Cost of living

[EmBeEmBe]

After living overseas for a number of years I am returning to the UK with my young family. I have no real idea of the cost of living in the UK these days, I left when it was just the two of us, on two good incomes. We are returning with two small children and only one income - to London. I know how much rent is, and council tax, and food shopping (to a certain extent). But what about the other things - electricity, water, phone/internet, gas etc. We will be living in a two bedroom property. Can anyone help breakdown some costs for me so I can start putting a budget together and work out how much we can afford to spend on rent. Thanks so much!

[annielostit]

We(2+1 teen)live in a bungalow in s.wales
Our bills are,
Electric/gas £110
Water £50 on a Meter, can go up and down, rates is approx £45.
TV/sky/broadband/phone £100 not including mobile.
House/life insurance £40
Our food bill can be up and down but like not to spend more than £350.
All these are monthly.
Hope this helps

[Fluffycloudland77]

London is very expensive though, I'd do a mock comparison on electric & gas comparison sites like confused or uswitch, plus the water board. I can imagine the water board down there will be very proactive at putting a metered supply in.

There's broadband comparison sites too.

They're the bare essentials but at least you shouldn't need a car.

Register with topcashback, you'll get £100s back setting up new accounts with everyone & buying insurance etc.

[RussianBlu]

I think my water (not on a meter) is around £38 a month. Home phone and broadband is something like £14 to £20 a month, sometimes less depending on usage of phone. Mobile is £3.50 a month. Electric I think is £30 something a month.

[FidelineandFumblin]

It's going to hugely vary according to age type and style of 2 bed 'property'. Insulation etc. Gas and elec prices are so high now - we pay c. £280 pcm dual fuel for a 3 bed victorian terrace - so differences between homes can make a big difference to bills.

Any idea which borough? Wandsworth is cheapest council tax....

[FidelineandFumblin]

Petrol is also a big expense now.

[higgledygoo]

We are in a 2 bed flat in London - 2 adults & 1 teen. Our monthly expenses are:

Electricity & Gas (combined DD) £60 (modern well insulated flat)
Landline/internet £35
Water £28 (no meter)
Mobiles £30 (all 3 of us)
Travel £105 (just DH's travelcard for work, we don't need a car)