Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Nov 28th 2016, 4:56 pm
#31
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
But pay is a huge deal. I know that I wouldn't have moved here IF my pay didn't substantially increase or at least improve relative to the cost of living.
I know people from my old office that won't move here now (5 years after us) because the cost of living...(ie rent) in the Bay Area and the pay being offered by our company will no longer cover rent within an hour commute of the office.
This is of course...a very SF bay issue
I know people from my old office that won't move here now (5 years after us) because the cost of living...(ie rent) in the Bay Area and the pay being offered by our company will no longer cover rent within an hour commute of the office.
This is of course...a very SF bay issue
1950's tract homes selling for $500,000 with 1,100 square feet on tenth of an acre in 2000, now I hear prices can approach $800,000 for the same home. Cant imagine prices within the city.
Nov 28th 2016, 4:57 pm
#32
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
If you don't take pay into account, you should also not be talking about subsidized healthcare costs. Employers pay a big percentage of the real cost.
Last edited by mrken30; Nov 28th 2016 at 5:01 pm.
Nov 28th 2016, 5:03 pm
#33
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Been that way for a while in Bay Area. Absurd situation for many people there having to commute 1 or even 2 hours. I remember in 90's taking a job purely on basis it had a 15 minute commute time vs one and a half hours, though it paid $10,000 less.
1950's tract homes selling for $500,000 with 1,100 square feet on tenth of an acre in 2000, now I hear prices can approach $800,000 for the same home. Cant imagine prices within the city.
1950's tract homes selling for $500,000 with 1,100 square feet on tenth of an acre in 2000, now I hear prices can approach $800,000 for the same home. Cant imagine prices within the city.
The salary you must earn to buy a home in 27 metros
I was surprised how expensive Seattle is , and the difference between east and west coast.
Nov 28th 2016, 5:10 pm
#34
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Just a few observations on recent trip to UK in a working class town compared to same type of area in Midwest :
If I understand correctly prescriptions seem to be more expensive than in US, though considering other costs of course NHS distinct advantage.
Today went to post some mail in UK, definitely more expensive than US.
Definitely more choice in types of restaurants, though interesting the limited hours many seem to keep.
Grocery store seems less variety of products than US, but some excellent quality items ( such as salami/cheese from Europe) less expensive and rarely available in part of US I was in.
Great package deals for travelling to Europe on holiday, ridiculously high petrol and cigarettes.
If I understand correctly prescriptions seem to be more expensive than in US, though considering other costs of course NHS distinct advantage.
Today went to post some mail in UK, definitely more expensive than US.
Definitely more choice in types of restaurants, though interesting the limited hours many seem to keep.
Grocery store seems less variety of products than US, but some excellent quality items ( such as salami/cheese from Europe) less expensive and rarely available in part of US I was in.
Great package deals for travelling to Europe on holiday, ridiculously high petrol and cigarettes.
Help with prescription costs - Health costs - NHS Choices
When you see a doctor there are no co-pays, deductibles etc.
As for mail costs...aren't most sent electronically now?
Nov 28th 2016, 5:16 pm
#35
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Avgas is definitely more expensive as are landing fees in the UK. Obviously not everyone would pay for these, so again it really depends what you spend your money on. If you are a recluse , just paying for internet and having takeouts delivered, the UK is probably cheaper.
Last edited by mrken30; Nov 28th 2016 at 5:19 pm.
Nov 28th 2016, 10:19 pm
#36
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Avgas is definitely more expensive as are landing fees in the UK. Obviously not everyone would pay for these, so again it really depends what you spend your money on. If you are a recluse , just paying for internet and having takeouts delivered, the UK is probably cheaper.
Did you mean jet fuel? Not much difference in price to the UK I would think.
Nov 28th 2016, 10:55 pm
#37
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
I meant 100 low lead GA fuel. There are a couple of us that fly on here for a hobby. It's much more expensive in the UK to fly than the US
Nov 29th 2016, 3:57 am
#39
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Prescriptions in the U.K. are more expensive than the US?? A UK script costs £8.40...scripts for seniors are free, kids are free until they 18, if you have been pregnant or had a child...free scripts for 12 months, chronic illness...the list goes on...
Help with prescription costs - Health costs - NHS Choices
When you see a doctor there are no co-pays, deductibles etc.
As for mail costs...aren't most sent electronically now?
Help with prescription costs - Health costs - NHS Choices
When you see a doctor there are no co-pays, deductibles etc.
As for mail costs...aren't most sent electronically now?
Post offices still in business in UK as in USA regardless of internet, yes postage costs to mail letters from UK more expensive than USA.
Nov 29th 2016, 5:23 pm
#40
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
One difference, still able to slow boat parcels from the UK to the US for cheap, but you don't have that option going the other way.
Nov 30th 2016, 4:30 am
#41
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
This was an interesting article on home affordability that just came out
The salary you must earn to buy a home in 27 metros
I was surprised how expensive Seattle is , and the difference between east and west coast.
The salary you must earn to buy a home in 27 metros
I was surprised how expensive Seattle is , and the difference between east and west coast.
May I ask you a question? Were you living in Seattle, and is the cost of living in Washington state one of the reasons that led to your decision to move home to the UK?
Nov 30th 2016, 6:02 am
#42
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
I work with colleagues from Seattle, I live and work in the Portland area. I do feel house prices in this area have kept up with prices in the UK. I haven't returned to the UK yet.
Nov 30th 2016, 6:40 am
#43
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Recently visiting Northumberland. Compared to Midwest working class area I know it seems (a) Rents not too different though high in relation to value of properties compared to Midwest (b) house prices, for smaller sizes, much higher (c) suprizing to me at least, the housing benefit which seems quite a percentage of people receive, covers the rent on most of the accommodation available. (d) but for larger and more modern houses of an American size the rents seem to be double or higher.
Nov 30th 2016, 3:22 pm
#44
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
I have a box all ready to go to the UK for Christmas and am dreading what the postage will be. Last year upon presenting it the fellow behind the counter pressed various buttons and then said:
"The cost is going to be $$ are you sure you want to spend that?"
My wife was with me and used one of her standard tricks to ensure the clerk didn't get the honest response...
Dec 1st 2016, 8:54 am
#45
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Re: Living expenses cheaper in UK or USA?
Tell me about it!!!
I have a box all ready to go to the UK for Christmas and am dreading what the postage will be. Last year upon presenting it the fellow behind the counter pressed various buttons and then said:
"The cost is going to be $$ are you sure you want to spend that?"
My wife was with me and used one of her standard tricks to ensure the clerk didn't get the honest response...
I have a box all ready to go to the UK for Christmas and am dreading what the postage will be. Last year upon presenting it the fellow behind the counter pressed various buttons and then said:
"The cost is going to be $$ are you sure you want to spend that?"
My wife was with me and used one of her standard tricks to ensure the clerk didn't get the honest response...