Can I live on this amount of money?

pkennedy1990
Junior Member



Joined: 27 May 2004
Posts: 23
Location: London

Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2004 7:39 am

 

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That's a pretty decent salary, since when we Canadians automatically convert everything in our heads, it works out to a lot of money in Canadian. London is way more expensive than even Vancouver, though, so just the cost of getting around in London will eat that up. For comparison, I am told that "unqualified" teachers' salaries start at around £15,000. And that's if I can even GET it, with the anti-America prejudice being extended towards Canadians these days. Or maybe it's always been that way and my uncle just forgot to fill me in on that little detail before he died (over here). I mean, I know they hate Americans, but I didn't realise that even England thinks Canada is "America" just like the Americans themselves do! I guess I really get that more than some Canadians would, because being First Nations makes me an "American" Red Indian to these people, which then translate to "American" (because as we know, the tribes do tend to be the same tribes if you're from near the border) and thus the shitty treatment that I've been getting. I mean, when I was in the States and would say I was Micmac, they immediately treated me like a foreigner, which technically I was. Here, it's "that's an American." I guess I can't win for losing, not outside of Nova Scotia. I came here for a Math teaching job and got called unqualified because I showed up Red Indian. Which kept happening in the United States, that's why I chose London over New York for Math teacher shortage cities. I interviewed over the phone from back there, and was told that I was qualified equivalent to the A-level, then got here and showed up the wrong colour just like in the United States.
So I'll be LUCKY to get even £15,000 if I find anything AT ALL.

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Brenda
Super Member



Joined: 21 Feb 2004
Posts: 178
Location: Stirling

Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2004 5:05 am

 

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You should definitely be able to get more than £15000. When I worked in England in Aug 2001, my salary was 17001 and I was considered unqualified not because of my colour, but because I had not done my training here.

Find yourself a teaching agency and they will get you a job. My school paid the agency £2500 to have me placed with them. It's worth looking into.

-Brenda

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Saskman
New Member



Joined: 07 Jun 2004
Posts: 5

Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2004 9:26 am

 

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You should do all right but to quantify it for you, here's some extra info. Your salary should work out to about 1700/month after taxes etc (http://www.i-resign.com/uk/financialcentre/tax_calculator.asp). Expect rent between 400-500 for a nice double room, 300-400 for something slightly less than nice. I can get by quite easy on £100 in food and I eat a fair amount. Pints are between 2.50 and 3.25, if you stay out of the real trendy places. Haven't had to rely on the tube too much so I can't estimate that one. The math is up to you after that.

Best advice - Visit the Maple Leaf Pub in Covent Garden asap.

Cheers

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slwebb
Junior Member



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 10:48 am

 

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mercyme,

Is that salary including London Weighting? London weighting is an extra amont on top of your basic salary given to people working in London to compansate for the extra cost of living in London. Since you would be working for the local authority in a London bourgh, you should be getting this. You should ask if the offer is inculding it or if you'd be receiving it on top of the offer price.

My hubby aslo suggest looking at Lewisham council, as they are have a big push for social workers in that area.

www.lewisham.gov.uk

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your move over. We live in Lewisham which isn't very far from Greenwich.
_________________
Shelley

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oohmercyme
Moderator



Joined: 21 Mar 2004
Posts: 312
Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 2:13 pm

 

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Best advice - Visit the Maple Leaf Pub in Covent Garden asap.

It looks like I will be arriving in London a few days before Thanksgiving and I thought the Maple Leaf Pub will have to be my destination that day! Can't spend my first holiday alone!


Is that salary including London Weighting?

Yup- it includes the London weighting, plus there is an annual bonus of L1885. WOWZA!

Thanks for the advice on Lewisham. I have checked out all the councils and was most interested in working for a 3 star council, there are only 3 or 4, Bexley being one.

I'd appreciate any help in moving! My biggest concern at the moment is finding a guesthouse to stay at for a few weeks until I find a flat/share. Any ideas on something in Bexleyhealth-ish?
_________________
Lori

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slwebb
Junior Member



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
Posts: 14
Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:44 am

 

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OK, I'm not as familar with that area... but will ask around.
_________________
Shelley

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wanderlust
Junior Member



Joined: 07 Sep 2004
Posts: 21

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:51 pm

 

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hmmm. i'm hoping for at least 25,000/yr. please tell me that i can save a decent amount of money with this salary? i'm not willing to live like a nun though. but i will live in relative squalor (but within london). and plan to do a bit of travelling too.

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kirsten78_uk
Junior Member



Joined: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 12
Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:07 am

 

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I live in Oxford which isn't quite as expensive for some things as it is in London, but pretty darn close. I've got a car and live in a nice shared house and make a little over £18,000. London IS the most expensive place to live in England (in the UK I suspect!) but I think you should do fine on £25,000 if you really wise with you £££'s. If you're anything like me though, it's way too easy to start with good intentions and go off the rails quite quickly ........ especially once you start travelling! I'm heading down to London this weekend actually to stay with a friend, and we're thinking of many ways to make the most of our visit without spending TOO much money. Not very easy in London! The temptations are plenty!

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