cost of living
Jul 12th 2010, 1:56 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
cost of living
We (incl. son aged 4) are planning to relocate from sleepy Shropshire to Madrid.
Can anyone recommend useful websites where we can find calculator tools to compare cost of living and salary requirements between the two locations, please?
Cheers
Can anyone recommend useful websites where we can find calculator tools to compare cost of living and salary requirements between the two locations, please?
Cheers
Jul 12th 2010, 2:10 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: cost of living
When I was offered a job in Madrid three years ago, I was told that salaries are 30% lower than on London because the cost of living is also about 30% cheaper. However, that was when the exchange rate was 1.5, so it may not be so much cheaper now, although salaries are still lower.
Jul 13th 2010, 7:00 am
#3
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Re: cost of living
Would also be interested in hearing peoples opinions of cost of living in Spain compared to UK.
How do prices compare to UK? eg food, electric, household white goods, insurances etc.
What about supermarkets? Local markets etc.
So many questions, not enough answers.
How do prices compare to UK? eg food, electric, household white goods, insurances etc.
What about supermarkets? Local markets etc.
So many questions, not enough answers.
Jul 13th 2010, 7:22 am
#4
Family man
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa
Posts: 542
Re: cost of living
Just my humble opinion.
Jul 13th 2010, 7:36 am
#5
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Re: cost of living
Referring to the original question. How much things costs depends on where you want to live and what your lifestyle is like, it can be more expensive in Spain, about the same or a lot cheaper.
If you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, send your children to local school, eat local food and dont have a car it will be much cheaper in Spain.
If you live in the centre of a major city or somewhere like Marbella, send your children to international school, have cleaners etc, eat out a lot, it could be much more expensive
Jul 13th 2010, 8:04 am
#6
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Re: cost of living
By the time we move somewhere, my youngest will have left school, she's 13 now. Another reason for not doing anything now as don't want to interrupt her schooling, also my husband only has 5 years until he retires.
We would look at trying to source most of our fresh food from local markets, our markets here are quite expensive and of course the food isn't as fresh as it would be in Spain. Already do the juggling and searching for cheapest products, some of course can't be beaten, Heinz etc.
It would only be basics from supermarkets etc. Am I right that there are a lot of big supermarkets eg lidl, aldi and Iceland's, in some places.As well as Spanish equivelents.
We would look at trying to source most of our fresh food from local markets, our markets here are quite expensive and of course the food isn't as fresh as it would be in Spain. Already do the juggling and searching for cheapest products, some of course can't be beaten, Heinz etc.
It would only be basics from supermarkets etc. Am I right that there are a lot of big supermarkets eg lidl, aldi and Iceland's, in some places.As well as Spanish equivelents.
Jul 13th 2010, 8:22 am
#7
Family man
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa
Posts: 542
Re: cost of living
You get loads of help from the government if you have children. There are very generous tax breaks for each child which can add up to thousands of euros a year. And if you have a low income you can get free nursery and things like free text books and school trips.
Referring to the original question. How much things costs depends on where you want to live and what your lifestyle is like, it can be more expensive in Spain, about the same or a lot cheaper.
If you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, send your children to local school, eat local food and dont have a car it will be much cheaper in Spain.
If you live in the centre of a major city or somewhere like Marbella, send your children to international school, have cleaners etc, eat out a lot, it could be much more expensive
Referring to the original question. How much things costs depends on where you want to live and what your lifestyle is like, it can be more expensive in Spain, about the same or a lot cheaper.
If you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, send your children to local school, eat local food and dont have a car it will be much cheaper in Spain.
If you live in the centre of a major city or somewhere like Marbella, send your children to international school, have cleaners etc, eat out a lot, it could be much more expensive
Jul 13th 2010, 8:32 am
#8
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
Re: cost of living
Many thanks for all your comments but still, does anyone know of an online calculating tool that will calculate required gross salaries to keep same standard of living in Madrid as in Shropshire (the tools I have found so far are very basic and only compare major cities, i.e. London to Madrid)?
Cheers
Cheers
Jul 13th 2010, 8:55 am
#9
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: cost of living
You get loads of help from the government if you have children. There are very generous tax breaks for each child which can add up to thousands of euros a year. And if you have a low income you can get free nursery and things like free text books and school trips.
Referring to the original question. How much things costs depends on where you want to live and what your lifestyle is like, it can be more expensive in Spain, about the same or a lot cheaper.
If you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, send your children to local school, eat local food and dont have a car it will be much cheaper in Spain.
If you live in the centre of a major city or somewhere like Marbella, send your children to international school, have cleaners etc, eat out a lot, it could be much more expensive
Referring to the original question. How much things costs depends on where you want to live and what your lifestyle is like, it can be more expensive in Spain, about the same or a lot cheaper.
If you live in a village in the middle of nowhere, send your children to local school, eat local food and dont have a car it will be much cheaper in Spain.
If you live in the centre of a major city or somewhere like Marbella, send your children to international school, have cleaners etc, eat out a lot, it could be much more expensive
You make it sound so easy.................
And quite frankly as a childless man you have never had first hand experience of trying to get the said generous benefits.
Jul 13th 2010, 9:05 am
#10
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: cost of living
Do you really think that you are being fair, telling a person about all the great benefits that are available in Spain for people with children?
You make it sound so easy.................
And quite frankly as a childless man you have never had first hand experience of trying to get the said generous benefits.
You make it sound so easy.................
And quite frankly as a childless man you have never had first hand experience of trying to get the said generous benefits.
I'm looking forward to the generous tax breaks when we have children, and they are generous! Shame they got rid of the baby cheque though, although completely understandable.
Jul 13th 2010, 9:28 am
#13
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Posts: 5,008
Re: cost of living
What, so you are saying it isnt true then??? You are a bit stupid, all you have to do is tick a box on your tax form and you get the tax breaks for children, it couldnt be easier! Dont you pay taxes!?
I'm looking forward to the generous tax breaks when we have children, and they are generous! Shame they got rid of the baby cheque though, although completely understandable.
I'm looking forward to the generous tax breaks when we have children, and they are generous! Shame they got rid of the baby cheque though, although completely understandable.
We are talking about the OP a person who wants to calculate the cost of living and work out what they will be able to afford if they move to Spain.
I have reached the conclusion that, they need to do their sums before decidin as they are not:
1. Lottery winners
2. Highly paid footballer
3. Not living off a huge trust fund.
I do understand about filling in the tax form and being allowed for children, ( so dont call me stupid, got it?) but depending on the time of year they arrive in Spain, that could be a long way away, before the tax is due assessed and the allowance taken into consideration.
And of course if you dont pay much tax you cannot have a big tax discount can you???? But that is just nitpicking on my part...............
Anyway could you not use your knowledge to help other expats on this forum, like CBANDY to get what is rightfully his, as he obviously is not as "clued up" on these matters as you are?
There are loads of other posters with children who would also be grateful for any tips you could give.
I would seek out your advice myself over child benefits, but unfortunatley my children are independant, so I personally have no need of you expertise.
Jul 13th 2010, 9:57 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: cost of living
We are talking about the OP a person who wants to calculate the cost of living and work out what they will be able to afford if they move to Spain.
I have reached the conclusion that, they need to do their sums before decidin as they are not:
1. Lottery winners
2. Highly paid footballer
3. Not living off a huge trust fund.
I do understand about filling in the tax form and being allowed for children, ( so dont call me stupid, got it?) but depending on the time of year they arrive in Spain, that could be a long way away, before the tax is due assessed and the allowance taken into consideration.
And of course if you dont pay much tax you cannot have a big tax discount can you???? But that is just nitpicking on my part...............
Anyway could you not use your knowledge to help other expats on this forum, like CBANDY to get what is rightfully his, as he obviously is not as "clued up" on these matters as you are?
There are loads of other posters with children who would also be grateful for any tips you could give.
I would seek out your advice myself over child benefits, but unfortunatley my children are independant, so I personally have no need of you expertise.
I have reached the conclusion that, they need to do their sums before decidin as they are not:
1. Lottery winners
2. Highly paid footballer
3. Not living off a huge trust fund.
I do understand about filling in the tax form and being allowed for children, ( so dont call me stupid, got it?) but depending on the time of year they arrive in Spain, that could be a long way away, before the tax is due assessed and the allowance taken into consideration.
And of course if you dont pay much tax you cannot have a big tax discount can you???? But that is just nitpicking on my part...............
Anyway could you not use your knowledge to help other expats on this forum, like CBANDY to get what is rightfully his, as he obviously is not as "clued up" on these matters as you are?
There are loads of other posters with children who would also be grateful for any tips you could give.
I would seek out your advice myself over child benefits, but unfortunatley my children are independant, so I personally have no need of you expertise.
I am not the best authority to consult, they are best to go to the Spanish authorities to do that.
I would not recommend coming to Spain unless your language abilities allow you to communicate with the authorities and the people around you.
Although plenty of British people do come to Spain without any savings, any jobs or any language skills it is not a position I would recommend unless you are very young and have no responsibilities or are retired and have a pension you can live off.
Jul 13th 2010, 10:10 am
#15
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: cost of living
I was only correcting what CBandy said so that other posters would not be mislead
I am not the best authority to consult, they are best to go to the Spanish authorities to do that.
I would not recommend coming to Spain unless your language abilities allow you to communicate with the authorities and the people around you.
Although plenty of British people do come to Spain without any savings, any jobs or any language skills it is not a position I would recommend unless you are very young and have no responsibilities or are retired and have a pension you can live off.
I am not the best authority to consult, they are best to go to the Spanish authorities to do that.
I would not recommend coming to Spain unless your language abilities allow you to communicate with the authorities and the people around you.
Although plenty of British people do come to Spain without any savings, any jobs or any language skills it is not a position I would recommend unless you are very young and have no responsibilities or are retired and have a pension you can live off.
He has children, you dont.
He claims for his children for what he is entitled to right now.
You are looking forward to the day when you become a father for the generous benefits that they will give you.
Cbandy sounds like a man more in tune with the OP who have similar circumstance to his.
You on the other hand have no experience in Spain of having to "rough it" or struggle and neither have the peole you know, because they all have good uni degrees in sought after fields.
Cbandy talks about the "Freebies" he gets which are not so generous as you make out.
BUT YOU NEED TO CORRECT HIM..............is that right?