To ask for your experiences with Bath/strange atmospheres

[AliceInBlunderland13]

Semi-regular poster but I’ve name changed for this as the details could be quite outing. Also not really an AIBU but posting for traffic and all that…
There have been two periods in my life when I have lived and/or worked in the city of Bath, Somerset and I’ve experienced problems with my mental health on both occasions. The first was right after I finished by undergraduate degree in London and I moved to Bath to do a Masters at the university. I started in the October and by Christmas I was experiencing terrible panic attacks and depression. I did manage to complete the course but as soon as I finished I ended the tenancy on my flat early and moved back home. I then worked in my home town for a few years, during which time I had no problems with my mental health. Then I decided to do a PhD and took a position again at the uni in Bath. This time I didn’t move there but instead moved to a nearby town and commuted in. Yet again within a couple of months of being there I began experiencing daily panic attacks, terrible anxiety and feelings of dissociation, and depression. I tried to stick it out (had counselling, on meds etc) but I still felt utterly miserable so I recently quit the course and found a new job in another town.
Even after having counselling, I’ve never truly got to the bottom of what triggers these episodes. Logically, it could be stress related as both a Masters and a PhD are obviously a lot of work but then I dealt with the stresses of my undergraduate course just fine, and the job I had between my Masters and PhD was high-stress and I loved it – in fact I used to think I worked best with a bit of pressure.
Then the other day, I was reading an old thread on here (bored while I wait to start my new job ) about places people found creepy. Several people mentioned that they didn’t like Bath or that it had an odd atmosphere – I think one poster described it as ‘melancholy’. Now normally I’m very rational and logical (except when the anxiety takes over ) and wouldn’t give it a second thought, but I couldn’t help wondering if anyone has any experience of feeling anxious/down in a particular place, or if anyone else has felt this ‘atmosphere’ in Bath? I know some will say it’s a load of pish but I guess I’m just interested in other people’s experiences really…

I wish I could remember the name, but we were driving through North Wales as a kid and we stopped in a small village for some lunch. I have never felt an atmosphere like it, it felt dark and oppressive and I felt cold on a boiling hot summer day. Strangely my mother felt the same, but my sibling and dad didn't notice anything. I have never felt anything like it.

Venice was another place. I felt awful from the moment we got there. Just very uncomfortable and on edge. I actually made an excuse to leave the holiday early as I couldn't bear it. I would never go back. To this day I still have nightmares about Venice and I have no idea why, it was beautiful and everyone was friendly.

Yes to Venice too! All of the mask shops...urgh. While we were there on the 2nd night a lady was found drowned without her purse .I already wanted to go home but we had another day. I do wonder if it is something about water. Maybe damp smells? Peeling paint?

"Boils down to whether or not YOU like the feeling or atmosphere of a place"

If it were as simple as that. If you like the place but the PEOPLE are hostile and insular then its more than the location.

I was thinking about this thread earlier and now it has reappeared. Spooky

Bath poses as a liberal, open minded environment. But it isnt. Not anywhere close.

As for saying Bristol is full of weed smokers....You really trying to pretend Bath doesn't have a drug problem?

I adore Venice and love the history and the creepy atmosphere.

The only weird experience I've had was in St Ives, a place I love. I had just arrived and was on my way to my B&B, walking along the main street when I had a sort of out of body experience lasting about five seconds. I put it down to excitement at being back again, but it has never happened again and I've been there many times since.

@AdoptedBumpkin

I was thinking about this thread earlier and now it has reappeared. Spooky

Because theres a conversation to be had about the amount of arrogant residents who uphold a "certain" attitude. Think they have a divine right to provoke and try to bully but if stood up to act like they are the innocent ones.

Or pretend nothing has or is happening. Silence is complicity people.

Interestingly, whenever someone has raised an issue about Bath on other websites, namely students speaking about their experiences at the university it is REMOVED AND ERASED by the website.

What does that say? Facing a serious issue? better not speak or you will be gaslit, smeared , gossiped about throughout the village and your experiences erased and belittled. No voice allowed. The only thing that matters is the image of city as beautiful and pretty and perfect.

Someone actually wrote an article about how they were treated when they tried to speak about some very serious issues they faced. But they were repeatedly erased. Look away and "just look at the views" its easier.

I grew up near Bath and love the city but think there is something about the air pressure there, it's usually very 'close' and heavy, possibly due to being in a 'bowl' formed by the surrounding hills. There is also a strange sensation of being surrounded by layers of history in the buildings, not sure if I am explaining it properly, but it gives a sense of other-worldiness and a different dimension.

The radon map is fascinating by the way. I've noticed a lot of spa towns/cities being mentioned, could the issue be something to do with the concentration of minerals coming to the surface? Bath spa water is very hot too when it comes out of the ground which might increase this effect.

I'm sad that so many people got a bad feeling about Hastings. I used to live there and it still feels magical to me. I think the sense of menace must come from the fact it's a deprived area. I'd love to go back there.

Walsingham in Norfolk had a very creepy atmosphere. Car park full but streets deserted. Charity shop called Let the Children Live, the few workmen about stopping to stare as passed. We were planning to have lunch but it freaked us out. Felt like the set of The Wicker Man.

usernameusrnme

Hi there, just being nosey....do you live in Bath, did you live there?

If you are still there, could you move?

@areallthenamesusedup

usernameusrnme

Hi there, just being nosey....do you live in Bath, did you live there?

If you are still there, could you move?

That right. Dont want anyone speaking honestly do you. Bath is perfect and nice. How could anyone say anything to the contrary. Everyone is just so lovely.

Not one response to any of the posts from the articles. Just "stop saying things about what happens. It isnt fair. It hurts our feelings. You're the problem"

Person A hits person B. Person B says stop. Person A blames person B for hurt feelings. Nonsense.

Can anyone even respond to the articles? Anyone? No.
Just complete disregard.

"Doesn't matter to me so why should I care"

"Bath has a bad racism problem, but oh well. Doesn't apply to me, why are people talking about it"

"We're all lovely, how can people think that?"

"Just move because we all like it"

Yeah sums up the place.

Nobody cares about your weird vendetta. You frankly sound mentally ill.

I loved visiting Bath because if it’s history . I did an essay on the mural monuments at bath abbey for my essay while studying for a degree as a mature student and my husband treated me to a weekend there for my fortieth. I’m also a Jane Austen fan so this weekend meant a lot to me.
However, at around 5.30 the whole city closed , even the coffee shops and a very eerie atmosphere descended.
We had prebooked a restaurant and went there early for a drink. Staff were strange and clipped. Walking back to hotel was most eerie.
It was like one type of person inhabits Bath during the day and another inhabits Bath in the early evening.
Hotel staff were cold , hotel restaurant staff were even colder , Jane Austen place was staffed with people who wished you hadn’t graced their doorstep.
All in all, we felt like unwanted tourists.
We will not rush back.

@FangsForTheMemory where abouts in St Ives exactly please? There are many legends...

Again trying to smear. Anyone gives an honest opinion thats the go to method.

Still not one single response to any of the articles with any rhetorical skill just names and smear.

Do you have an opinion on the articles? You want to try and label me but in all honesty you are just too fragile to have an honest think about it.
You dont have to agree. Reply as to why you think that isnt the case. But you dont seem rhetorically skilled enough to respond without name calling.

That school situation. Was it "kids being kids?"

Lets think about it. The school "apparently" told the child in question not to talk about it or mention it to anyone including family. Apparently.

The boys involved were expelled, then allowed to return after the governors intervened and overturned the decision.

What message does that send?

The governors then step down. One of whom works in another Bath institution. On the board....to......SAFEGUARD CHILDREN.

Dont worry the system will protect you. If.. you meet certain criteria.

Thats one of the articles. What about the others?

No Bath doesn't have a problem with racism. At all. Doesn't exist. In fact racism doesn't exist anymore. Why do people talk about it. Always playing the race card.

Meanwhile, in a galaxy far far away. Called Minneapolis.

Dear usernameusrnme

Firstly, we have very similar names so this is all a bit confusing :)

Anyway, the only thing I asked in my post was "did you used to live there/do you still/could you move?".

I did not pass comment on anything you said. I did not challenge your opinion. The only reason why I wrote my post was to reach out and maybe see if there were things that might make things better. E

It was meant as a friendly comment.

Working my way through the thread - Northampton- so bloody oppressive, provincial and depressing. I had a boyfriend there once years ago and could wait to leave that town each time I visited.

Guernsey is amazing but the underground hospital it freaky as hell.

St Just - oh god, how could anyone live there? It's so windy so depressing, so awful in every way.

Glastonbury is just cheap and nasty.

A lot of people say the same about Glastonbury and "ley lines".

Yes I agree, when I moved to the area even though I'm pagan so fit in I thought I'm not bloody living here.

I go in regularly to see friends and go to events but no way I'm living there. I live around 5 miles away.

The worst place I've ever lived near is Brighton, the atmosphere over the entire city is so awful I felt sick to the stomach working there and only lasted in that job for a month before I had to leave for my own sanity. Absolutely hated it, it's incredibly oppressive with a nasty undercurrent of hate.

Yes to Norfolk. I had booked a B&B online it looked beautiful, lovely online, flowers and linen in rooms etc.

I emailed and spoke to a lovely woman about coming a few times.

When I arrived the place was really rundown and a man greeted us with greasy, long hair and clearly hadn't washed for weeks. He showed me the book to sign in - he had long, curly and yellowed nails.

He took me to an attic bedroom which made me go completely cold and I knew I had to leave immediately my DH and the children were waiting in the car. I had to explain that there was no way on earth we could stay there!

I kid you not I did not feel the oppression lift until I saw the sign for Suffolk!

@areallthenamesusedup

Dear usernameusrnme

Firstly, we have very similar names so this is all a bit confusing :)

Anyway, the only thing I asked in my post was "did you used to live there/do you still/could you move?".

I did not pass comment on anything you said. I did not challenge your opinion. The only reason why I wrote my post was to reach out and maybe see if there were things that might make things better. E

It was meant as a friendly comment.

I mis-interpreted what you said and thought you meant "why dont you leave/go away" as another poster had said.

Also you are welcome, as is anyone naturally, to challenge anything I have posted.

While its kind of you to want to reach out I have already taken the decision to leave. Making things better would require positive change. Bath is the antithesis of change.