Hmmm... now I wonder if your red tape is anywhere near OUR red tape? Lol!

In any case, will the red tape be a factor in determining when mail gets delivered on time again?

I have no idea dude; all I can say is to just... well, hurry up and wait.

Hmmm... next point of discussion --- how much do you guys spend (per month or per week) on food, and how many persons does that budget feed? How much do you guys spend on utilities (water, gas, electricity), and how big is your home? How much do you guys pay for internet?

We've been given an estimate of £45 per week per person (£180 per month) on food, £10 per week per person (£40 per month) on transport, and £20 per week per person (£80 per month) on utilities. I'm wondering if these are solid figures?

I'd also like to get a feel of how my "budget" will go up once I get my family with me to the UK.

All in all, Ice, it's going to cost you 4 Sovereign, 8 Crowns, 112 Pounds Sterling, 50 Quid, 9 Pence, 18 Farthings, and 12 Bob per month to live. At least, that's the average cost if you live in the vicinity of Hamster-On-Toast, Grimace.

Now, if any of us from outside the UK can ever figure out what all that means, we'll be able to set you right.

Cheers!

Rick...

Hahaha... I understand the Quid and Pence, but the rest?

Sauron is just showing his age

Farthing = 1/4 penny, stop being legal in 1960
Bob = slang for pound
Crown = 5 shillings, or 25 pence after the UK dumped their wierd money counting scheme in 1971.
Sovereign = a gold coin.

make sure to eat some cornish pasties...delish

Thank god the UK got rid of all of those outdated denominations! As far as I know its just "Pounds" and "Pence" now.

these are of course all variable depending upon your living circumstances (location, type of property etc.).
£45 per week for food sounds quite reasonable if you are doing all your own cooking - it won't get you very far if you eat out much/ have many take-aways.
£10 per week on transport sounds on the low side to me but obviously it depends on how often/how far etc. you travel.
£20 per week for how many/which utilities?
electricity, gas (natural as opposed to what Americans call petrol ;)), water/sewerage, garbage collection, landline 'phone, mobile 'phone, internet .... I doubt that you'll get it all for £20.



outdated unlike nickel, dime, quarter ...?

btw a "bob" was a shilling not a pound.

Lol, I, for one, am grateful it's just Pounds and Pence now.

Well, like I said, I'll be going to Stockton-on-Tees (Hartlepool, or thereabouts). I'll be living with a few other nurses who'll be going with me, maybe 2-3 other nurses in the same place since that'll depend on the type of accommodation the hospital secures for us. So just assume simple living, nothing fancy. Just want to keep warm, be well fed and rested, and maybe watch a movie or two on the TV.

Thanks for confirming that the figure is solid!

Again, I expect us to be close to the hospital. The agency guy said we'll be walking distance if the hospital can help it, but if not, then at least one bus ride away. I expect the bus stop to be close to the hospital, if not directly in front of it, right? I mean, a hospital is one of the important things route-planners take into consideration, right?

All, I think, except for internet and mobile phone. I'm not sure if that includes the TV though. I know the calls in the UK aren't free, but let's assume a minimum amount of calls, if none at all. It's not like we have lotsa friends in the UK, and we can always just text our nurse buddies.

In any case, if the figures aren't solid, do tell me what you're working with.