Does anybody here take the Greens seriously?

[AndyRM]

A quick Google search plucks very similar results.

And the correct spelling of Middlesbrough.

 

[First Aspect]

Does include housing? And is average income taken into account?

 

[Rusty Nails]

Does include housing? And is average income taken into account?

The search I did included elements of general living costs including housing but made no mention of income as it was about costs.

I am sure a quick search would give you an idea of average income in those areas...if you are interested, but it doesn't take a genius to know that average income between those areas also varies greatly.

 

[First Aspect]

The search I did included elements of general living costs including housing but made no mention of income as it was about costs.

I am sure a quick search would give you an idea of average income in those areas...if you are interested, but it doesn't take a genius to know that average income between those areas also varies greatly.

I think what I am driving at is that living costs the NE probably reflect affordability compared to income to the same extent as a large part of the SE, with the exception of those people who desperately want to live in town.

 

[icowden]

Where did you pluck those figures from?

For a start you can rent a 1 bed flat in Macclesfield for £500 a month whereas you'll need £1500 a month for the same in London.

But yeah - Google.

 

[First Aspect]

For a start you can rent a 1 bed flat in Macclesfield for £500 a month whereas you'll need £1500 a month for the same in London.

But yeah - Google.

But food, electricity, transport and everything else costs the same. As someone who has lived "provincially" for a long time I would also say there is both an opportunity cost or a relocation cost within a non London commutable career. It's also not until you leave the SE that you realise how much tax the infrastructure hoovers up in comparison.

Taken as a whole, people in the SE aren't short changed. If you think you are, leave.

 

[AndyRM]

I think what I am driving at is that living costs the NE probably reflect affordability compared to income to the same extent as a large part of the SE, with the exception of those people who desperately want to live in town.

Be good if you had a vague idea of what living in North East England was actually like.

 

[First Aspect]

Be good if you had a vague idea of what living in North East England was actually like.

Oh mate just get back in your box.

 

[Psamathe]

For a start you can rent a 1 bed flat in Macclesfield for £500 a month whereas you'll need £1500 a month for the same in London.

But yeah - Google.

I suspect "in London" might be a pretty undefined thing and subject to very variable costs. People who work in London often commute from a fair distance outside London, so the need to live "in London" maybe less crucial?

 

[briantrumpet]

Be good if you had a vague idea of what living in North East England was actually like.

I think Monty Python covered that, didn't they?

 

[Pblakeney]

A personal hobby horse of mine. The cost of living has nowt to do with location. Property (bought or rented) will sell for the maximum available. As regional income rises, so do property prices.
People (seem) to aspire to paper wealth, “my house is worth x” while not paying attention to disposable income.

 

[icowden]

I suspect "in London" might be a pretty undefined thing and subject to very variable costs. People who work in London often commute from a fair distance outside London, so the need to live "in London" maybe less crucial?

OK - I live in Walton on Thames. Outside of greater London. It's 30 minutes on the train.
A 1 bed flat here will cost you in the region of £1150 to £2000pm. Your annual season ticket for the train into London will cost you £268 per month.

So yes, not crucial to live in London if you work there but it's not hugely cheaper.

You could look at Colchester - £750 to £1000pm. Then add £681 per month for your season ticket to get into London.

 

[BoldonLad]

It's a balancing act. The key balance though is in ensuring that those that can afford to pay more tax, pay more tax.
The complicating factor is that taxation makes the assumption that the cost of living is the same wherever you are in the country.

In London the cost of living is around £2.5k to £3k per month. In Middlesborough it's £1500 to £1900.

The next issue is what happens if you become super rich. Many people feel that the super rich should be paying more.

Move to Middlesbrough would seem to be a wise move?

 

[BoldonLad]

For a start you can rent a 1 bed flat in Macclesfield for £500 a month whereas you'll need £1500 a month for the same in London.

But yeah - Google.

I have not been to Macclesfield, have you?

Are you sure the two flats you mention are directly comparable in all aspects.

An actual number for you, not from Google, one bedroom Council flat in South Shields £109 per week (48 weeks per year with 4 weeks “free, so that is £436/month). You would not want to live there 😂

 

[First Aspect]

I suspect "in London" might be a pretty undefined thing and subject to very variable costs. People who work in London often commute from a fair distance outside London, so the need to live "in London" maybe less crucial?

Hence my comment about infrastructure. Rail services in particular are comparatively amazing. I can get from Newbury to central London in the time it takes me to get about 12 miles from home to Plymouth. Not to mention the trains are every 2 hours rather than ever 15 minutes.