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cost of living
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The Menace



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 54
Location: Shanghai
PostPosted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 3:51 pm    Post subject: cost of living Reply with quote
I've been offered a job in Hertfordshire, just north of London which pays 1625 quid a month. After reading some of the posts here I'm concerned that this may not be enough. Comments?
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Russell Hadd



Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 181
PostPosted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:28 pm    Post subject: Re: cost of living Reply with quote
The Menace wrote:
I've been offered a job in Hertfordshire, just north of London which pays 1625 quid a month. After reading some of the posts here I'm concerned that this may not be enough. Comments?


I presume that's net. If so, I'd think it should be possible to make ends meet but it always depends on circumstances and lifestyle. Even though it's close to London rent certainly drops when you get outside the M25.
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The Menace



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 54
Location: Shanghai
PostPosted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 2:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Unfortunately that�s gross. I�m certified to teach in Canada but evidently they will only pay me as an unqualified teacher for my first year. Then I will need to jump through a few hoops before I qualify. ???? I�m still trying to figure it out.

I can�t say I mind, unless such a low salary means I need to eat rice and beans for a year. I would like to be able move around a little, visit the historical sites, soak up a little culture and have a pint or two at the local pub. I�m not sure I want to live like a poor university student.

Thoughts?
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gugelhupf



Joined: 24 Jan 2004
Posts: 575
Location: Jabotabek
PostPosted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 7:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Even after tax and insurance you would live rather better than a university student on that salary as a fully funded postgraduate gets by on half that. You won't be rich but - so long as you don't smoke or drink heavily - you'll be able to afford a few weekends away in places more interesting than lovely Hertfordshire.
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oxfordstu



Joined: 28 Aug 2004
Posts: 89
Location: Changchun, China
PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2004 12:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
On that salary, you'll probably still have to get shared housing and watch your expenses. England is the 2nd most expensive country in the world. In regards to getting certified, good luck. I'm certified to teach in CA and I asked around to see what it would take to get certified in England. It takes about 2 terms of pure hell. You've got to prove that you can teach every grade level (including A levels and the 6th form), and to do this, the school has to give you these classes. I finally gave up and went to Asia to teach ESL, and I'm MUCH happier here.
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leeroy



Joined: 30 Jan 2003
Posts: 777
Location: London UK
PostPosted: Thu Sep 09, 2004 4:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Most English teachers in Britain earn far, far less than that.
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waxwing



Joined: 29 Jun 2003
Posts: 719
Location: China
PostPosted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I agree it compares favourably with an entry level NQT (newly qualified teacher) fresh from a PGCE. 10 years ago when I started I was receiving about 800-900 net iirc. The figure you quote is about 1200-1300 net (I'm guessing there).
A big reason for me leaving the teaching profession in England is that these wages are not enough to live on in the south east - mainly due to high rent. That's why the education system in London and the surrounds is a bit of a joke Sad

And as Leeroy said, it's probably a lot higher than the average TEF/SL teacher salary in the UK.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The reality is that trying to live in the South East of England ona teacher's wage is VERY difficult.

Try it and see.
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Russell Hadd



Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 181
PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
scot47 wrote:
The reality is that trying to live in the South East of England ona teacher's wage is VERY difficult.

Try it and see.


I know what you mean - I've not bothered applying some very lucrative positions paying 35K+ knowing that I'm far better off staying away in Scotland or North of England. The flip side is if you can put up with a few years of austerity then it's easier to move up the ladder. I have a colleague who did just that and is set up for life!

Finding a partner who works in the City is also a definite advantage.
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Will.



Joined: 02 May 2003
Posts: 783
Location: London Uk
PostPosted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well folks,
On the bright side, one of my summer school team a fresh CELTEE managed to get a job at �19/hr with only summer school experience.
...Teaching ESOL
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Phil_b



Joined: 14 Oct 2003
Posts: 239
Location: Back in London
PostPosted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:03 pm    Post subject: