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Just caught up with your thread and wanted to quickly say DONT MOVE TO OLDHAM!! My husband is from Oldham and we still have some friends there who would leave if they could afford to. There's just nothing positive about it at all. In fact, recently it was the only non-London area that appeared in a list of the UK's unhappiest areas. It's not only run-down and grim, but there are also real problems with violent crime, even in the 'nice' areas.

Definitely stick where you are or somewhere similar :)

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Here's hoping the job center interview went well today. You have sooo many people pulling for you to be able to find a job, get settled and be worry free. Just wanted to tell you I am thinking of you.

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Yes, yes, waiting for an update :fingerscrossed:

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I think that's why I'm sticking where I am. I don't mind going into Oldham to work or go to the shops, but I definitely wouldn't live there. It's definitely run down and looks a mess right now because they're putting in the tram line through the center of town, so lots of traffic hassles and blocked roads. Apart from that I've not had any major issues, but I will admit to loving the fact I get on a bus and there's a certain corner when the bus turns and it's as if you've stepped into a totally different place. :) I love to come home to my oasis in the country :) :thumbsup: Heck, I'd even consider working in Middlesborough if it meant I didn't have to work in Oldham. :rofl: But so far I'm starting off close and working my way out. :) Working yes, but living no!

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Thanks love...well the job center interview was interesting! :rofl: My advisor is called Imran and he seems a nice enough guy. Naturally because I've been gone so long I had to fill out the 'Habitual Resident' paperwork and they looked my name up on the system to see if I had an NI number, but nope, no luck there! I'm all signed up on the 'government gateway', which means that I can look on the 'Universal Jobmatch' web site and find all sorts of jobs they've posted. By doing that my advisor can also see what jobs I've applied for and he can post jobs he thinks I might be interested in. I can also post on there all my jobsearch activity and that way my advisor can see what I'm doing and we can talk it over each time I see him.

I have to be willing to travel 90 minutes each way for work. I have to write to at least 1 employer per week, phone at least 2 employers per week, visit at least 2 employers per week, check my Universal Jobmatch account 7 times per week and look into the local papers every week. I had to sign an agreement that said I will spend 3-4 hours per day looking for work.

I have to go back and see him again next Tuesday and he'll tell me more then. I've also asked about any courses that they can offer me to bring me up to date with UK admin and secretarial skills.

I don't know how long it takes for the 'Habitual Resident' paperwork to be processed, but I guess I won't hold my breath. Hopefully I can find a job even before the paperwork gets processed and then I won't even need to worry about it. :rofl::thumbsup::thumbsup:

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Well this morning I went to the job center appointment, but before I got there I did what I promised and took my video camera. lol. I'm in the process of uploading it to You Tube right now. I had to stop a couple of times because naturally the bus stops and people get on, so didn't want to keep recording while that was going on, so there might actually be two videos.:thumbsup: If I can figure out how to splice them together I will, and turn them into just one video. :)

Hopefully it doesn't shake too much, because as you can imagine it's not easy to keep a camera still when you're on the top deck of a double decker.. lol Will post again once they're able to be viewed :)

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Hiya...yes I'm in Diggle and actually go through Dobcross, Uppermill and Saddleworth a lot. They're such gorgeous little places and if I ever won the lottery I'd definitely buy a house there. :) Hmm, will definitely have to find that tea shop you mentioned, although this afternoon I did go into an old fashioned sweet shop in Uppermill and it was like going back to my childhood. lol

Thanks also for the link. :) Definitely going to be checking that one out too.:thumbsup:

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Good news about the job center. Hope they get you sorted soon. Looking forward to the video(s)!

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Thanks for the update. My sister(in Scotland) is currently on JSA. She says there are a lot of rules when receiving job seekers. Many rules and if you don't follow them they can deny you benefits! She currently receives housing allowance and currently, long story. she has been moved onto ESA. Not sure what that stands for but she is an alcoholic and is going to get detox. She has received so much help, she would receive NOTHING here in the States unless she had great insurance. When I was back last year I filled out the habitual residency form. It took about 3 or 4 weeks to hear back from them. Actually I went to the council because I had not heard back and they made a few phone calls. I hope you hear back soon. I hope you can also get some training . I know you are skilled already but anything helps. Just a friendly reminder, its getting HOT out here and last night I set up my wildlife camera which I got at a yard sale and now I know why my dogs bark so much at night. Got a photo of a wild pig !! Luckily I have a fenced in yard for the dogs!! Take care and fingers crossed you find a job. I made copies of my CV and handed them into surrounding shops when I was there. I had a couple of interviews but never got hired but at least I was in receipt of Job Seekers. Just wish the law hadn't changed and my husband could of come over to the UK:thumbdown: Take care love.

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Okay.... as requested...drum roll...by popular demand :rofl:...home made video's :D :thumbsup:

This first one is while I was waiting for the bus this morning before heading into Oldham. I thought I'd pan around and show you what I see every time I wait for the bus.. LOL

http://youtu.be/2vP1Il4webI

This second video is actually on the bus.:rofl: Sorry if it's shaking, but it's hard to hold the camera still when you're on the top deck.. :rofl: Because the bus stopped at some stage to pick up a number of people, I actually stopped recording and then carried on once the bus started moving. So this first segment is from Diggle to Uppermill.

http://youtu.be/B-M7-_61yDs

This last video is just the remaining trip from Uppermill to Greenfield. The rest of the journey is pretty standard heading towards Oldham...no more lovely country lanes...lol, so I didn't bother filming from Greenfield to Oldham...lol

http://youtu.be/efOQvk3rTXw

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I love reading your updates and I'm looking forward to the video!

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Its a small world, I met my friend in the city today and she comes from Uppermill and is leaving Australia to return there in August,she said that it's a beautiful village and she can't wait to get back there. Also like many posts on here, has said that Oldham is really not a nice place to live. All the very best with your job hunting. cheers I.G.

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Yes Uppermill is really lovely and I like walking around there :) That's where I'd ultimately like to live if and when I get the chance...job first, flat second LOL

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Loving the vids! I love the sound of the birds in the background in the first one and I love how people politely move out of the way for each other on the roads on the second one - it looks so sunny too, so so pretty and GREEN!!!!!

Wow those roads are so narrow, I'm always very impressed with how the bus drivers manage it, mind you it helps that people give way to each other as well lol!!!

Speaking of small worlds my ex boss here is from Oldham and he has nothing good to say about the place either! He often gives me a hard time about moving back to the UK but I just laugh and tell him he wouldn't understand because he's from Oldham and who would want to go back there??!!! Ha ha!!

Great videos, thanks for posting :)

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Great videos! Thanks for posting. Crikey, I'd forgotten about riding on the bus along narrow country lanes. :eek:

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Thanks for the videos - they are great - keep them coming :)

:rofl: on the first one I thought for a moment arrrg that car is on the wrong side of the road!

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LOVED the videos. I know why you like that wee town so much. I noticed when I was back last year in Elgin Scotland, the streets were so clean and peoples gardens were well kept with lots of lovely plants and flowers in them. Of course it all depends on where you live. If I get to go back I would choose a town like the one you chose. Thanks again, the videos were a breath of fresh air.

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Fantastic videos! My stomach lurched a bit over those steep and narrow roads but what a gorgeous place you've picked...

Lots of us are living vicariously through you Who fan...please keep posting and sharing videos, thanks!

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Just what I noticed too! Can't say as that happens too often on Florida roads! I got a little misty when you turned the camera to the side view of the hills. Keep 'em coming love :thumbsup: And Miss Betty, let's see some of you frolicking on the beach when you get back :rofl:

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LOVED the videos, thank you so much for posting. Keep 'em coming! :)

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Great videos and beautiful landscape too :) I'm quite surprised at how bare the trees still appear to be though, I thought there'd at least be a few little leaves starting to come out on the branches by now !

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GREAT videos!!!! Thank you so much for recording these. I followed you on every one :D

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Gorgeous scenery especially on the last video. Wow....drivers are so considerate. Need a skinny car ;-) Really enjoyed......thanks.

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Thanks to everyone who commented on my videos :) I must admit I had as much fun taking them as you did watching them, because I knew that once I posted them, there would be some more homesick people.:rofl:

Yes the streets are definitely narrow, and it seemed worse from the top deck of the bus. :rofl: It's so refreshing to see drivers courteously giving way to people and then acknowledging the other driver with a wave of their hand. I was trying to get the vid of the road as well as some of the best scenery at the same time. :rofl:

I think the reason why the trees are so bare at the moment, is because of the dreadful snow they had last month. It's delayed everything! It's gorgeous when the sun does come out because you can almost hear the plants and the trees give a sigh of relief and hear the little buds bursting through.:rofl:

As I'm typing this the sun is actually out..:) I went to the shops to grab the paper and it poured it down...but now - well the sun manages to peek around the clouds from time to time. :thumbsup:

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Your videos are great. Love all the stone walls, they add such character. After being delayed, the trees are just beginning to leaf out up here and I am really enjoying seeing all the different birds that are arriving and visiting my wee garden. I think spring has sprung.:)

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I agree.. spring has definitely sprung :thumbsup: I just love the stone walls...to me that is quintessentially British.. :rofl:

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Well it's another lovely Saturday morning, so I thought I'd grab my video camera again and go for a walk. The sun tried desperately to come through the clouds and between downpours it managed to peek through...lol

Sufficed to say I went for a walk up a steep hill...across the moors (which is what I was told they were called, not hills..lol), said hello to the lambs and the sheep and promptly the skies opened up and I got drenched. I don't do the wet look, and I probably looked as uncomfortable as the sheep..:rofl:

But I recorded the sweeping views and then began the trek back, this time going down the other side of the 'hill' and coming out round by the canal again. Time taken - 90 minutes...lol

http://youtu.be/ocyF8_v0Olc

Hope you like it...and yes that is the wind blowing.. :rofl:

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Beautiful countryside...but oh that Wind Lol thanks for sharing.:thumbsup:

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No problem...:thumbsup: I brave the wind, rain and hail for my BE family...:rofl::thumbsup:

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Oh I loved this! So beautiful and I loved hearing the sheep! Thank you and I hope you treated yourself to a nice cup of hot chocolate when you got home.

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Gorgeous! Baaa :D

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Actually I had a cup of Maltesers hot chocolate lol :)

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wonderful peaceful place, like others said thanks for braving the wind and posting plus the other photos and videos, nice to see that! Hope the accommodation and job soon materialize as well!

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OMG, you can hear the sheep bleating! This is as close to heaven as I am going to get to today :rofl:

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LOL Wind, Baa and heavy breathing. All that walking has you out of breath Whofan. :lol:

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Coo, sounds breezy!
Thanks for the videos Whofan, very atmospheric! Fabulous countryside around you! I love seeing the sheep and lambs.

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If you had seen the hill I had to climb with the wind in my face and pouring with rain just to get to that spot you would understand why I was out of breath lol. But it was definitely worth it :). I didn't realise you could hear my breathing too lol. When I played it back all I could hear was the wind.:rofl:

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I feel that way every morning when I look out my window. This is my little slice of heaven and I am blessed to be able to be a part of it. :thumbsup:

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I know how you feel and to think I actually was able to walk right past them without any fences between us. The lambs were watching me and I so wanted to cuddle one. Definitely wont be eating lamb ever again lol

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Another fab video, aww the lambs were so cute baa baa baa!!!! You are going to be super fit in no time with all that walking and climbing!

Last time I was home I went for a trek around the fields with my Mum, I love walking in the UK but I just find it too hot here so I'm not as fit as I used to be. Mum was strides ahead of me chatting away happily, I was red faced and puffing behind her and she was just laughing at me, she is 66 years old - oh the shame lol! :rofl::rofl::rofl: