I've been back in England since mid-October, and yesterday was the first time I'd put petrol in the car since my return.
Back in France I suppose I put-in about €50 every two weeks; and it seemed as if I hardly drove anywhere. Here I have just put-in £20 after THREE MONTHS, which means that my inner-city life style has saved me about £280 so far; equivalent to roughly the cost of three weeks shopping.
My wine bill has gone up, but the cost of bringing it home has reduced dramatically. Otherwise I haven't really noticed much difference in the cost of living between the two countries. If anything it's a little cheaper here, but that has nothing to do with petrol.
31 comments:
The cost of petrol in Australia is ridiculous, I don't know how people manage, even jobless people on pensions seem to have cars and drive everywhere even to places they could walk to.
Hmm, cost of living in England "cheaper"? It's all over my head as I don't know any longer what is expensive and what isn't. Anyway, expensive relative to what? Presumably to one's income. As my visitors from other shores (pre Covid-and-no-travel) used to point out to me: England is an eye wateringly expensive country to live (and shop) in. Naturally, being England, for a large proportion of the population there is a mismatch between income and (necessary) outgoings. If I told you how much I pay a day for energy alone (the Angel swears there is something wrong with the meter - there isn't) you'd faint. Or maybe you haven't had your first energy bill yet.
No petrol since mid October? And there I was thinking you'd be roaming your old hunting grounds all around Sussex.
U
I normally find it best never to look at prices, just to buy the minimum of the best that I require. Last night, for example, we ate two quite small steaks. They were just as nice as big ones, but probably cost half the price.
Cheaper for me! Back in France I would buy all sorts of charcuterie, nice cheeses, and other must-have delights. I don't do that here, although Pork Pies, Crumpets, and smoked Salmon are always tempting. It's a different life-style, which luckily is cheaper here.
Here the price of fuel is high compared to Europe and it continues to rise. When living in a rural area there is no choice and I have to travel a lot.
The biggest advantage for me of moving from our quiet rural home to our new home in town has been the ease of walking to all the local amenities. I have only used the car about three times in six months.
That was our situation in France, wherever we went was a minimum of 20 Ks away. It was expensive.
Sounds like me. I do use the car once a week for my big shop, but I don't go far.
My friend living in The Netherlands tells me The Netherlands is eye wateringly expensive.
For any American visitors to this blog, we ought to explain that when Monsieur Cro refers to "petrol", he is talking about "gas". I am happy to have been of service... as smiling gas station attendants used to say.
Interesting observations. In nearly all western countries costs of living vaguely matches general incomes. Norway seems so expensive to me, yet locals still survive there.
Don't take too much notice of YP and his gas issues.
And when a Brit talks of 'gas' he/she means 'gas'.
Petrol to me is petrol, and gas is gas. What more does one need to know?
May I quote H M The Queen again. She said "There are only two types of English; English and incorrect English".
Cro and Andrew, do not forget that YP is an Americanophile. And Americans, clearly, need all the help YP eagerly provides so that nothing gets lost in "translation".
U
I guess one of the good things about living on a small island is that nothing is very far away !!! I’ve only filled up with petrol a few times since the pandemic began …. saves us money to spend on the food and drink goodies when we go shopping ! XXXX
Pre-Covid days I always went shopping twice a week, more to get out of the house than anything. Then it became once a week. Now, back in Blighty, all shops are very nearby, so I can pop out for the simplest of things whenever I like.
Now that I can no longer walk without Priscilla I no longer have my car and I have my order delivered. I do rather miss the odd browse though.
And half the calories too!
I expect the excerise is doing you good too, all this walking everywhere.
My poor old legs are complaining, but the rest of me enjoys it.
I shall browse for as long as I can, but I shan't be having new hips, so the future is unclear. I should be OK for a few years.
You seem to enjoy being in Brighton and that's all that matters. Life is good.
I don't know if you know Brighton; it's a very vibrant and active city. There's very little not to like.
Petrol is 2 euros a liter in the Netherlands, that says it all. The highest in Europe I believe. Germany and Belgium are much cheaper.
I have not been to England for a long time (2 and a half years I think).
So difficult to compare.
The advantages of living in a city.
We have a lot of Dutch friends in France. They buy property there because it's so much cheaper, and land is plentiful.
And very unexpected too.
Your wine bill might have gone up but I bet the quality has improved immensely. The 200 litres of red wine we picked up from a cousin in November is still maturing. I hope it is eventually drinkable.
You're quite right. We now drink cheap plonk; it's all we can afford. But it's OK.
I never understand that as petrol is a liquid.
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