[daviduk]

I have travelled to the US on my vacations for many years now and have visited many places all around the country but Florida is far and away my favourite, so much that I have decided to relocate (from the UK).

My first step is to find out how much it costs to live there, then I can look around for a typical wage in my field.

In the UK my general costs of living are roughly per month: council tax £120 (monthly bill for owning a house), national insurance £180 (for our health service), PAYE £400 (tax on income), house and contents insurance £25, gas and elec £80, cable tv £15, broadband internet £12, petrol for car £80, food £80.

THat is ignoring the mortgage for the house etc.

I guess what I am asking is is it much different to live in the US? You guys have private health, how much does that cost typically and what do you get?

Thanks folks

[bale002]

[quote=daviduk;248284]... Florida is far and away my favourite, so much that I have decided to relocate (from the UK).

My first step is to find out how much it costs to live there, then I can look around for a typical wage in my field.

In the UK my general costs of living are roughly per month: council tax £120 (monthly bill for owning a house), national insurance £180 (for our health service), PAYE £400 (tax on income), house and contents insurance £25, gas and elec £80, cable tv £15, broadband internet £12, petrol for car £80, food £80.

That is ignoring the mortgage for the house etc.

... is it much different to live in the US? You guys have private health, how much does that cost typically... ?
/QUOTE]

Generally speaking, the monthly expenses you describe are higher in the US than in the UK. On the other side, however, the buy price for a house in the US, Florida in particular, from the UK perspective is still relatively cheap, and central government income taxes are lower.

If you purchase a house in Florida, figure 2% of the purchase price in annual property taxes; then, assuming you claim full-time residency, it cannot go up more than 3% per year for as long as you own the house.

As for homeowners insurance, the state is currently undergoing a crisis as a result of the 2004-05 hurricane seasons, so it is extremely difficult right now to cite typical insurance costs. However, as a very rough guide, annual insurance costs can also be estimated at 2% of the purchase price.

Health insurance in this country is expensive. Again, individual household situations vary significantly. Assuming that an employer does not pay for health insurance as part of a compensation package, a typical private health insurance policy can cost $300 per month for one or two people. But I see that you already pay roughly $360 a month for the NHS in the UK. Is that per person or a household of four, for example?

Petrol (gasoline) at the moment costs around $2.45 a gallon in Florida, which is a lot less than in the UK, but you will probably do more driving, depending on how far your place of residence is from work and weekly/monthly shopping needs.

You mention roughly $160 per month for food. That's sounds a bit low for a household in Florida, at least in southern Florida. Of course it depends on the size of the household and eating and shopping habits.

As for gas and electric, usually in Florida you have only electric. Your figure is roughly $160 per month for the UK. You may be able to average that figure annually in Florida if you use the air condition sparingly, even in the peak months. However, an electric bill of $300 and upwards is not uncommon. On the other hand, in my household we average less than $100 because we do not use air condition in the winter months and we keep the temperature around 80-81 fareinheit during the summer months. You should also pencil in expenses for a water bill.

Cable and internet are about the same.

One more thing about housing costs. In many communities in Florida there are also monthly maintenance fees. These can range anywhere from $30 to $500 per month, depending on amenities and other factors, or even higher in coastal luxury high rise condos.

As for typical wages, be warned that wages in Florida are generally lower than in US regions like California or the northeast, by as much as half in some cases, and certainly lower than in London and southeast England in general. To make a good salaried income, you need to have top skills in the more dynamic areas of the economy, and this may change region by region in Florida, plus good contacts (but this is the case the world over).

Finally, an additional word on income and taxes. You have access to more flexible tax options if you are self-employed, not to mention that if you can establish and maintain a successful business, your prospects for a more than average income are greater.

If you have a large mortgage in the UK and little equity, then the property tax and homeowners insurance expenses may well bust your budget when combined with mortgage payments.

However, I am assuming that you have a relatively small mortgage and a lot of equity so that you can put a hefty down payment on a house in Florida, possibly buying it outright, so that all you have to worry about are the taxes and insurance (plus any maintenance).

If this is the case, then the next important step is to do further research especially concerning job prospects, income, and health insurance costs.

If instead you also have to take out a sizable mortgage, then I assume that you will have a sizable income, in the neighborhood of $100,000, depending on the size of the house and the number of household members. If not, you should seriously consider whether it is a good idea to come to Florida.

In any case, good luck!

[daviduk]

Hey thanks for a superb response! Can I just ask a few questions on your answers...

If you purchase a house in Florida, figure 2% of the purchase price in annual property taxes; then, assuming you claim full-time residency, it cannot go up more than 3% per year for as long as you own the house

Say for example I purchase a property at $100,000, 1st year tax = $2k, 2nd year = $5k? Is that right? There has to be a top level surely?

But I see that you already pay roughly $360 a month for the NHS in the UK. Is that per person or a household of four, for example

That is just for myself, over here the NI payments are salary based so the more you earn the more you pay.

You mention roughly $160 per month for food. That's sounds a bit low for a household in Florida

hehe, that is just for me. Although I am a skinny brit I get through a hell of a lot of food!


Over here I work full time and also have a freelance business and hope to continue this when I relocate, however I do aim to go full time freelance shortly but obviously there is less risk in also having a full time job. I have looked at job websites for forida and a typical wage for my field is $50k-$80k, is that low/med/high?

I have my own house over here with around £50k equity so it's pretty good. I will use that for a down payment and savings to live on until I get fully settled.

Thanks again for the help matey

[Need_affordable_home]

If you have a freelance home business you can live anywhere you want and its logical to live where the costs of living is very low. I live in Florida and am leaving because of very high costs of living, hurricanes(youll hate them) high crime(over 100 murders a year) oppressive heat(your not used to it) and house prices are going down. If you still want Florida, wait for prices to be much less, hurricanes will do that.

[daviduk]

Are house prices forcasted to keep on dropping for a while then or do you reckon the trend will slow soon? The prices had risen significantly in the last few years or so anyway so hopefully (for me) they will drop to a realistic level.

I am great with the heat, I have visited Florida at all times of year with no problem. The crime is a worry but where I live in the UK all we hear on the news are murders here and there! I would steer clear of bad areas anyway as much as possible.

[Jammie]

The answer to the drop in housing prices depends on who you ask. There are so many differing opinions on that. But most of the articles that I've been reading are predicting them to drop even lower throughout 2007.

[blauskies]

Originally Posted by daviduk

I have travelled to the US on my vacations for many years now and have visited many places all around the country but Florida is far and away my favourite, so much that I have decided to relocate (from the UK).

My first step is to find out how much it costs to live there, then I can look around for a typical wage in my field.

In the UK my general costs of living are roughly per month: council tax £120 (monthly bill for owning a house), national insurance £180 (for our health service), PAYE £400 (tax on income), house and contents insurance £25, gas and elec £80, cable tv £15, broadband internet £12, petrol for car £80, food £80.

THat is ignoring the mortgage for the house etc.

I guess what I am asking is is it much different to live in the US? You guys have private health, how much does that cost typically and what do you get?

Thanks folks

All depends what part of Florida your talking about? There are parts that are still somewhat affordable, if you want to call it that and parts that are very expensive. From a South Florida perspective this is what I can tell you.

Homes, well to buy here it all depends what you want. Condo or Single Family House, Condos are cheaper and probably what a Londoner would be more accustomed to. If you live in the country and like more space and privacy your looking at a lot more. The Median home price in Palm Beach County is around $360K, Condos are around $250K or so, you can find both for less in a less safe area and in somewhat unsound condition (not hurricane proof or ready).

Property Taxes are high as stated 2% of the purchased price is about right.

As with Homeownes Insurance, which recently went thru the roof 100% premium hikes.

If you don't buy, look at paying at least $1K+ a month rent for a nice 1 bedroom/1 bath apartment.

Car insurance is high, average a year could be $1K+ depending on your driving record, age and etc. As well on how well you want to be protected, yes you can lower it but with personal risk.

Utilities bills are high, of mine FPL is the #1 expense. Of course it doesn't help I have Central A/C but if you didn't it would be brutal and pretty much standard here.

Cable TV here is a monopoly, your looking at least $55/month for basic cable from Adelphia now Comcast, personally I would get Direct TV (Satellite) for a lot less. Want high speed internet, that's $42.95 a month extra.

As with telephone service, BellSouth Monopoly, no choices other then getting long distance from someone else.

Healthcare is provided thru your employer or thru yourself, it's insane to do it yourself, most companies share the expense when your hired but you still have to pay (co-pay) your insurance, some companies (rare) provide 100% coverage for free. It cost me over $100/month which is cheap in comparison but still an added expense.

Food is expensive here even if you shop at the wholesale club.

I didn't do the pounds to us dollars conversion, but either way it's more expensive in South Florida then other places in the US. It's supply and demand along with 3 hurricanes in the past 2+ years.

The biggest factor is your job, have you looked into immigration, that alone can be daunting. Are you going to work for yourself or look for work? Can you find a sponsor so that you can apply for a green card or work permit?

Also typical wages in your field here are not the same as they would be elsewhere in the USA, salaries are generally lower in Florida, I would say they are the highest in South Florida but not high enough to afford the cost of living unless you plan to room with 2 or more people that work and make a decent wage.

To afford the South Florida lifestyle and to live comfortably and still save money you need in excess of $125K householed income. Some may argue this, but take in account home prices, insurance and etc..add more if you have kids. Yes you can do it for less, but your standard of living may not be what you desire.

[tampaguy03]

Originally Posted by daviduk

Hey thanks for a superb response! Can I just ask a few questions on your answers...


Say for example I purchase a property at $100,000, 1st year tax = $2k, 2nd year = $5k? Is that right? There has to be a top level surely?


That is just for myself, over here the NI payments are salary based so the more you earn the more you pay.


hehe, that is just for me. Although I am a skinny brit I get through a hell of a lot of food!


Over here I work full time and also have a freelance business and hope to continue this when I relocate, however I do aim to go full time freelance shortly but obviously there is less risk in also having a full time job. I have looked at job websites for forida and a typical wage for my field is $50k-$80k, is that low/med/high?

I have my own house over here with around £50k equity so it's pretty good. I will use that for a down payment and savings to live on until I get fully settled.

Thanks again for the help matey

I live and work in the Tampa Bay area, salary is between 65k and 85k, the salary you speak of is medium(50-80k). I have an 1800sq ft 4/2 house that I own in the city(worth about 350k), taxes are correct in 2% of home value, then it wont go up more than 3% each year(i.e. your 100k home taxes of 2k for the first year would be $2060 the next year).
Electric is roughly $125/month; Cable/Internet/Phone is about $125/month; Garbage/Sewer/Water is $41/month; Federal Taxes amount to about 15% of salary( i have numerous deductions); Social Security is about 7% of salary. Health/Dental is paid for by my company with myself contributing about $35/month. Auto Insurance for my 2004 SUV is $80/month. Homeowners Insurance including Flood(I am in a flood zone) is $240 month. I do not live in a deed restricted or gated community so I have no Homeowners/Maintainence Fees. I am single and Food costs are about $160/month for groceries, I also eat out a few times a week. Gas is running $2.38/gallon.
I have lived in Florida(from NY originally) for 20 years and couldnt see myself anywhere else(I travel the country alot for business). Just my opinion.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by daviduk

Hey thanks for a superb response! Can I just ask a few questions on your answers...


Say for example I purchase a property at $100,000, 1st year tax = $2k, 2nd year = $5k? Is that right? There has to be a top level surely?

No. As someone already responded, the second year could be as high as $2000 x 1.03 = $2,060; third year 1.03 x $2,060 = $2,121.80, etc. Three percent would be the maximum increase per year.

Originally Posted by daviduk

Over here I work full time and also have a freelance business and hope to continue this when I relocate, however I do aim to go full time freelance shortly but obviously there is less risk in also having a full time job. I have looked at job websites for forida and a typical wage for my field is $50k-$80k, is that low/med/high?

I have my own house over here with around £50k equity so it's pretty good. I will use that for a down payment and savings to live on until I get fully settled.

$50-80k is about medium. If you plan on buying a typical 3 bedroom 2 bath house, it is too low, even with a $100,000 down payment.
However, with that level of income and $100k down, you can probably afford to buy and maintain a nice condo, though even in a better neighborhood of southern Florida it still may be difficult.

What region of Florida are you most interested in? The most affordable regions are in the northwest, but most Britons, as far as I know, live in the Orlando area, followed by southern Florida.

Several months back there was a thread specifically on UK ex-pats living in Florida, with a focus on central Florida. Perhaps you can use the forum search engine to fish it out.

Again, welcome and good luck!

[tampaguy03]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tampaguy03
I live and work in the Tampa Bay area, salary is between 65k and 85k, the salary you speak of is medium(50-80k). I have an 1800sq ft 4/2 house that I own in the city(worth about 350k), taxes are correct in 2% of home value, then it wont go up more than 3% each year(i.e. your 100k home taxes of 2k for the first year would be $2060 the next year).(snip)


I bet you bought that house long ago. You got it cheap and your homesteaded. You must not use the a/c much, my dad spends $400 a month on electric. I know it would cost me about $250 a month. Up north I will rarely need a/c and because of global warming, wont need heat often except when theres a cold spell that brings frost(its in the 50s now up north) I need $350 a month on food, I am not starving myself or living on rice and water!
I already calculated the costs of living and its far higher in Florida and this is what the OP posted this thread to ask. Most of the higher costs of living is due to real estate and all the bills, insurance and taxes that go along with it.
If you make $80k a year, you might be able to live a comfortable middle class life in Tampa. I however would be in a trailor, drive a rusty car and live check to check because of the high costs of living. Florida isnt for middle class(and frankly not for poor either) I would have to make well over $100k to afford that $350k house you are living in!

I purchased my current home 3 years ago for 195k. I live in South Tampa near Westshore Blvd north of Gandy Blvd(about 3.5 miles from city center). The figures I gave for electric/cable/food, etc. are true..my electric can be up to 190 in the summer, but as low as 75 in the winters per month.