Cost of Living - Central London vs. Reading

[Jss1ss]

I'm currently working in the Netherlands but will be moving to Reading for a short-term assignment. I think my contract does not properly reflect the difference in cost of living. However, I can only find comparisons between Amsterdam and London.

Can any of you help me determine the difference in cost of living between Reading vs. Amsterdam or Reading vs. London?

[kaz101]

Hi Jss1ss,

If you are looking to rent then you can check the differences in a property website such as Property to rent & property for rent in the UK.

It's harder to find details for Reading but Central London will be a lot more expensive. So if they are giving you enough to live in London then you'll be okay for Reading

Reading is so much smaller than London that you won't find much on the cost of living there on the internet (but I don't mind being proved wrong). I hope that someone on here can give you personal info from the area.

Regards,
Karen

[MichelleAlison]

Although Reading is a lot smaller than London, it is situated in the Royal County of Berkshire, not far from London and very near Windsor, which means that the prices are generally the same. Have a look at this link for properties for rent in Reading - make sure you are sitting down.

UK Estate agents with homes, houses & property for sale on rightmove.co.uk.

Regards

Michelle

[Loki117]

Hi Jss1ss,

I actually stay in Reading at the moment and work in London (Liverpool st) Ok Reading house prices are much better for the money in terms of space I have a real top of the range flat 2 bedrooms large patio communal hottub and some other gubbins for £1000 per month. Now in London I had a one bedroom place with no room to get round the bed for £1200 granted that was in spitalfields so a costly area but London is much the same all over. A monthly peak rail card to London is £352 and it takes 25 minutes from Reading to London Paddington. The rail card also provides all zones on the London tube and is unlimited travel. The trains in the mornings and evenings are VERY busy dont expect a seat.

There are a good few pubs in Reading a great shopping centre (The oracle) and some lovely green villages near by.

Let me know if you need anymore info.

[MichelleAlison]

Does your rent include council tax? If not, how much do you pay a month?

Michelle

Originally Posted by Loki117

Hi Jss1ss,

I actually stay in Reading at the moment and work in London (Liverpool st) Ok Reading house prices are much better for the money in terms of space I have a real top of the range flat 2 bedrooms large patio communal hottub and some other gubbins for £1000 per month. Now in London I had a one bedroom place with no room to get round the bed for £1200 granted that was in spitalfields so a costly area but London is much the same all over. A monthly peak rail card to London is £352 and it takes 25 minutes from Reading to London Paddington. The rail card also provides all zones on the London tube and is unlimited travel. The trains in the mornings and evenings are VERY busy dont expect a seat.shopping centre (The oracle) and some lovely green villages near by.

[Loki117]

No that doesn't include council tax none of my rents do. My current council tax is 146 per month. I think my case is a bit of an extreme one though you could get a high end 1 bedroom maybe even a 2 for about 850 check out an estate agent named Haslams they have a broad spec of apartment.

[MichelleAlison]

Originally Posted by Loki117

No that doesn't include council tax none of my rents do. My current council tax is 146 per month. I think my case is a bit of an extreme one though you could get a high end 1 bedroom maybe even a 2 for about 850 check out an estate agent named Haslams they have a broad spec of apartment.

Commuting to and from London (without a seat) and council tax already sets you back 6000 pounds a year and these two costs are unavoidable. What a waste of money. No wonder more and more people want to leave.

Michelle

[ronsolostar]

moving to england,forget it, if u r scint , no job & like yob culture GO

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by ronsolostar

moving to england,forget it, if u r scint , no job & like yob culture GO

Hi Ronsolostar,

It really depends on where you are moving to in England since not everywhere is expensive, and not everywhere has yob culture.

That's great coming from me who left in July 2007, but it's also true

Regards,
Karen

[kaz101]

Originally Posted by iastaff

Hi Guys, just wanted to say a quick hi to all and ask what a yob culture is. Never heard that particular expression before. Sorry if I sound like a fool, but just curious. Thank you.

See this report from the BBC - BBC News | UK | Life of Crime | Yob culture: Calling time on the lads?

Regards,
Karen