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-   -   live in Spain, commute to UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/live-spain-commute-uk-797244/)

steviedeluxe May 17th 2013 9:32 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by Scribble (Post 10713530)
well...depends. If it's Monday-Friday I could see it being stressful.
I was planning on a once per week just staying 2 days in London, 5 days in Spain. I think I could probably deal with the flight stress for 5 days in the peace and sunshine. I'm just not sure if my flight costs are realistic.
Some people say you can get flights for £50rtn or less but looking on the year view on Easyjet, there is nothing under £100rtn.

I remember flying up to Scotland on a weekly basis, and in the end found it annoying - luckily the company I worked for at the time got me a rented flat as it was cheaper. I suppose now with tablets and wifi you can get more work done on the move, but the travelling must surely become a drag over time.
Is there no way you can compress your monthly attendance work into a week? Flying monthly would be a far better option, if feasible. Or, I suppose once a fortnight may be easier to get by your bosses. With the video group chat facility now offered by the likes of Google hangout and Mashme TV!, you can even have a visual presence back at base daily!

steviedeluxe May 17th 2013 9:36 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
Can't you arrange a return flight every 2 weeks, yet be in the office each and every week? (ok it may not tie in with work deadlines)

week 1 In Spain Mon-Thur. Fly to UK Thur night
Friday in UK
week 2 In UK office Mon (maybe +Tuesday). Return flight to Spain
week 3 In Spain Mon-Thur. Fly to UK Thur night
Friday in UK
week 4 In UK office Mon (maybe +Tuesday). Return flight to Spain

missile May 17th 2013 9:51 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by Scribble (Post 10713530)
..... I was planning on a once per week just staying 2 days in London, 5 days in Spain. I think I could probably deal with the flight stress for 5 days in the peace and sunshine. ....

Don't see it, your sums don't quite add up. Lot's of cheapo flights from London but still a waste of the best part of a day commuting each way :thumbdown:

I guess we each have our own priorities and those who working / living in London are used to wasting their lives commuting:unsure:.

Scribble May 17th 2013 9:53 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10713545)
Can't you arrange a return flight every 2 weeks, yet be in the office each and every week? (ok it may not tie in with work deadlines)

week 1 In Spain Mon-Thur. Fly to UK Thur night
Friday in UK
week 2 In UK office Mon (maybe +Tuesday). Return flight to Spain
week 3 In Spain Mon-Thur. Fly to UK Thur night
Friday in UK
week 4 In UK office Mon (maybe +Tuesday). Return flight to Spain

in principle it works but then it's an extra 2 nights in London to stay over the weekend, which probbaly comes to about £100 anyway so not much saving.
What I save on the flights, I lose on the accommodation in London.

missile May 17th 2013 9:56 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
Where can you get decent accomodation for £50/ night in London?

steviedeluxe May 17th 2013 9:59 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by Scribble (Post 10713558)
in principle it works but then it's an extra 2 nights in London to stay over the weekend, which probbaly comes to about £100 anyway so not much saving.
What I save on the flights, I lose on the accommodation in London.

Ah - didn't realise you'd be staying in paid accommodation. Add in the high cost of eating/drinking out in London, and yes you won't save much if any.

steviedeluxe May 17th 2013 10:02 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by missile (Post 10713561)
Where can you get decent accomodation for £50/ night in London?

It's not what I would call "decent" but you can get budget rooms in Paddington for £40 a night (there is also one in Gloucester Place).
You can also spend less than £20 a night if you don't mind sharing, by using backpacker hostels..
Hardly what I'd call living the dream, but worth knowing for an emergency.

missile May 17th 2013 10:32 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
Living in a flea pit two nights a week and hours of stressful travelling every week. Sounds like a quick route to an early grave, ........... with a sun tan!

Scribble May 17th 2013 11:36 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by missile (Post 10713561)
Where can you get decent accomodation for £50/ night in London?

airbnb

missile May 17th 2013 11:40 pm

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
I hope it works out for you.

Lynn R May 18th 2013 12:13 am

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
The only person I know who did this successfully for a couple of years worked for BA (as ground crew) at Heathrow, so she got free or nearly free flights, and stayed with friends whilst in the UK so had no accommodation costs.

When we first moved I did think of reducing my hours and working 3 longer days a week, commuting to Spain for the other 4, but after thinking it over I realised that in effect I would only be at home in Spain for 2 days so it wasn't worth it. I could have lived with my Dad for the time I was in UK but if I'd had to pay for accommodation it would have been even less attractive.

Scribble May 18th 2013 12:55 am

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 

Originally Posted by missile (Post 10713655)
I hope it works out for you.

airbnb is quite good actually, used it in a coiuple of countries for good accommodation but still, you'd have to move to a different one every week unless you found a stable place. I guess this is not do-able for most people (me included :) )

missile May 18th 2013 1:30 am

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
Never heard of airbnb. It might be useful for someone? > https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/heathrow?...out=31-05-2013

steviedeluxe May 18th 2013 1:48 am

Re: live in Spain, commute to UK
 
You will also end up paying a shed load on food each time you travel. You'll be 6 hours on the move, and often need to refuel, either in the airport or on the flight. Their prices are not cheap! Fine if it's a holiday one-off, but you'll be doing this every week. Much as Spain is a cheaper country in terms of accommodation and earing out, I can't see you saving money with this plan. Surely better to have the occasional long weekend or week away, and really go to town?


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