- Jan-Peter van Tijk
I wish I'd found InterNations sooner: It would have made my first few month as an expat in London much less overwhelming.
Living in Bedford
When a Saxon chief in ancient England named ‘Beda’ crossed a ‘ford’ of the River Great Ouse, he must have left quite an impression. Today an English country town of 80,000 people, Bedford is sometimes known simply as the City of the River Great Ouse. But the old chief needn’t lose heart, because the county – Bedfordshire – took his name as well. Expats living in Bedford will find themselves surrounded by history. The town suffered a Danish invasion and a succession of castles were built there, the remnants of the last being a great place for expatriates living in Bedford to visit. For lovers of literature, the old jail was where John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress in 1660. You can also visit the Church of St. Paul, which is well known for its grand spire. Expatriates in Bedford can enjoy a great set of sports facilities as well, with a strong rowing club and a great record for producing champion sportspeople.
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Moving to Bedford
As it is the county town of Bedfordshire, expats moving to Bedford have a range of travel options. The town has two railway stations, various bus connections and is served by the A6. It's only thirty miles from London's Luton airport and there are several services each hour to central London, taking between 40 minutes and an hour. To make moving to Bedford an easier endeavor, expatriates should also take a look at InterNations' Expat Magazine, a collection of articles and information for expats. We have a good selection of information on topics ranging from expat finance and insurance to expat experiences and the ups and downs of working abroad. You should find life in Bedford comfortable and easy to adapt to, though – and expatriates in Bedford are only a short train ride away from one of the world's most international cities, London.
Working in Bedford
Bedford is a comfortable, easygoing town to work in. The climate is inescapably English, but expatriates in Bedford will find that, to their surprise, the sun does shine in the summer and the rain occasionally abates. Culturally, there's plenty for expats living in Bedford to enjoy, including a gallery, museum and university theatre. London is naturally a cultural hub, and life in Bedford will inevitably involve visits to the British capital. Expats in Bedford can use the InterNations discussion groups, forums and private communications to get in touch with the local international community as well. There are plenty of global minds here and, naturally, London has one of the largest international networks on the planet. With the comfortable pace and history of a county town and the bustling international hub of London just next door, working in Bedford promises to be an all-round enjoyable experience.