What things in London are more expensive than in the rest of the UK? What things cost the same as the rest of the UK? (rent)

[califantastic]

What things in London are more expensive than in the rest of the UK?

What things cost the same as the rest of the UK?

Is it accurate to say that housing is the main thing that is more expensive in London and that most other things cost about the same as in the rest of the UK?

Or if someone decides to live in London will they be paying more for everything?

In particular are restaurants, groceries, transportation, and healthcare more expensive in London or about the same as the rest of the UK?

Thank you for your help.

[Stewart G. Griffin]

Yes, housing is the one thing that is much more expensive. Hotels cost more too. Especially the 5 star variety.

Restaurants generally are a little more. Groceries are much the same cost nationwide. Public transport is fairly good value, especially if you buy an Oyster card.

Healthcare is free, except for prescriptions, which cost the same all over England.

There are a few other things that cost more, such as plumbers & electricians for instance. But overall it's housing that is the real cost.

[britinparis]

Housing/accomodation is a lot more expensive than in the rest of the UK - sometimes three or four times more expensive. For example, the going rate of a small one bedroom flat with no outdoor space is about £1,400 per month in inner London - and pushing £1,000 in the suburbs. The same flat would be £600-700 in central Manchester or Leeds. Much less in a smaller town.

Most other things are a bit more expensive - such as the cinema, pubs, theatre - usually around 20-50% more than elsewhere.

Groceries are no more expensive. The national chains charge the same country wide. Local street markets in London are pretty cheap. I would say that actually eating out is actually if anything a little cheaper in London than in provincial Britain in some respects - the quality is higher and competition in London is fierce. Though Londoners tend to eat out a lot more than in the provinces so you do end up spending much more.

One thing that is much cheaper in London than in say Manchester or Leeds is bus travel - a single ticket on the bus in London is currently £1.40 - it's usually over £2 at least anywhere else.

Museums and galleries are nearly always free!

The main thing that really makes London expensive is really the lifestyle - eating out all the time, drinking, getting take away coffee - it's hard to avoid if you live and work here. If you live in Norwich or Lincoln there's just less to spend your money on!!

[chilaili]

Three words: Property, property, property

Everything else is pretty much the same. Going out can be more expensive in terms of restaurant or ticket prices but groceries will be the same and as already mentioned, most museums are free.

[Brontosaurus]

Note that property prices within the Greater London area do vary tremendously though: BBC NEWS | In Depth | UK House Prices | Ealing

[geoking66]

Nightlife is also more expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't do it on the cheap. You can find nearly anything for cheap in London, but the quality will also be much lower. That said, paying £15 for a martini is probably the most ridiculous one yet, and I doubt even in Manchester you could pull that off.

[Jezer]

I'm no fan of big cities in general, but I recall staying very close to Harley Street in a friend's flat a few years ago.

At night the area had almost a village feel to it. It was quiet and there seemed to be a good turnout of locals.

The restaurant was reasonably priced and at the pub next door the drinks were less expensive than back home in Wiltshire.

I also used to hang around other areas of London and avoiding the tourist areas there were reasonably priced places all over.

Have things changed?

[Ed_P]

I think that although housing is significantly more expensive in London compared to other locations, there are other areas that cost a lot too.

For instance, although travel is fairly cheap with an oyster card (a bus journey is £1.45 in London, or around £3.50+ for an adult ticket in other places), and there is the tub which varies depending on which zone and so on. So yes it is cheaper by journey, but due to the size of London chances are you will have to journey a lot more frequently and often further than you would anywhere else, so it will add up.

Groceries, this is a tricky one as I have noticed price fluctuations even in different branches of the same shop in London. This is the same for many places I am sure, but because different boroughs see such a varying demographic, it is understandable that prices mirror this. Shopping online can help, or using comparison sites such as www.moneysupermarket.co.uk and seeing the best prices for you.

Shopping in charity shops in London is great because you can often find excellent bargains with higher quality items than elsewhere, usually because of the wealthier demographic donating to them. This does usually mean they are more expensive though, furniture especially. You can use furniture hire sites like Roomservice by CORT (Home Furniture Hire. Rent Furniture Tenants, Landlords, Show Homes UK) which is really good for expats looking to move. Or budget stores such as IKEA and Argos, and those online furniture retailers will usually have a set price.

Thanks

Ed

[irlinit]

Housing, alcohol, prices of restaurants etc are more expensive..


Things like petrol, general items from supermarkets and shops (not including tourist shops) are the same really