When is the best time to visit St. Andrews? and etc.

[Impreza_Noobie]

Hi guys

I will be a postgraduate studying International Business at St. Andrews and my course will start on September this year. I plan to visit the school before my course actually begins and it is probably sensible to start planning my trip now.
To clarify things, here are various goals I hope to achieve during the visit:
(Number 1 being the most important factor)
1. To search, explore and confirm a place to live in
2. To familiarise myself with St. Andrews and its surroundings
3. To have fun with my family- they will be coming with me to Scotland; this trip will be their 'vacations'

Here are my questions

When is the best time to visit the school? And for how long?

During winter, does it snow often?

For car owners: How and where do you normally service your car in St. Andrews? And is it difficult to find a parking spot around the school?

Please enlighten me with your thoughts.
Cheers

[orudge]

When is the best time to visit the school? And for how long?

The university has various open days during the year, mainly from October to March/April, I think. The weather will be nicer in April than it will in January. St Andrews can be nice in the summer, but full of tourists rather than students.

During winter, does it snow often?

St Andrews tends to escape most of the snow - it seemingly has its own little microclimate. I think even St Andrews had some snow recently though.

For car owners: How and where do you normally service your car in St. Andrews?

There are a few garages around, which can be decent enough. I've used McConechy's before, on Largo Road, and found them to be quite decent.

And is it difficult to find a parking spot around the school?

That depends on where exactly you are wanting to go - remember, St Andrews isn't on a single campus, the buildings are scattered throughout the town. International Business I presume will be held in the Gateway though, and there are both university and public car parks there, so you should find a space easily enough. Spaces in the town centre are more limited, but it's not really far to walk from the main public car park anyway.

[beeny]

When is the best time to visit the school? And for how long?

I think even St Andrews had some snow recently though.

SOME snow?! I've never seen it like that in St Andrews. And in fairness, in the 4 and a bit years I've been here, I seem to remember there being some level of snow every year. In my first year (2005) there was enough laying that we could build snowmen, 2008 had snow over most areas (and even on the sand on the beach) and last year, of course, was pretty much a white-out over Christmas and New Year.

In my hometown of North Berwick, another small east Scotland coastal town, we never even get snow laying so for me, I would say it snows in the winter in St Andrews as a generality. But that could all be perspective :p

[Hennessy]

Where are you from? That affects everything you asked about.

[Impreza_Noobie]

Thanks for all the informative responses people! Keep them coming!

Where are you from? That affects everything you asked about.

Bangkok, Thailand

Recently confirmed my offer and will abruptly plan a trip.

I know the weather in St. Andrews will be on the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to our hot climate. But is it far off from New Zealand's weather? I quite like the rather cold morning frosts in Christchurch - I was there for 3 years when I was a kid.

[Wonderboy]

A little colder than New Zealand and windy but not that windy in town.

[Hennessy]

Hi guys

I will be a postgraduate studying International Business at St. Andrews and my course will start on September this year. I plan to visit the school before my course actually begins and it is probably sensible to start planning my trip now.
To clarify things, here are various goals I hope to achieve during the visit:
(Number 1 being the most important factor)
1. To search, explore and confirm a place to live in
2. To familiarise myself with St. Andrews and its surroundings
3. To have fun with my family- they will be coming with me to Scotland; this trip will be their 'vacations'

Here are my questions

When is the best time to visit the school? And for how long?

During winter, does it snow often?

For car owners: How and where do you normally service your car in St. Andrews? And is it difficult to find a parking spot around the school?

Please enlighten me with your thoughts.
Cheers

Ooh Ooh I can do the last one! I own a car in St Andrews, parking is generally quite good but smaller roads do tend to get clogged up with traffic towards the middle of the day, also, you can forget about parking in market street, south street or and of the roads that link them between 0900 - 1700 because of:
a) Those bastard traffic wardens issuing tickets
b) The complete lack of parking spaces

There are three major garages in St Andrews that can deal with car issues and do MOT's, McConechy's, Bassaguard and that one up by Morrissons whose name I forget. There is a 24 hour garage near the centre of town, and it's worth joining the AA or RAC just in case. Generally car ownsership is discouraged by the University, but you'll need one if you plan to go anywhere other than Fife without a great deal of planning.

[Thalia]

The buses are fairly good for travelling out of Fife if you just want to go to the major cities, plus Leuchars isn't that far away for the train line. It's probably worth considering how much you plan to travel around and weigh that against the costs of owning and running a car because you don't really need one within St Andrews itself.

I'd say you should think about visiting before the summer anyway as it can be hard to find accomodation.

[Impreza_Noobie]

by Hennessy on Fri Feb 12, 2010 5:32 pm
Ooh Ooh I can do the last one! I own a car in St Andrews, parking is generally quite good but smaller roads do tend to get clogged up with traffic towards the middle of the day, also, you can forget about parking in market street, south street or and of the roads that link them between 0900 - 1700 because of:
a) Those bastard traffic wardens issuing tickets
b) The complete lack of parking spaces

There are three major garages in St Andrews that can deal with car issues and do MOT's, McConechy's, Bassaguard and that one up by Morrissons whose name I forget. There is a 24 hour garage near the centre of town, and it's worth joining the AA or RAC just in case. Generally car ownsership is discouraged by the University, but you'll need one if you plan to go anywhere other than Fife without a great deal of planning.

I am relieved to hear such good news! Are they capable of servicing 'niche-market' cars? For instance, a Subaru WRX STi? I did a location check and spotted an official dealership nearby; however, I'm not sure if the expenses will be ridiculously expensive.

by Thalia on Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:47 pm
The buses are fairly good for travelling out of Fife if you just want to go to the major cities, plus Leuchars isn't that far away for the train line. It's probably worth considering how much you plan to travel around and weigh that against the costs of owning and running a car because you don't really need one within St Andrews itself.

I'd say you should think about visiting before the summer anyway as it can be hard to find accomodation.

Thanks for the travel guide! Your advice will be put into effect as soon as we arrive in the UK. I myself feel discouraged about owning a car there and would prefer to bike! However, it is a must for me to own one due to personal/family interests.

Do you think June would be an ideal month to visit the university?

[Captain Slow]

I am relieved to hear such good news! Are they capable of servicing 'niche-market' cars? For instance, a Subaru WRX STi? I did a location check and spotted an official dealership nearby; however, I'm not sure if the expenses will be ridiculously expensive.

I wouldnt exactly call a WRX STi nice. theres thousands of boy racers in this country

Main dealerships are usually crazy expensive, I always think that using a independent specialist is for the best.

[Impreza_Noobie]

I am relieved to hear such good news! Are they capable of servicing 'niche-market' cars? For instance, a Subaru WRX STi? I did a location check and spotted an official dealership nearby; however, I'm not sure if the expenses will be ridiculously expensive.

I wouldnt exactly call a WRX STi nice. theres thousands of boy racers in this country

Main dealerships are usually crazy expensive, I always think that using a independent specialist is for the best.

I perfectly understand when these sort of 'flamboyant' vehicles are mentioned, people tend to negatively generalise them. But the point is, not all STi owners are 'boy racers'. In fact, most of STi owners in my country, which is Thailand, are of older demographics - and it is almost impossible to spot these guys in their STis cruising around town.

The words 'Boy racers' can be defined in many different ways thus, utilised in different generalisations. On one hand, a Jaguar driver who does street racing could be classified as 'Boy racer'. On the other hand, would you judge an owner of a souped-up Mitsubishi Evolution I who strictly obeys traffic laws as a 'Boy racer'? I personally love the STi because it is aesthetically pleasing; not because it was prepped for street racing.

Subaru Thailand sold, throughout the nation, no more than 50 WRX STi models since 2002 - this asserts the fact that STi model is a niche-market. This is because we are paying 300% tax over the standard price of cars with 220hp or more. Furthermore, credible reviewers* often state that Subaru produces niche-market cars.

Based on your name, Captain Slow, I would assume that you are a fan of Top Gear; and so am I!

* reference: http://www.insideline.com/subaru/impreza-wrx-sti/2008/long-term-test-2008-subaru-impreza-wrx-sti.html "Subaru has always been a niche brand with niche vehicles."