This post is, I guess an addition to the thread that I have already started 'A few residency questions from the UK' but after careful consideration I decided that it deserved it's own thread.
It came to me during my last post that perhaps we (in the UK) take for granted that people from elsewhere in the world, or indeed people that have not been resident in the UK for some time actually dont know what it is like here and dont have an idea on the true cost of living. Well I hope to put a stop to all that with this thread!
Detailed below are some examples of exactly how much it costs to live here in the UK TODAY! For ease of purpose I have converted all amounts in to RD$ Peso's at a conversion rate of One Pound to Fifty Pesos.
Average Annual Salary (Source HM Inland Revenue 2003)
RD$ 1,134,650.00
Less Tax and N.I @ 30%
Net Annual income RD$ 872,807.00
Monthly Net Income Average
RD$ 72,733.00
Not a lot eh? And many people don't even make that! (or anywhere near)
Expenses
Average 4 Bed Detached property in the North of England on a 0.12 acre plot unfurnished but with carpets and light fittings
RD$ 12,500,000.00
Mitsubishi Shogun (Montero) 3.0 V6 SE (no Leather) 2 Years Old 20,000 Miles RD$ 975,000
Car Insurance (Based on two cars) RD$ 7,500 (Monthly)
Electricity, Gas, Water RD$ 7,000 (Monthly)
Home telephone inc. ISDN RD$ 4,000 (Monthly)
Mobile Phone Bill (Each Phone) RD$ 4,500 (Monthly)
Property Tax RD$ 6,000 (Monthly)
Satellite TV Subscription RD$ 2,250 (Monthly)
Gasoline RD$ 168 Per Gallon
Grocery Shopping (inc toiletries) RD$ 25,980 (Monthly)
One Pair Levi Jeans RD$ 2,500
One Pair Nike Air Trainers RD$ 5,000
Cigarettes RD$ 250
Bottle Of Beer (In a Bar) RD$ 135
Nice Meal For Two With Wine RD$ 5,000
And the list goes on, and on, and on, and..............................
Oh, and incase you didn't know we have an education system that's nigh on defunct, a Health service that is free of charge (not really that's why we pay N.I.) that might be able to tell you what's wrong after its too late, spiraling crime and a huge upturn in violent crime, robbery and drug use (in the city nearest to me, Nottingham there are on average 5 shootings a day and GUNS ARE ILLEGAL!!!)
I really can't write any more, not because there is no more to write, I could go on about the 'Nanny State' we live in where big brother watches your every move (there was a report in the paper today that the government intends to install a computer into every car that will report you if you exceed the speed limit or park illegally! Already if you get caught speeding more than 3 times in 3 years you lose your license for 12 months!) But if I did go on I would doubtless depress myself beyond the point of no return and maybe some readers as well! I am not saying that things are any better in the DR or anywhere else in the world today?K?Kperhaps other countries just have different problems, but hey at least you have the sunshine most mornings!
Nick
It came to me during my last post that perhaps we (in the UK) take for granted that people from elsewhere in the world, or indeed people that have not been resident in the UK for some time actually dont know what it is like here and dont have an idea on the true cost of living. Well I hope to put a stop to all that with this thread!
Detailed below are some examples of exactly how much it costs to live here in the UK TODAY! For ease of purpose I have converted all amounts in to RD$ Peso's at a conversion rate of One Pound to Fifty Pesos.
Average Annual Salary (Source HM Inland Revenue 2003)
RD$ 1,134,650.00
Less Tax and N.I @ 30%
Net Annual income RD$ 872,807.00
Monthly Net Income Average
RD$ 72,733.00
Not a lot eh? And many people don't even make that! (or anywhere near)
Expenses
Average 4 Bed Detached property in the North of England on a 0.12 acre plot unfurnished but with carpets and light fittings
RD$ 12,500,000.00
Mitsubishi Shogun (Montero) 3.0 V6 SE (no Leather) 2 Years Old 20,000 Miles RD$ 975,000
Car Insurance (Based on two cars) RD$ 7,500 (Monthly)
Electricity, Gas, Water RD$ 7,000 (Monthly)
Home telephone inc. ISDN RD$ 4,000 (Monthly)
Mobile Phone Bill (Each Phone) RD$ 4,500 (Monthly)
Property Tax RD$ 6,000 (Monthly)
Satellite TV Subscription RD$ 2,250 (Monthly)
Gasoline RD$ 168 Per Gallon
Grocery Shopping (inc toiletries) RD$ 25,980 (Monthly)
One Pair Levi Jeans RD$ 2,500
One Pair Nike Air Trainers RD$ 5,000
Cigarettes RD$ 250
Bottle Of Beer (In a Bar) RD$ 135
Nice Meal For Two With Wine RD$ 5,000
And the list goes on, and on, and on, and..............................
Oh, and incase you didn't know we have an education system that's nigh on defunct, a Health service that is free of charge (not really that's why we pay N.I.) that might be able to tell you what's wrong after its too late, spiraling crime and a huge upturn in violent crime, robbery and drug use (in the city nearest to me, Nottingham there are on average 5 shootings a day and GUNS ARE ILLEGAL!!!)
I really can't write any more, not because there is no more to write, I could go on about the 'Nanny State' we live in where big brother watches your every move (there was a report in the paper today that the government intends to install a computer into every car that will report you if you exceed the speed limit or park illegally! Already if you get caught speeding more than 3 times in 3 years you lose your license for 12 months!) But if I did go on I would doubtless depress myself beyond the point of no return and maybe some readers as well! I am not saying that things are any better in the DR or anywhere else in the world today?K?Kperhaps other countries just have different problems, but hey at least you have the sunshine most mornings!
Nick
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