Originally Posted by sallysimmons

It just means that the media department didn't want any newspapers to publish the story until October 21st although they had sent the press release early.

I'm not in the 'high speed rail makes no sense' camp. I actually wish the US congress would get its finger out and realize that high speed rail here would create lots of jobs and improve the country's competitiveness. But of course they're against any kind of government spending no matter how much sense it makes.

The planned high speed rail in the UK would eventually reach Leeds I understand, which would be a huge boon for a city that has done a lot to revitalize itself over the last 20 years. As has Birmingham, I understand. Any time we can do something to spread the wealth from London outwards is a good thing in my book because the growing divide is good for no one.

PistolPete, I realize you don't agree, but I wanted to offer a different perspective. Feel free to continue disagreeing

Originally Posted by Gabgoeshome

We used to have this set-up!

One owns *with* the housing association ...you must pay rent on the part you don't own

We owned 50%~they owned 50%

If we hadn't come here, we could have 'staircased' and bought more shares -thus lowering our rent portion.

Originally Posted by Wawa

Gab, I have seen this too and wondered exactly how it worked. Did you live in the property and paid rent on 50%? It seems common in UK now?

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

Bandrui, Yorks and Humber isn't the Lake District. The Lake District is part of Cumbria which is on the other side of the country. Parts of Cumbria have been hard hit because they are very remote and rural, but the Lake District, which was just voted the UK's most beautiful national park, is a far cry from those parts - and a VERY far cry from Humberside

I see those stats show South Lakeland prices to be down (still not the Lake District exactly but closer), but they were so high to start with that this doesn't equal a bargain. Trust me, I look at every property on Rightmove every day and have done for 2 years now and I have yet to see good deals start popping up. I do notice an awful lot of properties on the market forever though and keep thinking they have to come down in price soon - but I was thinking that 2 years ago, and there are other houses that sell almost right away.

Originally Posted by bandrui

In response to a couple of questions ont the MBTTUK - Chit Chat thread.

Sally, these stats show all areas of Yorks and Humber, except York, as being down in price:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/h...ml/region3.stm

... and these 0prices for Northern Ireland, though mostly down, show that Belfast is indeed up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/h...l/region11.stm

Originally Posted by Celticspirit

Thank you very much for the interesting update on location :-)

Originally Posted by cheers

Not forgetting of course that the British sterling is tanking against the US dollar. Not significant enough for us returning wounded.

Originally Posted by bandrui

Oops. I stand corrected. but as you say the stats for Cumbria are showing a decrease in all areas:

Originally Posted by bandrui

Yes. Against the Canadian dollar it has changed from $1.55 to $1.62 over the past year so not too bad and it's an ever-changing scene so we'll just have to stay tuned.

Here's a site I have bookmarked that gives historical exchange rates. Still looking good .

http://www.oanda.com/currency/historical-rates/

Originally Posted by cheers

Keeping track of house prices. One headline says house prices in the UK are going down then read another like this one were it says prices are going up??

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...to-soar-by-15-