Future expatriates budgeting for their move abroad shouldn’t forget to research what life’s little luxuries – as well as those unavoidable bills – will cost them once they’ve moved into their new home.
This latest advice comes following a survey by The Overseas Guides Company revealed that prices of cigarettes, wine and beer vary significantly across countries that are most popular with expats. Once any mortgage or rental payments, council tax, groceries and utilities bills are all paid for, it’s often life’s little luxuries that cut into an expat’s monthly budget. It’s all very well fuel being cheap abroad – but if you have to pay a small fortune for a drink or meal out, that saving may become inconsequential.
The survey revealed that France remains one of the cheapest places to enjoy a quality glass of wine.
Alexis Goldberg, a writer for The Overseas Guides Company based in the Languedoc, said: "One of our favourite things is enjoy a drink in our local bar on an evening, and despite all of the years that we have called the Languedoc home, it never fails to be a pleasant surprise when we are charged just €1.20 for a large glass of lovely wine that you would be likely to pay £5 or more for back in the U.K."
Ben Taylor, a writer based in Algarve, Portugal, revealed you will pay just €1.20 for a regular-sized beer (typically half a pint) compared with the equivalent over here, which normally hovers around the £2.50 mark – more if you are in London. Italy follows closely behind with a glass of beer setting you back just €2 in a village bar.
How about a night out? Where are you most likely to have to part with a small fortune just for the pleasure of watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster?
Cinema ticket prices in the U.K. are around £6.40 but can be as much as £10 or even more in the cities. When looking at the results of the survey, it seems that the price of a flick is much of a muchness across Europe – France €5-7, Spain €7, Cyprus €8, Turkey 20TL. If anything, it is the U.S.A. where you can get the cheapest cinema ticket, coming in at just $9.
Although the ticket in the U.S.A. will cost you less, if you wanted to precede the film with a romantic dinner, the U.S.A shoots back up to its position as one of the more expensive expat destinations.
Writer Carole Wirszyla, who lives with her family in North Carolina, confirmed: "Alcoholic drinks can push the restaurant bill up significantly but it is possible to get a meal for two in a nice restaurant for $50 but don’t forget that you will have to pay a 20 percent tip on top of that. When it comes to grabbing a quick bite or drink, you have to tip every time – this needs to be factored into your budget if you’re planning a move to the U.S.A."
When it comes to dining, things are considerably cheaper back across the pond in Europe where set menus are the cheapest and best value options.
Sally Veall, The Overseas Guides Company Spain writer on the Costa Brava, confirmed: "A typical set menu, which is always fresh and delicious, should only cost around €12 and this includes food, water and wine."
A similar set menu, complete with food, water and wine, is the same price in neighbouring Portugal (€12), France €12-15, Italy €12 and €10-15 in Cyprus, but that is excluding wine. In Turkey things are a little more pricey with a set meal costing around 50TL per head.
Amy Baker, Assistant Editor at The Overseas Guides Company concluded: "When it comes to those living costs that you wouldn’t necessarily factor into your weekly budget, it seems that Europe is still a significantly cheaper option than the U.K. and to some extent, the U.S.A. Therefore, if you are someone that enjoys life’s little luxuries, we recommend setting your sights on France, Spain, Portugal and their neighbours. Hundreds of thousands of expats can’t be wrong!"
Andrew Batt, International Group Editor of
PropertyGuru Group, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other
stories email andrew@propertyguru.com.sg
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