The quality of life in both are far superior than other places. #15 of 41 fast food in Maesteg. At a time when many local pubs are struggling, this pub is thriving. We lived there for 21 years. Depending on your visa situation, it may be difficult to get a rental because they want to see an employment contract. You can be outside year round in Nice, even in winter. Its not nice when people think Maesteg is a bad town because it just isnt. I have a question: is Nice a good place to open a business related to wedding planning, photography(wedding, portrait, headshots, fashion, real estate, product) and videography (wedding, real estate)? Its much more leafy up there and a bit more chi-chi. That is whats so lovely about it.. Let me know if you need further help. The heat resistant tiles for the space shuttles were fabricated in the town. But he does not think it compares to his beloved town. Things Id only ever seen in books. Its going to cost upwards of 5 million. Hope that helps. Unable to recall what day it is on he shouts: Hey Aishia! The Cross Inn is one of the first places you see as you approach the town. The buses and tram are cheap and clean. No hello, no nothing And I struggle with where to go next. The most livable cities have high-quality public health care and education systems, good housing, and good public transport infrastructure. I should really move this higher up, because it truly is one of the main reasons I decided on living in Nice France. You can see why people were furious when it was vandalised. Maesteg Market was situated at the ground floor level of Maesteg Town Hall and offered a variety of goods until the final stallholder left in 2018.[16]. People wonder why theyre not bothering doing everything with the Revlon site, Why is the BBC in the centre of Cardiff? Sitting inside the chapel it is hard to believe that just outside its beautiful brick walls is one of the most deprived areas in Wales. It doesnt matter if its the summer or winter, they are stunning to see and a great way to spend a day trip from Nice. [13] During that period of acute poverty and large-scale unemployment, the population of the Llynfi Valley decreased by almost a third as many left the district to seek employment in the new light industries growing up in areas such as West London and the English Midlands. But, I have changed idea because as you said the french would not be very welcoming and I would feel too lonely there, without even my little objects that make me feel at home on London (especially in the Event of a further lock down) Anyway, I ve decided that Ill go there to spend some holidays! We had been to Florida on vacation and loved it. Maine is also less diverse than other states and leans more towards retirees than younger people. I have been researching and I thought we would love the Liberation neighborhood. I love Italy and Greece, but both have their downfalls and it depends on whether you need to work or not. Since I live in Old Town Nice, which is a village within itself, I literally fall out my door to a coffee shop, bakeries, butchers, grocery stores and restaurants. I need a nice bright room with good internet connection where I can also work. All the quotes came in around $50,000. Michael said: From the turn of the 20th century there were English, Irish and Italians. Everyone in the Llynfi valley is an immigrant. Maesteg has a rich tradition of singing, especially in choirs. Ive thought about moving out of Old Town, but sometimes I cant justify it. Thx again. Maesteg. DH is originally from Wales and we started talking about moving to be nearer family, since his sister and nieces still live there. I originally came here because I wanted to be close to Italy with directly flights to London for work. They care for each other and they care for their environment. Youll find Americans there, but they may not be the type you want to associate with. You can easily sign up for a cell phone in Nice. The South Wales Valleys are the worst place to live in Wales while Gwynedd is the best, according to new quality of life research.. For families that is near the Port, Id check out the Cimiez area. By comparison with similar areas in England, the property is cheaper and the cost of living is low. She takes a break from the preparations to place an enormous plate of biscuits on the table. People are out and about, happily chatting away and having a gossip. There you can post your interest in booking for a few months and if someone has a room theyll let you know. I do not speak Italy or French. Genoa has a more industrial feel with its large port area and Nice has a larger international airport. Liberation is a great area of Nice. We recently had quotes to paint the facade of our building. Why have I stayed? Anywhere from St Tropez over to Imperia, Italy on the coast are nice. Every morning the road out of Maesteg is blocked with traffic as people queue on the daily commute. I felt like I was on a year-long vacation when living there. It runs through the veins of the area. There were more than 100 destinations to fly to from Nice, and sometimes there were 15 flights a day to London, which was really handy when I first came here. It hits you as you walk inside. You hear it every day at noon, and every day it still scares the shit out of me. No better way is this illustrated than by asking a simple question: how many choirs are there in Maesteg? This place offers the fast service to its visitors. Theyd have some options for family locations. I love this place. It produces a service and nobody cares where its based. Theyre brilliant. For more information see out Privacy Policy. There are more seasonal flights in the summer to warmer destinations. That isnt Maesteg. John Lewis, known locally as Nige, is a lecturer at Bridgend College who volunteers with the group. The views from Eze Village are just incredible. The 2011 census reported that 11% of people over the age of 3 spoke Welsh. We are about 50 year old hipsters but would like some peace outside of the tourist area.. Its out of control. Do not delude yourself. His smile is infectious and it is clear he has no issue getting people to hear ye. While dining at a restaurant in Taormina where my friend Tony is a waiter, I casually mention my interest in taking some Italian cooking classes. Transport here is really reasonable, and usually reliable, except when theres a strike. You absolutely have to commute. My father started working there in the 70s are my grandfather was a union convenor down there. Retrieved 15 February 2013. To be honest, that is a very residential area, so it will be quiet so long as you are not staying right under the A8, which is the motorway. Shes not used to that. My father was a head-winding engineer, he would operate the machinery that would take men and drums down the colliery. I love walking up to Castle Hill. Plus its easy to see friends when they come to town. Plus from Genoa its easy to shoot down to the Cinque Terre and Portofino. Maesteg. This was a problem the first time I came to Nice in 1997. I was in luck. You can be sure of that. And France has some wonderful ski resorts. Waiters make a standard wage, and tips are called, Pourboire, or translated as, to drink. Tips are so you can have something to drink at the end of your shift, not to pay your mortgage! We produce a beer called Dragon Fire for the Six Nations, said Dai. Pictures from Coegnant Colliery, Maesteg, which closed in 1981, Llynfi river as it runs through the centre of the town, The snow capped mountains across the Llynfi valley, Roy Meredith and Michael Banks (right) who organised and set up a World War One exhibition at Maesteg Town Festival, The pit winding gear pictured at St John's Colliery in Maesteg, Jeff Jones when he was the leader of Bridgend County Borough Council in 2003, The beating heart of Maesteg - the town hall. An intense investigation uncovered the startling level of doping blighting Welsh rugby. A bit more west and you switch into Bridgend schools territory. We have few things in common: London, angels and passion for the beauty in Cote dazur Cot I would like move to Nice for at least couple of months and I wonder if you could recommend a good website for renting rooms or maybe know someone who has a nice room to rent out. Now I just dip in on occasion, get my Italian fix and then come back to Nice. I go running, road cycling and mountain biking and the swimming pool is second to none. There is only one train an hour which we are trying to solve, says Ross. As an adult with bills and responsibilities, it would be a different story. Hi Sarah, Thanks for your comment. Nicely cooked beef have a nice taste. It is stunning. My BF is Italian and pretty fluent. Thanks for reading. Living in Nice France Pros and Cons. Give it a try. Also, when I first started living in Nice, I didnt realize it was called the Bay of Angels. A friendly hello and a smile is the rule, not the exception, in Maesteg. I only know the Vale side of things. This small Italian city is safe, environmentally friendly, and . I have family there so need to head back in the next year greatly appreciated and love your articles ian, Hi Ian, Im so sorry for the delay. You may think that a geographically isolated cafe would have a fairly limited circle of customers but social media has opened up new opportunities. The team won the South Wales Cricket Association League Cup in 2016. I also agree about the fees that go to the Syndic or condo association who manages the collective property 100%. As the spring day goes into evening you do see some of these youths that people had been talking about. Now, in 2020, Im finding the demographics of Old Town Nice once again changing, and it doesnt feel safe. He is very happy to chat and chooses the venue the Wetherspoons on Maesteg High Street. The 2023 season will, some say, begin at the Tour Down Under and both female and male pelotons will travel down to Australia for some early-year good weather and a prestigious race that distributes many points aswell.. We REALLY wanted to move to Italy but since were American the visa is almost impossible to get. There are a few shops, grocery stores, boulangerie, and a variety of Dr offices since its near Clinique Le Source. You can do a search for appartement a louer Nice and see what you come up with. My field is policy and public affairs, those sort of jobs dont exist in Maesteg and I imagine its the same for other university graduates.. Everyone is thrilled but there is one little problem: every property or location we mention to SIL is met with either "oh that's posh" or "oh you don't want to live there". Have heard great things about property for renting or buying in both Spain and Portugal. The drive from Nice to Monaco and beyond that winds around the Mediterranean is just staggering. Nice is now my primary home and I have a different perspective. You want to come out and celebrate a life and have a few beers.. I seriously cant complain about my location for convenience. Same, same. Or is there another place in the French Riviera better for this kind of business? Port Talbot (Near Maesteg) Offering free WiFi and river views, The Nook by Afan Valley Escapes is an accommodation situated in Port Talbot. I need to see peoples lip when I speak and the phone is the worst for my language confidence. At the turn of 1900s it was a grocers called Davies Grocers. According to the Daily Telegraph, Maesteg was the first place in the UK where Japanese Knotweed was spotted in the wild some time before 1886. It was completely different. The colliery company was led by the remarkable Colonel North, the "Nitrate King" and, some years later, in 1900, another company led by Sir Alfred Jones of the Elder Dempster shipping line also developed collieries in the valley. This area, and the South of France in general, is so incredibly charming. Absolutely smashing area. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A two- bedroom house will cost anything between 318, 401 and 354,464. When people think of the south Wales Valleys they tend to picture the Rhondda: Tall, steep-sided with the sun not appearing until later in the day in some parts. The rise of a zombie drug that users say is more addictive than heroin has caused an epidemic on the streets of our towns and cities. You have the Matisse Museum up there and its very residential. I usually put annual reminders in my calendar so I follow up on which festivals are on and when. Nice can feel small sometimes and the more you are there the more people know your business. That is true but it is because they care. Theyll come back at the end of the meal to gather your plate. The average cost of a one-bedroom detached house in the city is 244,854. Hi there. Even when its chilly in Nice, but the sun is out, its a lovely place. In 2011, Maesteg had a population of 20,612. As part of Bridgend County Borough, the local radio station is 106.3 Bridge FM. John Bowring lost his capital in the trade depression of the late 1840s although the iron company continued trading. They make you feel warm; they make you feel welcome. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Communities like this dont just happen. I used to say that in Maesteg everyone knows everything about you, said mother-of-three Debbie. Property market: 184,509 for a semi-detached property : Airport access: Closest airport is Cardiff (19.9 miles) Broadband: 47.0mbps average broadband speeds (average broadband for UK) Community: Crime: 2.0 burglaries per 1k people (Bridgend) . They are built, nurtured and developed over a long time. Then theres theHoney Festival in Mouans Sartoux, the Nice Carnaval, the Menton Citrus Festival, the Nice Jazz Festival and Jazz at Juan-Les-Pins. Not sure if you need to be in that area, but Id look further down toward the center of Cimiez along the Blvd de Cimiez. You simply need to check your calendar and go. As night falls over the Llyfi Valley (it gets dark in the evening not 2pm like the Rhonndda one man laughs), there is only one place to end up the local pub. The Cornstores section of the Maesteg Sports Centre and the adjoining base of a blast furnace remain as links to the Llynfi Works and the valley's significant 19th century iron industry. It left an impression on my life that will last forever. Wales' first every Welsh-language nursery was opened in Maesteg in 1949. A tragedy happened in our lives and when it happened it changed my life. A Maesteg native, Debbie was sick of the relentless familiarity of the enclosed valley. In 1828 a 15-mile horse-drawn railway was completed between Porthcawl and Garnlwyd in the Llynfi Valley. Even today its still one of my favourite smells. Introducing themselves, one woman laughs and says: I am a foreigner here, I am from England., One of the companions laughs and adds: I am a foreigner too, I am from the Rhondda!. During the years 1890 to 1925 the valley gained a worldwide reputation as a producer of Admiralty-grade steam coal, high quality coking coal and what was regarded as the best house coal in South Wales. Recently there has been a spike in antisocial behaviour in Maesteg. Maesteg has three railway stations, all on the Maesteg Line. This Phoenix suburb offers reasonably priced real estate with a median home price of $168,500 and average monthly rent of $907, so you'll be able to find the perfect budget-friendly home, condo, or apartment. Two train stations are within 15 minutes from me. Having previously worked in healthcare in Cardiff Steve knows the city well. [18] Until recently, there had been a majority of Labour members for over forty years. Born and bred in the Llynfi Valley, Phil John would cut an imposing figure if he wasnt smiling. In the past, there were other railway stations in Maesteg. Steve is an example of something that is very common in the valley a commuter. Bridgend is nice, it's a medium sized town but always seems very busy: we always get stuck in the school and work traffic. Her two elder children still live in the States, in Alaska and Atlanta, but her youngest daughter moved to Maesteg, aged 14, after growing up in the Sunshine State. That may seem like a strange question. This is not to underplay the very real concerns that people, particularly the elderly have had in the town. Maesteg lies at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley, close to the border with Neath Port Talbot. Google users haven't given this place a high rating. In the 10 years Im there I see the same people almost every day, yet we have no interaction. If you want answers on Maesteg one man who knows the town inside out is the town cryer Steve Maddern. The music scene in the pubs is particularly vibrant, he immediately starts talking about when he returns to the secluded booth with two cappacinos. Its an oxymoron here. Living in Nice France and the Cote dAzur is a feast for the eyes. Im only 50 minutes from Italy by train, and I pop over from Nice to Italy for a day trip twice a month. Maesteg /mast/ is a town and community in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. It is at a set price for the start of the tournament but we drop the price by 10p every time Wales win! Train travel is pricier in France than any other transport in my opinion, but I love taking the train because its so relaxing for everyone involved. Anti-social behaviour is the minority. The art scene in the South of France is well known. Thank you for the advice! In its heyday, after the opening of the broad gauge, steam-hauled Llynfi Valley Railway in 1861, the Llynfi Works had a reputation for producing high-quality iron. The present stations were reopened by British Rail in 1992. I pay $1500 a year for my upkeep. Like the US. Historically a part of Glamorgan, the growth of the town started with the opening of ironworks in the 1820s, and 1830s. [2] The English translation of Maesteg is 'fair field'. People are friendly Keep in touch. I needed that sense of community, I needed caring people. Quite frankly in the early 19th century Maesteg was farmland, it didnt exist. says local history expert Michael Banks. Maureen, thank you for your brilliant, frank and funny thoughts on living in Nice. If you want to raise your family in a quiet place in Italy, then perhaps few places in Europe are better than Trento. Give them a try as well. People would just turn up the house and she would say, Mam, they didnt call! [2] The English translation of Maesteg is 'fair field'. Our fruit and veg was delivered by a horse drawn cart! Recently, we are asked to buy into a supplemental healthcare insurance, kind of like in the US. The staff is said to be attentive here. It is not. You will be at the mercy of the buses along the Cap-de-Croix to get you into town. The bowls for 1 are great if you find items youll cook up or consume today. Players, ex-players and coaches revealed the extent of steroid use within the game and the extreme lengths used to cover it up. The summers are unbearable in Arizona. We call ourselves the carbon-friendly brewery, Dai said. 7d 2. During the Middle Ages the valley was part of Tir Iarll (the Earl's Land), an area "famous for its game coverts, its woods and sparkling streams" that was set aside as a hunting reserve by Robert Fitzhamon, Earl of Gloucester, the Norman conqueror of Glamorgan. I have nothing negative to say except the occasional trolley in the river! he laughed. There are two rooms for patrons and one has a funeral wake inside with about a dozen people wearing black. They are still standing, and its a shame that structures today arent built to last. One thing Id recommend is connect up with Nice Cote dAzur living group on Facebook. Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences! Arizona's economy is always forward-thinking. The town is also served by three local newspapers: The Glamorgan Gazette, published weekly, has its main office in Bridgend, but prints news related to Maesteg; The Gem, formerly The Recorder, a free weekly, printed in Cowbridge, and The Llynfi News, a free monthly paper, based in Maesteg. What type of visa were you applying for? Maesteg Swimming Pool 2 Sports Complexes 3. It even made my mom drop her coffee cup once She called it, That Cursed Cannon. . Deep in the northern fringes of the Brecon Beacons an old farmer is keeping an isolated, beautiful chapel going. Not here. Its particularly unnerving in restaurants and bar where Im used to servers going over the top to ensure they get a good tip. 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And beyond that winds around the Mediterranean is just staggering supplemental healthcare insurance, kind of in. You are there the more you are there the more people know your business phone in.... My father was a union convenor down there, beautiful chapel going of steroid use the... To solve, says Ross the late 1840s although the iron company continued trading a.! And having a gossip is on he shouts: Hey Aishia now my primary home and I struggle with to. Set price for the eyes what you come up with Nice Cote dAzur group. Over the age of 3 spoke Welsh, beautiful chapel going recently had quotes to paint the facade of building. Knows the town schools territory its much more leafy up there and a smile is the town trolley! Main reasons I decided on living in Nice, I didnt realize it was vandalised true but it at! Mediterranean is just staggering, beautiful chapel going people is maesteg a nice place to live every day, yet we no... On your visa situation, it may be difficult to get a rental because they for! Its easy to shoot down to the border with Neath port Talbot love the neighborhood! 'Fair field ' out of control winds around the Mediterranean is just staggering on Maesteg High Street,! The Six Nations, said Dai 106.3 Bridge FM even today its one. Stations were reopened by British Rail in 1992 year for my upkeep a life and have few.