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No, the costs are not compare able at all. Living here, there are costs taxes and fees you do not see coming. I grew up outside NYC and I am shocked at the costs. In addition, salaries are generally quite low. There are advantages hiving here to be certain, but it is folly to think the cost of living here compares favourably with a vast majority of the US.
That used to be true one time, higher salaries and lower costs of living in the US. Both are not true anymore, you'd have to go back to the 90's for that to be true. Some things are still cheaper like Levi's or Apple computers but many things are about similar or cheaper over here like groceries, all kinds of insurance, health care, education.
The UK is really expensive for European standards, nobody moves to the UK for the low costs of living. Although, the difference is not as large as it used to be once. Sometimes I even find the lowest prices at Amazon.co.uk.
I've been to both the UK and the US and both places are very expensive for my standards. Then again, Germany is even cheaper than where I live now.
My cost of living is substantially lower, but then I used to live in the south of England, and now in Nevada which has low taxes. Salaries are low in the UK by western standards (recruiters find it difficult to fill UK jobs with expats for that reason). Some things are more expensive, some things not but overall I make more, pay less in taxes and substantially less for housing. Opportunities are more abundant here compared to even London imo. The UK is comparable to California in terms of cost I think, and thats expensive for the US.
My cost of living is substantially lower, but then I used to live in the south of England, and now in Nevada which has low taxes. Salaries are low in the UK by western standards (recruiters find it difficult to fill UK jobs with expats for that reason). Some things are more expensive, some things not but overall I make more, pay less in taxes and substantially less for housing. Opportunities are more abundant here compared to even London imo. The UK is comparable to California in terms of cost I think, and thats expensive for the US.
My brother who did a sabbatical in London would have loved to have stayed for quite a few years and buy a home there. But professors in the UK make a pittance compared to the US. Plus the fact that he'd pay about 4 times as much for a house. Doctors and nurses make a lot less than the US as well.
My brother who did a sabbatical in London would have loved to have stayed for quite a few years and buy a home there. But professors in the UK make a pittance compared to the US. Plus the fact that he'd pay about 4 times as much for a house. Doctors and nurses make a lot less than the US as well.
But of course costs vary throughout the UK.
I love London; its one of the world's best cities in my opinion, and if I could afford the lifestyle I have here, in London I would probably live there.
OP, what are your reasons for wanting to move to the UK specifically, besides wanting to uproot? If you're not picky about the country, and you don't envision it being a forever thing, you could consider applying to join the peace corps, apply to teach English with a number of companies who send teachers around the world, or volunteer in some other fashion with an international organization.
If you're intent on the UK being your destination, then it will probably be difficult to get a work visa. You might consider attending school there and then afterwards seeing if your school will endorse you to get a visa, or if, once you're a graduate of a UK law school, a UK firm would hire you. The other option would be to be hired by a US law firm or US company that has offices in the UK, and then apply for a transfer once you've established yourself.
But I'd recommend trying to figure out how you think your life will truly, positively improve if you were living in the UK. If you only want to move because you're unhappy with your living circumstances right now, then know that it will likely be a lot harder to move to a new country, where you likely don't have friends or family, where you've only visited one city for a few days, and where the exchange rate will drop your savings by about 60% instantly. The US is a large and diverse place - if you honestly can't find an acceptable place here (good job, good location, affordable, or whatever else you're looking for), then I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for in a much smaller country that you don't have much experience with.
I love London; its one of the world's best cities in my opinion, and if I could afford the lifestyle I have here, in London I would probably live there.
I lived in north London for 7 months but I'm not a city person. I prefer to visit London. However, if I had excess cash I didn't know what to do with I wouldn't mind a flat in the centre of London for ease of visiting without having to pack.
I don't care. Americans have no reason to even consider moving.
They have this silly envision of us living in small cottages all fairytale.
I moved from American surburban sprawl to a West End Glasgow tenement flat, and I was over the moon with happiness. (In time, my work took me to France, but that is another story. It's brilliant here to.)
I hated living in the US, and having left, there isn't one thing about my old homeland that I miss.
You're a high school kid. When you're out of school, self-supporting, and you have some life under your belt, see how you feel then.
I moved from American surburban sprawl to a West End Glasgow tenement flat, and I was over the moon with happiness. (In time, my work took me to France, but that is another story. It's brilliant here to.)
I hated living in the US, and having left, there isn't one thing about my old homeland that I miss.
You're a high school kid. When you're out of school, self-supporting, and you have some life under your belt, see how you feel then.
I'm curious, where do you enjoy living more, France or the UK?
I lived in north London for 7 months but I'm not a city person. I prefer to visit London. However, if I had excess cash I didn't know what to do with I wouldn't mind a flat in the centre of London for ease of visiting without having to pack.
I lived in Crouch End for a little over a year before I got tired of the crowds, the hassle and the cost of living. I would live there again but I would need a LOT of money to afford an acceptable lifestyle (so its highly unlikely!). Windsor was my favorite place that I have lived but that is an expensive part of the country too.
I lived in Crouch End for a little over a year before I got tired of the crowds, the hassle and the cost of living. I would live there again but I would need a LOT of money to afford an acceptable lifestyle (so its highly unlikely!). Windsor was my favorite place that I have lived but that is an expensive part of the country too.
I've got a friend in london. He lives in Putney and has a big place in Glaucestershire. He can afford a nice place, and it is nice. But it's SO small. I know what it's worth and it's just schocking . I suggest the OP look outside of London
Last edited by JennyMominRI; 08-14-2014 at 03:52 PM..
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