I was offered a personal lease at one company - it was a brilliant scheme, as it avoided the company car tax bill, but cost much the same each month as the standard company car. Definately worth reading up on the precise terms.
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...and more importantly, what is Pompey actually like? Where to live?
I'm a bit of an expert on this, as I went through five months of looking in the area about five years ago.
Portsmouth. Full of awful housing, max height above sea level = 12 ft (truly) so don't expect any help from gravity if you ever need to bump start. My wife cried when we went to Portsmouth to look at houses. (previous two causes = death of mother and sale of her most beloved motorbike, twice in ten years).
Southport is a mile down the road, full of MASSIVE houses with 15ft-20ft (literally) back gardens, many converted into flats. Terrific nightlife for people in their 20s. Most of my company's clerical staff live there and love it - not sure how it is if you're past your 30th birthday.
Plenty of nice places round and about; nicest (and most expensive) is Petersfield, followed by Chichester.
I live in Southampton, which I really do rate as the best city I have ever lived in (previous = Sheffield, Manchester, London, Preston, Cambridge). However, you'll find that anyone in Portsmouth you ask will tell you it's the world's biggest dump (long term rivalry, though the hatred seems only to flow one way).
If you want any more info, drop me an email (in my profile), I'll give you my phone number and if you give me a call, I'll happily expand on all this.
V
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I'm 29 yrs and 9 months old so just about scrape into the "20's" category!!!
Thanks for the info' V and I'll definitely be in contact for some advice.
I put a search into t'internet for a 2-bed flat in Portsmouth and it came back with a 1.25r million pound flat in Gunwharf Quays. A little out of my price range....., by a grand or two!
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Hi Guy,
Good to see you back on here!
IIRC there's nothing much around Portsmouth that could be regarded as a bargain, but I'd agree that Southsea is a nice place. Especially as it's handy for the hovercraft (although the trip is more fun than the destination!)
The car tax thing is a minefield - there's a FAQ on here www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=21
but everytime I read this sort of thing, I feel like I'm chewing sawdust..!
Worth checking with colleagues at work? They might have already worked out the ad/disadvantages.
Good luck,
LeeH
--
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
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That would be Southsea?
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Did I really say Southport? Oh, dearie me. I did indeed mean Southsea.
V
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As long as the car allowance is good enough, I'd go for that, as long as they pay your business mileage.
Also, if they pay your business mileage at less than 40p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and less than 25p per mile thereafter, you can also claim tax relief on the difference. However, if they pay MORE than 40p/25p similarly, you will be liable for tax and NI on the additional amount.
For example, if I took a company car from my current employer, I would be able to have a taxed-at-list-price Mondeo LX and a big tax bill. Instead, the car allowance and tax relied I get, plus the lack of company car tax, plus the tax relief on business mileage, less a bit of tax as they pay my private fuel, gets me a £24000 Galaxy Ghia from a car supermarket (ie about £18500 purchase price) and pays for all of my maintenance, leaving me with something I want to drive!
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The problem with deciding to opt in or out of a car scheme is that everyone's position is different as are their needs and desires, as are the schemes.
Generally opting in benefits those who fall in the following categories
Low overall mileage, low business mileage, high private mileage mileage, status cars, basic rate taxpayers (particularly those paying NI at above the 1% rate), high insurance risks.
Opting out benefits those with
High overall mileage, high business mileage, those who are happy with an older or lower status car, higher rate tax payers
There are plenty of sites that can do a detailed computation for you.
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>>..and more importantly, what is Pompey actually like?
Crummy. However, try Park Gate, Locks Heath and Warsash and around that area for much cheaper housing and a not too bad commute to Portsmouth.
I lived in Southampton (Shirley, actually) and I agree its (Southampton, not Shirley) a pretty good place to live, but its a painful journey out of Southampton to Portsmouth in the rush hour.
I lived in Locks Heath for a fair while and loved the whole sailing, living by the seaside, etc. bit. Since I was the wet side of the M27 I could ignore the whole traffic thing most of the time since I spent most of my time sailing or windsurfing and the like.
However, traffic in the summer is nasty and its better if you live somewhere that you don't need to use the M27. The problem is that, as with many coastal areas, the sea gets in the way and there's pretty much only one way in or out of anywhere.
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the sea gets in the way
Gibbs Aquada, Mark?
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I work in West London, live on the south coast and have decided to continue with the company car scheme. I could get a higher spec motor with a private allowance but apart from the private fuel allowance (170 miles daily commute), it's the peace of mind from not having to worry about the numerous broken windscreens, dings and dents, new tyres (2 today) from a mobile kwik fitter and the numerous electrical faults which I find increasingly cropping up in most new cars. if you not doing big private miles opt out makes economic sense.
When I exhaustively researched my escape from London I found that both Portsmouth and Southampton were similarly grim and uninspiring and nothing I've seen since has changed my opinion. You might have a look at Emsworth just 10 miles east of Portsmouth; this is where I ended up. Pretty, some cracking pubs and nice coastal walks. Great place to bring up kids.
Mind you at your age, as mentioned above Southsea would probably be perfect with it's pubs, a mind boggling range of eastern eateries, rollerblading girls in hotpants and some really attractive housing. It's also got a very busy and intersting seascape if that's your bag. IMO if you're living on the coast you should really try to live within walking or cycling distance of the sea otherwise you might as well just commute down from London. don't think Gunwharf pads are in Southsea and unless your idea of a good night is Tiger Tiger and Hahas I would steer clear. I think 2-bedroom flats in Southsea more like 150,000-200,000. Petersfield is indeed very pleasant and well-pubbed. We could wave as we tear past each other on the A3.
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"I lived in Southampton (Shirley, actually) and I agree its (Southampton, not Shirley) a pretty good place to live, but its a painful journey out of Southampton to Portsmouth in the rush hour."
At the risk of getting personal, bucko, I happen to live in Shirley, and tha' knows nowt; it's lovely. Or at least my bit of it is. Janson Rd, if you know it. Testwood Audi was on the corner. (Motoring link)
However, I wouldn't want to live here and commute to Portsmouth, as I'm on the wrong side of the city. I manage on the days I do have to go there (about once a month) by going in time to arrive at the office at 7am. At that time, the M27 is fine.
The other side of the city would make a better choice, but check the trip to Portsmouth wherever you think might be OK. Mark's right; most places on the coast have one way in and out.
V
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>>I happen to live in Shirley,
I know the Audi place. I enjoyed Shirley. A lot. I can\'t off-hand remember the name of the road/estate I lived in. It will come to me though. But my enjoyment was rather more due to the amount of pubs and my single status than the quality of the area.
However, I lived there in the late 80\'s. I\'m sure its a wonderful place these days.
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>>Mollified.
No, it was definitely in Shirley, I think Mollified is further north.
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Flats in Gosport/Rowner from £15,000 and catch the ferry across the harbour to Portsmouth.You might have to invest in some body armour though.
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>>..and more importantly, what is Pompey actually like?
Chav city, full of people who speak with a weird mockney accent. (not that I can criticise, being from Basingstoke, the capital of London Overspill Not nice at all. Southsea is probably the best of a bad lot, but even that is really tacky. Mind you, I see this as an outsider, and I'm sure people who actually live there could tell you where the nice areas are - even Wolverhampton has some, but it's taken nearly 3 years to acclimatise myself enough to find them. Maybe the thing to do is rent for six months til you find your way around?
I lived in Southampton (Shirley, actually) and I agree its (Southampton, not Shirley) a pretty good place to live,
I found out recently I was born in Shirley... decided to keep that one to myself once I saw what Shirley was like!
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>> I lived in Southampton (Shirley, actually) and I agree its (Southampton, >> not Shirley) a pretty good place to live, I found out recently I was born in Shirley... decided to keep that one to myself once I saw what Shirley was like!
Sorry Vin... didn't see your post until after I'd slated where you live. I'm sure even Shirley has it's nice bits!
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"I'm sure even Shirley has it's nice bits! "
Hmmm, this thread is rapidly going downhill. I suggest the mods get it locked immediately before I get in a huff and start to throw my toys out of the pram.
V
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Can't help with company car schemes, but we moved out from London 5 years ago with my job. Had never been to Portsmouth area before so looking for a place to live was a case of pot luck. Ended up living mid way between Portsmouth and Petersfield (Petersfield is good for trains to London and hence pushes house prices up). Work at J9 of M27 - 18 miles takes 20 - 25 minutes. M27 is busiest eastbound in the morning and westbound from around J7, so I use the least congested bit. I reseached journey to work before looking at possible areas to live. Will you be actually working in Portsmouth? It's an island with only 3 roads in and out and therefore can be bad.
What are your other considerations? Schools (they were for us), public transport? Countryside? Sea? Shops (Portsmouth is diabolical if you are used to Lakeside or Bluewater)?
Happy to give more help offline if you require. I assume moderators can supply my e-mail address (or is there a way to find it anyway?)
Chris M
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