armsid Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Just seen in D Mail the cost of living in France car insurance almost half ours council tax a quarter of ours Adding up a typical spend here France was over half cheaper than oursWhy are costs here so high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 2 minutes ago, armsid said: Just seen in D Mail the cost of living in France car insurance almost half ours council tax a quarter of ours Adding up a typical spend here France was over half cheaper than oursWhy are costs here so high? problem being is to glean the benefit from these savings you're "LIVING IN FRANCE"😉👎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 I think the people make themselves heard [unlike us that bend over and take it] was just reading about farmers demonstrating outside Paris, they had blocked the road with a straw stack, then settled in with toilets a free bar and food, they are not going until their demands are met Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoli 12 guage Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 31 minutes ago, islandgun said: I think the people make themselves heard [unlike us that bend over and take it] was just reading about farmers demonstrating outside Paris, they had blocked the road with a straw stack, then settled in with toilets a free bar and food, they are not going until their demands are met the thing with the French is that they don't seem to be as fervent when they get invaded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve1066 Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 3 minutes ago, Zoli 12 guage said: the thing with the French is that they don't seem to be as fervent when they get invaded! Because they know good old Blighty will be along shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokingdragon Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 (edited) They also have higher rates of tax both income and their version of coucil tax and NI https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/cb1b0925-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/cb1b0925-en Edited February 18 by smokingdragon reference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 Brother in law has lived in France for 18 years and on face it seems idyllic but…..he just makes ends meet as a pensioner and is poor as a church mouse. We visited last year and beautiful as it is I wouldn’t go there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 I've a friend lives there and it's OK if your healthy, their free health care only covers so much, you get a bill for the rest that needs to be paid by you or your insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 East Europe is becoming popular for reason Croatia Alabania Romania Bulgaria Hungary Moldova Montenegro etc Good as long as you got savings to pay for private health care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 10 minutes ago, Fargo said: East Europe is becoming popular for reason Croatia Alabania Romania Bulgaria Hungary Moldova Montenegro etc Good as long as you got savings to pay for private health care Certainly Brexit kicked us in the scrotum for this one. Croatia is expensive but some good buys in Bulgaria, Hungary (you have to question if it's safe from an investment point of view). Montenegro has already sold out to the Russians so I would not bother with that although it's a stunning country. Most from third countries (UK) cannot live in any of these places without buying in. (Bulgaria 0.5m euro, Montenegro .25 to .49m euro, language tests? Some would be good off season winter rental options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 46 minutes ago, Fargo said: East Europe is becoming popular for reason Croatia Alabania Romania Bulgaria Hungary Moldova Montenegro etc Good as long as you got savings to pay for private health care Or if you are well connected with the Mafia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 25 minutes ago, oowee said: Certainly Brexit kicked us in the scrotum for this one. Croatia is expensive but some good buys in Bulgaria, Hungary (you have to question if it's safe from an investment point of view). Montenegro has already sold out to the Russians so I would not bother with that although it's a stunning country. Most from third countries (UK) cannot live in any of these places without buying in. (Bulgaria 0.5m euro, Montenegro .25 to .49m euro, language tests? Some would be good off season winter rental options. Still some good buys to be had in Croatia . On Pag in 2012 I was offered a beach side house for 110,000€ - at the time beyond my means. A friend bought it, renovated it and rented it to rich Austrians each summer. Now just sold it to an English/ German couple for 650,000€ Just now, London Best said: Or if you are well connected with the Mafia! Mafia are everywhere in every country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 (edited) 4 hours ago, armsid said: Just seen in D Mail the cost of living in France car insurance almost half ours council tax a quarter of ours Adding up a typical spend here France was over half cheaper than oursWhy are costs here so high? Possibly due to our lot having given away control of everything. All excesses being funnelled away into their mates pouches? We have Jack **** left, well only the ****. Saw a programme the other day, a road in the wilds of Portugal, we have nothing of that quality here. A faultless road. Edited February 18 by old man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted February 18 Report Share Posted February 18 4 hours ago, armsid said: Just seen in D Mail the cost of living in France car insurance almost half ours council tax a quarter of ours Adding up a typical spend here France was over half cheaper than oursWhy are costs here so high? When I lived in Saint Ouen sur Seine (alas the 93me) I paid no Taxe d'Habitation or as we'd call it Council Tax. The same as in Puteaux in the 92me and the same as far as I recall in Westminster in London as the rates and taxes paid by commercial businesses were sufficient to cover the council's expenditure. Buses and Metro and RER were also cheaper that say the London Underground. A single Metro ticket being 2.50€ for bought from a machine. But during this year's Paris Olympics between July and September that cost will be 4€ from a machine but still the lower price for Paris and Francilien residents. However much of a French councils expenditure is now directly gifted to them by the French national government so typical Daily Mail the article may be true but isn't accurate in that the price is that French national government taxes inhabitants pay such as income tax are higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 As has been alluded to, cost of living is a complex calculation, and you'd do well to look beyond the headlines. If you're a pensioner, you don't care about income tax (probably...) but do care about medical costs. Famously, some doctors who moved from the UK to Australia for double their salary, but utterly failed to consider the cost of living can be more like 2.2 times the UK. Worrying that someone smart enough to put themselves through medical school is seemingly incapable of a bit of basic research, but there you go. Also remember the UK is seriously talking about abolishing non-dom Status, so it would appear you'll likely have to give up your citizenship too, unless you fancy paying tax twice on your income. Finally, there are plenty of specialist firms out there catering to these new 'digital nomads' who can set you up in another country; it used to be that these services were only available for high net worth individuals, but slowly this kind of expertise is trickling down to us mere mortals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Look carefully at the French tax system if you are seriously thinking of going there. There are a number of differences to UK - in having a 'wealth' tax, inheritance tax starting quite low and prescriptive rules on who gets the inheritance. I'm not up to speed with all the details, but a family I know were rather 'caught out' by the difference rules in France where you cannot 'will' things in the same way you can here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 26 minutes ago, udderlyoffroad said: Famously, some doctors who moved from the UK to Australia for double their salary, but utterly failed to consider the cost of living can be more like 2.2 times the UK. Worrying that someone smart enough to put themselves through medical school is seemingly incapable of a bit of basic research, but there you go. Interesting its gone up so significantly since July 23 when according to this article it was maybe 20% more expensive. https://www.shipit.co.uk/blog/cost-of-living-in-australia Or this one Is it more expensive to live in Australia or UK? The costs of living and prices in Australia are also among the highest and are higher than in the UK. Australia, however, offers a comparable education system to the UK, higher living standards, and higher salaries. Melbourne is reported to be 25% cheaper than the UK.24 Jul 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 13 minutes ago, oowee said: Interesting its gone up so significantly since July 23 when according to this article it was maybe 20% more expensive. https://www.shipit.co.uk/blog/cost-of-living-in-australia Or this one Is it more expensive to live in Australia or UK? The costs of living and prices in Australia are also among the highest and are higher than in the UK. Australia, however, offers a comparable education system to the UK, higher living standards, and higher salaries. Melbourne is reported to be 25% cheaper than the UK.24 Jul 2023 My wife’s sister lived out there and whilst some things are expensive when looking at like for like, 👍🏻 that things are significantly cheaper. You adjust your lifestyle / buying habits where possible so it’s hard to do a like for like comparison. Her husband works for a pest control company, she doesn’t work / does a bit of part time work. They own a 4 bedroom house with a swimming pool in a nice area, where the local parks and scenery are stunning, extremely well kept and managed. They have access to similar levels of services, good education, health, etc. Would they be able to live anywhere near that level of lifestyle in the UK? Raising 3 kids on 1 persons wage, buying a 4 bed house with a pool and living in a lovely area… definitely not! Costs have gone up over there no doubt, the same as anywhere else in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old man Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 49 minutes ago, oowee said: Interesting its gone up so significantly since July 23 when according to this article it was maybe 20% more expensive. https://www.shipit.co.uk/blog/cost-of-living-in-australia Or this one Is it more expensive to live in Australia or UK? The costs of living and prices in Australia are also among the highest and are higher than in the UK. Australia, however, offers a comparable education system to the UK, higher living standards, and higher salaries. Melbourne is reported to be 25% cheaper than the UK.24 Jul 2023 I know 2 who popped off. Bothwith with doctorates. Would they ever come back? Not a chance till he'll freezes over. Having fab times, Landcruisers and as much hunting as they can wish for for meat. Despite Aus humble beginnings, they think more crooked goings on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 2 hours ago, oowee said: Is it more expensive to live in Australia or UK? The costs of living and prices in Australia are also among the highest and are higher than in the UK. Australia, however, offers a comparable education system to the UK, higher living standards, and higher salaries. Melbourne is reported to be 25% cheaper than the UK.24 Jul 2023 I mean, I agree. But depends very much on your individual circumstances. If the kids are grown up, you probably don't care about the education system. 1 hour ago, Lloyd90 said: Would they be able to live anywhere near that level of lifestyle in the UK? Raising 3 kids on 1 persons wage, buying a 4 bed house with a pool and living in a lovely area… definitely not! Perhaps a good short hand for cost of living is population density. If the place you are looking to live, is crowded "full of filthy unwashed masses", such as London, then the cost of living will be high, as space to live will be at a considerable premium. Australia however, with effectively infinite space, will be less. Most Australians have never even seen a semi-detached house, far less had to live in one. It's also a question of what's more important to you; cost of living is by far not the only factor to consider. I grew up in Switzerland (the rural, farming part, not the high class ski resorts or finance areas). Whilst I could relocate there and have a nominally higher standard of living, better healthcare, and so on, I actively chose not to and remain in the UK. Why? The main reason I used to cite was basic freedoms, there didn't used to be some finger-wagging official telling you thou-shalt-not and whatever wasn't specifically banned was allowed (are you listening, oh inventors of non-existent stipulations on the GL?!). In the intervening nearly quarter of a century, the UK has definitely swung towards the authoritarian. Still not moving though. Yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 Quality of life is different to everyone as we all like / prioritise different things. For many, having disposable income left after paying everything and having time / enjoyable experiences is a good measure. It’s a bit easier to have enjoyable experiences abroad as you can go out in nature / the sea etc without paying ££. It’s not quite the same taking your kids sea swimming when it’s 2c outside in the UK. 🤣🤣 Bargain loving Brits in the sun is always a good watch I find it quite amusing. They’re not living lavish lives but are living in Benidorm and similar areas on a low budget but the quality of life they have often exceeds what they’d have if they’d stayed in the UK. Shopping significantly cheaper, booze, meals out, entertainment, weather is nicer so you can enjoy the outdoors (which is free). One lad commented its so cheap to eat out he never cooks 🤣 I bet many of them been deeply impacted by Brexit etc though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 (edited) I wish all of those who think it is better/cheaper /warmer/more convenient to live somewhere else would please go and do it. There are far too many living in this country and not enough shooting to go round. Please, all those moaning about living in the U.K., just GO! Edited February 19 by London Best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discobob Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 44 minutes ago, London Best said: I wish all of those who think it is better/cheaper /warmer/more convenient to live somewhere else would please go and do it. There are far too many living in this country and not enough shooting to go round. Please, all those moaning about living in the U.K., just GO! If that happened and you stayed you might find you have to change religion!! 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 11 minutes ago, discobob said: If that happened and you stayed you might find you have to change religion!! 🤣 If anybody mentions religion at my funeral I will come back and haunt them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted February 19 Report Share Posted February 19 2 hours ago, London Best said: I wish all of those who think it is better/cheaper /warmer/more convenient to live somewhere else would please go and do it. There are far too many living in this country and not enough shooting to go round. Please, all those moaning about living in the U.K., just GO! God forbid people point out the issues with a hope we could improve our country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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