Have you been here a while and if so, happy with it?

Scarinae

Well I know I personally spend a lot less than that on rent and bills, but a lot more on travel. It just depends what your priorities are really.

djpbarry

enda1 wrote: »

If you're a single person and want to live comfortably by which I mean:
-Live in zone 1 or 2 in a 1 bed apt in a grand area (£1200)
-Eat decent food out sometimes (£150)
-Save a bit (£500)
-3 to 4 return flights a year to somewhere + some accommodations (£150)
-Money for socialising (£250)
-Transport (£100)
-Household Bills (£250)
-Phone (£50)
-Household food and stuff (£200)
These prices are per month

That adds up to £2850 which is about £50k I think per year.

Dude, that's way beyond "comfortably". The idea that you have to live on your own in Zone 1 or 2 and spend £250 per month on bills to be "comfortable" is madness.

enda1

djpbarry wrote: »

Dude, that's way beyond "comfortably". The idea that you have to live on your own in Zone 1 or 2 and spend £250 per month on bills to be "comfortable" is madness.

Each to their own.

Council tax plus water plus gas plus electricity plus tv plus broadband adds up.

djpbarry

enda1 wrote: »

Each to their own.

But the point is it's not representative.

It was asked what sort of salary would allow one to live comfortably in London.

But you've provided a ballpark figure for someone living on their own. Now, living on your own might be a prerequisite to being comfortable for you. But, considering that the vast majority of Londoners do not live on their own (because it doesn't make financial sense to do so), it's not really a meaningful answer.

And quite apart from that, you'll be doing very well to get a decent 1-bed flat in (a "grand" area in) Zones 1 or 2 for £1,200 per month.

Playboy

djpbarry wrote: »

But the point is it's not representative.

It was asked what sort of salary would allow one to live comfortably in London.

But you've provided a ballpark figure for someone living on their own. Now, living on your own might be a prerequisite to being comfortable for you. But, considering that the vast majority of Londoners do not live on their own (because it doesn't make financial sense to do so), it's not really a meaningful answer.

And quite apart from that, you'll be doing very well to get a decent 1-bed flat in (a "grand" area in) Zones 1 or 2 for £1,200 per month.

Does it have to be representative? A question was asked and he answered wrt what he defines as comfortable. I define comfortable differently to you and that doesn't make mine or edna1's opinion any less valid.

For me comfortable in London as a single person to be able to enjoy the city and not worry too much about money I would have to earn £40-£50k. If I was earning less I would have to be much more controlled with my budget, wouldn't be able to save very much and would be massively restricted in where I wanted to live and how much I socialize. I know this because I have earned much less than that when I got here first and now I earn more than that. I live in zone 3 and by no means live a life of luxury and to some extent I still have to watch the pennies.

I dont think there is any point trying to define an objective number or telling other people their opinion isnt as valid as anothers as each person will have their own view dependent on their lifestyle and needs.

dmcg90

I'm currently looking for a job in London, I was wondering if my budget is reasonable. These are per month

Rent: £800 PCM + Bills inc (I've shared all my life and I don't want to live on my own at the moment so I think thats reasonable for a reasonable double room in zone 2)
Travel: £100 per month (Only a ballpark figure for living in Zone 2)
Food: £150 (Only stopped being a student 5 months ago so I know how to live on the cheap but I think thats more than enough, I spend about €100 a month here on Food)
Socialising: £200 (For eating out, drinking, clubbing, I'm not a massive person for clubbing so I guess that would probably be less, I'd prefer to concentrate on sporting activities and volunteering for things to do).

I'm a 22 year old marketer, so my starting wage should just be over £25k hopefully as I have a masters degree and I'm currently working as a Digital Marketing Manager in Galway. If I got £25000 a year thats £20,000 after tax.

With all my basic expenditure, that leaves me with £5,600 for clothes, games, savings and emergencies or £466

Is that enough? Am I forgetting anything?

Playboy

dmcg90 wrote: »

Rent: £800 PCM + Bills inc (I've shared all my life and I don't want to live on my own at the moment so I think thats reasonable for a reasonable double room in zone 2)

Will get you a very nice room in zone 2 or 3. Even could get you a nice zone 3 studio (without bills)

dmcg90 wrote: »

Travel: £100 per month (Only a ballpark figure for living in Zone 2)

Zone 1-3 travel card giving you unlimited travel on bus, tube and train is approx £135 pcm. Not too sure what a zone 2 travel card costs but you can check it on the tfl website

dmcg90 wrote: »

Food: £150 (Only stopped being a student 5 months ago so I know how to live on the cheap but I think thats more than enough, I spend about €100 a month here on Food)

If you shop smartly at the bigger supermarkets and keep eating out and take aways to a minimum then it should be enough. Stay away from Tesco express or sainsburys local as they are very expensive in comparison to their bigger stores. Iceland, Lidl etc are great value but not the healthiest!

dmcg90 wrote: »

Socialising: £200 (For eating out, drinking, clubbing, I'm not a massive person for clubbing so I guess that would probably be less, I'd prefer to concentrate on sporting activities and volunteering for things to do).

One night out a week at £50 is reasonable if you are not a big drinker and stay out of rounds. Just be aware that people socialise in the city a huge amount after work in the pub and it can be expensive if you join in.

dmcg90 wrote: »

I'm a 22 year old marketer, so my starting wage should just be over £25k hopefully as I have a masters degree and I'm currently working as a Digital Marketing Manager in Galway. If I got £25000 a year thats £20,000 after tax.

With all my basic expenditure, that leaves me with £5,600 for clothes, games, savings and emergencies or £466

Is that enough? Am I forgetting anything?

After tax and NI you should have £19,817.76 (iphone app!) which works out at £1,651.48 pcm. That doesnt factor in council tax though but a lot of shared properties will include that in the rent. Just make sure you clarify that before moving in as it can be expensive.

I dont think you are forgetting anything but London is an expensive city with lots of temptation on your doorstep so your social budget could up. Lots of good gigs and shows are on all the time that you would get in Galway for instance.

dmcg90

Thanks for such an exhaustive answer!

Area wise I was looking at Kennington, New Cross, Vauxhall and Clapham, I don't know area wise but a lot of my friends over there are all South London so it makes sense.

I'm in talks about a job thats £30k plus 2250 living allowance, its a fantastic opportunity and I'd be stupid to not go for it. It means I might have to move in less than a month, leaving me probably quite out of money due to my existing eMobile contract, terminating lease and more.

I mean if I spend €100 a month now on food, I can't see myself spending more than £150 over there. I didn't know about the socialising after work thing as I've always preferred to just do Saturday nights (if I go out on a work night, I won't last long!). Would love to start going to gigs, not many bands I like play in Galway

enda1

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.aspx
There are the transport costs summarised.
Cheapest is to cycle or walk of course.

New Cross aint that pretty but it's "up and coming".

Where would your new job be located? Try to live somewhere convenient to this as a first priority.
You may find (as many do) that you will work quite/very long hours in London. You'll probably end up eating out more than you're used to and socialising more mid-week (despite what you say).

For instance tonight I'm going to a German beer keller for a leaving do. Not something I'd normally do on a Thursday night but hey-ho, when in London (or Munich).

dmcg90

enda1 wrote: »

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14416.aspx
There are the transport costs summarised.
Cheapest is to cycle or walk of course.

New Cross aint that pretty but it's "up and coming".

Where would your new job be located? Try to live somewhere convenient to this as a first priority.
You may find (as many do) that you will work quite/very long hours in London. You'll probably end up eating out more than you're used to and socialising more mid-week (despite what you say).

For instance tonight I'm going to a German beer keller for a leaving do. Not something I'd normally do on a Thursday night but hey-ho, when in London (or Munich).

Thanks for that, the one I'm going for at the moment is in Embankment but i'd say it'll be zone one knowing my career.

old hippy

I have a love/hate relationship with the place. I've been here 14 years now, I feel like a "Londoner" in many ways. Of course, there's still things I miss back home. But up until recently, I didn't buy into the belief that people in London are cold and aloof. On the contrary, I find people in London mostly easy to get on with.

I'd never go back to live in Ireland; not that I "hate" it or anything like that, more that I feel I've grown apart from it, if that makes sense...

BraziliaNZ

I love it here, but I'm so bad with money, and it's so easy to spend money here. It's just a cash vacuum with all the great restaurants and bars and other enticing establishments trying to seduce me. Sigh.

enda1

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

I love it here, but I'm so bad with money, and it's so easy to spend money here. It's just a cash vacuum with all the great restaurants and bars and other enticing establishments trying to seduce me. Sigh.

I'd say Honest Burger and Franco Manca on your doorstep hoover up a bit of your money alright!

BraziliaNZ

enda1 wrote: »

I'd say Honest Burger and Franco Manca on your doorstep hoover up a bit of your money alright!

There are always huge queues and Brixton village attracts all kinds of organic food eating farmers market people these days!
Franco Manca isn't great anyway, I was there once, I don't get the hype.
Why do English people love queueing for stuff so much?
Haven't been to Honest yet but I don't get excited about burgers the way everyone else seems to in London.

enda1

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

There are always huge queues and Brixton village attracts all kinds of organic food eating farmers market people these days!
Franco Manca isn't great anyway, I was there once, I don't get the hype.
Why do English people love queueing for stuff so much?
Haven't been to Honest yet but I don't get excited about burgers the way everyone else seems to in London.

Yeah the queues at these places piss me off. I much prefer to have a booking and have stopped going to places like that.

Honest burger is nice, at least they cook your burger rare if you ask for it which many places wont do.

I really like Franco Manco though!

BraziliaNZ

enda1 wrote: »

Yeah the queues at these places piss me off. I much prefer to have a booking and have stopped going to places like that.

Honest burger is nice, at least they cook your burger rare if you ask for it which many places wont do.

I really like Franco Manco though!

Call me a philistine but honestly I don't think pizza gets any better than Pizza Express

old hippy

I make a mean pizza.

enda1

old hippy wrote: »

I make a mean pizza.

Likewise

monkeysnapper

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Kum8OUTuk

enda1

enda1 wrote: »

If you're a single person and want to live comfortably by which I mean:
-Live in zone 1 or 2 in a 1 bed apt in a grand area (£1200)
-Eat decent food out sometimes (£150)
-Save a bit (£500)
-3 to 4 return flights a year to somewhere + some accommodations (£150)
-Money for socialising (£250)
-Transport (£100)
-Household Bills (£250)
-Phone (£50)
-Household food and stuff (£200)
These prices are per month

That adds up to £2850 which is about £50k I think per year.

Saving 'a bit' = £500 a month? £1200 on rent? That's not comfortable, that's living like a king, IMO. I guess the problem with 'comfortable' is that we all have different expectations. I was on 20K in London and was fairly comfortable. Lovely flat, nice area (not Kensington, but safe enough), ate out and went out for drinks all the time. I didn't have much 'left over' for holidays, clothes etc, but day to day living was grand. I was in Zone 4, but it was only a 30 minute commute to work, door to door, which I don't think is too bad at all. I could live very well on 30K, I think.

As for London, I love it and hate it at the same time. I'm very tired of the crowds.

seachto7

Is £35K enough to get by on? I'd be modest enough, don't go on the beer every week, and would like to save a few quid if at all possible. I won't have a car over there..

bluewhitehoops

seachto7 wrote: »

Is £35K enough to get by on? I'd be modest enough, don't go on the beer every week, and would like to save a few quid if at all possible. I won't have a car over there..

I live in greater west london earning under 20k a year, it depend the type of property you like to rent and location you want to live at.

people make the mistake living in the heart of the city which cost a fortune in rent, london is a massive city with train line and tubes, you never too far away from anything.

seachto7

Not bothered about living in the heart of the city. But don't want to be WAY out either.It wouldn't be like I'd be wanting to spend all the time in the city centre either. A few pints in a nice boozer once or twice a month is what I'll be doing. I'm 35, so nightclubs are a thing of the past for me!

Fysh

If you want to live in Zone 2 (reasonably close to stuff but not claustrophobically central) 35K is grand. I'm in Kilburn on that and it's plenty - I don't go boozing every weekend but I spend a fair bit on films and going to the cinema, and it's plenty to keep me busy while still letting me save a fair bit every month.

djpbarry

bluewhitehoops wrote: »

...london is a massive city with train line and tubes...

...that can cost a lot of money to use.

bluewhitehoops wrote: »

...you never too far away from anything.

Well, that's not really true. It's quite easy to pick two places on the tube map which are quite distant from each other. For example, Hounslow to Epping will take about 1 hour 45 minutes each way.

bluewhitehoops

seachto7 wrote: »

Not bothered about living in the heart of the city. But don't want to be WAY out either.It wouldn't be like I'd be wanting to spend all the time in the city centre either. A few pints in a nice boozer once or twice a month is what I'll be doing. I'm 35, so nightclubs are a thing of the past for me!

Then you will like kingston, teddington twickenham, very laid back, got lots of great pubs and restaurants but twickenham can get very busy when the rugby on.

check teddington high st on google map, i think it be right up your street and the areas i mention it mostly young and middle age people.

the parks are amazing, you got deers it like being out in the countryside.

you are only 20 or 25 min away from the heart of the city by train and if you want to get futher away from london then you;re not too far from surrey if you want some space and green.

I don't know others part of london well but loving life in greater west london.

if you want to check the area out then stay in teddington travelodge which is by the train st, it brand new and it only £15 per night.

Hope I've help:)

bluewhitehoops

djpbarry wrote: »

...that can cost a lot of money to use.
Well, that's not really true. It's quite easy to pick two places on the tube map which are quite distant from each other. For example, Hounslow to Epping will take about 1 hour 45 minutes each way.

Why the heck would he want to go to Epping from Hounslow???

If he was to live in west london in the area i've mention it would only take him about 20min to get to the heart of the city on the train! He said doesn't want to live right in the city or plan to go up on the train everyday.

I went up to london yesterday, it only cos me about £8 to go anywhere i like in the city.

djpbarry

bluewhitehoops wrote: »

Why the heck would he want to go to Epping from Hounslow???

I'm just illustrating the point that London is massive and it can take a long time to get from one side to the other. Something to bear in mind if one chooses to live a reasonable distance from the centre.

bluewhitehoops wrote: »

If he was to live in west london in the area i've mention it would only take him about 20min to get to the heart of the city on the train! He said doesn't want to live right in the city or plan to go up on the train everyday.

Well I don't think he's said where he'll be working. If he has a job in Central London, commuting in from the outer zones is going to be expensive.

dd972

There are two London's, Good London which is superb and the other London which is execrable.

Central London and certain areas like Chiswick or those similar are grand.

Let's be honest though 75 odd percent of London is sh!t, the Northolts, Croydons and Dagenhams ( and countless other bland holes ) are not places you'd swap a decent life in Ireland for. It your're stuck in a Zone 4-6 cesspit you may as well be in Dunsink Lane for all it's relation to the great metropolis of Londinium.

To come to think of it West Drayton ( another Zone 5 sh!thole ) IS Dunsink Lane.

old hippy

It's well for some who can live in Chiswick. Very grand, indeed