Cost of life in Indonesia?

[LONDON] Realistic cost of life for a couple?

• Hi there, I might move to London to catch a professional opportunity and am currently evaluating the cost of life to live there. My possible future employer is located in zone2 (Hammersmith) Knowing that my lifestyle looks as follows... ================================ - young couple (~26 y.), no children - willing to rent a furnished flat of 45-55 square meters (1 bedroom) in a cool/calm neighborhood - not using any car // not willing to spend more than 1 hour to go to work in the morning (mass transportation) - 1 or 2 activities per week-end (restaurant, cinema, museums, etc) - cooking and eating healthy food (fruit, vegetables, juices, cheese, fish from time to time, etc) // we do not buy any junk (expensive) frozen food - not smoking or drinking To cut the long story short, we have a peaceful reasonable lifestyle, doing some activities, not making sacrifices. ====================== ...I have the following questions, to help me define a realistic cost of life in London for 2 people: 1- What would be the approximate cost to rent a flat? I assumed 1000 pounds per month, council tax included. 2- What would be the cost of the monthly charges (water, gas, electricity)? I assumed 70 pounds. 3- What would be the cost of food? I assumed 400 pounds. 4- What would be the cost of public transports? I assumed 175 pounds. 5- What would be the cost of internet/phone/tv? I assumed 60 pounds. 6- What would be the cost of weekend activities? I assumed 350 pounds. 7- Any other important costs I might have forgotten, something specific I might not even know? ======================= I admit some of my assumptions might be totally wrong, hence my questions :-) Thanks a lot for your patience! Hope to get some answers today, as I will have my job interview tomorrow :-) Cheers.

• Answer:

  Hi! Will try to help. Utilities depend on if of you give in metre readings, how much you use, how much your willing to do, to try and save money. I give in weekly gas readings, close doors in winter etc. (My gas in only £10 per month for 3 people in a two bed flat without double glazing but I have spent the last 3 years getting that down from £25 per month, as they estimate what you *might* use based on average number of people. My elec is £20 per month on a key metre and my water is £15 per month) Anwyay here's my answers: 1- What would be the approximate cost to rent a flat? I assumed 1000 pounds per month, council tax included. (depends on area, my sister rents in Hackney, not traditionally a nice area and pays above £1200 plus council tax! It will depend on area. bear in mind that so called nice areas can very often also have rough parts just round the corner. I used to live in Clapham where houses to buy are on average £500,000 plus and there is a rough estate round the corner from the main station! I pay £736.66 for a two bed flat in East London, that's 3 years without a rent rise, now a 1 bed flat is nearing £800 - £900 and we not exactly in a cool calm area, that's without the extra £120 council tax which went down to £109 after the first year as we had moved in mid council tax year) 2- What would be the cost of the monthly charges (water, gas, electricity)? I assumed 70 pounds. (TV licence will be £12per month, Gas depending on useage could be between £10-£30 per month - elec depending on useage could be between £20-£40 per month, water could be £15-£30. Total could be between 70 and 90 plus if your not worried about money using alot! 3- What would be the cost of food? I assumed 400 pounds. (Yes if you want to buy all organic etc. for myself and my partner we only get through about £250 and that's with fruit and veg, but we have a market place that's cheap etc so yes you'll be fine there. 4- What would be the cost of public transports? I assumed 175 pounds. (for one person a monthly zone 1-3 is abuut £109.50! So depending on where and which zones your traveling to and from, it could be £200 plus per month for the two of you!) 5- What would be the cost of internet/phone/tv? I assumed 60 pounds. (does this inculde mobile phones? I pay £40 per month for two mobiles on contract and £7.50 for internet (reduction as through the mobile phone company) plus £11.75 for BT line rental, plus any landline calls we make - total £60 - £70) 6- What would be the cost of weekend activities? I assumed 350 pounds. (Depends on what activities etc but that's plenty for the average couple, myself and partner used to go out every weekend to the cinema and a meal afterwards and that was £50. Extra for any nights out with friends etc. so you should be fine on that) 7- Any other important costs I might have forgotten, something specific I might not even know? 8: I would say if your renting then get contents insurance! You never know! Mine is currently £22 per month which includes full accidental damage, etc. We had a flood this winter from overflowing roof gutters the landlord hadn't cleaned during winter! Needless to say I'm glad we were covered! 9: You will need a clothing allowance for both of you! can't say how much as that depends on where you work, type of job, how much your willing to spend etc. Sorry for long answer but hope that helps! Can't think of anything else really....