Moving to London but salaries??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way to do London is via an expat package where your salary is grandfathered and you additionally receive a cost of living adjustment. Moving there on a local package and being paid local labor market wages is a dumb move. UK pays about 2/3 of the wage for a similar role in USA, it’s just how it is there. Healthcare is free. But specialists are difficult to find and poorly trained. Train system is built out but strikes that shut down the metro are common. Housing is just as expensive and the homes are smaller. Cars cost the same. Nearly all cars are diesel and it’s expensive. You’ll never ski again unless you can afford trips to the alps. Groceries cost the same once you factor in foreign currency xchange. You will never have a good steak, Mexican food or hamburger again. If you’re serious about moving prepare yourself and do the research. Most US immigrants to London give up US Citizenship in their 5th year or so - meaning you give up your US passport and the protections of US Embassies

Fantastically ill-informed nonsense from a genuine idiot. Thanks for playing.

Oh Really? Which part because I actually lived there for 5 years and we knew many in the international community who experienced and or would agree with everything I wrote. Did I touch a nerve lol.😂 Perhaps you’re a Brit with bad teeth living in denial about the reality of living the UK in comparison to here.

DP
I agree with most of what you wrote. The part about giving up your passport is dead wrong though. I lived there 7 years and got a passport after 2, still have my American one. My kids have both.

I hope you don’t agree most cars are diesel though, esp they only accounted for 3% of new car registrations last year.

Also, most people look forward to trying new foods and cuisines when they move overseas. If eating hamburgers and Tex-Mex are a big issue then it’s probably better to stay in the US.

Oh the righteousness. As if London and Uk food isn’t the most boring, tasteless, unsalted, unseasoned - just plan gross -food in the world. There is a dearth of dining in the UK. But go. Enjoy your mushy peas.

Maybe you haven't been in 40 years? Food in London is fantastic. Better than DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way to do London is via an expat package where your salary is grandfathered and you additionally receive a cost of living adjustment. Moving there on a local package and being paid local labor market wages is a dumb move. UK pays about 2/3 of the wage for a similar role in USA, it’s just how it is there. Healthcare is free. But specialists are difficult to find and poorly trained. Train system is built out but strikes that shut down the metro are common. Housing is just as expensive and the homes are smaller. Cars cost the same. Nearly all cars are diesel and it’s expensive. You’ll never ski again unless you can afford trips to the alps. Groceries cost the same once you factor in foreign currency xchange. You will never have a good steak, Mexican food or hamburger again. If you’re serious about moving prepare yourself and do the research. Most US immigrants to London give up US Citizenship in their 5th year or so - meaning you give up your US passport and the protections of US Embassies

Fantastically ill-informed nonsense from a genuine idiot. Thanks for playing.

Oh Really? Which part because I actually lived there for 5 years and we knew many in the international community who experienced and or would agree with everything I wrote. Did I touch a nerve lol.😂 Perhaps you’re a Brit with bad teeth living in denial about the reality of living the UK in comparison to here.

DP
I agree with most of what you wrote. The part about giving up your passport is dead wrong though. I lived there 7 years and got a passport after 2, still have my American one. My kids have both.

I hope you don’t agree most cars are diesel though, esp they only accounted for 3% of new car registrations last year.

Also, most people look forward to trying new foods and cuisines when they move overseas. If eating hamburgers and Tex-Mex are a big issue then it’s probably better to stay in the US.

Oh the righteousness. As if London and Uk food isn’t the most boring, tasteless, unsalted, unseasoned - just plan gross -food in the world. There is a dearth of dining in the UK. But go. Enjoy your mushy peas.

The 1990s is calling. It would like its hot take back. I've been in London for the last three weeks visiting my adult child who lives here. We've had several fabulous meals featuring a wide variety of cuisines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does London, despite being a world city with top industries just like NYC has, offer way lower pay as the latter?

The top pay is lower. The middle and down is better when you add in the vacation time, work hours, live balance, etc.

[Anonymous]

Just as a data point, I know my opposite numbers in our London office make significantly less than most of our US offices, including those in "support" cities like Louisville that earn less than the other US offices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way to do London is via an expat package where your salary is grandfathered and you additionally receive a cost of living adjustment. Moving there on a local package and being paid local labor market wages is a dumb move. UK pays about 2/3 of the wage for a similar role in USA, it’s just how it is there. Healthcare is free. But specialists are difficult to find and poorly trained. Train system is built out but strikes that shut down the metro are common. Housing is just as expensive and the homes are smaller. Cars cost the same. Nearly all cars are diesel and it’s expensive. You’ll never ski again unless you can afford trips to the alps. Groceries cost the same once you factor in foreign currency xchange. You will never have a good steak, Mexican food or hamburger again. If you’re serious about moving prepare yourself and do the research. Most US immigrants to London give up US Citizenship in their 5th year or so - meaning you give up your US passport and the protections of US Embassies

Okay. Your last line shows that you are speaking absolute rubbish.

And Your comment shows you know nothing about US taxation while living in foreign countries. I know 3 families who did this very thing. Look it up mate educate yourself a little. Moron.

I have been an expat multiple times. Renouncing citizenship is very rare. And I am not sure how you get “most” when you're citing 3 out of 100,000 expat Americans in London.

Mate.

You are wrong. You’ve been an expat ‘multiple’ times. Which means you’ve always had the benefit of tax equalization. Am I right? Just because you don’t know anyone who’s done it doesn’t mean it’s real for those coming of expat packages and made local or those who live on local agreements. Here’s an article for you since you can’t seem to google for yourself. 1 in 3 seriously consider renouncing, and of that, if even a fraction pull the trigger, the number is substantial.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/03/19/heres-why-some-american-expats-want-to-renounce-us-citizenship.html

Stop being a wanker. You think you know. You have no clue.

You are an idiot.

Sure. Lots of people "consider" things. But the fact remains that out of the 10 million expats worldwide, only 3 to 5 thousand per year actually renounce. And that number includes äccidental Americans". Those born of US citizens or born in the US but do not live here, do not work here, generally don't visit here and have no plans to do so.

I stand by what I said. Renunciation of US citizenship is very rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only way to do London is via an expat package where your salary is grandfathered and you additionally receive a cost of living adjustment. Moving there on a local package and being paid local labor market wages is a dumb move. UK pays about 2/3 of the wage for a similar role in USA, it’s just how it is there. Healthcare is free. But specialists are difficult to find and poorly trained. Train system is built out but strikes that shut down the metro are common. Housing is just as expensive and the homes are smaller. Cars cost the same. Nearly all cars are diesel and it’s expensive. You’ll never ski again unless you can afford trips to the alps. Groceries cost the same once you factor in foreign currency xchange. You will never have a good steak, Mexican food or hamburger again. If you’re serious about moving prepare yourself and do the research. Most US immigrants to London give up US Citizenship in their 5th year or so - meaning you give up your US passport and the protections of US Embassies

Okay. Your last line shows that you are speaking absolute rubbish.

And Your comment shows you know nothing about US taxation while living in foreign countries. I know 3 families who did this very thing. Look it up mate educate yourself a little. Moron.

I have been an expat multiple times. Renouncing citizenship is very rare. And I am not sure how you get “most” when you're citing 3 out of 100,000 expat Americans in London.

Mate.

You are wrong. You’ve been an expat ‘multiple’ times. Which means you’ve always had the benefit of tax equalization. Am I right? Just because you don’t know anyone who’s done it doesn’t mean it’s real for those coming of expat packages and made local or those who live on local agreements. Here’s an article for you since you can’t seem to google for yourself. 1 in 3 seriously consider renouncing, and of that, if even a fraction pull the trigger, the number is substantial.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/03/19/heres-why-some-american-expats-want-to-renounce-us-citizenship.html

Stop being a wanker. You think you know. You have no clue.

You are an idiot.

Sure. Lots of people "consider" things. But the fact remains that out of the 10 million expats worldwide, only 3 to 5 thousand per year actually renounce. And that number includes äccidental Americans". Those born of US citizens or born in the US but do not live here, do not work here, generally don't visit here and have no plans to do so.

I stand by what I said. Renunciation of US citizenship is very rare.

Add on: You wanker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Adult DS lives in London now, coming from DC and is shocked how cheap almost everything is. Notable exceptions are gas and heat.

But day to day things like groceries, clothing, toiletries, tickets to plays/concerts, alcohol, etc are much less. Medical care is essentially free. Rent is par for a like-kind neighborhood (though the flat itself isn’t as luxury, like PP said)

Uber is cheaper- I assume coming from NYC You wouldn’t try owning a car anyway.

The tax situation can be complicated, depending on whether you are an expert or a UK passport holder I am told that citizens of the UK pay a whole lot more in taxes than someone like my DS

Does your kid understand the conversion rate? GBP is stronger than USD ($1.25 usd equals 1 GBP). So it might seem cheaper but it really isn’t.

London is very expensive. Always has been.

When I travel there for business and stay in the business district (away from the tourist areas where everything is marked up), prices are typical city prices (like nyc)—which is still quite costly.

I don’t know what to tell you. His salary goes a lot farther in London than it would in DC. Because the sticker price of butter, suits, vet care and sofas is so much lower than in DC. Rent is about the same. Transit is far less. Health care is free-ish.

He does probably have a favorable tax situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve lived in the UK and was struck by the low standard of living- unless you come from money.

+1
Middle class people live like LMC/working class here. Dh is British and MC and when we got married I moved to UK. Although I visited many times it didn't really sink in until I lived there. Everything is expensive and crappy and people just have a low standard for everything- food quality, service, clothing quality, crowds, cleanliness, just everything.

I think the problem is that many people have no real sense of what quality really is. If you like big cars, big fridges, big portions, then the US is clearly better. If you like quality tailoring, good wine, world-class restaurants, quality food, excellent holiday destinations, and fun people, then London is streets ahead.

+100. A bunch of people that never set foot outside of two square miles of central London coming on here with some wild (and provincial) takes.

[Anonymous]

Salaries are lower bc they don’t have to pay for education, healthcare, or old age pensions. They really only have to pay for housing and day to day expenses. Salaries here are higher bc everything valuable is privatized.

[Anonymous]

Renunciation of US citizenship is very rare partly bc historically it has been a safe country, with great travel privilege, we will see how long that lasts.

But also, there is a high tax price to renounce US citizenship. It’s 20% of all assets marked to market.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Adult DS lives in London now, coming from DC and is shocked how cheap almost everything is. Notable exceptions are gas and heat.

But day to day things like groceries, clothing, toiletries, tickets to plays/concerts, alcohol, etc are much less. Medical care is essentially free. Rent is par for a like-kind neighborhood (though the flat itself isn’t as luxury, like PP said)

Uber is cheaper- I assume coming from NYC You wouldn’t try owning a car anyway.

The tax situation can be complicated, depending on whether you are an expert or a UK passport holder I am told that citizens of the UK pay a whole lot more in taxes than someone like my DS

You pay for the NHs through taxes. It can be hard to see specialists through NHS. If your kid goes there see if the company provides private health insurance.

I had to see a specialist when I lived in London and it took forever to get the ok to get the tests I needed. A friend had private health care through their private sector company and it was much better- private doctors and private hospitals.

I lived in London years ago and it was expensive but I lived in zone 1. I walked everywhere or used the tube and did mainly things that were free. I lived in a smallish flat because I wanted to live in that location but loved living there. Now having kids I would need to make even more than I do now to want to move back there and live.

If you’re young I say go for it. I could travel cheaply through Europe and really
Enjoyed living there and love London. If your kid doesn’t like it they can leave after a couple years but having that experience is great.

[Anonymous]

I've never lived in London but I do know one thing about the UK in comparison to the US: the quality of the workforce is much lower over there. Any time I hear of a new hire at my job who is from the UK/based there I internally cringe and get ready for subpar work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never lived in London but I do know one thing about the UK in comparison to the US: the quality of the workforce is much lower over there. Any time I hear of a new hire at my job who is from the UK/based there I internally cringe and get ready for subpar work.

Maybe your company just doesn't pay well over there and does not attract high quality candidates?

[Anonymous]

I'd avoid it. They pay so much less in the UK and once you're in that market, that is what you are pegged to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never lived in London but I do know one thing about the UK in comparison to the US: the quality of the workforce is much lower over there. Any time I hear of a new hire at my job who is from the UK/based there I internally cringe and get ready for subpar work.

Maybe you don’t know how to manage? Maybe your racism is obstructing you?