Household costs questions - West of London

[mamacubed]

Hello, I've just joined the forum after browsing it for a couple of days. My family (me, husband, 3 kids - ages 12,10 and 8) is considering a move to the UK for my husband's job. He would be working in Reading so we would live somewhere around there within a 30-45 minute commute. I've been searching the web for housing costs and was shocked by the prices of house rentals. We are used to US standards (we are from Fountain Hills, AZ) as far as house size, etc. I think we might be living in something smaller than what we are used to. I would like to find something with 5 bedrooms that is not on a main road but close to commuting routes (either by car or train.) We were advised that Maidenhead, Windsor, Wokingham, and Henley would be suitable locations but I'd love to hear about other areas.
My questions have to do with the additional costs after we've found a house. I'm hoping that someone on the forum can add some insight.
Given that we find a house that meets our criteria, what can we expect as far as other costs (general estimates)?
Browsing the forum, I learned about Council tax; What does that include?
Is sewer, water, and trash pickup extra?
What might I expect for light, heat, phone, tv and internet charges?
What else is there that I need to think about?
Also, when I was browsing I was confused by the terms 'estate' and 'non-estate' property -- can someone enlighten me about this?

I appreciate your help,
Thanks! Mammacubed

[Bevdeforges]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I lived just outside Reading when I was in the UK "a few" years ago. Yes, you will have to get used to something considerably smaller in terms of size if you're coming from the land of McMansions.

I lived in the town of Earley, which is just on the east side of Reading, adjacent to the university campus there. Lovely area - and I had a four bedroom house to myself - there was an extra room on the ground floor, so it may even have been a 5-bedroom house. (Long story, but I wound up renting from a colleague who was transferred to Germany.) The house was small by US standards - main difference is the room sizes - but nicely appointed and in an area with many similar homes. Public transport into Reading was great (double decker bus), and there was a nice pub and shops within walking distance.

I'm not current with the utilities these days in the Reading area, but don't forget that there is a tv tax in the UK (something that always surprises newly arrived Americans). On top of that you then pay cable or satellite charges (I think satellite is probably more common than cable) - Sky is the main provider. But I'm sure there are Internet-tv-phone deals out there to be had, too.

A "housing estate" in the UK is what we'd call a "housing development" in the US. An "industrial estate" is an "industrial park."
Cheers,
Bev

[mamacubed]

Thanks for the quick reply and 'estate' clarification Bev, I'll take a look at Early.
-mamacubed

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by mamacubed

Hello, I've just joined the forum after browsing it for a couple of days. My family (me, husband, 3 kids - ages 12,10 and 8) is considering a move to the UK for my husband's job. He would be working in Reading so we would live somewhere around there within a 30-45 minute commute. I've been searching the web for housing costs and was shocked by the prices of house rentals. We are used to US standards (we are from Fountain Hills, AZ) as far as house size, etc. I think we might be living in something smaller than what we are used to. I would like to find something with 5 bedrooms that is not on a main road but close to commuting routes (either by car or train.) We were advised that Maidenhead, Windsor, Wokingham, and Henley would be suitable locations but I'd love to hear about other areas.
My questions have to do with the additional costs after we've found a house. I'm hoping that someone on the forum can add some insight.
Given that we find a house that meets our criteria, what can we expect as far as other costs (general estimates)?
Browsing the forum, I learned about Council tax; What does that include?
Is sewer, water, and trash pickup extra?
What might I expect for light, heat, phone, tv and internet charges?
What else is there that I need to think about?
Also, when I was browsing I was confused by the terms 'estate' and 'non-estate' property -- can someone enlighten me about this?

I appreciate your help,
Thanks! Mammacubed

Well council tax in my last house, 4 bed detached, was £1600 ($3040) a year (school, trash, police, fire brigade), water was £300 ($570) a year, Electric £40 ($76) a month, Gas £70 ($133) a month, Telephone ADSL about £42 ($79) a month, cant remember the TV licence, but it was about £100 ($190) a year, Full satellite package £50 ($95) a month ...

House contents insurance you will need
Road tax on a car, depending on what you buy



I believe though from talking to a mate in Birmingham a few moments ago that prices have all shot up since 2 years ago so expect higher than above, especially for electricity and gas

[MichelleAlison]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Well council tax in my last house, 4 bed detached, was £1600 ($3040) a year (school, trash, police, fire brigade), water was £300 ($570) a year, Electric £40 ($76) a month, Gas £70 ($133) a month, Telephone ADSL about £42 ($79) a month, cant remember the TV licence, but it was about £100 ($190) a year, Full satellite package £50 ($95) a month ...

House contents insurance you will need
Road tax on a car, depending on what you buy



I believe though from talking to a mate in Birmingham a few moments ago that prices have all shot up since 2 years ago so expect higher than above, especially for electricity and gas

Don't forget car insurance
Medical insurance?
Petrol $12 a gallon
Expensive transport system - there have been some figures posted on this forum recently.

A good website for properties is Rightmove - UK's number one property website for properties for sale and to rent

Regards

Michelle

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by MichelleAlison

Don't forget car insurance
Medical insurance?
Petrol $12 a gallon
Expensive transport system - there have been some figures posted on this forum recently.

How could I

But I did


Maybe the OP is beginning to figure why we all moved away

[mamacubed]

This is extremely helpful, thank you Stravinsky and Michelle!

[pippin]

Prices have risen unbeliebably recently!!

We live in Nottingham UK (not a very expensive place in the greater scheme of things).

Approximate Rents Nottingham suburbs 3 bedroomed semi (expect to pay £450-£600 per month)

Council tax for above £1150 per year (payable over 10 months by direct debit) - **please note this is the lowest council tax band payable most will be higher** This covers waste collection (once or twice a fortnight) Police and fire service.

TV license fee (no getting away for this even if you just play dvd's or games - if a signal is recieved you are liable and may pay £1000 fine or face imprisonment for non-payment of fine).

Water rates - for water utilities, sewerage etc (approx £38 per month) THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE DAMAGE TO EXTERNAL PIPES ON YOUR PROPERTY - additional insurance will be required for this (if you are renting make sure your landlord's teneancy agreement states that this is include

Electricy and Gas - we currently pay approx £30 for Electricity and £50 for Gas per month (discount may be available for signing up for both with the same provider but MAKE SURE you are getting a good deal before you sign up (in the uk sales people are still allowed to knock at your door and "bully" you into signing up)

Current Prices:

Petrol £1.20 per litre

Bread £1.47 for a loaf

Milk 80p approx per litre

Take away pizza £17.00 meal deal (pizza coca-cola and potato wedges)

Chinese take-away £17.00 (1 starter 2 main course 1 rice)

Cinema family ticket (2 ad + 2 chil) £22.00

Theme park ticket 1 day (2 ad 2 chil Alton Towers) £80 - sometimes vouchers are available in the national newspapers which allows a reduction.

Hope this helps with current costs!!

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOTTINGHAM UK (ONE OF THE MOST REASONABLE PLACES TO LIVE) LONDON AND SUBURBS WILL BE FAR FAR HIGHER.

If anybody needs any more info please feel free to contact us.

[jlms]

Originally Posted by mamacubed

Hello, I've just joined the forum after browsing it for a couple of days. My family (me, husband, 3 kids - ages 12,10 and 8) is considering a move to the UK for my husband's job. He would be working in Reading so we would live somewhere around there within a 30-45 minute commute. I've been searching the web for housing costs and was shocked by the prices of house rentals. We are used to US standards (we are from Fountain Hills, AZ) as far as house size, etc. I think we might be living in something smaller than what we are used to. I would like to find something with 5 bedrooms that is not on a main road but close to commuting routes (either by car or train.) We were advised that Maidenhead, Windsor, Wokingham, and Henley would be suitable locations but I'd love to hear about other areas.
My questions have to do with the additional costs after we've found a house. I'm hoping that someone on the forum can add some insight.
Given that we find a house that meets our criteria, what can we expect as far as other costs (general estimates)?
Browsing the forum, I learned about Council tax; What does that include?
Is sewer, water, and trash pickup extra?
What might I expect for light, heat, phone, tv and internet charges?
What else is there that I need to think about?
Also, when I was browsing I was confused by the terms 'estate' and 'non-estate' property -- can someone enlighten me about this?

I appreciate your help,
Thanks! Mammacubed

It is not only prices that will sock you, when you see the size of the properties you will be even more shocked. Honestly, I have seen reception "rooms" in middle-class US houses that are as big as full middle class's UK houses. So beware. If you really need 5 bedrooms you are up for a bigger shock, most family houses will have 3 or 4 bedrooms at most (children are expected to leave home at 17 or 18, so having to provide a room for each child is not the norm), 5 bedroom is for people wealthier than most, which you may be, that depends on your means. If you find something that is too good to be true it actually may be (perhaps in a not so good area or one that lacks amenities).

I would also suggest you look around the place of work of your husband, in the US it is common place to travel long distances to work, but in the UK this should now be avoided since both car and train travel are inefficient, expensive and stressful, living close to work is IMHO the way to go here.

For commuting times you can check http://www.thetrainline.co.uk, this will give you an idea about how difficult it is to commute by train for any given location. Don't pay attention to ticket prices, what one normally does is to buy an annual (or monthly or weekly) ticket that saves you between 20% and 30% of what you would pay if you bought the individual tickets.

The towns you mention are all great but are some of the most expensive in the South East of England (specially Henley and Windsor), which is to say, the UK. If you have the money all the power to you, but keep that in mind in case this is an issue.

Of the great advice you were given only Internet is a bit far off. You can get deals that include broadband Internet, phone plan, maybe phone line rental, and cable TV for £25 or less. If you avoid the premium channels (movies, sports) that should be plenty. I use only Freeview (digital free broadcast) and have plenty to watch and pay nothing for it.

[mamacubed]

Thanks for the info jlms. We're ok financially, but certainly not wealthy. I don't think the 'most expensive in the South East of England' is for us. The reason we are looking for a 5 bedroom, is that we have 3 kids and we are expecting to have a lot of visitors while we are there. If that isn't reasonable, well then, we'll just have to adjust. We're pretty flexible.

I have some another questions. When I look at rental listings (thanks for the web site Michelle) they say "c.p.m." I was thinking this meant something 'per month' -- what is the something, or am I totally off base?
Do people lease cars in the UK? Here it is common for people to lease a new car for 1 to 3 years rather than buying one. Is that something that is done there?
-mamacubed