Moving to London

[juncmodule]

I agree.

I've been staring at those numbers since posting it.

My idea was to remove my girlfriends wages from the equation altogether. Try to figure out how much it would cost to make it with just one of us working. Unfortunately, it just doesn't look realistic. Actually, my girlfriend not working is pretty unrealistic anyway, she works more and earns more than I do now anyway

A quick search also led me to web jobs that start in the £18-20k range too.

I'm going to have to think on things for a bit. I'm pretty sure most of my expense numbers are pretty high anyway. The comparison to US vs UK wages is actually a little shocking. Your minimum wage is double ours basically. So I think I got a little carried away

Regardless, the idea of cost of living in London being an issue is out the window. I can live much more comfortably in London than I do here. Let me tell you, we don't go to dinner and a movie every weekend and we definitely don't have that much spending money! My initial numbers are us living comfortably. So, whatever I'm earning when I graduate, it will be enough I expect. I guess the £45k number is a goal to shoot for once I get my foot in the door.

Thanks again.

later,
-junc

[Nikolas]

45£k is way off estimation, but you already know that...

Another thing to put in the estimations is the money you will need to "start off". you mae not get a job for a month or two. Or it may take you 2 weeks to find a flat/house to stay.  Other than that I'm really glad to see that you seem to have made up your mind... Dunno, it feels... exciting doesn't it?

[Hudders]

Another thing to put in the estimations is the money you will need to "start off".

Keep in mind that the dollar is extremely weak vs the pound at the moment. Since you'll be making your "starting off" money in the US, make sure you convert it properly rather than just turning the $ into a £ 

On a side note, I'm in my first job since leaving education. I've a BSc in IT and I make £20k a year. For the area I live in, that's a pretty good wage; in London possibly not.

[Pumaman]

Your estimates for rent & bills seem pretty accurate -- when I lived in London a couple of years ago, I was paying about this per month:
£800 rent for a 2 bedroom flat,
£100 council tax
£50 gas/elec
£25 water
£10 phone line
£20 broadband.
= £1000/month essential living costs
(though as I was flat sharing this was only £500 for me, which is more affordable)

That plus food would be your basic essential monthly outgoings, which you could just about cover with a £20k job -- but it wouldn't leave you any slack for going out and enjoying yourself.

Of course, if you got a £20k job and your girlfriend got a minimum wage one, then you'd cover the monthly expenses and her wage would all be SPEND SPEND SPEND

[Layabout]

Hello,

I guess it's time to divulge my words of wisdom...

Firstly, unless you manage to score a kickass job, I wouldn't think about london.

A 2 bed flat in london for £1000 p/month. The same in Milton Keynes, only a 30-46 minute train journey, you could get the same for £550-£600. There are alot of jobs in MK and the surrounding area. The infrastructure is far better than anywhere in the UK i know of when it comes to schools, shops and facilities. It is easy to navigate. The only downside is there is very little character, but there are still proper english villages very close by.

I live about 20 mins from milton keynes, but i work there.

I dunno really what else to say.

I found it easy to adjust to life in the UK, once i had made friends. I love it here.