I'm studying abroad in London for the spring semester ~3 months.
My housing and meals are taken care of. I was wondering how much spending money should I have prepared. I'm a pretty frugal person... But I'll be in London, so you can only be so frugal.
What would you guys suggest, maybe based on your own study abroad experiences? Occasionally eating out, traveling... That's pretty much it. Don't think I'll be shopping for clothes or anything. Except I have a shot glass fund set up already :p (not actually... yet)
@"BreakingRich"
I did a semester in London a few years ago. I believe I spent around $5,000 and food was not included. We went out and traveled a lot. Not sure how prices changed since 2011.
Also, we flew everywhere because it was faster and cheaper than trains.
My cousin is doing a semester in London right now and I believe she has about $1,000 a month budgeted after housing. This includes excursions to continental Europe and the rest of the U.K.
Gonna try and make this a quick post (I'm at work), feel free to PM me though for more!
Government visas generally require you have 1,000 pounds per month for expenses (food and other bullshit not including housing). Take your expected budget and multiply it by 1.5 to 2x, that is more likely to be your real expenses. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW EXPENSIVE LONDON IS. Can't stress that enough. The exchange rate hovers around 1.7 dollars to the pound.... it adds up quickly when you decide you want another round of beers at the pub or think you found something really cool you want to buy.
Travelling is definitely a great part of studying abroad and I wish I did more (hit around 7 or so, which was pretty weak for how long I was there). That being said, book now for any trips if you know people that are going with you or if you are cool travelling like @"AndyLouis"!! People will tell you to take Spirit and EasyJet, but when you fly to less developed places (aka not London), getting from teh obscure airports can be a huge pain and often ends up more expensive than just flying through the main hubs!
Again, feel free to PM me and I'm happy to talk to you more!! If not, have fun :)
Book trips as far in advance as possible. I was an idiot and didn't book until a week and a half before and I ended up wasting several hundred dollars that way
When I was in college in the early to mid 90's the school recommended having $3000 for the semester in London, now factor in inflation, the exchange rate was more in favor of the USD then and London's a generally more expensive city now. And $3000 wasn't for the rich kids, they brought more like $5000+ and had their parents credit cards.
Like others have stated, London is a very expensive city and do not underestimate it. Basically go to Manhattan, get a beer/drink at a cheap pub or an expensive restaurant, a Starbucks coffee or a sandwich at Pret. Now simply replace the $ with £ sign @$*1.7. Americans who are not from NYC are shocked at the price of everyday things in NYC. New Yorkers are shocked by the prices in London. Just thank the gods you're going now-I lived in London when the exchange rate was 2.11. I lived in a city that's 2000 years old at its most expensive time in history. Finance whiz right here.
Exactly that. Plus try to be honest with yourself in regards to your nightlife habits. Going out to clubs is outrageous in London.
Take lot's of money then multiply times 3. I was in LDN back in 2007 and it was expensive then. Take the train whenever you can it's cheaper. Like I Eurostar to Paris and that was pretty cheap. Work a small job until you go there you will need it trust me. There will always be place you will want to go an eat/drink at. Have a good time! Be safe!
I spent upwards of 3 grand (USD) in one month in London (including meals, not including housing). Probably half of that was spent on booze and gambling though
Thanks for sharing
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