Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
Dec 14th 2014, 6:50 pm
#1
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Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
I was wondering about the cost of living around the Lake Balaton area compared to UK prices, food, utilities etc; is it significantly lower? I am doing some more detailed research but just wanted some peoples opinions that are living there at the moment too - thanks
Dec 15th 2014, 4:43 am
#2
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
First as in UK their is the same ruling North of Watford or South of Watford Balaton falls in the category of South of Watford regarding's Living Cost Property,Utility bills, Council Tax high, getting around and getting back to UK quickly, wear as us think in head strong in arm just on State Pension in the North of Watford are smarter Council Tax 50pence a week rest water, electricity, stove wood Total 10 pounds a week Fresh Meet 10 pounds a week and My Fags 10 pounds a week fresh veg out of garden when in session rest ether Freeze or Preserver we do not spend on new Clothes when we get all we want seconded hand at 1.50 pounds a kilo, so I my upset some by watt I stated, but if you can not stand the Heat get of the Kitchen we live the Good Life North of Watford digger47
Dec 15th 2014, 7:55 am
#3
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
I live in Northern Hungary, some 60kms from Miskolc and 25 kms from Kosice (Kassa) Slovakia. Everything is much cheaper than the Balaton area and anything I can't find in my local town I'll find in Miskolc. Hungarian isn't a problem either as many younger people speak good English and for me the biggest bonus is no tourists so prices in restaurants and shops remain reasonable.
Dec 15th 2014, 6:05 pm
#4
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
Swings and Roundabouts methinks. We live North Balaton and IMO:
Electric - we use off peak electricity and heat our water this way - costs same as UK
Gas - very expensive so use wood as much as possible to heat the house
Water and sewage - same as we paid in UK about £400-£500 per year
Internet - same as UK £35 per month
Council tax - £100 per year
Car Insurance - £100 per year
Local road tax - £80 per year
Food for two adults - £80 - £100 per week
House Insurance - £100 per year
Fuel is cheaper here, at the moment about 90 pence per litre for unleaded
If we really tried we could manage on about £600 per month.
Hope that helps......
Electric - we use off peak electricity and heat our water this way - costs same as UK
Gas - very expensive so use wood as much as possible to heat the house
Water and sewage - same as we paid in UK about £400-£500 per year
Internet - same as UK £35 per month
Council tax - £100 per year
Car Insurance - £100 per year
Local road tax - £80 per year
Food for two adults - £80 - £100 per week
House Insurance - £100 per year
Fuel is cheaper here, at the moment about 90 pence per litre for unleaded
If we really tried we could manage on about £600 per month.
Hope that helps......
Dec 16th 2014, 6:44 am
#5
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
IMO the cost of living is largely driven by lifestyle. The average take home pay in Hungary is listed as £440/month and the minimum wage is £210/month after deductions. I know one pensioner who gets about £125/month and manages to budget on this! so these figures should give a clue to the cost of living.
I would agree with Cathyg's figures above except we pay £11/month for internet and we don't spend as much on food.
Heating can be expensive, gas / Kwh is a fraction more than the UK and wood as an option can be as expensive as gas depending upon how / where you buy it. (You need to do better than £125/ton seasoned wood ready to burn to be cheaper than gas, difficult around here unless you chop it up yourself) The general housing stock in Hungary is very poorly insulated and there have not been the insulation grants that the UK has had, so most houses could cut the cost of heating by, say, half or more by investing in insulation upgrades.
Pensions received in Hungary by those resident are zero rated for tax, UK OAP included but UK government pensions excepted.
I would agree with Cathyg's figures above except we pay £11/month for internet and we don't spend as much on food.
Heating can be expensive, gas / Kwh is a fraction more than the UK and wood as an option can be as expensive as gas depending upon how / where you buy it. (You need to do better than £125/ton seasoned wood ready to burn to be cheaper than gas, difficult around here unless you chop it up yourself) The general housing stock in Hungary is very poorly insulated and there have not been the insulation grants that the UK has had, so most houses could cut the cost of heating by, say, half or more by investing in insulation upgrades.
Pensions received in Hungary by those resident are zero rated for tax, UK OAP included but UK government pensions excepted.
Dec 16th 2014, 7:10 am
#6
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
To give you an idea of what living in Hungary costs me ...
Logs for 3 wood burning stoves = £170 p.a
Gas, central heating, cooker and hot water = £250 p.a
Mains Water = £150 p.a
Emptying Septic tank =£30 p.a
Rental Telephone, Sat TV and Internet = £39 p.m
Car Insurance = £50 p.a
Council Tax = £50 p.a
Local Road Tax = £24 p.a
House Insurance = £80 p.a
Food - 1 adult plus 2 dogs, 1 cat = approx £200 p.m ... which is high because the dogs and cat are fed fresh meat and veggies and eat the equivalent of 1 adult and a small child.
I should add that as a British OAP every winter I'm given 1 cubic metre of logs plus 3 pork joints and 2 kgs of sausages at Christmas, courtesy of the Hungarian government as well as free veggie seeds, seed potatoes and onions in the spring. I can also travel free on public transport anywhere in Hungary.
Logs for 3 wood burning stoves = £170 p.a
Gas, central heating, cooker and hot water = £250 p.a
Mains Water = £150 p.a
Emptying Septic tank =£30 p.a
Rental Telephone, Sat TV and Internet = £39 p.m
Car Insurance = £50 p.a
Council Tax = £50 p.a
Local Road Tax = £24 p.a
House Insurance = £80 p.a
Food - 1 adult plus 2 dogs, 1 cat = approx £200 p.m ... which is high because the dogs and cat are fed fresh meat and veggies and eat the equivalent of 1 adult and a small child.
I should add that as a British OAP every winter I'm given 1 cubic metre of logs plus 3 pork joints and 2 kgs of sausages at Christmas, courtesy of the Hungarian government as well as free veggie seeds, seed potatoes and onions in the spring. I can also travel free on public transport anywhere in Hungary.
Last edited by Sachina; Dec 16th 2014 at 7:30 am.
Dec 16th 2014, 6:55 pm
#7
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Re: Cost of Living around Lake Balaton area
To give you an idea of what living in Hungary costs me ...
Logs for 3 wood burning stoves = £170 p.a
Gas, central heating, cooker and hot water = £250 p.a
Mains Water = £150 p.a
Emptying Septic tank =£30 p.a
Rental Telephone, Sat TV and Internet = £39 p.m
Car Insurance = £50 p.a
Council Tax = £50 p.a
Local Road Tax = £24 p.a
House Insurance = £80 p.a
Food - 1 adult plus 2 dogs, 1 cat = approx £200 p.m ... which is high because the dogs and cat are fed fresh meat and veggies and eat the equivalent of 1 adult and a small child.
Logs for 3 wood burning stoves = £170 p.a
Gas, central heating, cooker and hot water = £250 p.a
Mains Water = £150 p.a
Emptying Septic tank =£30 p.a
Rental Telephone, Sat TV and Internet = £39 p.m
Car Insurance = £50 p.a
Council Tax = £50 p.a
Local Road Tax = £24 p.a
House Insurance = £80 p.a
Food - 1 adult plus 2 dogs, 1 cat = approx £200 p.m ... which is high because the dogs and cat are fed fresh meat and veggies and eat the equivalent of 1 adult and a small child.
That comes from central government
