Hi and welcome to the forum.
First of all, feel free to "interrupt" any time you like. That's sort of what we're here for.
To a large extent you're right - the cost of living in the UK depends on the area, just as it does in the US. Some parts of the country are more expensive than others. A couple of things to remember, though - VAT (which is roughly akin to sales tax in the US) is 17.5% (I think) on most things other than food and medicines (I think - I'm in France, but I think most European countries have lower rates for those two items). That makes for an automatic rise in prices of at least 10 - 12% if you're coming from a US state with sales tax.
As for the petrol - prices in the UK are about the worst in Europe (higher certainly than here in France). Public transit is not available everywhere, and is not usable in many areas for much more than commuting in and out of the nearest major city (i.e. London). A car is pretty much a necessity these days in many areas. And I just saw a statistic that said that the London Tube is the most expensive city subway system in Europe (at something like £4 for a single ride) - something to do with the lack of government subsidy.
There's also the difference in what you spend your money on. Health insurance is one big difference - at least if you're on the NHS. And even private insurance costs far less than in the US.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyLily43
Now if I might be allowed to ask my questions:
1) How are utilities handled over there? Do you have companies you call when moving to whatever city to set up any necessary services?
2) What about TV and Internet services; are there companies for that? Also I once read in some "obscure" web site that there are extra fees to pay for the TV's; that owning a TV itself can be complicated...is that true? And what is the general pricing for things like I've mentioned?
3) Also how much does it cost for gas heating and cooking?
4)*Final question I swear* How do I get cell phone service in GB?
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OK:
1. Basically, yes, but if you're renting, the rental agency may take care of simply transferring the utilities to the name of the new renter. (That's how they handled it when I moved in.) Even the telephone just transferred - I carried on using the same phone number that had been in the house before. Depends a bit on how the landlord wants to handle things.
2. There is a television tax in the UK - something over £100 a year for any television in the house. (This is common throughout Europe and goes to pay for the "national" channels - the BBC in the UK.) Where cable isn't available, there is satellite tv, which uses a dish and a receiver/decoder that you pay for by the month. Sky is the major satellite provider for the UK. Not sure what the current monthly fee is, but it's similar to cable (in the US) - or was last time I checked.
3. Can't help you there. Gas isn't as available in much of Europe as it is in the US, and where it is (at least for cooking), it is often bottle gas (well, gas stored in a big tank underground). But many homes in the UK have a gas "fire" for heat in the living room. (I never did figure out how to turn the darned thing on!
) The house I rented had "central heat" which consisted of water heated by a small gas-powered heater that was then pumped through the radiators. I'm fairly sure it was the same heater that also heated the water for use in the shower. Sounds feeble, but heck, it worked!
4. Oh, there are many mobile phone companies in the UK. Chances are, they'll find you! There are starting to be some companies that will offer you Internet, phone and television, all over the Internet - through a single provider. It sounds great - but if your Internet service goes down (as it occasionally does), you're stuck with no fixed phone and no tv as well as no Internet surfing. With separate services, you at least have some backup.
Cheers,
Bev