General Chat

Hi Carol in NY, I envy you! I LOVE New York! Yes, the health care's expensive, and the taxes, but my council tax here is outrageous and I am paying that to live in a town I don't even like anymore! To be honest, I didn't find NY expensive at all--eating out and clothes were much cheaper than here (though I do live in a very expensive area!) I wish I was sitting on my favourite perch at Pier 17 right now, sipping coffee and watching the lights come on on Brooklyn Bridge.... Maybe some mystery benefactor will leave me their Manhattan apartment and a few quid so i could quit work and enjoy it!

no use looking to australia you'll never be able to afford a house here unless you have quater of a million dollars you have free health in england, were we are told to go in one, and then having to pay extra and plus you have every thing at your door step we can't even visit another state cause it cost to much to travel, stay were you are or change places with me chris

Theresa, Ah! But you live in Cork, OK you could get maybe half or an acre for your money, I live in Bray and have a backyard and a small side area,like everyone living around the Dublin City and County areas, you pay the price for convenience living outside in rural areas there is no decent transport so you need a Car, I lived near Middleton for a year, no footpaths no street lights walking on a major road (at the time the main road into Cork), the only shop was attached to a petrol station??? there was the Train but No buses, (Cobh the same because they have a train there is no buses), I don't understand how your Car insurance is cheaper than UK, my husband had a company car for 3 years when he left that job (& Cork) he had to buy his own car and was hammered for Insurance, they would not consider the fact he never had an accident, he pays almost 1,400 euros a year, then there is Road tax, toll road and bridge tolls and outrageous parking charges etc., A plus I did have my babies for nothing LOL & childrens allowance when I first got it was £15.00 a month my eldest is 17years old this year, thats how quick that has changed (it had to, it was a joke), yes now it is respectable money. I cannot understand how the income tax can be less here, my husband only works in an office and pays 42% they recently increased the allowance for me being a "Home maker", but its still a lot. Theresa I am very pleased you are happy in Cork (wish I had been, as I like the City, but hated being only 6 1/2 miles out of it) Rural life does not suit me at all. Maternity Care here is pretty good here, I think that has been one of my best experiences. By the way which part of Cork are you In? APOLOGISES to all in England and other places for another long thread, but I wanted to to say all that. Theresa on a personal note I wish you all the very best with your new arrival, take good care of yourself. Love Pat x

There are folks in South Africa wish they could afford to move back to Britain, where they feel it is so much safer. Val

I lived in Italy for 4 months and loved every minute of it!! I didn't work, just chilled and got with the culture!! Wish I had the money to do it again now.... maybe one day!! ;o)

Carol, What you say is so true. Plus, if you live in the US, chances are you'll be paying a fortune to heat your house in the winter and need to use air conditioning in the summer because the climate isn't as temperate. You only get 2-3 weeks holiday per year and 2 weeks redundancy if you lose your job. Crista

Tracy I live in Norfolk and would love to go back home to East Sussex. So dont move up here your regret it.

Often to get away from the C.S.A and a bitter and twisted ex-wife but I would miss my family too much.

Sally, If you move to New York, make sure you are covered on your health insurance. My husband currently pays $1,000 a month for ours! Also, I hope you don,t like to eat out too often. New York is very expensive. Plus, don,t forget that we also pay 2 taxes, state & federal, also property taxes that don,t include garbage pick-up, street lights. Oh and don,t forget our prescriptions are also very expensive. Believe me folks, England is not such a bad place to live.

I'd move to New York tomorrow if I didn't have family responsibilities!

Mother-in-law has just bought a place in Albier, Spain, and she is 67. She says it is cheaper to live there, just hope it works out for her..

Sometimes the old saying "The other man's grass is greener" can be very true. I don't know where the statistics and living in England is so dear? In Ireland p.a.y.e. is far higher especially if you start earning a decent wage there is only two scales minimum wage and just about 26% then 42% for those on a decent wage, these are not Company Directors There isnt a National Health scheme, you pay whats known as PRSI which entitles you to very little, I don't work outside the home I have three children, I pay out 80 euros a month for my medicine (I am asthmatic, so is my eldest son) for the privalege of paying so much I have to be registered with the one Pharmacy and have a card to ensure I pay this amount and no more???. When some cousins came over they nearly fainted when they saw the house prices here, I would say its got be the highest in Europe now. We have to pay for School books, uniform and whats known as Voluntary Contribution (this year its 150 euros each child), no free transport to and from school for us we pay child bus fares. If you are an Artist (Writer, Singer, Musician etc.,) you do not have to pay tax, these very wealthy people are tax exiles thats why they live here the rock group U2, singer, songwriter Enya, singer, Songwriter Chris De Burgh, the film director Neil Jordan, and loads more would probably be living in the USA or somewhere else rather than stay here, they are much better off staying here than anywhere else in Europe. If I could afford to move back to England I would do it tomorrow. Well that's my gripe for today. Pat x

yes me!! far far away!!! lol its my dream to live in australia- maybe not permantley, but at some point in my life i would love to -x-

i for one have a right to moan fred and you also as i feel that your a voter.people think that by not voting they cannot get a better life and the future interms of money looks grim.all i would say is don't vote the libs as there tax policy is even worse than labour.so it's a choice between concervatives or the monster raving loony party!!!xxxx(:

It,s a hell of a shame ,we have one of the most expensive countries to live in in the world.you can get a lovely house in canada ,the states ,or most places in europe for half of what you pay here ,and most of the living costs are cheaper too,only trouble is ,by the time most of us suss this out ,it,s too late to do it,sods law.Fred.ptfg.

that's true jean.just athought.......XXXXXX(:

because the tax and cost of living are far to high.i would if i had finance to back it up as some european countrys are alot cheaper to live.xxxx(: