Originally Posted by cheers

AVERAGE MONTHLY COSTS FOR A 2 BEDROOM BUNGALOW JULY 2010
COUNCIL TAX...........................£92 102
HOUSE INSURANCE....................30 34
CAR INSURANCE........................50 48
TV LICENCE.............................12 21
MOT AND CAR TAX....................15 16
ELECTRIC BILL..........................20 £96
GAS BILL.................................100 19
PETROL...................................40 19
WATER ON METER.....................30 10
FOOD FOR TWO........................300 129
BROADBAND AND PHONE.............30 21
MEALS OUT.............................60 ?????? ALL DEPENDS 13
CLOTHES................................50 ?????? ALL DEPENDS 5
MISCL....................................50 10
PUB VISITING..........................200 0


Health Insurance 0 £200.
Rx copay plus ins 0 64

I have put down my monthly budget to the right of yours and I think the total comes out the same. All my numbers, like yours, are in £'s


Your est. £1079 My est. for the US £817
*if you compare the gas & electric combined they are about the same.

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

Won't it be because this particular house is heated by gas and maybe even uses gas for cooking too?

I am really wrestling with what type of home I want if I go back. I just don't like modern houses in little estates - but the houses I do like are all old and therefore drafty and cost a lot to heat. That's exactly what we did here - bought a home with character and now spend a fortune keeping it warm. But every time I look at Rightmove at the new houses, I can't see myself in them.

By the way - has anyone noticed that half of the houses on Rightmove seem to be decorated exactly the same way? Big feature walls with trendy wallpaper, lots of matching cushions, white glossy kitchen cabinets with metal handles ... is everyone buying their stuff from the same few places? I blame Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen and 'Changing Rooms.'

Originally Posted by sallysimmons

Won't it be because this particular house is heated by gas and maybe even uses gas for cooking too?

I am really wrestling with what type of home I want if I go back. I just don't like modern houses in little estates - but the houses I do like are all old and therefore drafty and cost a lot to heat. That's exactly what we did here - bought a home with character and now spend a fortune keeping it warm. But every time I look at Rightmove at the new houses, I can't see myself in them.

By the way - has anyone noticed that half of the houses on Rightmove seem to be decorated exactly the same way? Big feature walls with trendy wallpaper, lots of matching cushions, white glossy kitchen cabinets with metal handles ... is everyone buying their stuff from the same few places? I blame Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen and 'Changing Rooms.'

Originally Posted by trottytrue

She said she had bought most of the meal from Marks and Spencers. Even the dessert.

Originally Posted by windsong

Yes, I see what you mean, Don. It's perfect. Love that idea of a free bus to Tesco's every morning. Goodness, even if you only wanted to get out for a while, you can go there for coffee/tea and read the paper and come back and you don't even have to worry about driving. I am beginning to like the idea of not having a car more and more. Of course, I would miss it for the country drives at the weekend, though.
You know, Don, if push comes to shove, you could always rent out a room in your house. I think you will be fine, though. As I find out what it costs to live over there - and with all the senior discounts - I think we will all be better off in the UK than anywhere else.

Originally Posted by dontheturner

Hi Windsong - No need for me to worry whether the tenants have gone or not! My Daughter just emailed, to ask for the Burglar Alarm code - as the battery in the Zapper has gone! - So it must be empty! ( I cannot for the life of me, remember how to operate it). But for tesco bus, all you need is your Tesco Clubcard, as they build discounts.- and we have both a UK one, and the Thailand one - so can go together. Don't know, if other towns have a free Tesco Bus though.- Would be worth checking, so we could go to other towns, and use them! How about that? don

Originally Posted by windsong

You must post some pics, Don. I'd love to see it

Originally Posted by cheers

Don,
I think you said you will have an income of £1000 per month from pensions. Don't you think you will be good with that since your house is paid for?

Cheers

Originally Posted by dontheturner

No problem, Have done before. but will do now.
Tim is outside swan gate in 2007.
I don'tknow which order the pics are in, But the Blue fronted shop is Greggs! and the chairs one, is my birthday party here in our courtyard.


don

Oh Dear, why the Party shot has done that - I have no idea. don

Originally Posted by charleygirl

Denise loved reading your post, be us all one day! I know what you mean about Christmas, this was the weirdest for me.......my children were really not interested too much, with no little ones it gets to be a non event. Big hugs though on missing your grandchildren.
Windsong so you have a while but you have a plan and believe me time flies!
Trotty i am so ready for a coffee next week!!!!! If you trust me to drive....
Thanks for the price comparisions Taffy and Cheers.
Pam hope you have a safe trip.
Barb not long now.........

Rodney how much was your excess...( just in case he pops in) and Fish time for you to come back now.!

Originally Posted by dontheturner

No. Not enough to live on. We have house insurance, Car insurance, Council tax, Car Tax, electricitiy, Gas, and gas maintenance insurance, drain and Sewer maintenance insurance, Internet broadband ( Cable) Telephone, Water Meter,,Window Cleaner, ( Tim could do downstairs, but not up). Petrol, so not quite enough, tried it, and was losing our savings, so that is why we came here. But I want to go home!!! and very little saved, ( got to get furniture & old car if possible) as the exchange rate is losing my pension, week by week,,, Thailand has a very strong economy - not like the West. dontheturner

Originally Posted by windsong

I worry, too, Don. Although when I return in three years time I will have a monthly income of about $2210 U.S. that only equates to about 1430 pounds at today's exchange rate and I have to pay rent out of that. I do plan to work for a few years but there's a difference between wanting to work and HAVING to work. I am concerned as well.

Originally Posted by dgjamison

SALLY I am sorry but I really find this double standards.... When I immigrated to Canada I did so to start a new life, and integrate with my new country. I find it hard for people who have lived in a country for years to suddenly renounce it. I am Irish I will always be Irish born, but I have taken Canadian Citizenship and am also very proud of it. I love parts of the uk and would willingly live in the nicer parts (hypocrite) but thats me, But I have great memories of Canada too and won't rubbish it. Can I pose a question and I am opening a can of worms, but am not being judgmental, but I would like to pose the question, How many would return to the UK if they had the healthcare they have in the uk? not being funny just curious as a lot of the unhappiness in expats from the USA seems to be because they are getting older and the healthcare in the USA is so expensive??? Again I am not being judgemental, as I would probably do the same, just would love to read honest to god accounts, "if people had the same health care would they consider coming back" denise 2