Day to Day Cost

There are a number of financial considerations that needs to be thought about when you move to the UK. While prices typically are higher in the London area, living in the UK are generally more expensive than living in most other European countries.

You can use the information in this section to get an idea about the amount of money you should but aside for living costs.

Council Tax

This is an annual tax payable to the local council and based on the value of the property.

Council tax can be paid by monthly instalments or in one sum. The local council will review their costs in April each year and adjust the council tax accordingly.

The council tax will typically be from £50 to £200 per month.

Private Health Insurance

The price of this will vary depending on the amount of cover required, and past medical history.

Approximately cost for 2 adults and 2 children would be around £1,000 p.a.

Telephone - BT

(British Telecom) standard line rental is £10.50 per month with call charges additional. Expect free evening and weekend calls. Reconnection may be free.

The phone system in Britain is dominated by British Telecom (BT). Virtually all households have phones on the BT system. New residential telephone customers, particularly those who live in rental property may need to pay a deposit to BT to establish telephone service.

BT generally contacts a credit reference agency in order to set up a new account, and a customer who is new to the UK or who has not lived here in a while may be charged a deposit. Alternatively you may ask BT to set up a maximum bill limit which will alleviate the need for a deposit.

BT generally bills every three months in arrears, however, you can ask for and receive a monthly bill. With a monthly bill, you can reach your bill limit and pay it every month, rather than trying to stay within your billing limit for three months.

BT will not necessarily inform you of your bill limit, so it is important to call them and ask. If you exceed your billing limit, your phone service will be limited to incoming calls outside emergency calls only.

Your number will not appear in the directory but can be given out by directory enquiries. Please inform BT if you wish your telephone number to appear in the telephone book or if you wish to be ex-directory. There are various discounts available - it is worth speaking with BT about the services you require.

Mobile Phones

There are numerous mobile phone companies which offer varying styles and tariffs. If you’re going for a contract deal, ensure you focus on those allowing you to simply pick the right tariff, without being distracted by cash back discounts.

To help you find the right deal, you can use mobile comparison services. They don’t all search the same deals, so always use at least two. My top picks are: Onecompare for ease and power. Its range of options is powerful and flexible, and it follows an easy logic. It also allows you to specify the handset you want. You can either use its Pay-as-you-go comparison or its contract comparison in which case ensure you click the option to “see tariff only costs without any additional discounts”.

Mobile Phone Checker for simplicity and range. MobilePhoneChecker is a simple site, all on one page, built by a user of this site; in it you can quickly scan lots of options; and it has the widest coverage of all.

The best of the rest

Moneysupermarket offers a good search, with very strong options for handset searches; but falls down as it has less retailers represented than the others. Other mobile comparison sites include, uSwitch and Niftylist.

Internet

These days internet often comes bundled together with phone and TV. This means, that you depending on your requirements will be able to find packages from as little as £1 per month and upwards.

The typical cost for a TV, phone, and internet bundle with from Tiscali, Sky, or Virgin would be £15-25 per month (excluding the installation cost and the £10.50 BT line rental that typically is needed.)

• Tiscali
• Virgin
• Sky
• BT Vision

Television

Colour TV licence £121.00 p.a. (There is a very large fine for not having a current TV licence )

Rental of TV - approximate costs for 32" set £15 per month 28" set £10 per month. Cost of a new Television - Prices start at £100 and go up to £1,500 for digital TVs

Going Out

Going out in the UK will be expensive compared to many other countries. This, however, does not stop the English from going out more than most of the other North and West European countries.

Restaurants

• Pizza Hut 2 adults 2 children £40.00
• Indian Meal for 2 (with wine) £46.00
• French Restaurant for 2 £70+

These prices are approximate; there are cheaper restaurants and more expensive ones around.

Drinks from a Pub

• Glass of Wine - £4.50
• Pint of Beer - £3.20
• Bottle of Wine - £9.00+

These prices are approximate; there are cheaper pubs and bars and more expensive ones around.

Family Outings for Family of 4

• Legoland £34 Adults £28 Child age 3-15
• London Planetarium / Madame Tussaud’s Adults £22 Children over 5 years £15
• Science Museum Imax cinema Adults £10.50 Children £9.00

• Theatre : (depending on where you sit) approx. £10-55 per person
• Cinema : Adults around £5.50 - Children around £3.50

(Central London prices is £15 per adult and £7 for children)

Personal Appearance

Looking and acting 'the part' is always important in the UK. Make sure you set aside money for personal grooming, clothes, and shoes.

The UK shopping streets and centres are full of shops with prices range from the super cheap to expensive and world famous brands.

Hairdressers

• Cut and Blow Dry £35+
• Children’s Cut £13+

Dry Cleaning

• Suit £8.85
• Trousers £5.20
• Dress £5.10

Shoes

• Adult £40+
• Child £25+
• Adult Trainers (good ones) £65
• Children's Trainers (good ones) £25