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Living the Good Life: the English Golden Triangle

February 16th, 2011 Arthur Sperks Comments off

If you have an academic personality, locations in England exist that are a great choice for such a mind and nature. The name for these places is the Golden Triangle, which has points in Oxford, London and Cambridge. All three of these places are of appeal if taken on their own terms, and attract every type of buyer of new houses, from budding retirees to first time buyers. Just keep reading to find out more about what the Golden Triangle has to offer you if you are interested in a lifestyle change.

Cambridge
You surely couldn’t wish for more from a place to live than the quirky bookshops, numerous coffee shops and cobbled streets that Cambridge has to offer. Cambridge has historical and classic architecture that elevates it well above those places that merely boast the usual shops, supermarkets and amenities. You could spend a lazy day in the summer just lying out on the grass, by virtue of the extensive green space that the city offers, or alternatively, you could take advantage of Cambridge’s famous punt boats for a trip on the water. Those who are interested in moving here may want to purchase a bicycle, however, as two-wheeled rather than four-wheeled transport makes up such a large proportion of the city centre traffic.
Golden triangle point: University of Cambridge

Oxford
Cambridge residents may have the River Cam to enjoy, but in Oxford you have access to both the River Cherwell and what is often referred to as the Isis, but which is otherwise known as the Thames. Oxford is also the proud home of the UK’s top ranked university, so the area has lots of intellectual types with whom you can share your passion for life’s more academic aspects. You can also find the Blackwell Bookshop in Oxford, which has a quantity of books for sale that you may just be rendered speechless by.
Golden triangle point: University of Oxford

London
If you are interested in setting up home in London, then you will probably already be aware of the various entertainment venues, retail services and tourist attractions that you can enjoy there. Less well-known, however, is the capital’s more academic side. You can find historical items, art work and industrial and transportation developments in the capital’s countless museums. London will shortly be hosting sporting legends in the 2012 Summer Olympics, while the Houses of Parliament and the City of London offer plenty in the way of economics and politics.
Golden triangle point: University of London, and Imperial College London

Arthur Sperks has extensive knowledge in homes, architecture, design and the property market; particularly new houses. he often provides guest posts throughout the internet on these topics.

Five Design Tips for Apartments and Smaller Spaces

February 1st, 2011 Arthur Sperks Comments off

There is often notoriously little space in an apartment or even one of the smaller new houses on the market, particularly if they are situated in a city centre. If you have purchased an apartment that requires decoration, experiment with these useful tips to help you use your space as effectively as possible and create a truly stunning looking new home.

Use of colour
You can give your apartment a brighter appearance, or fool your eyes to make some rooms look larger than they actually are, simply with the intelligent use of colour. You can make a room look larger with the use of white, beige or another neutral shade, while you can make it look more interesting with the occasional bold splash of colour. It is possible to introduce more depth to a room by trying darker accent walls, so don’t be timid – just experiment!

Use of lines and curves
Apartments can sometimes seem very box-like and linear when you first move in. You could soften up the room available by introducing curves or curvy furniture. Experiment with a spiralling or circular styled rug to mix the design up.

Accessorise
You can help to keep your apartment interesting by adding accessories, particularly if white and neutral colours are dominant. A gorgeous picture or piece of bold fabric could be just the accessory to give your apartment’s rooms that all-important focal point.

Clever use of storage
You will need to ensure that every furniture item you introduce to your new apartment has a function if you have very limited space. You should ask, for example, whether decorative items could also act as storage. You can use hangers, drawers, racks and boxes shrewdly to make the most of your home’s every centimetre. Items of contemporary Perspex or glass furniture, such as chairs or side tables, are also worth a try to make the space work to your benefit.

Mirrors
A great way of decorating your new department is to use mirrors to make it look as if you have more space and light. The best ways of using mirrors include placing them opposite mirrored furniture for twice the effect, placing them at right angles to natural sources of light to maximise the daylight, and drawing attention to a focal point such as a decorative light shade with them.

Big style is a big help to small spaces, so don’t be shy – try out different design elements and make them work to your benefit.

Arthur Sperks is obsessed with homes, architecture, design and the property market; particularly new houses. He writes frequently on these subjects and enjoys guest posting on numerous blogs throughout the Internet.

Accommodation Choice at University

January 22nd, 2011 Arthur Sperks Comments off

Once you have passed your A-levels, your attention may turn to choosing the right University. There are many decisions that you will need to make at this stage of your life, and one of the most important is whether to attend a local university or to move further away from home to study. This article addresses the question of which choice you should make and how best to make it.

Making the right choice
The decision of which university to attend is not one that should be rushed into. Your school or college will often be the source of the best advice, so it makes plenty of sense to get in touch with them during the summer months if you feel unsure about your choices. Moving away from home is the most appealing option for many students as it allows them to enjoy a lifestyle free of their parents. You should have a lot of fun in your time at university and activities such as making new friends should be an enjoyable part of the general university student lifestyle. It is important to seize every opportunity to get involved in activities such as socialising, clubs and sport.

You should also consider the many reasons to attend a university that is close to where you live. For one thing, it will allow you to avoid the often immense debt that can occur as a result of taking out student loans for accommodation. Another opportunity that presents itself if you decide to study from home is that of buying your first property. It is easier now than it has ever been to buy a new home, due to various initiatives such as the Head Start Scheme.

Buying a New Home
The aim of the Head Start Scheme is to help people onto the first rung of the property ladder. When buying with property developers Barratt Homes, homebuyers only have to have a five per cent deposit, and an 8 per cent mortgage. The remaining 15 per cent is paid back, interest free, after 10 years or when the property is sold – whichever comes sooner. This means lower monthly repayments which is easier on the pocket! Getting a new house suddenly seems a lot easier.

Arthur Sperks is has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to homes, architecture, design and the property market; particularly passionate about new houses, he writes frequently on these subjects and enjoys guest posting on numerous blogs throughout the Internet.

Top Scottish Primary Schools

September 22nd, 2010 Arthur Sperks Comments off

The quality of schools is something we have to take into account for our children when relocating. Moving to a beautiful, well-kept area with a great choice of leisure activities may seem like an appealing option but are there top rated schools to develop your children academically and socially? Let’s go through some of the best locations in Scotland for primary education:

Top Education

Scotland has a number of successful schools and perhaps this correlates with the people decided to relocate there. The first few years at school are an extremely important part in any child’s life so it is important to find a school which achieves results. Scotland has some excellent schools but one which is constantly achieving results is East Renfrewshire.

East Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire has consistently been named as one of Scotland’s most popular places to live and this is likely to have much to do with the unbeatable primary education that it provides. It is home to the first and second highest ranked schools in Scotland. St. Mark’s RC Primary in Barrhead is top ranked, coming away with 11 ‘excellents’ in a 2007 HMIe report. Our Lady of the Missions, in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, is Scotland’s second best mainstream school and broke a smattering of records in 2006. Inspectors have praised the school’s teaching in Maths and English and its relationship with parents.

East Renfrewshire is a fantastic place to live and there is a lot to see and do. Its rich local history is interesting and there is a great selection of independent and high-street shops. There are lively arts programmes, museums and art galleries to take advantage of.

As you can tell, East Renfrewshire has a strong legacy in education and quality of teaching and if you want an unbeatable primary education for your children, this could be the perfect place for you to buy your new home. The area has plenty of new homes and properties for sale, so whichever type of dwelling you want for you and your family, you are bound to find something suitable.

Arthur Sperks is obsessed with homes, architecture, design and the property market; particularly new homes. He writes frequently on these subjects and enjoys guest posting on numerous blogs throughout the Internet.

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Perfect Places In The Peak District

September 12th, 2010 Arthur Sperks Comments off

Looking to relocate? Look no further than the Peak District. This wondrous place of rolling hills and lush green countryside is fast becoming one of the most popular places for people looking to buy a home. Consistently named as one of the best places to live in the UK, it’s no wonder why. It’s a treasure chest of different sights and attractions. Historic houses, old churches and even castles, its culture and history galore. And not to forget the glorious natural wonders of caverns, rocky gorges and rippling rivers. The Peak District really does have some of the perfect places to live.

Bakewell
In the heart of the Peak District, Bakewell is a picturesque market town, dating back to Saxon times. As the name suggests it is home to the famous Bakewell Tart and there are plenty of places in town where you can buy and sample the delights of this scrumptious delicacy. With plenty of shops, cozy pubs and mouth watering restaurants, Bakewell is a very relaxed town. There are numerous walks in and around the area including along the river from the bridge into the centre of town.

Bakewell
Famed for the delicious Bakewell Tart, this picturesque market town dates back to the Saxon times. Sample the delights of the original recipe or take a relaxing stroll along the river into the centre of town, where you’ll find plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants that have everything you could possibly need.

Glossop
Glossop is a former mill town which lies in the north-west corner of the Peak District. It is a perfect location for walkers because of its fantastic moorland setting, and there are numerous guided walks and tours available should you wish to be shown around by an expert. There has been a settlement in this area since the Romans first occupied the country in the first and second centuries AD.

Are you retiring or just looking for the quiet life? If relocating is on your agenda, , the Peak District is definitely worth consideration. The charming towns and quaint villages add to peaceful setting creating the ideal place for you to buy a home.

Arthur Sperks is obsessed with homes, architecture, design and the property market; particularly houses for sale. He writes frequently on these subjects and enjoys guest posting on numerous blogs throughout the Internet.