Is £1000 a month enough for someone to live in reasonable comfort in london?

Question

Im talking owning a basic car, going out weekly, on top of all other that comes under comfortable living

Answer 1

That sum wouldn't cover my rent or pay for my council tax and other household bills. How would I eat?

Answer 2

Hi

For £1000 / month you can live ok but simply. You can't own a basic car - but that doesn't come under "reasonable comfort" in London - I know successful people in their mid 30s earning more than a hundred thousand US dollars who have never owned a car and can't even drive one...

You can live in a shared room in a house in a safe but not desirable location and as long as you don't have to work you can find many nice things to do for free in the daytime in London. Students live on this (less than this) all the time.

If you want something more than a student lifestyle then honestly you're going to need a lot more. However, a lot of people come here just to earn money and live in what are (to me) terribly cramped, crappy conditions but they work hard, send money home and once a week go out with their compatriots. It's not a lifestyle I would want but hey - we welcome everybody!

Good luck!

Answer 3

I dont think so. I used to live in London some months back and I was making 1300 per month. That was okay for me because I shared an apartment with three of my friends. We cooked together and shared many such things. Moreover, I didn't have a car. We used to go out weekly and we also used to make international trips on long weekends. We were living quite comfortably. If you had around 1500, it should be good. That's my guess.

Answer 4

I used to have that amount 6 years ago and I was living with my girlfriend in a one bed flat. It wasn't easy back then but now I don't think it's possible unless you opt for a flat share and forget about the car, you wouldn't need it anyway. Get an oyster card for public transport, that's much cheaper and when you've been out drinking it's better not to have a car around anyway. As to other living expenses. Buy food at ASDA or Tesco and you might just have enough, but you will have to be careful with your money. If that sounds scary to you, leave it or find some more dough.

Answer 5

No. London is now the 5th most expensive city in the world. New York City is 10th. With the current exchange rate, £1000/month is a little over $500/month. You can barely find a room for rent in a shared apartment in NYC for that amount and London is even more expensive.

Answer 6

Not on your Nelly. And that depends whether you are talking net or gross. If you are talking about gross, after you have paid tax, NI, etc, you'll have less than £700. That will barely cover your living expenses.
I know plenty of graduates who are struggling with salaries nearer £20k who also have to service debts, repay parents, etc.
As to owning a car, why would you need one? A car is a luxury in London and (increasingly) not a particularly attractive one. Unless you are planning to live well outside any congestion charging zone or area with residents' parking (they're everywhere, though) you will find yourself spending money on a wasting asset that you rarely use. Particularly if you are working.
I have a car, but I live in zone 4 and I earn a good deal more than £1200 a month. However, if we didn't have two of us, one of whom needs a car, particularly in winter, we wouldn't have it as we managed perfectly well before without one.
So, if you are thinking of coming to London to bum around like a student without any costs and living on people's floors, you will find a grand a month goes quite a long way. Otherwise, you'll be living in poverty and having done it myself, London is absolutely no fun or use unless without money, because EVERYTHING costs you.
Hope that helps.

Answer 7

Yep - I used to live on about 1200 a month (only a couple of years ago), so as long as you are not into some really expensive hobbies, or enjoy the high life, you'll be fine! you could get rent cheaper if you are prepared to share with other people, and also if you are prepared for a slightly longer commute...

Answer 8

it depends, rent on some places is around £800 a month for a one bedroom so called flat then you have all the other bits,and of course you may like to eat. Going out can be very expensive as everything is over priced, your best bet is to rent, or buy outside London and travel in, London not that special.
Good Luck

Answer 9

Depending on where you live and how, sharing or on your own. You can get by, say sharing a 2 bedroom for £350.00 each including bills, even in West London. That will still suffice, don't rule it out. People have different lifestyles.

Answer 10

London is the most expensive city in the UK, I believe. The shabbiest of rents alone would cost you at least £400/month (outskirts of London), Council tax would cost about the same, Petrol costs about 89p per litre, Congestion charge is £8/per day. This is supposing you don't plan on eating....