How are the living standards in London, in the Uk?

Question

I'm in a reletively low financial situation, but I want to move to London for college. I currently live in Canada.

If I move to London, am I going to drain my wallet? Is it a good idea for me to move to London?

Answer 1

London is a very expensive city...

see http://www.finfacts.com/costofliving.htm

Toronto - at a 82 points comparing to NYC at 100 is a cheap city. London is at 110.
Guess what will happen to your wallet? unless of course you have local income...

Answer 2

London is a brilliant city, but as you suspect, it's extremely expensive. Still, as in any city, there are things you can do to save money. Someone else suggested considering other, more reasonable cities in the UK such as Manchester, where there are good schools. That's another possibility.

But yes, the difference in costs from, say, Vancouver or Toronto to London is significant, and will shock you when you first arrive. I'm not sure that's enough of a reason NOT to go, though. Again, London is a brilliant city, and living there may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Happily, if you enter the UK on a student visa, you can actually work for a certain number of hours per week, and that will help your finances.

If not London, then again, consider Manchester, or Liverpool, or another UK city.

Answer 3

I think you will get by over there but expect to be in a lot of debt when you are done. If you get a student load then at least your tuition and maybe start off living expenses are covered - work part time. You will have the benefits of living in the greatest city in the world though so there may be no price too high for you. A place loaded with culture - nightlife - history - art - fashion . English people are known for being polite so you will not have the gruff experience of being a white westerner from the us that you will surely get in most countries. The Uk or Ireland is the best place for an american to live if they want to be somwhere out of the states.

Answer 4

Moving to London is going to be about the same as moving to New York. The only problem is that the exchange rate is BRUTAL. By the time you transfer your meager budget into sterling you will REALLY find out what poor is! Not trying to be mean but London is hellishly expensive and converting Canadian Dollars to Pounds is just going to be painful. On top of that you are talking about moving to one of the top 5 most expensive cities in the world in which to live. It's not a good idea. Maybe consider another part of the country?

Answer 5

London is definitely an expensive place to live in. Transport is very costly. Board and lodging too, are much more costly than in the provinces. If you want to study in the UK, why not try Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow etc ? The universities are very good, and living conditions are congenial. Of course, if you want to go in for humanities, Oxford and Cambridge have their own appeal. For management studies, Cranfield is famous, and justly so.
Good luck.

Answer 6

Ok, I spent about 4 years there. Let's see, I dunno as the gov helped me with rent and all but I'd guess that a cheap place [bedsit] would be about 60Pounds per week [about 90dollars American], food's not too bad, but the wages are good so you can make it back that way if you want to work and study. I was a carpentar and got 500Pounds per week ten years ago, then I did a building supplies job [just for the stability] and I got somethng like 290 which went up to something like 350. I saved the money for my honeymoon in SouthAfrica from the wages of that supplies job.

Answer 7

If you're coming here to University then most of the Uni's offer student accommodation.

When you know which Uni that you're going to then contact their housing/accommodation department for details of any available student 'digs'.

Answer 8

most people run to live in toronto coz it's a 100 times cheaper.. if u have cash probs, definitely do not come!