Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
#16
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Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I guess when I said 'salaries in the UK are fairly low' I was confining it to my own particular field. Most of the jobs I look at here pay in the high £20K - low £30K range, whereas the same kinds of jobs (i.e. ones I could feasibly get) often pay in the high $50Ks. I know that there are hidden costs (tax, healthcare, summer camps) but when you factor in the cost of living here in SE England, it's not much of a comparison. I realise that I could head up to Sheffield or Norwich and find a lot more affordability, but there would also be a commensurate drop in salary and job availability.
The sweet spot for me seems to be US college towns -- good jobs/salaries, cheap housing, good schools, friendly vibe, low(ish) crime.
The sweet spot for me seems to be US college towns -- good jobs/salaries, cheap housing, good schools, friendly vibe, low(ish) crime.
#17
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Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I guess when I said 'salaries in the UK are fairly low' I was confining it to my own particular field. Most of the jobs I look at here pay in the high £20K - low £30K range, whereas the same kinds of jobs (i.e. ones I could feasibly get) often pay in the high $50Ks. I know that there are hidden costs (tax, healthcare, summer camps) but when you factor in the cost of living here in SE England, it's not much of a comparison. I realise that I could head up to Sheffield or Norwich and find a lot more affordability, but there would also be a commensurate drop in salary and job availability.
The sweet spot for me seems to be US college towns -- good jobs/salaries, cheap housing, good schools, friendly vibe, low(ish) crime.
The sweet spot for me seems to be US college towns -- good jobs/salaries, cheap housing, good schools, friendly vibe, low(ish) crime.
You say college towns, but maybe bring some examples you think would match.
#18
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Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
Well, I lived in Urbana IL for several years, so I am drawn to similar places: Madison WI, Ann Arbor MI, Bloomington IN, Ithaca NY, etc.
As for ease of landing a job, that's the conundrum. I have loads of experience and interview very well, but sometimes feel that people would rather hire someone who lives on their doorstep, than take a chance on someone from overseas. I am not looking for relocation expenses or visa support, and many places have said they would be happy to consider a candidate from the UK (interview via Skype, etc) but it's not the easiest way to go.
As for ease of landing a job, that's the conundrum. I have loads of experience and interview very well, but sometimes feel that people would rather hire someone who lives on their doorstep, than take a chance on someone from overseas. I am not looking for relocation expenses or visa support, and many places have said they would be happy to consider a candidate from the UK (interview via Skype, etc) but it's not the easiest way to go.
#19
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
.... As for ease of landing a job, that's the conundrum. I have loads of experience and interview very well, but sometimes feel that people would rather hire someone who lives on their doorstep, than take a chance on someone from overseas. I am not looking for relocation expenses or visa support, and many places have said they would be happy to consider a candidate from the UK (interview via Skype, etc) but it's not the easiest way to go.
Consider renting a PO Box from The UPS Store. You can then use their street address, and use "Unit #" or "Apt #" rather than Box number. You can also get a local VoIP phone number. I have stumbled across several potential hires doing this and I think I hired one, ..... and I know I hired someone using a friend or relative's address - because their phone number and résumé showed they lived much further away. IMO it shows a strong commitment to moving to the area, and I would have no problem interviewing and hiring someone using a PO Box address.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 21st 2016 at 12:25 pm.
#20
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Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
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Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
That is likely the case, especially for moderately paid positions. When I hire I rarely consider anyone who isn't within 200 miles or an adjoining state, whichever is less.
Consider renting a PO Box from The UPS Store. You can then use their street address, and use "Unit #" or "Apt #" rather than Box number. You can also get a local VoIP phone number.
Consider renting a PO Box from The UPS Store. You can then use their street address, and use "Unit #" or "Apt #" rather than Box number. You can also get a local VoIP phone number.
#21
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
With regards to salary, I think you forgot to take into account you need probably at least 6 months of salary saved, if not more in case of losing your job. Also in the UK most employers match at least 5% of pension contributions. In the US you are lucky if you get 1.5% match
Last edited by mrken30; Jul 21st 2016 at 2:17 pm.
#22
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
Because that's what everyone in America does, right?
#23
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
Hmm.. Faculty, librarians, academic support (lab managers, instructional technology etc.) are definitely "moderately paid," but I think it's the norm to regard any applicant based in the U.S. or Canada on an equal footing in terms of drawing up a shortlist. If abroad, only likely to be considered if there's not a good pool of applicants...
#25
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I guess when I said 'salaries in the UK are fairly low' I was confining it to my own particular field. Most of the jobs I look at here pay in the high £20K - low £30K range, whereas the same kinds of jobs (i.e. ones I could feasibly get) often pay in the high $50Ks.
#26
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I agree, and then add in medical insurance, child care, the cost of fresh food, property taxes (in many areas), car insurance, poor public transport and/or the need for two cars, etc. the result is that the US is not obviously better. .... The current exchange rate has exaggerated the income difference though.
#27
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Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
Let's face it, nobody can really say unless a specific job offer comes up. When you look at salaries vs. cost of living, I do agree that when it comes to housing prices the South East doesn't look great, but that's no different in many larger cities in the US, because you have more people and more competition.
I don't know your profession and when you say quality of life, what do you mean? While the one person in the US might have the bigger house, maybe the other person in the UK is happy in a smaller apartment, likes to go on holidays and actually has more holidays and so on.
You'll find poverty in both countries.
I don't know your profession and when you say quality of life, what do you mean? While the one person in the US might have the bigger house, maybe the other person in the UK is happy in a smaller apartment, likes to go on holidays and actually has more holidays and so on.
You'll find poverty in both countries.
#28
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I agree, and then add in medical insurance, child care, the cost of fresh food, property taxes (in many areas), car insurance, poor public transport and/or the need for two cars, etc. the result is that the US is not obviously better. .... The current exchange rate has exaggerated the income difference though.
#29
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
If you have investment income that would further reduce the size of the cach buffer you would need.
#30
Re: Cost of living/quality of life/best place for kids -- US vs UK
I work with a fair number of single people , or people who are the sole earner in the family. I am fortunate to live in a place where you can live on a single salary. What you say makes sense.