15k-18k in London. Is it good enough?

Pricivius

I've done it - it's definitely doable. You will need to cut a few corners and live frugally for a while, but if the job has prospects and will be something you enjoy, then I say go for it. However, if you're the kind of person who needs to spend £70 on a night out every week and has a wardrobe full of this season's must-haves, then it probably won't work...

For some people, money isn't everything. I'm currently considering a 33% paycut to do a job I would love to do...

MrChandlerBing

There is a lot of difference between 15k and 18k. It wouldn't be possible imo to have any sort of standard of living in London on 15k. 18k would be bottom line manageable.

somethingcorporate

There must be millions in london working for NMW so it must be doable on £15k although very tough.

It does sadden me that Grads are expected to work for so little.

Elvisia

Depends entirely on what your rent is, your best bet is a room in a shared house, but that can vary. My friend lives in a house with nine other people (it's a massive house in Ealing) and she pays about £300 a month, my other friend rents out her room in her two bed flat in Kilburn and that's £500 per month.

I guess it depends on whether you have savings so you've got something to fall back on, and whether the job will lead to something better. It's easy to fall into debt when you're on a low salary, particularly if something comes up you weren't expecting, even just removal costs can be a big expense.

buglawton

Consider it to be an internship - a chance to get relevant experience. You might need to borrow from rels it afford a holiday or any real luxuries. If the job puts you on the career path you want, take it, just get ready for subsistence living.

Longer term, you new employer cannot be serious if it hope to retain anyone for a longer term/who's gained experience on this salary.

jemcart

I started off on similar, and it is very tough as London is such anexpensive place. However, if the job has good prospects for the future and you canbuild your CV, you should definitely go for it!

The biggest expense is definitely rent, but if you're willing to compromiseon space or live outside of zone 1 and 2 it's manageable.

persa

isaac12345 wrote: »

Hi all!

I am a recent graduate and just came across a job opportunity in London that I am quite eager about. Unfortunately it just pays 15 to 18k. I have never lived in London and would like to know if its decent enough?
Thanks!

At the lower end, realistically, you're looking at £1,061 take home pay less £131 for travel less £400 for a flatshare inclusive of bills. This gives you £530 for food, phone, toiletries, cleaning stuff, clothes, entertainment and savings.

(I'm guessing you won't be able to afford an annual travelcard up front, or to live right bang in central London, so it's a monthly travelcard for you, plus a flatshare with strangers out in zone 3. You will struggle to afford a bedsit or studio.)

It's doable, of course it is, there are are people on this site living on less, but you will have to share a flat (most likely with a bunch of strangers, who you may or may not like) and will have to budget carefully, rather than accept invitations to eat out/go out on a whim. This may not exactly be the sort of London life you were hoping for.

I suspect whether the above is a decent standard of living to you largely depends on how your university experience has been - the idea of flat-sharing may sound fun, or may strike you with terror.

londonTiger

You'll manage if you really need this job and is instrumental for your career. But if it's a job with little growth protential, if after a year you're still going to look at a similar salary, like just 2k more.. Then I'd look elsewhere.

I'd put up with that as my first salary if I knew that a year later I'd be making 25K and then up into my 30's shortly after.

t0rt0ise

I live in zone 1 and have been working part-time for a year on a wage of 10k. I have got savings but haven't had to dip into them at all. So it is very doable as long as you don't pay out too much in rent.

Kynthia

Try to get it. It's what you do for a couple of years to get experience and then leave to for a better paying job.