Moving to London
Discussion
Hi all, earlier this week was offered a job in London and I took it. Moving down in the new year so have plenty to look forward to.
I know many questions appear on here regarding finances however I hope some of you wouldn't mind giving me your opinions on some of what I have budgeted for.
Housing wise, I will be getting heavily discounted accommodation so thankfully I don't have to budget much for that (I'm well aware that this can eat up most of peoples earnings). I'll also be given an oyster card for getting to/from work so those costs can be ignored. I'm more interested in the social side of things, travel, food (such as supermarkets/markets), energy costs and anything else I haven't thought of.
All being well the OH will be in university full time and will get a part time job bringing in around £300/month. I'll be bringing in around £2200 after tax/NI.
I'm mainly interested in peoples views on the following estimations:
OH travel card - circa £200/month - Ickenham area to city centre? She will be able to get a student card which I believe knocks off around a third of the standard price.
Food/housing supplies - £350/month - are supermarkets much more expensive in London? We are talking Ickenham area - assuming if Tesco/ASDA/Aldi then will be similar prices to 'up north'?
Social - £300/month - enough for a meal out/takeaway/show once every other week and general going for coffees/museums/exploring London on the weekends?
Vehicle wise I'm going to get rid of my car and get a motorbike for the weekends, the OH will keep her car for when we want to go further afield. I'd like to think that day to day we will be better off using our travel cards if we go into the city purely for the convenience and the fact they will be paid for.
Any opinions/general advice much appreciated.
I know many questions appear on here regarding finances however I hope some of you wouldn't mind giving me your opinions on some of what I have budgeted for.
Housing wise, I will be getting heavily discounted accommodation so thankfully I don't have to budget much for that (I'm well aware that this can eat up most of peoples earnings). I'll also be given an oyster card for getting to/from work so those costs can be ignored. I'm more interested in the social side of things, travel, food (such as supermarkets/markets), energy costs and anything else I haven't thought of.
All being well the OH will be in university full time and will get a part time job bringing in around £300/month. I'll be bringing in around £2200 after tax/NI.
I'm mainly interested in peoples views on the following estimations:
OH travel card - circa £200/month - Ickenham area to city centre? She will be able to get a student card which I believe knocks off around a third of the standard price.
Food/housing supplies - £350/month - are supermarkets much more expensive in London? We are talking Ickenham area - assuming if Tesco/ASDA/Aldi then will be similar prices to 'up north'?
Social - £300/month - enough for a meal out/takeaway/show once every other week and general going for coffees/museums/exploring London on the weekends?
Vehicle wise I'm going to get rid of my car and get a motorbike for the weekends, the OH will keep her car for when we want to go further afield. I'd like to think that day to day we will be better off using our travel cards if we go into the city purely for the convenience and the fact they will be paid for.
Any opinions/general advice much appreciated.
OH travel card - circa £200/month - zone 1-6 is £225 for full price so OH should get it cheaper on student price.
Food/housing supplies - £350/month - can be as cheap (lidl/aldi) or as expensive as you want, its not much of a different to up north for shopping.
Social - £300/month - again its as cheap or as expensive as you make it, there are loads of free places, or you can sit in a pub and pay up to £5 a pint its your choice.
For seeing london in the evening I would recommend the london walks and they are roughly £5 a person and you get to see parts of london that wandering around doesnt show.
Lots of museums and stuff are free too, just need to donate if you want.
Food/housing supplies - £350/month - can be as cheap (lidl/aldi) or as expensive as you want, its not much of a different to up north for shopping.
Social - £300/month - again its as cheap or as expensive as you make it, there are loads of free places, or you can sit in a pub and pay up to £5 a pint its your choice.
For seeing london in the evening I would recommend the london walks and they are roughly £5 a person and you get to see parts of london that wandering around doesnt show.
Lots of museums and stuff are free too, just need to donate if you want.
Ickenham is quite far out but your car insurance could still possibly be more expensive so look into that now to factor that in.
Also investigate parking, again it looks far out enough that there might be free on street parking, or your accommodation you are referring to might have parking included or for a nominal fee. In Zone 2 I used to pay £50/month for a parking permit.
At that sort of distance you're going to end up missing the last train once or twice, an Uber or a black cab is easily going to cost you in the region of £50 or more, or you're in for a 2 hour night bus if not longer.
I'm assuming since your OH is a student, or going to be, that you're probably both still young (under 30?). The museums and galleries are great but for me a classic "London weekend" is just bopping out for brunch, followed up by a coffee in one of the many green spaces, maybe a stop somewhere new for lunch, and then grab a drink with friends, dinner somewhere, and then beers later. That's an easy £100+ day if you're not careful and although it may sound frivolous to some, that to me is the epitome of young London life. If you're new to town you end up trying to make as many new friends and you don't want to be the guy who is always whining about not wanting to go out. Research places to go in advance, keep a bank of restaurants, cafes, and pubs that you know you like and are affordable at places all around town, so you know that if you want to spend all day out, you can and not blow a wad of cash. Eg Sagar in Covent Garden does a theatre menu for under a tenner and it's a solid Southern Indian Thali or Dosa meal. I love that place.
Also investigate parking, again it looks far out enough that there might be free on street parking, or your accommodation you are referring to might have parking included or for a nominal fee. In Zone 2 I used to pay £50/month for a parking permit.
At that sort of distance you're going to end up missing the last train once or twice, an Uber or a black cab is easily going to cost you in the region of £50 or more, or you're in for a 2 hour night bus if not longer.
I'm assuming since your OH is a student, or going to be, that you're probably both still young (under 30?). The museums and galleries are great but for me a classic "London weekend" is just bopping out for brunch, followed up by a coffee in one of the many green spaces, maybe a stop somewhere new for lunch, and then grab a drink with friends, dinner somewhere, and then beers later. That's an easy £100+ day if you're not careful and although it may sound frivolous to some, that to me is the epitome of young London life. If you're new to town you end up trying to make as many new friends and you don't want to be the guy who is always whining about not wanting to go out. Research places to go in advance, keep a bank of restaurants, cafes, and pubs that you know you like and are affordable at places all around town, so you know that if you want to spend all day out, you can and not blow a wad of cash. Eg Sagar in Covent Garden does a theatre menu for under a tenner and it's a solid Southern Indian Thali or Dosa meal. I love that place.
Congrats of picking Ickenham, it's the best place on Earth. The jewel in the Middlesex crown. Has a real village feel whilst being close to town.
On a Sunday you can drive into the West End in 20 mins. You have 3 tube lines, Metropolitan & Picadilly at Ickenham & Central Line at West Ruislip which is a 5 min walk. Also main line from West Ruislip into Marylebone in 18 minutes if there's a tube strike.
Shopping wise it's not so great. Nearest decent shopping places are Uxbridge & Harrow, both of which are a bit scruffy but have everything you need. Ruislip is nicer but not many shops, Ealing is nicer still and Westfield if 20 mins on the Central Line from W. Ruislip.
Ickenham has some nice pubs, a co-op, a Mace and a Tesco Metro. Plenty of restaurants and take aways. Nice friendly people (apart from me, I'm a miserable sod). I moved to Ickenham in 1986 by accident but doubt I will ever leave. Primary and secondary schools are great too.
Very expensive if you're ever looking to buy.
Anything else you need to know, fire away.
On a Sunday you can drive into the West End in 20 mins. You have 3 tube lines, Metropolitan & Picadilly at Ickenham & Central Line at West Ruislip which is a 5 min walk. Also main line from West Ruislip into Marylebone in 18 minutes if there's a tube strike.
Shopping wise it's not so great. Nearest decent shopping places are Uxbridge & Harrow, both of which are a bit scruffy but have everything you need. Ruislip is nicer but not many shops, Ealing is nicer still and Westfield if 20 mins on the Central Line from W. Ruislip.
Ickenham has some nice pubs, a co-op, a Mace and a Tesco Metro. Plenty of restaurants and take aways. Nice friendly people (apart from me, I'm a miserable sod). I moved to Ickenham in 1986 by accident but doubt I will ever leave. Primary and secondary schools are great too.
Very expensive if you're ever looking to buy.
Anything else you need to know, fire away.
I'm in Southwest London where a tiny 3 bedroom terrace can be had for a mere One Million pounds.
I'm still surrounded by drunks, people fighting, chav kids on unsilenced scooters and general riff raff.
As said, nowhere in London is more than a stones throw from a dodgy estate.
After 53 years I'm moving out to the country next month. Mainly to keep me away from easy access to the multitude of takeaways with 1 mins walk from my place.
I'm still surrounded by drunks, people fighting, chav kids on unsilenced scooters and general riff raff.
As said, nowhere in London is more than a stones throw from a dodgy estate.
After 53 years I'm moving out to the country next month. Mainly to keep me away from easy access to the multitude of takeaways with 1 mins walk from my place.
ben_h100 said:
I'd like to think that day to day we will be better off using our travel cards if we go into the city purely for the convenience and the fact they will be paid for.
Spot on. My son works in C. London so has the zone 1-6 Oyster card. Doesn't have a car, just no point. Goes everywhere by bus and train. On the rare occasion he needs a car he borrows mine, about 4 times a year.Of course you need a car in London. Spent a year using an old US Ford 4.6l V8. Commuting through London I even managed as much as 12mpg.
Still worked out the same if not cheaper than public transport.
Mind you, I had to allow 2 hours to travel 14 miles into work but as I finished around 11pm it was a mere 35 mins to get back.
Seriously it would be much cheaper not to own a car in London, I just love cars and bikes.
Still worked out the same if not cheaper than public transport.
Mind you, I had to allow 2 hours to travel 14 miles into work but as I finished around 11pm it was a mere 35 mins to get back.
Seriously it would be much cheaper not to own a car in London, I just love cars and bikes.
croyde said:
Still worked out the same if not cheaper than public transport.
The OP is getting an Oyster card with his job. Travelling in London doesn't get any cheaper than that.My son travels in peak time in and out of C London, so an Oyster card is a must. about £240/month. Therefore any leisure travel is effectively free, because he's paid for it already. In fact, the more he uses it, the better value it is.
What can I say, apart from thanks to you all for all the useful information; really appreciate it as it has put my mind at ease. Has also confirmed my thoughts about getting rid of the car. We will have at least one parking space as part of the accommodation package so thats another cost that I can forget about. Ickenham is one potential location we could move to and the university she is looking at is nearby so thats the reason for that.
Perhaps I will need to up our budget for the 'doing things/going out' side of things but as one of you mentioned, we are into walks and have lived relatively cheaply up until now, although we are always up for treating ourselves now and again. I think it's going to be a culture shock more than anything, having lived on the edge of snowdonia for years.
Do any of you ride a motorcycle round london - business or pleasure?
Perhaps I will need to up our budget for the 'doing things/going out' side of things but as one of you mentioned, we are into walks and have lived relatively cheaply up until now, although we are always up for treating ourselves now and again. I think it's going to be a culture shock more than anything, having lived on the edge of snowdonia for years.
Do any of you ride a motorcycle round london - business or pleasure?
Ridden bikes for 35 years in London. Started as a courier back in the 80s.
Be prepared, it's gladiatorial out there. You have to be aggressive and have eyes in the back of your head.
I find it all part of the fun but at some points it seems like riding in Bombay rather than London. No quarter given yet somehow it all works. Don't hesitate.
I'd say the scooters are the worst but after biking since I was 17, I'm 53 now, I've just swapped to a Vespa 300 and it's brilliant. Just as fast as the crotch rockets unless the road really opens up, but I always catch them again
Being in Ickenham you'll have easy access to the West and up to Wales, so it will be good for Sunday blasts.
Be prepared, it's gladiatorial out there. You have to be aggressive and have eyes in the back of your head.
I find it all part of the fun but at some points it seems like riding in Bombay rather than London. No quarter given yet somehow it all works. Don't hesitate.
I'd say the scooters are the worst but after biking since I was 17, I'm 53 now, I've just swapped to a Vespa 300 and it's brilliant. Just as fast as the crotch rockets unless the road really opens up, but I always catch them again
Being in Ickenham you'll have easy access to the West and up to Wales, so it will be good for Sunday blasts.
ben_h100 said:
Ickenham is one potential location we could move to and the university she is looking at is nearby so thats the reason for that.
we are into walks
Do any of you ride a motorcycle round london - business or pleasure?
Brunel I assume. U1 bus from Ickenham goes right past it. we are into walks
Do any of you ride a motorcycle round london - business or pleasure?
Ickenham is great for walking. Ruislip woods are fantastic. Some great walking along the Grand Union canal also. Ickenham marshes too, and Swakeleys Park.
I had a Honda Fireblade for a few years, pleasure use only. I often cycle into C. London along the canal. 22 miles to Paddington Basin.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Everywhere in London is quite close to ropey parts. It's unavoidable.
True.We lived in Mount Street, Mayfair - where £5K can get you a square foot. There was a grotty council block about 2 mins away, c/w unemployed tracksuits hanging around day and night
Gotta love those town planners.
Bo_apex said:
We lived in Mount Street, Mayfair - where £5K can get you a square foot.
Let's do some maths. A Monopoly house is about 0.5 sq inches and costs £200 on Mayfair. By my reckoning at 0.5 sq inch each you could get 576 Monopoly houses in a sq foot. At £200 each is £115,200 per sq foot. So £5000 is a bargain.croyde said:
I'm in Southwest London where a tiny 3 bedroom terrace can be had for a mere One Million pounds.
I'm still surrounded by drunks, people fighting, chav kids on unsilenced scooters and general riff raff.
As said, nowhere in London is more than a stones throw from a dodgy estate.
After 53 years I'm moving out to the country next month. Mainly to keep me away from easy access to the multitude of takeaways with 1 mins walk from my place.
It's possible to get away from it in most places, isn't it? I am a bit further out than that and can come back from town to Surbiton on the train on Fri/Sat night and it is a war zone around the station with all of the things you mention going on. I only have a five minute walk from the station, and that all disappears well before I get home. It's not perfect, but it is pretty good.I'm still surrounded by drunks, people fighting, chav kids on unsilenced scooters and general riff raff.
As said, nowhere in London is more than a stones throw from a dodgy estate.
After 53 years I'm moving out to the country next month. Mainly to keep me away from easy access to the multitude of takeaways with 1 mins walk from my place.
I always laugh when people tell me '"Richmond is lovely", "Guildford is a great place to live" etc, because there is no way that whole areas can be good. The key is finding the nice individual districts in the swathes of s**t that most of the UK has become.
True. Our house, which my ex lives in with the kids, is 3 minutes from me and in a sea of tranquility yet my flat is on the main road and opposite a housing estate, hence the noise of drunks and fights along with police cars and ambulances tearing up and down 24/7.
The station, about 8 mins walk from me is a horrible place to come through late on a Fri or Saturday night, as is the train home as everyone is pissed.
Suppose it used to be me. I'm getting old
Town centres of anywhere nice are to be avoided at night. I had to visit the animal hospital in Surbiton quite a lot last month and I did think what a lovely place to live, the town not the hospital
The station, about 8 mins walk from me is a horrible place to come through late on a Fri or Saturday night, as is the train home as everyone is pissed.
Suppose it used to be me. I'm getting old
Town centres of anywhere nice are to be avoided at night. I had to visit the animal hospital in Surbiton quite a lot last month and I did think what a lovely place to live, the town not the hospital
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