Question for Brits

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
in Chit-Chat
I've been wanting to go back and visit England (mostly to London, maybe Oxford and take a detour to Cardiff to see the Doctor Who thingy), I was mentioning it to my mom today (French) and she was telling that it's a bad idea, England isn't really safe anymore, there's a lot of violence, it's very expensive etc... I was bummed to say the least! How much of that is true? I haven't been back there in like 18 years.

Replies

  • emmamme1979
    emmamme1979 Posts: 29 Member
    It's as expensive as you want it to be. Depends on what/ where you are planning on doing/ staying.

    The world is a nasty place full of nasty people. I wouldn't say the Uk is a scary or overly violent place. Think maybe your mum has her 'French' head on?

    Personally though I would visit Cambridge rather than Oxford but then maybe I'm a little biased... ????

    E x
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I've been to both Cambridge and Oxford.. I know I had a great time in Oxford. Can't remember much of Cambridge. Heck maybe I'd do both, lol.

    And yes my mom has the 'French' head on a lot, that's why I was wondering how biased or unbiased she might be (you don't want to know what she thought about me moving to the US, lol).
  • Dead_Darling
    Dead_Darling Posts: 478 Member
    Like any other place, the UK has good and bad parts. The whole country isn't violent.

    As a Londoner, I find it expensive, but you will get some good bargains with some research and haggling.
    :)
  • podab
    podab Posts: 5
    MY daughter was in England for 3 weeks in June, travelling with her Grad school group for 2 and with a friend for 1 week, It was fine. They took the train to the Doctor Who exhibit which she loved, and to Sheffield and York.
    I didn't worry about her as much as I did when she took the Birthright trip to Israel a few years ago!!!
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I've been wanting to go back and visit England (mostly to London, maybe Oxford and take a detour to Cardiff to see the Doctor Who thingy), I was mentioning it to my mom today (French) and she was telling that it's a bad idea, England isn't really safe anymore, there's a lot of violence, it's very expensive etc... I was bummed to say the least! How much of that is true? I haven't been back there in like 18 years.

    Oxford and Cambridge don't have all that high crime rates. I've lived in many different places in the UK and Cambridge was one of the nicest ones. Some parts of Cardiff are a bit rough but actually it's a nice city, stick to the main commercial areas you'll be fine, just like anywhere else.

    The main issue with the UK (I'm British and don't currently live there) is the very high cost of living. IMO your biggest issue will be finding accommodation without breaking the bank unless you're super rich.... look for nice, family-owned B&Bs if you're on a budget, they're cheaper than hotels and they can be really nice to stay in (not like a 5 star hotel, but nice, family atmosphere, and B&B means bed and breakfast, so you get a home cooked breakfast with it).
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
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  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Thanks everyone!
  • debbash68
    debbash68 Posts: 981 Member
    Agree with everyone else, maybe some high profile crimes have made your mum think it's unsafe, but remember, because we have very few guns,there is very little gun crime in comparison to lots of places. It's lovely and nice place to live!
  • princessrisariri
    princessrisariri Posts: 162 Member
    It will only really be dangerous if you do something to provoke or risk it, such as the following

    *End up in a rough part of town late at night on your own
    *Start a drunken fight with someone in a bar
    *Approach someone on the street who is noticeably crazy
    *Try to run away from a market stall, corner shop without paying
    *Leave your valuables unattended or let a stranger look after them for you

    If you travel with a friend or tour group, be sensible and keep yourself to yourself you will be more than fine

    You can save money by avoiding tourist traps. Buy drinks/food in supermarkets, corner shops etc
    Book train fares in advance using trainline.com, and plan your days well.

    London and the rest of the UK is fine in the day time, and only a little rowdy at night in bar heavy areas

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