I'm wondering if those of you across the pond feel like you're generally better or worse off financially than when you worked full time in the States.
I'm looking forward to the international experience, sure, but I am also seeing this as a step in the right direction pay wise. I'm in a rural poor district making under $35K US, so I think this will work in my favor. Can anyone address that? |
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| superkette...I have to say that I'm better off than back home.Been here 2 years now I'm on £26,ooo (c $47,000) and I'm living in cambridgeshire which is not that expensive - rent for me is £650 monthly for a nice 2 bed house and food is not that much different to back home. Hope that helps |
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Well, here are my two cents on the matter: First off, it depends what type of school and where in the UK you may be living. Everything here is almost double from US comparisons (food, rent, odds & ends). I realize when you are living here you can not think in terms of dollars, but if you're plan is to return to the States after a year or two, then part of you has to think in terms of dollars. Also, if you are planning on saving some of your monies to send to your account back to the US, then think about a couple of things. Namely, sending money back home can be quite expensive...a Worldpay payment will run you about 9 pounds which is ok, but your back may charge you $30-$50 to receive the money electronically. There are other options for sending money, but they are more expensive. If you do not plan on saving money to send back to the US, then you won't have to worry about that.
Coming here will definitely be a great experience for you because the educational system here is ALOT different than the US. Kids will be kids and you will encounter the same type of problems. However, curriculum, some customs and support are different from what we are use to in the States. Depending on how many years you have been teaching, you will be making around £25000. You may take about £1500-£1600 home with you after taxes and NI stuff. You also have the option of NOT participating in the retirement program which will pad your pay a little. I think the thing that hit me hardest was the move here...it is very expensive to get up and go if you know what I mean. Paying £600-£650 for an apartment may not be expensive here, however, if you have a mortagage or other big expenses back home, then the conversion ($1062) is a bit much. The exchange rate usually fluctuates between 1.69 - 1.76 for US dollars. |
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| I was wondering about whether flats come furnished, and if that is more expensive. Obviously i expect it would be, but how much does it cost to set up? Are we looking at buying everything to fill a flat when you get there? So, how much do people recommend you have in savings for set up fees when you get to England? |
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| Usually it doesn't cost anymore for a furnished flat compared to an unfurnished flat. Landlords furnish to make the flats let faster, so it means that you need to move quicker to get them! If you find an unufurnished flat you like but want to furnish it there is usually a deal to be done with the landlord(depending on how long you want the flat for) that they meet you somewhere on the costs. IKEA (sweedish flat pack furniture which is quite good quality and looks good) here do incredibly cheap furniture, so for £500 you can furnish a flat quite well. As for savings it depends on your lifestyle needs etc and also how quickly you can get paid when you arrive. If you get paid in the first month you really only need your rent deposit (1 month, say £600 if you have your own place, 300 if you share) 1 months rent upfront (same price) and enough spends to last 4 weeks (probably the same again). Hope that helps! |
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