Standard Expat Package Considerations

package sounds really good. i would agree that 1k ain't quite enough for central london living, but if you look in zone 2 you should do fine.

rumour has it that it is a renter's market at the moment so might be worth trying to bargain a little on rent prices. also, remember in the UK they charge rent by the week.

sounds like you've done a good job negotiating - well done!

also, remember in the UK they charge rent by the week

I pay monthly rent in the UK.

package sounds really good. i would agree that 1k ain't quite enough for central london living, but if you look in zone 2 you should do fine.

rumour has it that it is a renter's market at the moment so might be worth trying to bargain a little on rent prices. also, remember in the UK they charge rent by the week.

sounds like you've done a good job negotiating - well done!

It depends where in zone 2 you are looking.  As onetiger mentioned, in West Hampstead you will not get 2 bedroom flat for GBP1000 a month.

In most cases, the rental listing will show you the price per week, but your rent will be deducted once a month from your bank account.

I find rental properties are priced at weekly rates mostly only in London where the rents get so high that they are trying to pull one over on you to make it look like a property is affordable.  If you look at property sites or ads in many other parts of the country they price them monthly (of course, if it's a huge, expensive place they might do the weekly thing).  In any case, just multiply the weekly rate by 52 and divide by 12 and you got your monthly rate, easy peasy.

With all the talk of financial comparisons for this package, have you considered the fact that you'll be living in the biggest, maybe most cosmopolitan and exciting city in Europe?  No offence to SLC but I can't imagine (city-wise) it comes close to London.  The opportunity personally could be worth a lot.  I guess it depends on how badly you want to make the move and what environment you like to be in.  Maybe the career opportunity in London is better than the one in SLC?

With all the talk of financial comparisons for this package, have you considered the fact that you'll be living in the biggest, maybe most cosmopolitan and exciting city in Europe? 

Great point!  I have to admit that I knew with moving over that my lifestyle would change a bit...but it's changed in a lot of ways for the better!  I have travelled and had amazing experiences that I could have only dreamed of...it's so easy to just decide to go to somewhere in Europe for the weekend.  Even though I don't OWN as much as I did in the States, I don't miss my THINGS at all...I'd do this again if given the choice.  And I'm considering staying in London for life.  I love this city & the opportunities I'm being given! (but some people don't like cities or this one...and most jobs give you the opportunity to leave if you want which is great!).

Great point!  I have to admit that I knew with moving over that my lifestyle would change a bit...but it's changed in a lot of ways for the better!  I have travelled and had amazing experiences that I could have only dreamed of...it's so easy to just decide to go to somewhere in Europe for the weekend. 

Absolutely!! My friends in the US crack up when I say, "I'm going to Paris for the weekend"!

Gosh I'm up early!

The workmen are here starting work on our new Conservatory!

OneTiger - Yep, maybe I coulda rephrased part of my response a bit better! The £1000 for rent only figure from the OP, will mean a good proportion of properties will be available in the Greater London area. Central London I agree with you, will pretty much be out of the running unless it's bit of a craphole!

Matt - Excellent point, I've noticed that sly little representation too, you see '£475' and think right I'll click on that, only to see it as per week, then you say flippin heck! that's £1900 per month!

As for the travel options - Yep, ALL of my USA Relatives and Friends living there always say 'love to live in London as all the places to see are so easy to just hop on a plane and be there within a few hours' - just like what Belindaloo just said!

Cheers for now people!

Dennis!! West London & Slough!

Alright - finally met with HR and got some of the issues straightened out. Here's what I have so far and am wondering how good people on packages view this offer. Personally it seems quite generous of my employer

* Salary: 70K GBP (basically cede employment in us and transfer to UK pty)
* Private healthcare insurance, pension scheme, life insurance, income protection insurance, 23 days holiday
* Relocation budget with cap of 10K GBP (to cover housing costs, travel/transportation, pet costs, etc.)
* Migration Service to assist with Housing (approx 5K USD)
* First 2 months housing paid (hotel or short term serviced stay)
* Access to Ernst & Young for tax advice and tax preparation per each year there
* Return moving costs if anything untoward would happen

Given that - I feel I could spend 1K per month on rent - would that be decent to get a 2 bed flat in an area close to London, but not right in the heart of things where the cost is too high? And any tips on cities/locations.

PS - Thanks for all the tips and advice

The package is great ...
You are missing "Employee Car Ownership Programme": New BMW car every 3-4 years, but you have to pay tax for it.
 

My relocation package is in it's final stages (about time as I move in less than two weeks), but how I get paid is still up in the air.  Initially I had thought to get paid most of my salary in the UK (80%) and the rest in the US to still take advantage of my employer's great 401k plan.  However, I found out that I would lose out on 5.5% of the matching that is standard, so now I'm not sure what to do.  I'm waiting on the final package to come through to decide.  I'll post some details when I figure out for sure what's going on.

well, $100,000 as a salary in Salt Lake City sounds just as out of the norm as 70,000 GBP in London. in either of those cities, those salaries are almost 3x the average salary! i'm sure the vast majority of people in utah earn less than $30,000 per yr, just as most londoners earn less than 30K. and with an average salt lake home costing $300,000 and an average london home the same number in pounds - your UK salary seems comensurate.

I am an expat in an Asian country and work for a large US company.

Here are the benefits of my plan and things you might wish to consider:

Base salary increased 10% due to promotion (paid in US dollars)
5% "hardship" increase due to living in the city I live in.
Paid housing during my assignment
Paid car and operating expenses including fuel during my assignment
Tolls and parking paid
All utilities paid
Private schooling for my children paid by the company
Additional offset paid to assist with the difference in the cost of living ~GBP 1100 per month
Free tax preparation by E&Y.

I am still considered a US based employee for payroll reasons so I do not miss out on my 401k plan or quarterly profit sharing.

How do I become a Plane Mechanic?!!!

Increase in salary, extra 'hardship' fund, paid housing, paid bills, parking paid, private schools pad for!

WHATEVER will you spend your 'leftover' money on?!!!!!

Any jobs at your company!?!




Dennis! West London & Slough UK!!

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see a reference to council taxes?  Is the company expecting you to pay council taxes?

As for housing, I think you are getting shortchanged big here, 1500 would be the minimum I think you should consider, especially if the allowance is to also cover taxes.  I do know expats that don't make too much more than you and get 2000 or more for housing  plus things like private school tuition and such like planemechanic outlined.

In the end you should be not better off and no worse off than you current situation. So do your research before signing the dotted line.