Cambridge, United Kingdom Report of what it's like to live there - 03/01/13
Personal Experiences from Cambridge, United Kingdom
Background:
1. Your reason for living this city (e.g. corporate, government, military, student, educator, retiree, etc.):
2. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
3. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Multiple US-occupied RAF military bases within 20 miles of several surrounding communities including Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds, Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Feltwell, Thetford, Ely and less than 100 miles from London. There are buses in the area, but owning a car is much more convenient, as this is a rural area.
4. How long have you lived here?
July 2009- July 2011, with the military. A first expat experience.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing comes in the way of flats (apartments), attached (duplex) or unattached houses. Because of the number of Americans in this area, modern homes are built with larger living spaces and more storage. Older homes lack storage, and rooms and doorways can be small. Many homes have radiant heat and lack A/C. Renters must pay property taxes, called "the Council Tax", which can be quite expensive.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Americans can expect to pay double for groceries and supplies.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Tour old churches and cathedrals, visit Cambridge University, hike across pastures, watch horse-racing, visit pubs with local brews, go shopping, and dine out.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Summertime spiders, but none venomous.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local post office
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Similar to the US.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A few.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
ATM machines and credit cards are easy to use, although it is necessary to have a British bank account to pay rent and bills, buy a car, and make other transactions.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic, Anglican, Protestant.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes. Cable (Sky) is expensive, and you will have to pay a TV tax.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
The comment "same language separated by a culture" is very true. Many non-Brits assume that since communication is easy in English, everyone understands each other. There are different ways of doing everything there, different expectations, ways of being polite. There is also a lot of slang and different words used. For example, "stroller" in the US is a "pram" in the UK.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Not every business is wheelchair accessible.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
British spec right-hand drive is safer. 4WD is unnecessary. Most people use fuel-efficient small hatchbacks, as they are easy to park and use less gas, which is very expensive. Consider a diesel.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Similar to the US.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Vodafone.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, until 6 months from the most recent rabies vaccine --- with blood draw to prove it is active.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
No.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Comfortably conservative, although young people may dress quite provocatively to go to the clubs.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Apart from London, there is not really any violence. There are firm gun-control laws. But home invasions and thefts of appliances, electronics, copper piping, etc. are common.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Socialized Medicine: NHS. Do not expect specialists to care for rare disorders outside of London.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
I think air quality is good in most of the UK, and seems to have improved in London from when I visited in the 1990's.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Generally speaking, the weather is mild. Light rain occurs almost daily, but usually only lasts a only short while. Storms are few and far between. Winters can be grey, and cold and include icy roads. Fog can be severe, but is uncommon. Summers are beautiful- likened to the Bay area in CA.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Many people use Busy Bees in Mildenhall Village.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
33,000 or more
2. Morale among expats:
High.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Social life centers on eating out, pub scene, visiting homes of locals, movies, malls, sporting events, car boot sales (a cross between a flea market and garage sale). Newmarket has the largest dance club in that part of the country (capacity: 3,000), so there is quite a nightlife for such a small town.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Less than expected.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The countryside is beautiful and dotted with quaint small towns, old pubs, and Norman churches. I loved driving to Wales, the Cotswolds, and the Lake District. We also enjoyed the convenience of our proximity to Stansted Airport for getting to anywhere in Europe via Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Wizz Air, and other small airlines.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Tour old churches and cathedrals, visit Cambridge University, hike across pastures, watch horse-racing, visit pubs with local brews, go shopping, and dine out.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
English antiques, mini-coopers.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Newmarket, where I lived, is very convenient to Stansted Airport, less crowded and less expensive than Cambridge or Bury St. Edmunds (although it is only 15 minutes by car to either), and is famous for horse racing. I heard from a local that in this town of 12,000 people there are 5,000 racehorses. Gas and groceries can be expensive, depending on the exchange rate of your currency. The countryside is very driveable, and car parks abound in small towns and outside of larger tourist towns for those who prefer public transportation --- which is clean, reliable and reasonably priced.
11. Can you save money?
No.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
bikini.
3. But don't forget your:
umbrella.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
For the UK, consider reading Notes from a Small Island
by Bill Bryson; Timeout travel guides
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Simon Schama: A History of Britain (Special Edition)
6. Do you have any other comments?
Wonderful experience.
