2007-08-03 19:29:00 · 7 answers · asked by Lucky 3 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
Yes!! We are ripped off on loads of stuff compared to you in the US. For instance, to fill my car with fuel costs about £60.00 (which equates to roughly $120.00) and it is a fairly standard car! Our gas, electricity and general house costs are high and our property prices are high too.
2007-08-03 19:31:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
$40,000 is about £20,000, and £22,000 is the average wage. You will think that it is expensive to live here, but it's not when you're earning the pound instead of the dollar.
However, property prices are incredibly high, to the point that most British first time buyers can't afford to buy anywhere. Most people (read everyone except estate agents) are hoping that there will be a massive crash in prices soon. A 3-bed semi detatched house with one bathroom & a garden & a garage in a nice area will set you back around £300,000 ($600,000). Because rents are not as expensive, it may be better for you to rent.
However, if $40k is an above average wage in the US then you will likely be earning an above average wage in the UK.
2007-08-04 06:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by Helena 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of living isn't really much different from the US once you normalize salaries (i.e. while things are more expensive in the UK, we get paid more, and there are other differences like not needing to pay for health insurance since it is already covered by tax), however, at the moment the relative value of the pound against the dollar means that trying to live in the UK on a US salary is relatively hard.
2007-08-04 02:38:58 · answer #3 · answered by David D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am an american who has lived in the UK for 5 years now.
40k us would not go far in the UK. you pay alot for gas like the guy said earlier. you pay to park, almost everywhere and it is not cheap. you pay counsil tax just for being alive. you are taxed at a very high rate.
it takes about a year for the shock of the prices to wear off and for you to stop buying anything becuase you calculated how much you are paying compared to in the us.
you of course will make more for doing the same job in the uk than in the us but with the cost of everthing it comes out to be less.
to give you an idea of cost i live in a small town (less expensive) and if you want to let (rent) just a room not a flat by yourself it will cost you between 350 gbp and 500 gbp that is 700 to 1000 us dollars. imagine renting a flat by yourself.
and the not paying for health care statment is totally false you pay for it you just dont write out a check for it. It is paid for in the heavy taxes you pay out of your income everytime you buy something and anything else they can slap a tax on.
But with that said i love living in the uk the lifestyle is great the people are great a lot to do. i just wanted you to be aware of the economic situation.
Do what i did and marry a british girl already set up....lol
2007-08-04 05:01:47 · answer #4 · answered by Geoff C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is expensive here like someone said earlier on about the tax we pay 17.5% per pound but theres no point me saying anymore about the living costs as i would be repeating the other peoples answer
2007-08-04 12:27:16 · answer #5 · answered by Cockney Hustler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its expensive to live in Europe but its very fun. American money has less worth in Europe and Europeans charge a lot but depending on where you live. Everyday life in Europe is just so fun and happy. There's not half as much violence and its a big happy change. I would happily pay the price. ^_^
2007-08-04 02:36:22 · answer #6 · answered by L3monDr0p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like Sal's answer, as well as her shoe.
2007-08-04 02:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by cactus 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋