Internation Move to the UK: Cost of living questions

[vlocci]

I've been offered a position in the UK with my company, which would mean moving from Boston (a reasonably expensive city) to Cheltenham, UK (another expensive city)

Anyone work in HR, or have access to the mythical Mercer software that could compare these two cities. I'll gladly share my personal info over PM

Vin

[Hugh R]

I just visited London and found everything to be about twice as expensive. Gas, alcohol, restaurant costs, you name it. Here McDonalds has a 99 cent meal, there for the same stuff its 99 pence (two bucks).

[JeremyD]

just compare with new york - then double it

[tabs]

Thats all because the $$$$ is worth *****. I said it years ago, that Americans didn't realize that owning $$$$ bills has risk...especially after they said they would never risk a buck in the Stock Market. We have been insulated in America for so long because the $$$$ is the Reserve Currency for the world. Now Americans are starting to catch on...to what the Italians, Mexicans, Brazilians and Argentenians have known for quiet some time. Currencies can be devalued.

[Paul K]

If you've never lived in Europe, it'll be a shock. I grew up over there- PM me and we can talk if you want more info...

Paul.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I just visited London and found everything to be about twice as expensive. Gas, alcohol, restaurant costs, you name it. Here McDonalds has a 99 cent meal, there for the same stuff its 99 pence (two bucks).

+1000 here. Prices are about double over here. The Euro has not helped anything in this area either.

[MFAFF]

Interesting...

Is the cost the only issue tho?

Boston is a relatively big city, Cheltenham a smallish country town.

Would you move from say Boston to an 'equivalent' town in the US? Say Lincoln, Nebraska? If the answer to that is yes then you can add cost to the equation.

Cheltenham is a very genteel conservative country town. By and large well heeled (but with an increasing Chav issue) with a predominantly white middle class population. It does not necessarily have the diversity of cultural, leisure and entertainment facilites of a Boston...museums, theatres, restaurants etc.

If your idea of a good night out is to hit a good restaurnat and follow that up with a decent nightclub then you may be disappointed ( or have to go to London or B'Ham to do that, with its cost issues).

If however you want to be close to some decent drving roads and an hour of so from the Race track called 'Wales' for a decent run in the P-car then that's good.. or you love horse racing.....

If you want a decent fairly quiet rural town lifestyle then Cheltenham's the place for you....the work will be different, the pace and style of life will be different...all of which in all honesty are more important factors than the 'cash' cost of living...

Sure food will be somewhat more expensive, as will gas, cars and housing....
Currently the $ to £ ratio is not good at all for you guys, seriously not...around 2:1...

If you are in a US company moving you to the UK then you would need to get a revision to your income/ benefits to enable you to enjoy an equivalent lifestyle...but this more to cover the increased cost of accommodation and income tax than basics.

Certainly if I were to move the other way the direct exchange in salary would afford me a greater disposable income than I currently enjoy, however I know that the current rate for an equivalent job over there is not that direct comaprison...so if I were to earn what they earn my lifestyle would be broadly similar; in addition the health care insurance cost would be proportionally far far great (something like a factor of 10.)

I think its more important to see what the type of life you would have if you moved there than its cost. It may be that no matter how much you earned living in Cheltenham just isn't your thing.

PM if you want to talk more......

[Aerkuld]

It's expensive!
1. Just about anything in the UK will be the same price in pounds as it is in dollars over here.
2. The one exception is gas which will be two or three times the price in pounds as it is in dollars.
3. The cars are more economical, but it will take you three times longer to travel the same distance there as it would here - if you're lucky.
4. Housing is ridiculously over priced and the houses will strike you as small.
5. Eating out? Save up a small fortune.

That said, Cheltenham and the Cotswolds are beautiful. My point of view would be that it has to be worth it for the experience. I moved over here from the UK in 1999 and I love it here, I can't imagine moving back. I look on these expenses paid relocations as a bit like being paid to go on vacation.
I suppose you do get the option of coming back here if it doesn't work out for whatever reason?

As others have said, if you want more info PM me and we can talk. I do speak funny - but you might have to get used to that anyway!

[Aerkuld]

Vin - Several PM's sent!
Good Luck.