Moving to London

Today we look at moving to London in United Kingdom from Istanbul in Turkey. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In London people speak English. In Istanbul people speak Turkish.

London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest and most populous metropolitan area and the largest urban zone in the European Union. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and 5th largest city proper in the world. London is a leading global city and the world's largest financial centres with the largest city GDP in Europe. Central London is home to the headquarters of most of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest. London's influence in politics, finance, education, entertainment, media, fashion, the arts and culture in general contributes to its global position. It is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. The economy of Istanbul has always been the centre of Turkey's economic life because of its location as a junction of international land and sea trade routes. Istanbul is also Turkey's largest industrial centre. Istanbul and surrounding province produce cotton, fruit, olive oil, silk, and tobacco. Food processing, textile production, oil products, rubber, metal ware, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, glass, machinery, automotive, transport vehicles, paper and paper products, and alcoholic drinks are among the city's major industrial products.

The overall cost of living rank in London is 20 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Istanbul to London will experience a change in cost of living of 27.1%.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, London is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Istanbul with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living London UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Leeds

Today we look at moving to Leeds in United Kingdom from Ankara in Turkey. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In Leeds people speak English. In Ankara people speak Turkish.

Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of the wider West Yorkshire Urban Area. Leeds is the UK's largest centre for business, legal, and financial services outside London. Ankara is a very old city with various Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman archaeological sites.
The overall cost of living rank in Leeds is 56 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Ankara to Leeds will experience a change in cost of living of 20.8%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Leeds is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Ankara with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Leeds UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Glasgow

Today we look at moving to Glasgow in United Kingdom from Tunis in Tunisia. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In Glasgow people speak English. In Tunis people speak Arabic (official) and French.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. Tunis is the capital and largets city of Tunisia. Glasgow is one of Europe's top twenty financial centres and is home to many of Scotland's leading businesses. Whilst manufacturing has declined, Glasgow's economy has seen significant relative growth of tertiary sector industries such as financial and business services, communications, biosciences, creative industries, healthcare, higher education, retail and tourism. Tunis is the heartland of the Tunisian economy and is the industrial and economic hub of the country. Products include textiles, carpets, and olive oil. Tourism also provides a significant portion of the city's income.
The overall cost of living rank in Glasgow is 38 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Tunis to Glasgow will experience a change in cost of living of 73.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Glasgow is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Tunis with a hardship index of 30% which is a high degree of hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Glasgow UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Birmingham

Today we look at moving to Birmingham in United Kingdom from Port-of-Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations. In  both Birmingham and Port-of-Spain people speak English.

Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands county of England. Port of Spain is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Birmingham grew to prominence as a manufacturing and engineering centre, however its economy today is dominated by the service sector, which in 2003 accounted for 78% of the city's economic output and 97% of its economic growth. Tourism is also an increasingly important part of the local economy. With major facilities such as the International Convention Centre and National Exhibition Centre the Birmingham area accounts for 42% of the UK conference and exhibition trade. Port of Spain is Trinidad and Tobago's most developed city. The city serves primarily as a retail and administrative center.
The overall cost of living rank in Birmingham is 52 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Port-of-Spain to Birmingham will experience a change in cost of living of 4.2%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Birmingham is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Port-of-Spain with a hardship index of 20% which is a some hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Birmingham UK as at July 2011.

Moving to Belfast

Today we look at moving to Belfast in United Kingdom from Nuku'Alofa in Tonga. We highlight cost of living and other major differences likely to be experienced in our series of short blogs on moving between different international locations.
In Belfast people speak English. In Nuku'Alofa people speak Tongan and English.

Belfast is the capital of and the largest city in Northern Ireland. Nuku'Alofa is the capital and commercial, transport and social center of Tonga. Belfast is Northern Ireland's educational and commercial hub. It is currently in the top five fastest growing regional economies in the UK. Nuku'Alofa is the economic hub of the country.
The overall cost of living rank in Belfast is 81 out of 300 global locations, which equates it with high cost of living locations.  An expatriate moving from Nuku'Alofa to Belfast will experience a change in cost of living of 63%.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Belfast is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10% compared to Nuku'Alofa with a hardship index of 40% which is an extreme hardship location.

Source: Cost of Living Belfast UK as at July 2011.

United Kingdom, London Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Location: The United Kingdom is in Western Europe, and consists of islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France.

Country Climate: Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast.

Country Terrain: Mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast.

Major Languages: English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 61.3 million (2008 est.) 61.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the United Kingdom is that of a major developed capitalist economy. The United Kingdom is one of the world's most globalised countries. The British economy is made up of the economies of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 1973, the UK acceded to the European Economic Community which is now known as the European Union after the ratification of the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993. The UK economy had been one of the strongest EU economies in terms of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which remained relatively low until the 2008-09 recession, when unemployment rose dramatically, and interest rates fell to 0.5%.

Currency: British Pound (GBP).

Country Inflation: 3.6% (2008 est.) 1.9% (2009 est.).

City: London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It is the UK's largest and most populous metropolitan area and the largest urban zone in the European Union.

City Economy: London is a leading global city and the world's largest financial centres with the largest city GDP in Europe. Central London is home to the headquarters of most of the UK's top 100 listed companies (the FTSE 100) and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest. London's influence in politics, finance, education, entertainment, media, fashion, the arts and culture in general contributes to its global position. It is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.
Cost of Living: London has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. London is currently ranked 30 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on United Kingdom, London