OVER 50's+ MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:16 pm
#1966
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
you can probably reduce that to about £1,000 if you were to include only cash purchases like newspapers, bacon butty at the local cafe, and other minor purchases. I typically live quite frugally, don't splash out - so the TV, etc., for last year is highly unusual for me.
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:23 pm
#1967
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 23
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I have not heard that so I will check it out next week and make a posting on the answer.
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:24 pm
#1968
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I think it should be do-able:
Council tax about £100
Groceries about £150
Utilities (gas, elec, phone, internet) about £170
home insurance £30
Additional cash expenses (lunch at the cafe, incidentals) £200
... that's £650 ... leaves a fair bit of leeway for other things. Of course, I haven't included car so you'd need to consider transport costs (train trips, etc., even if you have a bus pass you still will have some transport costs).
You wouldn't be in the lap of luxury but you could live frugally and comfortably I reckon
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:29 pm
#1969
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I think it should be do-able:
Council tax about £100*
Groceries about £150
Utilities (gas, elec, phone, internet) about £170
home insurance £30
Additional cash expenses (lunch at the cafe, incidentals) £200
... that's £650 ... leaves a fair bit of leeway for other things.
Council tax about £100*
Groceries about £150
Utilities (gas, elec, phone, internet) about £170
home insurance £30
Additional cash expenses (lunch at the cafe, incidentals) £200
... that's £650 ... leaves a fair bit of leeway for other things.
*adjusted for seniors
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:30 pm
#1970
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas, Nv
Posts: 1,000
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I heard that about the BA staff strike Don, hope they can wait until after you have flown out!! How are you feeling about leaving Thailand and how is Mrs Don feeling about leaving her country?
I am a wee bit behind you at 35 sleeps!!
But first we have Jackie off the blocks with 4!!
I am a wee bit behind you at 35 sleeps!!
But first we have Jackie off the blocks with 4!!
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:34 pm
#1971
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Oops, sorry, I think I was getting my posts and threads mixed up - I thought for some reason that the £1,000 was excluding rent. Oops. Then it might be a squeeze, but do-able.
I don't know how some folks get by on £140 pension per week plus benefits, honestly I don't.
That's why renting is better though, if you are short of money - no shock huge bills for unexpected repairs, just call the landlord.
I don't know how some folks get by on £140 pension per week plus benefits, honestly I don't.
That's why renting is better though, if you are short of money - no shock huge bills for unexpected repairs, just call the landlord.
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:45 pm
#1974
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Yo yo ma playing background music
Posts: 285
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
So finding a decent sheltered housing situation that includes some of those expenses would make life a bit easier.
Jan 22nd 2011, 6:48 pm
#1975
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
I don't think there is a senior reduction for council tax (though I could be wrong), but there is 25% reduction for single occupant (I get that) and for things like disability and carers.
This link suggests that if a person is on pension credit they may get help with council tax: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...me/DG_10018923
Jan 22nd 2011, 7:32 pm
#1976
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Yes, you will qualify for heating allowance - I posted a link recently to the amount that is involved.
I don't think there is a senior reduction for council tax (though I could be wrong), but there is 25% reduction for single occupant (I get that) and for things like disability and carers.
This link suggests that if a person is on pension credit they may get help with council tax: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...me/DG_10018923
I don't think there is a senior reduction for council tax (though I could be wrong), but there is 25% reduction for single occupant (I get that) and for things like disability and carers.
This link suggests that if a person is on pension credit they may get help with council tax: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...me/DG_10018923
Jan 22nd 2011, 7:38 pm
#1977
Home at last
Joined: Mar 2004
Location: Beautiful UK
Posts: 866
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Wow sooo many posts to catch up with, I haven't been on here much this past few days, trying to catch up with real life stuff!!
Some really cracking posts, too many to mention.
It's lovely to see everybody popping in amongst doing Christmas shopping and wrapping presents, and all the festivities etc.
Sally, you are spot on, those that have a realistic view of what to expect like DDL/Denise and hubby are going to be the ones that make it through what can be a big cultural shock.
"Ye Good Olde Days" have well gone now and are in the past..........we can still get that from old movies, books, talking to relatives, museums, stately homes, etc. but that is our past...........
Life in the UK is out there to be lived in the year 2010/2011 and onwards...........just maybe in not the same way that we have gotten used to all these years living in another country and we all have a tendency to romanticize the past, especially ex pats I think. As much as we are all truly British inside, living in another country and getting used to "their" ways will have really rubbed off on us and some may find that difficult when trying to adjust to British ways.
A few weeks ago I accidentally found myself on page 1 of this thread and read maybe 20-30 pages forward and so many people who posted then are no longer here. Did they give up on their dream? Are they lurking but now "too afraid" to make the move? Or did they give it a go and found it all too hard? It would be really good to hear from the people who went back and it didn't work out for, if they could bring themselves to post here then it would give both sides of the coin.
I am very lucky in that I did go back for my "reccie" last year and know a hell of a lot more than I did in April 2009 and even so I am scared as all heck and my eyes are wide open!!
Oh and yes Sally having a lot of money would certainly help as a buffer and also the means to get back to whence you came if it doesn't work for you, no shame or embarrassment necessary, at least you can go to your maker knowing you tried.
Some really cracking posts, too many to mention.
It's lovely to see everybody popping in amongst doing Christmas shopping and wrapping presents, and all the festivities etc.Sally, you are spot on, those that have a realistic view of what to expect like DDL/Denise and hubby are going to be the ones that make it through what can be a big cultural shock.
"Ye Good Olde Days" have well gone now and are in the past..........we can still get that from old movies, books, talking to relatives, museums, stately homes, etc. but that is our past...........
Life in the UK is out there to be lived in the year 2010/2011 and onwards...........just maybe in not the same way that we have gotten used to all these years living in another country and we all have a tendency to romanticize the past, especially ex pats I think. As much as we are all truly British inside, living in another country and getting used to "their" ways will have really rubbed off on us and some may find that difficult when trying to adjust to British ways.
A few weeks ago I accidentally found myself on page 1 of this thread and read maybe 20-30 pages forward and so many people who posted then are no longer here. Did they give up on their dream? Are they lurking but now "too afraid" to make the move? Or did they give it a go and found it all too hard? It would be really good to hear from the people who went back and it didn't work out for, if they could bring themselves to post here then it would give both sides of the coin.
I am very lucky in that I did go back for my "reccie" last year and know a hell of a lot more than I did in April 2009 and even so I am scared as all heck and my eyes are wide open!!
Oh and yes Sally having a lot of money would certainly help as a buffer and also the means to get back to whence you came if it doesn't work for you, no shame or embarrassment necessary, at least you can go to your maker knowing you tried.
I have been through some rough spots in the past five years, and even though I started to feel settled and happy...it was only recently, like in the past year that I can honestly say that its all familiar now and I know what I am doing. I am really comfortable now. really really comfortable.
Its a relief because now I finally feel that I am in my own element and yes, I truly am British in my blood. But you cant rush this, not after spending so many years away and learning different ways. It does take time. Lots of time.
Jan 22nd 2011, 8:01 pm
#1978
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Finally back home in Scotland
Posts: 1,031
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
Havent found any either had a friend bring some over when she was visiting Canada in the fall. It is similiar to mayo but with a kick to it, I actually like it much better than mayo and love it with chips
Jan 22nd 2011, 8:05 pm
#1980
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,477
Re: OVER 50's & 60's MOVING BACK TO THE UK - Part II
DunRoving if you lived anywhere near Preston or Newton Stewart which I'll be visiting I could bring you ziplocks..