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COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Aiming to get an idea of cost of living here @ BE from folk that have returned to Scotland and how they relate that to their experience in other countries or from some just offering a Scottish perspective.
I am attempting to put together some figures of what our bills would be comparing Scotland to New Zealand. The main purpose of this is to understand what salary I would need to be earning to have a decent lifestyle over there. We are currently renting a three bed house here in Auckland and here are some figures from here: In NZ $ Rent = $520 a week = $2080 a month (4 weeks) Groceries $1000 a month House Insurance $35 a month My car insurance = $47 a month Wife’s car = $35 a month Running cost of 2 cars = $500 p/ m Electric & gas $150 a month (average) Phone & internet $200 a month Mobile phones $100 a month Groceries $47 a month School fees $180 a month Sub total = $ 4352 That is just a quick list and probably forgotten a few things If you take a Salary of $100k (sales manager) which is deemed a high salary here in NZ you are taxed 39% PAYE on that so call it $60 k out that = $5 k a month $100 k at today’s exchange rate is just over £ 35 k p / a and having a look at the salaries to be earned in Scotland for my kind of job I see some OTEs at around the £ 100 k mark. Really trying to understand what I would have to be earning to be able to rent a three bed house and have a decent lifestyle in Scotland. My wife runs her own business here and she would do the same in Scotland so we are looking at my salary as the starting point as she would have to establish herself which we understand will take time. Apprecaite any input / comments cheers :) |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
hmm bumpipity bump up
We are also moving to Scotland early next year, and would love some input on basic costs, or even a rough idea on what a couple could live off. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Lookin2Oz
(Post 6871404)
Aiming to get an idea of cost of living here @ BE from folk that have returned to Scotland and how they relate that to their experience in other countries or from some just offering a Scottish perspective.
I am attempting to put together some figures of what our bills would be comparing Scotland to New Zealand. The main purpose of this is to understand what salary I would need to be earning to have a decent lifestyle over there. We are currently renting a three bed house here in Auckland and here are some figures from here: In NZ $ Rent = $520 a week = $2080 a month (4 weeks) Groceries $1000 a month House Insurance $35 a month My car insurance = $47 a month Wife’s car = $35 a month Running cost of 2 cars = $500 p/ m Electric & gas $150 a month (average) Phone & internet $200 a month Mobile phones $100 a month Groceries $47 a month School fees $180 a month Sub total = $ 4352 That is just a quick list and probably forgotten a few things If you take a Salary of $100k (sales manager) which is deemed a high salary here in NZ you are taxed 39% PAYE on that so call it $60 k out that = $5 k a month $100 k at today’s exchange rate is just over £ 35 k p / a and having a look at the salaries to be earned in Scotland for my kind of job I see some OTEs at around the £ 100 k mark. Really trying to understand what I would have to be earning to be able to rent a three bed house and have a decent lifestyle in Scotland. My wife runs her own business here and she would do the same in Scotland so we are looking at my salary as the starting point as she would have to establish herself which we understand will take time. Apprecaite any input / comments cheers :) I can give you links & costs for Edinburgh/West Lothian/Peebles in the Borders....but they would be entirely different costs to further north or more rural or Glasgow. There are huge differences in house prices/rentals costs across the country. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
G586 we will be moving to Abderdeen.
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Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by G586
(Post 6882432)
Er, where in Scotland?
I can give you links & costs for Edinburgh/West Lothian/Peebles in the Borders....but they would be entirely different costs to further north or more rural or Glasgow. There are huge differences in house prices/rentals costs across the country. You are absolutely correct and were hoping that one or two folk could just do an indication as I have, based on their area they live in. To answer your question regarding where we would see ourselves it really would be based on results of finding a job, which, looking at the market we would hope to be based somewhere between Perth & Edinburgh. Any information would be good as a comparison as we are really looking at what we would need to be earning. Many thanks for any info and your reply. Cheers :) |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Lookin2Oz
(Post 6883144)
You are absolutely correct and were hoping that one or two folk could just do an indication as I have, based on their area they live in.
To answer your question regarding where we would see ourselves it really would be based on results of finding a job, which, looking at the market we would hope to be based somewhere between Perth & Edinburgh. Any information would be good as a comparison as we are really looking at what we would need to be earning. Many thanks for any info and your reply. Cheers :) My friend lives in Dunfermline and they got a fairly large 4-bed for under £200k two years ago and that should be achievable now. www.espc.com www.rightmove.co.uk www.lettingweb.com www.citylets.co.uk They got rid of the bridge toll and they are going to build another bridge so access to Edinburgh should improve in the long-term. I live in a 3-bed semi. Our electricity/gas is £100 pm. Council tax is banded and you can find out what it will be from http://www.saa.gov.uk/ then each council will publish their rates, which have been frozen this year. Council tax still includes water rates. Food has gone up a lot but there is discounting going on so it depends on what you buy. I don't buy processed food and cook a lot. Have 2 chooks for eggs now in our small suburban garden! Insurance for our car is £300 pa - 2 drivers, Honda Jazz 1.4. House insurance is £250 pa. Mortgages are interesting but Nationwide/Woolwich are doing good deals so have a look at their current (but rapidly changing) rates. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
We were all set to return to W Lothian in March but current financial trends are making hubby a bit reluctant in case he cannot find work.....He does not have a profession but drives fork lifts and currently works for BOC......working with LPG etc. But he will turn his hand to anything.....typical Scot he has to know he can support us...regardless of me also working....I do here so will there.
I suppose my question is how is the job sector over there at the moment anyone know ????? Was so looking forward to going home.... am getting sadder by the day that we will have to leave it longer :( |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
A couple of friends in London have lost their jobs in the past two months, but they did not do particularly recession proof jobs (one worked in public relations the other worked in event marketing).
The fluffier sort of jobs are always the first to go in economic downturns, and I wouldn't go over there and open a florist shop, day spa etc. Looking at job websites there still seems to be plenty of jobs over there, particularly for those of us who are reasonably flexible about location (my mum and dad have said they don't care where I live in the UK they will still come and see me for weekends as compared to Aus it will be nothing time, distance and costwise). What is bugging me in my research is so many places do not advertise a salary so it is hard to make calculations. I know I could call them up but I still have a minimum of 4 months to go here and it is a bit too soon to be applying for jobs. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Hi, we left scotland 4 mths ago & approx costs for a family of 4 where
Council tax £150 a month Elect & Gas £160 a month Phone/internet/tv £90/mth Grocerys £100 a week (2 adults, 2 older kids) House insurance £37/mth Car Insurance £40/mth To rent a 3 bed semi in a decent area in Glasgow would be about £500 plus a month. Hope that helps a bit. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Lookin2Oz
(Post 6871404)
Aiming to get an idea of cost of living here @ BE from folk that have returned to Scotland and how they relate that to their experience in other countries or from some just offering a Scottish perspective.
I am attempting to put together some figures of what our bills would be comparing Scotland to New Zealand. The main purpose of this is to understand what salary I would need to be earning to have a decent lifestyle over there. We are currently renting a three bed house here in Auckland and here are some figures from here: In NZ $ Rent = $520 a week = $2080 a month (4 weeks) Groceries $1000 a month House Insurance $35 a month My car insurance = $47 a month Wife’s car = $35 a month Running cost of 2 cars = $500 p/ m Electric & gas $150 a month (average) Phone & internet $200 a month Mobile phones $100 a month Groceries $47 a month School fees $180 a month Sub total = $ 4352 That is just a quick list and probably forgotten a few things If you take a Salary of $100k (sales manager) which is deemed a high salary here in NZ you are taxed 39% PAYE on that so call it $60 k out that = $5 k a month $100 k at today’s exchange rate is just over £ 35 k p / a and having a look at the salaries to be earned in Scotland for my kind of job I see some OTEs at around the £ 100 k mark. Really trying to understand what I would have to be earning to be able to rent a three bed house and have a decent lifestyle in Scotland. My wife runs her own business here and she would do the same in Scotland so we are looking at my salary as the starting point as she would have to establish herself which we understand will take time. Apprecaite any input / comments cheers :) Left Scotland as it got too expensive in and around Edinburgh!. But that's Edinburgh for you! The other messages are about right with costs!. My mother still lives there, but as a teacher retiree she is finding that it is getting harder and harder with costs every month, but maybe this will change as the council tax is getting scrapped soon apparently!?. Still, I am wondering why people are moving back to west fife???. Family and friends perhaps is the draw card. Apart from that though, i would never trade in where I am now in Australia for that weather, the dark mornings and dark at 3pm in the winter months!. I remember those days driving on that bloody bridge in the dark into Edinburgh for one hour there and one hour back!. Sitting one morning on the infernal bridge was when I actually phoned in sick (I lied! ... wooohhhh!), and instead went to Manchester for an Australia expo!. Weird nature!. Growing up in West Fife there was a real culture of bullying, homophobia and racism. When I was back last year for a holiday I had the MISFORTUNE of going for a night out in Dunfermline!. People were aggressive, drunk beyond comprehension, vile, chip on the shoulder... it was just simply awful!. Don't mean to sound negative, but if you are going to back there, move somewhere more cultural on the south side of the river! |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by DestinationSydney
(Post 6889481)
Hi, we left scotland 4 mths ago & approx costs for a family of 4 where
Council tax £150 a month Elect & Gas £160 a month Phone/internet/tv £90/mth Grocerys £100 a week (2 adults, 2 older kids) House insurance £37/mth Car Insurance £40/mth To rent a 3 bed semi in a decent area in Glasgow would be about £500 plus a month. Hope that helps a bit. that sounds about right:), bloody council tax used to do my nutt in |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
[
Growing up in West Fife there was a real culture of bullying, homophobia and racism. When I was back last year for a holiday I had the MISFORTUNE of going for a night out in Dunfermline!. People were aggressive, drunk beyond comprehension, vile, chip on the shoulder... it was just simply awful!. That good eh?? you had it easy boy:lol: |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by DestinationSydney
(Post 6889481)
Hi, we left scotland 4 mths ago & approx costs for a family of 4 where
Council tax £150 a month Elect & Gas £160 a month Phone/internet/tv £90/mth Grocerys £100 a week (2 adults, 2 older kids) House insurance £37/mth Car Insurance £40/mth To rent a 3 bed semi in a decent area in Glasgow would be about £500 plus a month. Hope that helps a bit. That does help thanks. So £ 877 a month excluding rent - if we say rent @ £ 550 pm = £ 1427 per month I don't think our food bill would be like yours - two of us + a 6 y/old On a salary of say £ 36 k what would you expect to bring home? So if the above figures don’t cater for petrol (or commuting), entertainment etc etc would you say squaring off to £ 2 000 p month? Cheers and thanks for all the input :thumbsup: |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Lookin2Oz
(Post 6908382)
That does help thanks.
So £ 877 a month excluding rent - if we say rent @ £ 550 pm = £ 1427 per month I don't think our food bill would be like yours - two of us + a 6 y/old On a salary of say £ 36 k what would you expect to bring home? So if the above figures don’t cater for petrol (or commuting), entertainment etc etc would you say squaring off to £ 2 000 p month? Cheers and thanks for all the input :thumbsup: Will give you an idea of take home pay. Petrol has gone down and the supermarkets are selling it for about 95 p a litre now. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by G586
(Post 6909410)
http://listentotaxman.com/
Will give you an idea of take home pay. Petrol has gone down and the supermarkets are selling it for about 95 p a litre now. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Marmalade
(Post 6909417)
Thanks for that link. That is really helpful to me to really understand how much money I would be making when I move back home:D
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Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
The Scottish Borders. That's where I'm from. Nearly moved back this Summer, but decided to stay one more year here to get my US citizenship before moving back. Puts my mind at rest just in case I do move back here some day;)
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Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Very sensible. :thumbsup:
If I can help when you are ready to come back, PM me. I'm not overly taxed with stuff to do (read, bored witless at present!) and always happy to help people. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by G586
(Post 6910002)
Very sensible. :thumbsup:
If I can help when you are ready to come back, PM me. I'm not overly taxed with stuff to do (read, bored witless at present!) and always happy to help people. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Lookin2Oz
(Post 6908382)
That does help thanks.
So £ 877 a month excluding rent - if we say rent @ £ 550 pm = £ 1427 per month I don't think our food bill would be like yours - two of us + a 6 y/old On a salary of say £ 36 k what would you expect to bring home? So if the above figures don’t cater for petrol (or commuting), entertainment etc etc would you say squaring off to £ 2 000 p month? Cheers and thanks for all the input :thumbsup: Scotland is a fantastic place though and the people are fab:D |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Hi folks
Living on 2K a month should be no problem as long as you don't land yourself with a massive mortgage! A mortgage of around £100,000 would cost you around £800 per month. With the resession though, banks are reluctant to provide mortgages at the minute and there are so many repossessions now. Houses are selling really really slowly cos people are finding it so difficult to sell their houses and then in turn having problems in getting finance from banks. Its a vicious circle! However, if you are fortunate enough to cash buy then you could really snap up a bargain just now!! Just make sure you have a job before you come back though or you may find yourself struggling. There have been so many redundancies in the past few months all over the country that I think it would be a huge risk to leave security to take a chance on coming back to Scotland without a definite job offer. We live in Fife and live very comfortably on £2000 per month but we are mortgage-free which makes a huge difference. We were actually considering emigrating to NZ this year but after reading mountains of posts on this forum we are now having second thoughts as there seems to be masses of folk struggle financially as they don't realise that the wages are so low compared to cost of living and so end up just coming back before they are totally skint. We are planning on starting our own business so really don't want to throw away money emigrating when we could plough it into the business! We really don't know what to do for the best. Good luck with everything though. Shazniko |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by shazniko
(Post 7140690)
Hi folks
Living on 2K a month should be no problem as long as you don't land yourself with a massive mortgage! A mortgage of around £100,000 would cost you around £800 per month. With the resession though, banks are reluctant to provide mortgages at the minute and there are so many repossessions now. Houses are selling really really slowly cos people are finding it so difficult to sell their houses and then in turn having problems in getting finance from banks. Its a vicious circle! However, if you are fortunate enough to cash buy then you could really snap up a bargain just now!! Just make sure you have a job before you come back though or you may find yourself struggling. There have been so many redundancies in the past few months all over the country that I think it would be a huge risk to leave security to take a chance on coming back to Scotland without a definite job offer. We live in Fife and live very comfortably on £2000 per month but we are mortgage-free which makes a huge difference. We were actually considering emigrating to NZ this year but after reading mountains of posts on this forum we are now having second thoughts as there seems to be masses of folk struggle financially as they don't realise that the wages are so low compared to cost of living and so end up just coming back before they are totally skint. We are planning on starting our own business so really don't want to throw away money emigrating when we could plough it into the business! We really don't know what to do for the best. Good luck with everything though. Shazniko I used to live in Aberdour, or at least my mum still does. Yes, it is a tricky one the decisions. There is NO doubt that both NZ and Australia have gone through the roof (I have lived in Australia for 7 years, but back working in London now) - dual citizen. The decision I made was in-part financial, but also for culture and boredom of Australia at the moment (every weekend is the same) - that will change later though. But for now my decision is a good one - I can ear very decent money here and the cost of living is on par with Australia for many things, and some instances Australia is way more exi than the UK - 2nd hand cars and food for example). The wages were a good third less than what I earn in the UK. MY profession is also 20 years ahead in its thinking in the UK than Australia and NZ could ever hope to be. They are both stunning countries, but I find the people very unengaged by in-large, and they seem not interested in anyone really, apart from themselves and how much money they can make (the almighty dollar rules there! -SAD). I think Australia is in for one HELL OF A HUGE SHOCK this year - and they still think they are protected form global issues! - that's typical thinking, and they moan like anything when things don't go right for them. I think many Aussies are like spolit kids without their toys at times!. Anyhows I think when all said and done it's a personal choice of course and everyone is different. I keep hearing this irritating phrase on the naff TV programmes of seeking a 'better life' - what is better? People have to think why they are moving?, to 'better' what exactly?. They will take their issues with them. They seem to do alot of the time for their kids too - here is a newsflash - kids are on loans to you for 18 years, then they do their own thing. People also ought to think about their own welfare too - if they are happy the kids will be perhaps? rararararar Cheers |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Amandabee
(Post 6883116)
G586 we will be moving to Abderdeen.
We are from Aberdeen and are moving back in a couple of weeks after only being away for 5 months. Aberdeen is a lovely city, have you been there before? Any more questions than you may need to ask regarding areas etc. Just ask Shabee x |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by shabee
(Post 7143744)
Hi there,
We are from Aberdeen and are moving back in a couple of weeks after only being away for 5 months. Aberdeen is a lovely city, have you been there before? Any more questions than you may need to ask regarding areas etc. Just ask Shabee x Best of luck |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by shabee
(Post 7143744)
Hi there,
We are from Aberdeen and are moving back in a couple of weeks after only being away for 5 months. Aberdeen is a lovely city, have you been there before? Any more questions than you may need to ask regarding areas etc. Just ask Shabee x |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
How much is.... a deep fried mars bar now days ?
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Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by jackuk
(Post 7145189)
How much is.... a deep fried mars bar now days ?
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Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
A few links to housing in the East Lothian/Borders area:
http://www.gsbproperties.co.uk/ http://www.espc.com/UniversalPages/D...Criteria1.html http://www.bspc.co.uk/ Hope this helps! :) |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by shabee
(Post 7143744)
Hi there,
We are from Aberdeen and are moving back in a couple of weeks after only being away for 5 months. Aberdeen is a lovely city, have you been there before? Any more questions than you may need to ask regarding areas etc. Just ask Shabee x Bring your pennies as a few house bargains to be had! All the best on your return |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by lorids
(Post 7148287)
good luck on your return. we moved back to aberdeen after only 7 months in perth and best decision ever. Children so much happier here. Life is so much more fulfilling for us here, bit of a buzz, great aberdonian humour and just so happy to be back and appreciate so much more. Ran down the beach this morning beautiful sunset, clear sky but a wee bit of a chill!!
Bring your pennies as a few house bargains to be had! All the best on your return Could actually work out quite well for us. Money has been transfered back so may only need a small mortgage or even a load with a bit of luck. Where in Aberdeen ane you living now? x |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
[Nearly moved back this Summer, but decided to stay one more year here to get my US citizenship before moving back. Puts my mind at rest just in case I do move back here some day;)[/QUOTE]
Be careful with US citizenship. If you are out of the county for a relatively short period of time the US gov. can take it away. Also, I believe, US citizens have US tax liabilities on all income earned. |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Be careful with US citizenship. If you are out of the county for a relatively short period of time the US gov. can take it away. Also, I believe, US citizens have US tax liabilities on all income earned.[/QUOTE]
What:confused: HappyinNC, Could you please explain where you got the US citizenship information from?? |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Marmalade
(Post 7212706)
Be careful with US citizenship. If you are out of the county for a relatively short period of time the US gov. can take it away. Also, I believe, US citizens have US tax liabilities on all income earned.
What:confused: HappyinNC, Could you please explain where you got the US citizenship information from?? |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Cape Blue
(Post 7212964)
The tax on all income is quite well known (subject to dual tax agreements), not sure about the time out of the country though - sounds like a mix up with the Green Card one year out deal.
Strange first post anyway:huh: |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by Marmalade
(Post 7213795)
Yes, I think Happy in NC has gotten his/her information mixed up;)
Strange first post anyway:huh: |
Re: COST OF LIVING IN SCOTLAND
Originally Posted by macadian
(Post 7214941)
Question. Don't you have to give up your UK citizenship if you take US citizenship? That is to say, dual citizenship not permitted....(from a US perspective)
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