Why does everyone say St Albans is vv expensive?

[May83]

I agree the price of houses and commute costs to London are expensive.

What else is v expensive? Why do people keep saying it’s vv expensive? Once you move there and accept the commute costs - what else do you need to consider in terms of costs/ expenses?

Are people saying daily groceries, services, classes for kids are way more expensive than other boroughs in London eg Kingston/ Sutton/ Greenwich

I think people are just talking about housing/commuting. Otherwise it's just normal. Actually I find childcare and children's activities are very slightly cheaper than London.

Just housing.

Groceries and everything else is normal.

Yes, just housing and commuting. Everything else is pretty standard. We're not on our own economic scale.

It’s the house and commute costs.
We ended up buying in north London on the tube as 2x commute was wayyyy more expensive ( it’s 4,040 per year just to get in KX) vs a 1-5 travel card

I guess it depends where you're comparing to?
Housing and commuting are expensive. (Not just the train into London but bus fares outside tfl are usually a lot more expensive)
I found car parking (for shopping) more expensive than other towns, when I went, although I can't compare to Sutton or Kingston as I have not been there. I would imagine childcare is more expensive than some cheaper-to-live areas but possibly less expensive than London.

Parking at the maltings is stupidly expensive

I didn't think about parking.

Tbf we live very centrally - which means we can only afford a small house, but can walk everywhere.

I suppose the lifestyle can be expensive, if you try to "keep up with the Joneses"? I know an awful of people who drive very expensive cars, holiday two or three times a year (or bought a second home to "escape" to when foreign travel between impossible) and wear designer clothes and follow a costly beauty regime (think gym membership, weekly bow drys, regular Botox, that kind of thing). But none of those things are mandatory. I certainly don't do them.

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

I didn't think about parking.

Tbf we live very centrally - which means we can only afford a small house, but can walk everywhere.

I suppose the lifestyle can be expensive, if you try to "keep up with the Joneses"? I know an awful of people who drive very expensive cars, holiday two or three times a year (or bought a second home to "escape" to when foreign travel between impossible) and wear designer clothes and follow a costly beauty regime (think gym membership, weekly bow drys, regular Botox, that kind of thing). But none of those things are mandatory. I certainly don't do them.

Aaah that’s so so incredibly helpful to know what the people are like - I’m definitely not into designer clothes, or expensive stuff just for a status symbol. I’m very practical…!

@Exhausteddog

I guess it depends where you're comparing to? Housing and commuting are expensive. (Not just the train into London but bus fares outside tfl are usually a lot more expensive) I found car parking (for shopping) more expensive than other towns, when I went, although I can't compare to Sutton or Kingston as I have not been there. I would imagine childcare is more expensive than some cheaper-to-live areas but possibly less expensive than London.

That’s’ what I’d imagined….. the cost of living must be relatively high living there as the majority of people are affluent, and are vying for the same resources…. Therefore driving up the fees for tuition, childcare, extracurricular classes etc….thanks for sharing