Milton Keynes

[Mattio]

I don't suppose anyone on here has any experience of living in MK or relocating for a job?

 

I've been offered an interview for a job in MK which sounds like the sort of thing I'd bite potential employers hand off to get if it was in London or the South East, but after studying in Plymouth for 4 years I was hoping to move back to the South/South East so I could get a season ticket and be around friends and family. The problem with MK is that it's at least a 2 hour drive (with no traffic) to So'ton so whilst it's closer than Plymouth, it's not commutable.

 

Basically if you have relocated for a job how was it fitting into the the area and if you've lived in MK is it as much of a dump as I imagine?

[bridge too far]

I did a lot of work in MK, although I commuted (from Oxfordshire so not a biggie).

 

Some parts of it are dire but other parts look quite pleasant. Great shopping centre if you like copycat, same shops everywhere stuff. Not much character to the place at all, being a new town 'n all.

 

Roundabouts

[Turkish]

I go there a lot as our demo lab and training centre is there. A more soulless place you will not find. Some parts of it are not too bad to live though and it's good for links into London, midlands and north. Some nice towns around it like Buckingham and Bletchley if you need to relocate.

[Spudders]

I've been offered an interview for a job in MK which sounds like the sort of thing I'd bite potential employers hand off to get

This is the key thing, if the job is that good, go for it. Even if MK is a total dump, ride it out for a couple of years if the job is that good, get the experience behind you & on your CV, then use that to relocate back to where you want to be. The job market is awful at the moment & you're being offered a job you'd bite someones hand off to get!!!! Go for it.

 

I did the same thing a few years back, got offered a job in Exeter that was way above anything I imagined I'd ever get. I went there for two years, didn't really enjoy Exeter. For the first year I kept my season ticket & commuted, the second year I gave up the season ticket. But I knew that at some point I'd move back to the south coast. From an employment perspective it was the best thing I did, from a social perspective it wasn't great, but it soon went & I'm in a much better position financially now that I'd have been otherwise.

[buctootim]

If the job is that good, go for it. Even if MK is a total dump, ride it out for a couple of years if the job is that good, get the experience behind you & on your CV, then use that to relocate back to where you want to be.

 

This. Your working life is maybe 40 years. So take the opportunity now and you can reap the benefits long after you've moved on to another job you wouldnt have got without taking this chance. MK isnt great, just like big areas of Southampton arent great, but you can easily live somewhere like Silverstone or Aylesbuy and commute in. Housing is a bit cheaper in MK too so if you did live in the town you could get a nicer place than Southampton.

[Chez]

middle of the country means its relatively easy to get to loads of Saints games. Go for it.

[CB Fry]

At least you'll still be in the Saints catchment area.

[Thedelldays]

I used to go to raves at the Sanctuary

[latter day saint]

I used to go to raves at the Sanctuary

me too. loved the place

[hutch]

Lived west of MK in Aylesbury then Buckingham for 15 years. Great part of the country to live. Only went to MK to shop.

 

45 minute train service to London from Bletchley, and direct trains to Southampton from Oxford for matchdays. Well placed for London and East/West Midlands awaydays.

[Spudders]

I used to go to raves at the Sanctuary

 

me too. loved the place

Ha, this is the only times I've been to Milton Keynes as well

[doddisalegend]

My in-laws live in MK it's a nice place to live plenty of shops, places to eat and entertainment is the city centre plenty of parks and open spaces to (Willen lake is nice). Like any place in the UK a few of the estates are not places you want to live (Greenlys spring to mind) but there are some very nice areas to. I wouldn't mind living there...except my in-laws would be right on my door step:cry:

[jjsaint]

I work in MK but live in Bedford. MK isn't a bad place but there isn't a lot of character, and property is quite expensive being in Bucks. However my younger colleagues who are born and bred in MK seem to love it & couldn't really imagine wanting to live anywhere else.

[Mattio]

Thanks for all the advice, I actually remember going there for one of the Masters football games a good few years ago and finding the town was pretty dull, hopefully the I'll find it's got a bit more life when I head up on Wednesday

[Golden Balls]

My ex was from MK so used to go there quite a lot. Really hated the place. Like some said its completely soulless. I also found it was full of London wannabes. I went out a few times and thought the nightlife was terrible. But then maybe I went to the wrong places.

 

In terms of relocating for a job, that depends in the future potential for you. I relocated to Plymouth for 2 years. It was hard but worth it as I had a goal in mind to work my way back to Southampton, which I did very recently. If I hadn't relocated I wouldn't have the job and happiness I have now. 2 years sacrifice was well worth it.

[Petersfield Saint]

Friend of mine lived in Stony Stratford for a few years which is just on the edge of MK (5 minutes by car) but a nice, small market town with a few half-decent pubs. You can also easily commute from Buckingham and Bicester which I don't think are too bad. He also lived in Aylesbury for a bit which I found a bit rough. If you're going to live in MK itself then pick carefully as some of the estates are nice while others are seriously rough!

[jawillwill]

Lived there for about 10 years in the 60's. Nice place, very tranquil. I highly reccomend it.