought up in a pub?
>
> Surely, there are lots of opportunities to make friends. Being transient to an area can help to make friends but if you want to put down roots I'd say London is quite hard.
Not really that hard to put down roots, I have been living in London on and off for the last 20 years. Each time I have returned to London I have lived in a different part from last time. First thing I always do is join the local rugby club or get myself down to Westway, Castle or Mile End climbing walls, you are having banter with like minded people within minutes, within a few months you have a new circle of friends. I have been living in Barnes for the last 5 years, I am not from there but consider it home now, I have taken the time to forge friendships with my neighbours, landlords and shopkeepers etc. I like it when I walk down the street I can say hello to people and generally get a sense of belonging and being part of a community.
In reply to seankenny:
Interesting it is - but I prefer to be able to get out of it of an evening.
I think London is a place to be in your early to mid 20s.
Neil
Interesting it is - but I prefer to be able to get out of it of an evening.
I think London is a place to be in your early to mid 20s.
Neil
In reply to mumtaz.ay: Although I live in the Home Counties and not London I’ve been considering it for a while. I think living on the outskirts of Cardiff would preferable. Easy access to climbing in the valleys, the Beacons, beaches close by, great mountain biking etc. Pembroke and Wye valley are also a short drive. The south coast and Peak are a similar distance from where I am now.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
Paddington Station used to have a billboard something like this:
"YOU'RE WELCOME TO LONDON
But for clean air, great bars, friendly people, nice parks...blah blah blah... and a great life come to Cardiff"
Paddington Station used to have a billboard something like this:
"YOU'RE WELCOME TO LONDON
But for clean air, great bars, friendly people, nice parks...blah blah blah... and a great life come to Cardiff"
In reply to Ander:
Saturday night in Cardiff always cracks me up, especially after a rugby international. There always seems to be about 50 hen nights going on at any one time.
> (In reply to mumtaz.ay)
>
> Paddington Station used to have a billboard something like this:
>
> "YOU'RE WELCOME TO LONDON
>
>
> But for clean air, great bars, friendly people, nice parks...blah blah blah... and a great life come to Cardiff"
>
> Paddington Station used to have a billboard something like this:
>
> "YOU'RE WELCOME TO LONDON
>
>
> But for clean air, great bars, friendly people, nice parks...blah blah blah... and a great life come to Cardiff"
Saturday night in Cardiff always cracks me up, especially after a rugby international. There always seems to be about 50 hen nights going on at any one time.
In reply to Cú Chullain: "There always seems to be about 50 hen nights going on at any one time" you want to go to Blackpool and see what that's like.
if it's a close thing between London and Cardiff here's a little test just to swing it for you; go to your tap and get a glass of water, now taste the water and decide.
Cardiff wins (although water rates are quite high for this privilege.
if it's a close thing between London and Cardiff here's a little test just to swing it for you; go to your tap and get a glass of water, now taste the water and decide.
Cardiff wins (although water rates are quite high for this privilege.
In reply to gethin_allen:
Actually London water is pretty good. Try tap water in Paris or even worse, New York!!
> (In reply to Cú Chullain) "There always seems to be about 50 hen nights going on at any one time" you want to go to Blackpool and see what that's like.
>
> if it's a close thing between London and Cardiff here's a little test just to swing it for you; go to your tap and get a glass of water, now taste the water and decide.
> Cardiff wins (although water rates are quite high for this privilege.
>
> if it's a close thing between London and Cardiff here's a little test just to swing it for you; go to your tap and get a glass of water, now taste the water and decide.
> Cardiff wins (although water rates are quite high for this privilege.
Actually London water is pretty good. Try tap water in Paris or even worse, New York!!
In reply to Cú Chullain:
"London water is pretty good"! I dread to think what they put in it in New York.
"London water is pretty good"! I dread to think what they put in it in New York.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
Worth it alone for the experience of Chippy Alley at 2am on a Saturday night. You feel like a wildlife photographer must.
Worth it alone for the experience of Chippy Alley at 2am on a Saturday night. You feel like a wildlife photographer must.
In reply to MonkeyPuzzle:
just don't actually eat the food.
> (In reply to mumtaz.ay)
>
> Worth it alone for the experience of Chippy Alley at 2am on a Saturday night. You feel like a wildlife photographer must.
>
> Worth it alone for the experience of Chippy Alley at 2am on a Saturday night. You feel like a wildlife photographer must.
just don't actually eat the food.
In reply to mumtaz.ay:
Thanks everybody. Climbing in Cardiff is better than London except driving to Font or Alps!
I was told there are good schools for my 5 year old daughter.
Also house prices are lower than London which is a big thing as we are wasting money on rent on London and can not even save a deposit.
How is the job scene? I am a climbing instructor in London and I am guessing it will be hard to find a similar job or build a private customer protfolio.
Thanks everybody. Climbing in Cardiff is better than London except driving to Font or Alps!
I was told there are good schools for my 5 year old daughter.
Also house prices are lower than London which is a big thing as we are wasting money on rent on London and can not even save a deposit.
How is the job scene? I am a climbing instructor in London and I am guessing it will be hard to find a similar job or build a private customer protfolio.
In reply to Cú Chullain:
My dutch friend from Holland thought it was friendlier than she thought most people in Sheffield and the north she mentioined moving there to seemed to think it would be. She is friendly with an expressive face which probably helps though, helps to put people at ease.
> (In reply to The Lemming)
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
> [...]
>
> I hear this alot on these boards and it always puzzles me. I have lived in various cities in the UK and abroad and London has never struck me as an unfriendly place to be, quite the opposite in fact. If you are new to any town or city you need to be proactive in making new friends. In London a little bit effort on your part will gain many friends from all corners of the globe. It’s a true international city, it can wear you out at times and for all its faults which are many I think it is a unique place to live
My dutch friend from Holland thought it was friendlier than she thought most people in Sheffield and the north she mentioined moving there to seemed to think it would be. She is friendly with an expressive face which probably helps though, helps to put people at ease.
In reply to mumtaz.ay: Anybody that says Cardiff isn't a good city for climbing hasn't lived there. 30 mins to Wye valley, Good bouldering at Ogmore and Dinas rock ~30 mins, plenty of local crags ~10-15 minutes, and i am normally racked up and climbing in Penbroke in 2 hours 15mins...
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
We aren't comparing Cardiff with Sheffield or Leeds though are we. The Wye has plenty of decent routes, Ogmore has enough adventure to last a lifetime, there's a whole mixed up variety of sport stuff in the valleys, even if the location isn't tops, plus a range of bouldering. And the amount of stuff within easy (sub 2 hours, say) day trip reach encompasses Avon, Gower, and lets face it Pembroke ffs.
London might edge it on wall quality, although I'm told the one in Cardiff isn't too bad, but there's nothing much for evenings unless you are on the right side of town for the sandstone (in which case you're the wrong side for everything else), and a reasonable drive is needed to get to Avon/Peak/Swanage for days out. London has the advantage of lots of psyched people for trips away, which can be harder to do of there's tons on the doorstep, but then that's because there's nothing on your doorstep.
For only climbing purposes, I'd move in a snap. Without having lived in Cardiff I can't really compare much else...
We aren't comparing Cardiff with Sheffield or Leeds though are we. The Wye has plenty of decent routes, Ogmore has enough adventure to last a lifetime, there's a whole mixed up variety of sport stuff in the valleys, even if the location isn't tops, plus a range of bouldering. And the amount of stuff within easy (sub 2 hours, say) day trip reach encompasses Avon, Gower, and lets face it Pembroke ffs.
London might edge it on wall quality, although I'm told the one in Cardiff isn't too bad, but there's nothing much for evenings unless you are on the right side of town for the sandstone (in which case you're the wrong side for everything else), and a reasonable drive is needed to get to Avon/Peak/Swanage for days out. London has the advantage of lots of psyched people for trips away, which can be harder to do of there's tons on the doorstep, but then that's because there's nothing on your doorstep.
For only climbing purposes, I'd move in a snap. Without having lived in Cardiff I can't really compare much else...
In reply to Anoetic: Anyone who says Cardiff is great for climbing hasn't lived anywhere else! A spring evening at Brimham or Hetchell rather puts the Trench in perspective. But it IS a good place to live.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: I'm not saying Cardiff is the best, as i have also lived in the lake district and Peak district, but as a place to live and climb i would take it over London any day
In reply to mumtaz.ay: I moved from York to Cardiff (well, I lived in Treforest for a year at uni then shifted to Cardiff & now live & work in the city) and it's great here! I do miss easy access to the grit, and yes, when the weather is crap and you can't find anything but limestone to climb on, I sulk a bit, but the Gower...It is amazing. Sandstone's not that bad either! Cheaper than York for pretty much everything, but it is a trek to get back to Yorkshire! I imagine it would be a bit of a shock after living in London (which I've never done) however, I have been surprised how easily I've adapted to living here. Although I dislike rugby days. Far too many people for me! Also, it doesn't rain all the time, Chippy Alley isn't that bad (I've only been there at 9pm though, on my way home from the late shift in work!)and there are really nice parts. Opinion of my friends seems to be avoid Splott at all costs, Cathays is full to the brim with students, Roath is nice and we all aspire to one day have a flat in the Bay! =)
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Being racked up and climbing at Pembroke within 2 hours sounds pretty good though...
> (In reply to Anoetic) Anyone who says Cardiff is great for climbing hasn't lived anywhere else! A spring evening at Brimham or Hetchell rather puts the Trench in perspective. But it IS a good place to live.
Being racked up and climbing at Pembroke within 2 hours sounds pretty good though...
In reply to mumtaz.ay: Why cardiff? SWANSEA is definately the place with the best climbing and coolest Vibe. Our bay is much more panoramic than Cardiff's. Our football team knocks Cardiff's for 6 every time they play and you can be bouldering on beautiful beaches 20 minutes from the city centre. Last but not least pembroke is only 1 hr 10 minutes away.
Seriously : I moved down to S Wales from Essex 15 years ago and have never regretted it for a second. Schools are good, housing is relatively cheap, local climbing is excellent, people are friendly and interesting. There is quite a lot of parochialism but I reckon its best to join in (see above)
Seriously : I moved down to S Wales from Essex 15 years ago and have never regretted it for a second. Schools are good, housing is relatively cheap, local climbing is excellent, people are friendly and interesting. There is quite a lot of parochialism but I reckon its best to join in (see above)
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