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.
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?
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