What would make you move back to the UK?
Dec 20th 2006, 9:02 pm
#121
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30,102
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by cindyabs
I thought the correct geographical name was in Lieu of, which is hard by East Cupcake or West Overshoe ( I can never keep those 2 straight). 
Dec 20th 2006, 9:18 pm
#122
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by gruffbrown
Where the train goes over the cliff Cind?
I think so, and you know something? I have dreams that I am tied up with ropes on the track on the way to the cliff. Wait, that might be the one I confuse with the buckboard and the runaway horses.
Well all I know is there's always a Mountie.
Dec 20th 2006, 9:48 pm
#123
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Old William
Our day to day living costs for a family of 3 in Florida (not counting the horrors of health care costs) were approximately...
Per month:
Housing (Mortgage + Insurance + Property tax) - $1975
Utilities - $350
Car running costs (fuel, insurance, tag, servicing etc) (x2) - $500 = $1000
Food (Just standard Publix - like Tescos - shopping) - $1200
So just monthly bills were about $5000 per month before any "luxuries"
In the UK our out goings fo similar are:
Housing - £950
Utilities - £120
Cars (x2) - £200 = £400
Food - £280
Monthly UK bills are about £1750.
In the US we lived in a 3 bed detached home. In the UK we live in a 3 bed detached home.
Therefore our UK basic cost of living is nearly 1/3 that of our US one.
EVEN IF you choose to apply the misconception of the exchange rate (which you cant because when you live there and earn in $$ there is no exchange rate) our UK cost of living is still nearly half.
If you have never lived in another country don't get wrapped up in the Rip Off Britain crap...it's just another media lie.
Per month:
Housing (Mortgage + Insurance + Property tax) - $1975
Utilities - $350
Car running costs (fuel, insurance, tag, servicing etc) (x2) - $500 = $1000
Food (Just standard Publix - like Tescos - shopping) - $1200
So just monthly bills were about $5000 per month before any "luxuries"
In the UK our out goings fo similar are:
Housing - £950
Utilities - £120
Cars (x2) - £200 = £400
Food - £280
Monthly UK bills are about £1750.
In the US we lived in a 3 bed detached home. In the UK we live in a 3 bed detached home.
Therefore our UK basic cost of living is nearly 1/3 that of our US one.
EVEN IF you choose to apply the misconception of the exchange rate (which you cant because when you live there and earn in $$ there is no exchange rate) our UK cost of living is still nearly half.
If you have never lived in another country don't get wrapped up in the Rip Off Britain crap...it's just another media lie.
US out-goings:
Housing (Mortgage + Insurance + Property tax) - $1200
Utilities - $450
Car running costs (fuel, insurance, tag, servicing, no MOT here) (x1 new and 1 used) - $600
Food/groceries (Kroger, farmer’s market, and Sam’s club) - $650
Monthly bills are about $2900.
-One full-time/one part-time salary = UK wages X 1.8 ($100K, for example)
-Home worth $300K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 15-20 (her) with 4 weeks off per year
-20 minutes commuting time (him) and 0 (her-working from home)
-Deducting mortgage interest + property tax nets an additional 25% of those costs back
UK out-goings:
Housing - £1400
Utilities - 200
Cars (x1) + monthly travelcards= £400
Food (Tesco/Waitrose and M&S)- £500
Monthly UK bills of £2500
-two full time salaries (£60K, for example to compare with above)
-Flat worth £325K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 37 (her) with 5 weeks off per year
-3 hour commuting time per day (him) 2.5 hrs (her)
In the US we live in a 4 bed detached home. In the UK we lived in a 2 bed London flat, and our out-goings took a larger percentage of our income. We have two young children—grocery/food costs include nappies, etc.
I guess it's clear why we'd rather not move back to London...but we are thinking about other possibilities.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:05 pm
#124
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
It's not always a lie. Your figures provide an interesting comparison--no wonder you are happy to be back home! I am shocked at the US grocery prices-I've never noticed that high of a mark-up when we've been to Florida. It's impossible to generalise:
US out-goings:
Housing (Mortgage + Insurance + Property tax) - $1200
Utilities - $450
Car running costs (fuel, insurance, tag, servicing, no MOT here) (x1 new and 1 used) - $600
Food/groceries (Kroger, farmer’s market, and Sam’s club) - $650
Monthly bills are about $2900.
-One full-time/one part-time salary = UK wages X 1.8 ($100K, for example)
-Home worth $300K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 15-20 (her) with 4 weeks off per year
-20 minutes commuting time (him) and 0 (her-working from home)
-Deducting mortgage interest + property tax nets an additional 25% of those costs back
UK out-goings:
Housing - £1400
Utilities - 200
Cars (x1) + monthly travelcards= £400
Food (Tesco/Waitrose and M&S)- £500
Monthly UK bills of £2500
-two full time salaries (£60K, for example to compare with above)
-Flat worth £325K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 37 (her) with 5 weeks off per year
-3 hour commuting time per day (him) 2.5 hrs (her)
In the US we live in a 4 bed detached home. In the UK we lived in a 2 bed London flat, and our out-goings took a larger percentage of our income. We have two young children—grocery/food costs include nappies, etc.
I guess it's clear why we'd rather not move back to London...but we are thinking about other possibilities.
US out-goings:
Housing (Mortgage + Insurance + Property tax) - $1200
Utilities - $450
Car running costs (fuel, insurance, tag, servicing, no MOT here) (x1 new and 1 used) - $600
Food/groceries (Kroger, farmer’s market, and Sam’s club) - $650
Monthly bills are about $2900.
-One full-time/one part-time salary = UK wages X 1.8 ($100K, for example)
-Home worth $300K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 15-20 (her) with 4 weeks off per year
-20 minutes commuting time (him) and 0 (her-working from home)
-Deducting mortgage interest + property tax nets an additional 25% of those costs back
UK out-goings:
Housing - £1400
Utilities - 200
Cars (x1) + monthly travelcards= £400
Food (Tesco/Waitrose and M&S)- £500
Monthly UK bills of £2500
-two full time salaries (£60K, for example to compare with above)
-Flat worth £325K
-45-50 hr work week (him) and 37 (her) with 5 weeks off per year
-3 hour commuting time per day (him) 2.5 hrs (her)
In the US we live in a 4 bed detached home. In the UK we lived in a 2 bed London flat, and our out-goings took a larger percentage of our income. We have two young children—grocery/food costs include nappies, etc.
I guess it's clear why we'd rather not move back to London...but we are thinking about other possibilities.
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
Dec 20th 2006, 10:11 pm
#125
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,014
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I've never been to Columbus, Ohio (although my best friend here lived there and nearly died of boredom and moved as soon as she could to NYC!) but I don't see how you can compare living costs there to living costs in an international city like London.
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
We have about the same (material) standard of living we had in the UK. Cost of property in this area is around the same price as the area we are looking at in the UK.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned....college fees...kiss goodbye to 10's of thousands per year...and over a longer period of time than in the UK.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:13 pm
#126
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I've never been to Columbus, Ohio (although my best friend here lived there and nearly died of boredom and moved as soon as she could to NYC!) but I don't see how you can compare living costs there to living costs in an international city like London.
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
William was saying that 'rip off Britain is a myth, and I was merely saying that it's not...and I was curious as to how his grocery bill went from 1200 to 280 quid?
I'm well aware of COLA, and well aware that Columbus is 13% lower than London based on COLA data (according to HR, although it's actually much less).
Last edited by jen_andreson; Dec 20th 2006 at 10:15 pm.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:13 pm
#127
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I've never been to Columbus, Ohio (although my best friend here lived there and nearly died of boredom and moved as soon as she could to NYC!) but I don't see how you can compare living costs there to living costs in an international city like London.
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
I have been looking into costs in my home town in Northants and they are no where near the London prices quoted here- if they were I would be running scared I can tell you. But comparing with my current town spokanistan is a fair one I feel, since Spokane and Rushden are similarly placed in their prospective countries and offer about the same amenities.
It is way cheaper in my home town of Rushden in all areas but housing- yet even then I can afford a terrace with 3 bedrooms which will be $600 less than my US mortgage.
Groceries- comparing Sam's club and farmers markets to M and S? well you get what you pay for there.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:16 pm
#128
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
My thoughts exactly!
I have been looking into costs in my home town in Northants and they are no where near the London prices quoted here- if they were I would be running scared I can tell you. But comparing with my current town spokanistan is a fair one I feel, since Spokane and Rushden are similarly placed in their prospective countries and offer about the same amenities.
It is way cheaper in my home town of Rushden in all areas but housing- yet even then I can afford a terrace with 3 bedrooms which will be $600 less than my US mortgage.
Groceries- comparing Sam's club and farmers markets to M and S? well you get what you pay for there.
I have been looking into costs in my home town in Northants and they are no where near the London prices quoted here- if they were I would be running scared I can tell you. But comparing with my current town spokanistan is a fair one I feel, since Spokane and Rushden are similarly placed in their prospective countries and offer about the same amenities.
It is way cheaper in my home town of Rushden in all areas but housing- yet even then I can afford a terrace with 3 bedrooms which will be $600 less than my US mortgage.
Groceries- comparing Sam's club and farmers markets to M and S? well you get what you pay for there.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:17 pm
#129
long live thefinest range
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Higham Ferrers, Northants to Spokane Washington and back again!!
Posts: 445
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
We buy nappies and bog roll (bulk items) at Sams...not food!
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?
Dec 20th 2006, 10:17 pm
#130
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I've never been to Columbus, Ohio (although my best friend here lived there and nearly died of boredom and moved as soon as she could to NYC!) but I don't see how you can compare living costs there to living costs in an international city like London.
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
I've seen those expat COLA charts with the price of such things as groceries and utilities (COLA = Cost of Living Allowance) which some consultants produce for HR departments who need to move their staff around the world. They include major cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, Paris, Moscow etc. I've definitely never seen Columbus on any of them!
Dec 20th 2006, 10:19 pm
#131
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by britvic
We lived in Columbus for 18 months and hated it, although I'm not mad about this part either it's still way better than Ohio.
Dec 20th 2006, 10:20 pm
#132
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
Bloddy well hope so an' all!
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?
Dec 20th 2006, 10:22 pm
#133
Junior Showtime
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 3,759
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
[QUOTE=Hayley]Bloddy well hope so an' all!
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?[/QUOTE]
Not even a little bit alike
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?[/QUOTE]
Not even a little bit alike
Dec 20th 2006, 10:22 pm
#134
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 360
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by Hayley
Bloddy well hope so an' all!
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?
What is krogers? is it anywhere as good as m and s and waitrose?
You have a little one (and congrats on the one on the way)...do you have to shell out that much?
Dec 20th 2006, 10:24 pm
#135
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Mother Land.
Posts: 14,858
Re: What would make you move back to the UK?
Originally Posted by jen_andreson
I never said Columbus was great, but I've no complaints as far as a place to rear children. My husband had the chance to work here (it's home for him) and it worked out. His Mum is here in a nursing home (age 60) and we wanted to spend her last years near her--so that the children will remember her. She will probably not see too much of 2007, and then we'll think about moving back to the UK (or elsewhere in the US)
My Hub's comes from Ohio, well he calls it bum f**ked Ohio
