Many foreigners immigrate to Britain in search of new employment opportunities and a better quality of life. Although wages are often relatively high, the reason is usually to offset the higher cost of living in Britain. Immigrants living in Britain have many ways to save. For example, most immigrants living in Britain can get at least a certain degree of free medical services from the British national medical service system, and they have the right to send their children to British public schools for free. Accommodation, transportation, transportation and entertainment costs are quite high, but immigrants who spend time investigating the cost of living in Britain will also find many benefits.
1. Accommodation fee
Just like immigrants all over the world, a large part of their income will be spent on accommodation. Renting a house is not cheap, especially in London, but most immigrants still choose to buy real estate in Britain, which is much more expensive.
The rent in London is the most expensive in the country, but the price gap in different parts of the city is still very large. Rents in other big cities such as Manchester and Glasgow are more reasonable, but prices are still higher, while rents in small towns are usually lower. Some students and young foreigners choose to rent in big houses or apartments. House stocks are also a good way to meet other young people.
The cost of public facilities depends on the size of the hotel. It is worth noting that in winter, heating costs will increase significantly, especially in old ventilated buildings without proper insulation. In Britain, parliamentary tax is usually not included in the rental fee, but is calculated according to the value of the property.
2. The cost of education
Foreigners living in Britain will be entitled to send their children to public schools for free. Standards vary widely, and better public schools are often located in richer areas. Parents need to pay for school uniforms, stationery and school trips. Private schools in Britain, often called independent schools, charge high fees. These schools usually provide higher standards of education and a series of extracurricular activities. Many foreigners living in Britain send their children to international schools, so that their children can continue to study the same syllabus as they did in China, so as to minimize the interference with their education. These schools can be very expensive.
3. Transportation costs
Britain provides national train and coach network services, but with the growth of European low-cost airlines, it can also fly between cities at very reasonable prices. It may be expensive to take a train in Britain, but passengers can save costs by booking tickets in advance or investing in railway cards. However, taking a long-distance bus in Britain is a more economical choice.
In British cities, the prices of public transport vary greatly. There is a British public transport network in London, but the fares are relatively high. Commuters can save money by buying Zhou Ka or monthly cards. Although most foreigners living in Britain will not invest in buying a car, it is still quite cheap to buy and maintain. The price of gasoline fluctuates, but it is reasonable compared with other places.
4. Medical expenses
Its national health service is one of Britain's assets. Public health care in Britain is free for all British citizens and permanent residents. Countries (EHIC) can use the European Health Insurance Card of the European Economic Area (EEA) to pay for medical expenses in the UK. Non-EEA foreigners who usually live in the country (that is, they have lived in the country for more than 6 months but have not become permanent residents) must pay an annual surcharge to enter the national health service system. Britain also has some excellent private medical facilities. Private medical care is the choice of those who want to avoid long waiting and are willing to pay for faster service. The cost of private medical insurance varies according to the comprehensive degree of policies and personal health status.