Everyone is after losing a few pounds these days - not least Mrs Jackson, sharing my midday constitutional of tea and cakes is begining to take its toll. (Don't tell her I said that will you...). However the easiest way to lose a few £'s when investing is to not take care of the simplest of tasks.
It's worth knowing a few items that will reduce your costs in the early stages of your new property, and I'm talking utility and council tax bills here. Although once you rent out your property your tenants will take care of virtually every bill, at least while you are getting the property ready or waiting for tenants, you can keep the bills to a minimum.
At various property investment seminars that I have given, I mention that you may be able to get the seller to agree to give you access to the property between exchange and completion, in which case it's not an issue, but in many cases you will not have this luxury.
It is important to inform your utility companies straight away if your property is vacant, particularly if your property is still rates based (i.e. not on a meter). And of course in any case as soon as you complete, you should take meter readings (where available) and inform all of the suppliers what those readings are.
At the same time, you should tell the utility company that the property is vacant and UNFURNISHED (this is very important), pending refurbishment. Some utility companies and the council (for council tax), may even send an inspector just to check that it really IS unfurnished. It's important to do this straight away, as especially in the case of the council, they will not allow you to backdate the 'refurbishment' or 'unoccupied' status if you forget to tell them.
By the way, if the inspector comes over and sees even a few boxes, even if you're using the place as storage, they'll classify it as 'furnished' and you'll still get charged the full rate. On the same day, do ask all the utility companies to change any pre-payment meters to account meters. There's nothing more annoying during a refurbishment than for your contractors to 'run out of electricity', or for you to pay off previous occupiers meter debts.
Also, it's a good idea to have water meters installed if they haven't been already. as all this takes ages for the utility companies to organise, it's a good idea to get that sorted straight away. Of course, as soon as the property is furnished and rented, all the utility companies and the council then need to be informed again of the chance of status, and you should take readings from all the meters again, as you only want to pay for the period before your tenants came in.
By remembering these simple tasks it's easy enough to save the pounds and spend them on something worthwhile - maybe even an upper floor renovation for Mrs Jackson ;-)
See you all soon,
Mr Jackson.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
An Isolated Paradise
I know of many people who enjoy living in rural isolation, in and around Moray, strangely enough many of them live alone. However, I also know of a similar number of people who despise it.
Though however remote in the local area, more often than not, there's nearly always a neighbouring house, a shop, a pub or if you're lucky a tea room within a 20 mile radius.
On my recent trip to California I was fortunate enough to meet with Roger Lextrait who lived practically alone, and was fortunate enough to call a small island in the South Pacific atoll of Palmyra his home for eight years.
Each day he woke promptly at 5AM, to the calling of a hundred thousand birds. Nowhere else on the planet do these creatures gather in such numbers. After fixing himself a Palmyra Cocktail (1 part Rum, 1 part Red Wine, 1 part Tang), he called up his radio contacts in Tahiti and Honolulu.
A shower on the beach in his makeshift bathing system and he was ready for the day. The bath and latrine systems Roger built are still used today by the current research teams that visit the atoll for brief expeditions.
Roger had a variety of things to keep him busy. Not least of which were his 3 dogs TouTou, Blackie, and Padou. He trained them to hunt sharks, helping to keep the predators population under control (How you do this wasn't explained - I just gave him a knowing nod and smile, as if this was an everyday occurence - I couldn't imagine Copernicus doing this...). Always near were his 2 cats Tiger and DouDouche, and the 2 birds he raised from hatchlings, lovingly named Felix and Oscar.
Experience made him an excellent fisherman, using only a diving knife, fishing net, and spear gun. This was dangerous work as the reef contained a number of less than friendly creatures. Roger had his share of run-ins with everything from sharks to stingrays, but never suffered any serious injuries.
Singing, playing his guitar, and drumming on an old wheel barrel helped him pass the time and keep the loneliness at bay. Despite his best efforts, Roger still described experiencing intense feelings of depression and despair. “It (Palmyra) is so secluded, so isolate,” he says.
A bit like Tomintoul, but without the sunshine and sharks perhaps......?
I hope to invite Roger to stop with me in Moray next year, I will of course let you have his well travelled comments and observations about the area.
Aloha,
Mr Jackson.
Though however remote in the local area, more often than not, there's nearly always a neighbouring house, a shop, a pub or if you're lucky a tea room within a 20 mile radius.
On my recent trip to California I was fortunate enough to meet with Roger Lextrait who lived practically alone, and was fortunate enough to call a small island in the South Pacific atoll of Palmyra his home for eight years.
Each day he woke promptly at 5AM, to the calling of a hundred thousand birds. Nowhere else on the planet do these creatures gather in such numbers. After fixing himself a Palmyra Cocktail (1 part Rum, 1 part Red Wine, 1 part Tang), he called up his radio contacts in Tahiti and Honolulu.
A shower on the beach in his makeshift bathing system and he was ready for the day. The bath and latrine systems Roger built are still used today by the current research teams that visit the atoll for brief expeditions.
Roger had a variety of things to keep him busy. Not least of which were his 3 dogs TouTou, Blackie, and Padou. He trained them to hunt sharks, helping to keep the predators population under control (How you do this wasn't explained - I just gave him a knowing nod and smile, as if this was an everyday occurence - I couldn't imagine Copernicus doing this...). Always near were his 2 cats Tiger and DouDouche, and the 2 birds he raised from hatchlings, lovingly named Felix and Oscar.
Experience made him an excellent fisherman, using only a diving knife, fishing net, and spear gun. This was dangerous work as the reef contained a number of less than friendly creatures. Roger had his share of run-ins with everything from sharks to stingrays, but never suffered any serious injuries.
Singing, playing his guitar, and drumming on an old wheel barrel helped him pass the time and keep the loneliness at bay. Despite his best efforts, Roger still described experiencing intense feelings of depression and despair. “It (Palmyra) is so secluded, so isolate,” he says.
A bit like Tomintoul, but without the sunshine and sharks perhaps......?
I hope to invite Roger to stop with me in Moray next year, I will of course let you have his well travelled comments and observations about the area.
Aloha,
Mr Jackson.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Pick the doughnut !
Whilst watching TV last night, The Apprentice series reminds me why I left corporate life for the quiet calm waters of Moray ! Though everything is not plain sailing at present, what with the 'credit crunch' and stagnant house prices in England - Lets hope the Scottish market doesn't follow suit.
However, there is better news for landlords. Worry about the future of the property market has boosted demand for homes to rent – and the money that can be charged for them, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported.
But not all properties are equal. Demand is continuing to grow strongly for houses, while the oversupply of new-build properties is depressing the rent increases being achieved for flats.
Matthew at Moray Rentals attributes the hunger for houses to families who have sold up choosing to delay their next purchase while prices are reported to be stagnating or falling. Though it is still a buyers market people do appear to be hedging their bets and waiting to see what the economy does.
The rental market typically flourishes in a property downturn. However when I look in the local press, all I see is planning applications for new developments - mostly for flats. This is where the money lies for the developer, but currently not for the investor.
If you are looking to invest in property, as always research your market first, given the choice between a £150k house or flat in the present market is like being given the choice between a jam doughnut and a digestive biscuit. I know which I would choose !
Though it does seem that many people are still 'buying in' to the digestive option, through the developers lifestyle and marketing promotions. Only in time will these investors realise that they should have picked the jam doughnut, which would have sustained them for much longer !
Tenants meanwhile will have to consolidate themselves with the fact that they don't have to worry about the predicted market slowdown or crash, however they may shortly have to bear the brunt of increasing rental prices.
Time to get the tea and doughnuts out.....
Until next time.
Mr Jackson.
However, there is better news for landlords. Worry about the future of the property market has boosted demand for homes to rent – and the money that can be charged for them, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reported.
But not all properties are equal. Demand is continuing to grow strongly for houses, while the oversupply of new-build properties is depressing the rent increases being achieved for flats.
Matthew at Moray Rentals attributes the hunger for houses to families who have sold up choosing to delay their next purchase while prices are reported to be stagnating or falling. Though it is still a buyers market people do appear to be hedging their bets and waiting to see what the economy does.
The rental market typically flourishes in a property downturn. However when I look in the local press, all I see is planning applications for new developments - mostly for flats. This is where the money lies for the developer, but currently not for the investor.
If you are looking to invest in property, as always research your market first, given the choice between a £150k house or flat in the present market is like being given the choice between a jam doughnut and a digestive biscuit. I know which I would choose !
Though it does seem that many people are still 'buying in' to the digestive option, through the developers lifestyle and marketing promotions. Only in time will these investors realise that they should have picked the jam doughnut, which would have sustained them for much longer !
Tenants meanwhile will have to consolidate themselves with the fact that they don't have to worry about the predicted market slowdown or crash, however they may shortly have to bear the brunt of increasing rental prices.
Time to get the tea and doughnuts out.....
Until next time.
Mr Jackson.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
The Good Life... ?
In The Good Life she epitomised the snooty, meddlesome neighbour familiar across the suburbs of Middle England. But, whereas Margot Leadbetter’s foibles were always forgiven, in real life Penelope Keith has been accused of taking her famous television character a step too far after her plans to build a café in a Highland village caused a storm of protest.
I've met Penelope on a couple of occasions and always found her to be charming. However residents in Avoch, mounted a bitter attack on the actress and her husband Rodney, after they planned to build a two-storey building in the middle of their village, despite local objections.
Penelope & Rodney were initially praised for tidying up the site, but some attitudes changed when they applied, through their company, Pencon Productions, to build a much needed tea room and cafe.
I'm all in favour of a new cafe - as you would expect (although the existing small cafe in Avoch has exceptionally good Eccles cakes). But the application was turned down by the local planning office - Even though it was to be sited on a disused service station and a hole in the ground.
It does seem that some planning officials are a trifle backward-looking, surely a development such as this would bring in much needed tourist trade -to help the local economy in this very sleepy village.
Yet instead they are happy once again to pass plans for new homes on surrounding greenbelt. I'm sure that many of the owners of these new homes would welcome being served a full Scottish breakfast by Penelope on a cold Winter's morning. Instead they will now have to take a drive through to Fortrose.
I'm even told Penelope will no longer be frequenting the area beacuse of this.
However, I've noticed a small shop for sale opposite the Post Office (almost a certainty to get planning for change of use), my own cafe in a sleepy village, with 100+ new houses in the vicinity, now there's an idea !
Sometimes an ideal investment may be staring you straight in the face and be a far simpler solution to the one you had in mind.
'Oh-Oh', as Penelope might say in her guise as narrator of the Tellytubbies.
Now if I can only persuade Mrs Jackson to be Head Chef.
Thank you for once again dining on my blog this week. I will keep you updated with the progress.
Mr Jackson.
I've met Penelope on a couple of occasions and always found her to be charming. However residents in Avoch, mounted a bitter attack on the actress and her husband Rodney, after they planned to build a two-storey building in the middle of their village, despite local objections.
Penelope & Rodney were initially praised for tidying up the site, but some attitudes changed when they applied, through their company, Pencon Productions, to build a much needed tea room and cafe.
I'm all in favour of a new cafe - as you would expect (although the existing small cafe in Avoch has exceptionally good Eccles cakes). But the application was turned down by the local planning office - Even though it was to be sited on a disused service station and a hole in the ground.
It does seem that some planning officials are a trifle backward-looking, surely a development such as this would bring in much needed tourist trade -to help the local economy in this very sleepy village.
Yet instead they are happy once again to pass plans for new homes on surrounding greenbelt. I'm sure that many of the owners of these new homes would welcome being served a full Scottish breakfast by Penelope on a cold Winter's morning. Instead they will now have to take a drive through to Fortrose.
I'm even told Penelope will no longer be frequenting the area beacuse of this.
However, I've noticed a small shop for sale opposite the Post Office (almost a certainty to get planning for change of use), my own cafe in a sleepy village, with 100+ new houses in the vicinity, now there's an idea !
Sometimes an ideal investment may be staring you straight in the face and be a far simpler solution to the one you had in mind.
'Oh-Oh', as Penelope might say in her guise as narrator of the Tellytubbies.
Now if I can only persuade Mrs Jackson to be Head Chef.
Thank you for once again dining on my blog this week. I will keep you updated with the progress.
Mr Jackson.
Monday, 24 March 2008
It's a dog's life.
The Industrial Revolution created urban markets for lamb, mutton, and wool; but how could the vast hills of unfenced land in the Borders of Scotland and northern England be put to raising sheep? Hardworking sheepdogs were the key, helping shepherds turn this inhospitable land into sheep-raising country.
The modern sheep-herding collie was improved in the nineteenth century, and the genetic refinement of its working skills occupies thoughtful livestock producers on several continents to this day. Breeders try to balance a dozen heritable working traits to produce the best dog for their purposes, factoring in climate, terrain, livestock type, and the kind of dog they get along with.
Guided by a skilled trainer, a talented dog develops remarkable mastery over livestock. The true Border Collie is known by how it works sheep and cattle, and by no other standard….
Except that is with exceptional skill and cunning Copernicus has somehow managed to learn how to sneak quietly downstairs into the larder and open the refrigerator door. Not only does he manage this without opposable thumbs, he also manages to select the most expensive joint of beef to devour. Leaving no trace, except the empty dinner plate on the floor, he sneaks back to his bed on his stomach, in the pitch black, like a Royal Marine Commando.
Unfortunately, last night he was captured on his second nocturnal mission. Rather than banish him to the kennel and secure dog run in the garden, which is the canine equivalent of Parkhurst. I joined him in a 1.45am ‘midnight snack’ and marvelled at his ingenuity.
If only tenants (most of whom have opposable thumbs) could be as astute as my long haired black and white friend. I received a telephone call today – the type I tend to get at least once every couple of months – ‘The main energy saving bulb has gone in the lounge and the bulb in the outside light went last week…..’.
I wonder whom these tenants will turn to in such circumstances, if they were ever to become homeowners. How do they cope in the modern world ? Let’s hope they never have a ‘real’ emergency like a blocked sink !
I am sending Copernicus around this afternoon to sort it out……
Yours, a 'hounded' Mr Jackson.
The modern sheep-herding collie was improved in the nineteenth century, and the genetic refinement of its working skills occupies thoughtful livestock producers on several continents to this day. Breeders try to balance a dozen heritable working traits to produce the best dog for their purposes, factoring in climate, terrain, livestock type, and the kind of dog they get along with.
Guided by a skilled trainer, a talented dog develops remarkable mastery over livestock. The true Border Collie is known by how it works sheep and cattle, and by no other standard….
Except that is with exceptional skill and cunning Copernicus has somehow managed to learn how to sneak quietly downstairs into the larder and open the refrigerator door. Not only does he manage this without opposable thumbs, he also manages to select the most expensive joint of beef to devour. Leaving no trace, except the empty dinner plate on the floor, he sneaks back to his bed on his stomach, in the pitch black, like a Royal Marine Commando.
Unfortunately, last night he was captured on his second nocturnal mission. Rather than banish him to the kennel and secure dog run in the garden, which is the canine equivalent of Parkhurst. I joined him in a 1.45am ‘midnight snack’ and marvelled at his ingenuity.
If only tenants (most of whom have opposable thumbs) could be as astute as my long haired black and white friend. I received a telephone call today – the type I tend to get at least once every couple of months – ‘The main energy saving bulb has gone in the lounge and the bulb in the outside light went last week…..’.
I wonder whom these tenants will turn to in such circumstances, if they were ever to become homeowners. How do they cope in the modern world ? Let’s hope they never have a ‘real’ emergency like a blocked sink !
I am sending Copernicus around this afternoon to sort it out……
Yours, a 'hounded' Mr Jackson.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
This old house.....
I took a trek out onto the moorland this week, my knee (an old war wound, as regular readers will know), held out well over the rough ground.
What brought me to this beautiful rural spot, between Dallas & Knockando was a property – if you can call it that. It hadn’t been lived in for at least 20 years, at least not by human inhabitants, though there were plenty signs that sheep, pigeons and rodents had made this their pied-a-terre over the last few years.
It sits prominently in a South facing position on the hilltop, in a large plot overlooking a stream to the front and pine woodland to the rear. It has 3 large rooms downstairs and upstairs boasts 2 very sizeable bedrooms. The outer walls are approximately 3 feet thick and it had a decent roof, covered in lovely Welsh slate. Those are the good points.
The not-so-good points being, it has no electricity, gas, water or telephone supply. Nor does it have any windows, or a bathroom. It does have a floor, of sorts, which can catch you unaware, as it did my surveyor, who went through it in the dining room. He now also walks with a limp.
I negotiated a private bargain with the farmer and access to the property via an overgrown private track, which connects with the ‘B’ road, some 3.5 miles away. We concluded my most unusual purchase with a wee dram and a handshake outside the property. Even Copernicus, my Border Collie looked bemused with my action.
Now, for the unusual part. I have already secured a tenant for the property on a long term lease. The tenant will pay a peppercorn rent for 10 years, in return, he will renovate the property and landscape the ground to an agreed standard. After the initial 10 year term, once the renovation is completed, the tenant will have the option to stay in the property, at the full market rent, or give notice to leave.
This arrangement works well for both the tenant and the landlord. The tenant can secure a long term tenancy and stay virtually rent free in the property for 10 years (provided the work is carried out on time and to an agreed standard). The landlord has his investment property protected and renovated at little cost to himself.
A win-win situation, how often does that happen in the property world ?
It is certainly worth bearing this in mind should you wish to invest with small capital outlay. Or indeed rent and secure yourself a long term tenancy.
I am taking Mrs Jackson to view the latest investment this evening. She will no doubt be less than impressed with the muddy scramble to get there and the foot deep sheep droppings in the lounge. However like all property investors I will endeavour to get her to see the potential.
Like she saw in this old ruin, 48 years ago on Thursday. I think we will celebrate together with a mail order cake from Betty’s in Harrogate and a pot of Rington’s. I still know how to spoil her !
Kind Regards,
Mr Jackson.
What brought me to this beautiful rural spot, between Dallas & Knockando was a property – if you can call it that. It hadn’t been lived in for at least 20 years, at least not by human inhabitants, though there were plenty signs that sheep, pigeons and rodents had made this their pied-a-terre over the last few years.
It sits prominently in a South facing position on the hilltop, in a large plot overlooking a stream to the front and pine woodland to the rear. It has 3 large rooms downstairs and upstairs boasts 2 very sizeable bedrooms. The outer walls are approximately 3 feet thick and it had a decent roof, covered in lovely Welsh slate. Those are the good points.
The not-so-good points being, it has no electricity, gas, water or telephone supply. Nor does it have any windows, or a bathroom. It does have a floor, of sorts, which can catch you unaware, as it did my surveyor, who went through it in the dining room. He now also walks with a limp.
I negotiated a private bargain with the farmer and access to the property via an overgrown private track, which connects with the ‘B’ road, some 3.5 miles away. We concluded my most unusual purchase with a wee dram and a handshake outside the property. Even Copernicus, my Border Collie looked bemused with my action.
Now, for the unusual part. I have already secured a tenant for the property on a long term lease. The tenant will pay a peppercorn rent for 10 years, in return, he will renovate the property and landscape the ground to an agreed standard. After the initial 10 year term, once the renovation is completed, the tenant will have the option to stay in the property, at the full market rent, or give notice to leave.
This arrangement works well for both the tenant and the landlord. The tenant can secure a long term tenancy and stay virtually rent free in the property for 10 years (provided the work is carried out on time and to an agreed standard). The landlord has his investment property protected and renovated at little cost to himself.
A win-win situation, how often does that happen in the property world ?
It is certainly worth bearing this in mind should you wish to invest with small capital outlay. Or indeed rent and secure yourself a long term tenancy.
I am taking Mrs Jackson to view the latest investment this evening. She will no doubt be less than impressed with the muddy scramble to get there and the foot deep sheep droppings in the lounge. However like all property investors I will endeavour to get her to see the potential.
Like she saw in this old ruin, 48 years ago on Thursday. I think we will celebrate together with a mail order cake from Betty’s in Harrogate and a pot of Rington’s. I still know how to spoil her !
Kind Regards,
Mr Jackson.
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
It can be grim down south...
Well the new knee joint appears to be working ok. I now have a small scar on my knee which will come in handy when my grandchildren ask me to tell them about being injured in the war.
My post this week is dedicated to "Rentergirl" and her unique insights of being a tenant - Not in Moray - but in the inner City depths of London. For anyone who's ever lived in a modern utilitarian apartment - I'm sure you will sympathise !
"I moved to Dovecot Towers during a housing panic. It’s far from perfect here and frequently a nightmare. If I was to move, it would be to a similar development with the same troubles, albeit in another part of town. I’d have to pack and find somewhere else, enduring the whole reference/deposit dance.
The flat itself would more than likely be identical. And so, trying to be rational and scientific, I have written a list of pros and cons to weight up what I should do. I now have graphs, pie charts, venn diagrams and very white knuckles.
Pros: being near the city. Bars are within lurching distance, and visitors can pop round, casually. It’s like being in Austin Powers, so trendy, hip and happening is it.
Con: being near the city. No community, no neighbourhood, drunken scallies and yobbish, wealthy ‘young professionals’ who vomit on the pavement as they pass my home. Imagining you are being followed home by a ranting drunk to realise it’s actually your neighbour (who’s ranting and drunk).
Pro: being a brownfield development. Dovecot Towers uses derelict waste land instead of paving over rare orchids. Sited on demolished Georgian slums, I am reasonably certain that no dormice were relocated to satisfy my housing needs.
Con: being a brownfield development. Stretched out before me is a magnificent, cascading vista of elegant and majestic building sites, with cranes, obscured by hazy cement dust.
Pro: I never see my neighbours. I wouldn’t enjoy that village mentality, where you can’t buy haemorrhoid cream without everyone knowing, then having nodding acquaintances enquiring after your piles.
Con: I never see my neighbours. If I should die, pigeons could chew the face off my rotting corpse to feed their young, and even then, nobody would know.
Pro: Everything is so close. I don’t need car, and I can walk everywhere, no queues for taxis, or surly bus drivers, no saving change for the ticket machine, or investing in season tickets.
Con: I am always soaking wet, and my shoes are threadbare. I visit suburban friends with a tent and Kendall Mint Cake, just in case (am I over-cautious?) And if I did own a car, there’d be nowhere to park it.
Pro: I don’t have to bother with fitting out my home, as most white goods, a shower etc are already provided.
Con: The goods provided are second rate, and break down if I have so much as one negative thought about the brand.
Pro: Shops are close by. Luxury goods are within shooting range of my debit card. I can find designer clothes, fashionable accessories, and there’s that chi-chi Farmers Market.
Con: Balenciaga is within easy reach, but value beans elude me. Should I put my life in a tailspin? All that turmoil, for more of the same? Life in the city is an acquired taste, but one I have acquired. I can’t imagine living in the suburbs: all that commuting, no Café Nero etc. So here I am, choosing between the rock and the hard place, the frying pan and the fire. "
Aren't you glad you live 'Up North' ?
See you next week.
Mr Jackson.
My post this week is dedicated to "Rentergirl" and her unique insights of being a tenant - Not in Moray - but in the inner City depths of London. For anyone who's ever lived in a modern utilitarian apartment - I'm sure you will sympathise !
"I moved to Dovecot Towers during a housing panic. It’s far from perfect here and frequently a nightmare. If I was to move, it would be to a similar development with the same troubles, albeit in another part of town. I’d have to pack and find somewhere else, enduring the whole reference/deposit dance.
The flat itself would more than likely be identical. And so, trying to be rational and scientific, I have written a list of pros and cons to weight up what I should do. I now have graphs, pie charts, venn diagrams and very white knuckles.
Pros: being near the city. Bars are within lurching distance, and visitors can pop round, casually. It’s like being in Austin Powers, so trendy, hip and happening is it.
Con: being near the city. No community, no neighbourhood, drunken scallies and yobbish, wealthy ‘young professionals’ who vomit on the pavement as they pass my home. Imagining you are being followed home by a ranting drunk to realise it’s actually your neighbour (who’s ranting and drunk).
Pro: being a brownfield development. Dovecot Towers uses derelict waste land instead of paving over rare orchids. Sited on demolished Georgian slums, I am reasonably certain that no dormice were relocated to satisfy my housing needs.
Con: being a brownfield development. Stretched out before me is a magnificent, cascading vista of elegant and majestic building sites, with cranes, obscured by hazy cement dust.
Pro: I never see my neighbours. I wouldn’t enjoy that village mentality, where you can’t buy haemorrhoid cream without everyone knowing, then having nodding acquaintances enquiring after your piles.
Con: I never see my neighbours. If I should die, pigeons could chew the face off my rotting corpse to feed their young, and even then, nobody would know.
Pro: Everything is so close. I don’t need car, and I can walk everywhere, no queues for taxis, or surly bus drivers, no saving change for the ticket machine, or investing in season tickets.
Con: I am always soaking wet, and my shoes are threadbare. I visit suburban friends with a tent and Kendall Mint Cake, just in case (am I over-cautious?) And if I did own a car, there’d be nowhere to park it.
Pro: I don’t have to bother with fitting out my home, as most white goods, a shower etc are already provided.
Con: The goods provided are second rate, and break down if I have so much as one negative thought about the brand.
Pro: Shops are close by. Luxury goods are within shooting range of my debit card. I can find designer clothes, fashionable accessories, and there’s that chi-chi Farmers Market.
Con: Balenciaga is within easy reach, but value beans elude me. Should I put my life in a tailspin? All that turmoil, for more of the same? Life in the city is an acquired taste, but one I have acquired. I can’t imagine living in the suburbs: all that commuting, no Café Nero etc. So here I am, choosing between the rock and the hard place, the frying pan and the fire. "
Aren't you glad you live 'Up North' ?
See you next week.
Mr Jackson.
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