London living costs?

I had to do the same thing last year and my second child starts this year.

Once I knew the accommodation costs I added:
Supermarket/food costs (dependent on how catered their halls are).
Daily travel - she will be entitled to a student oyster card. Check charges (depending on her zones) on Transport for London website.
Lunch - I checked the university catering part of website and found out price of basic snack lunch as a max and a supermarket/Boots/Gregg's cheap sandwich as a minimum. Realistically I don't think they are going to take a packed lunch! My son gets hungry so I threw in the cost of a packet of crisps. Realistically £3 a day min.
Going out - not as expensive as we think. They drink cheaply. A lot but cheaply! They don't seem to go out to eat but do pick up kebabs or chips at 1am in the morning. I felt that £25 a week was tight but fair.
Toiletries etc. Girls will probably spend more than boys. My daughter will probably spend £20-£30 a term including the necessaries. I reckon my son spends £10 a term on basic cleaning products. However condoms are surprisingly expensive! (I don't want to think about how often he buys them!)
I thought I would carry on buying his clothes -which I have done - but he has spent a fair amount on required games kit (team kit etc). I have given him extra for this as needed. I will do the same for my daughter but will incorporate a basic clothing allowance in her budget. This amount will depend on individual circumstances. If she wants more money for clothes she will use babysitting money or go out less and so save elsewhere. I will buy coats and shoes etc as birthday/Christmas presents. £10.
Petty cash - coffees, laundrette (important!), newspaper (wishful thinking), photocopying, printing. £15.
Books - my son had a £400 bill as a Reading list start up cost (big expensive bio reference books) but he hasn't bought any since. He does have to pay for printing and photocopying.

Among my friends in similar London situations £90-£100 a week for those in non catered accommodation seems to be acceptable norm. £60-70 if in catered accommodation. PLUS weekly travel. The parents are picking up one off costs - travel home, games kit etc.

I know a few who are doing it on less but their children supplement their budget with regular paid work. My son is doing sciences and does not have time for a job. He works in the holidays but so far has used that money for travel. My daughter has regular babysitting and supplements her clothes and Wagamama dominated social life. As they get established at uni they will have to learn that this income may have to fund more than travel and clothes!

Hope these figures help. It is an expensive business!




Posted from TSR Mobile

Is there any particular uni that you're thinking of? If so I can move this thread to that uni's subforum, where you'll get responses from students at that uni. Let me know if you'd like me to do that

On a side note, however, anyone who pays for condoms needs their head examining - you can get them free in loads of plates, starting with freshers fair!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Hi there,
It's at one of the UAL colleges where the halls are self-catering but you have to commit to a full 51 weeks at around £9k for the year for room only! So yes please if you think it's a good idea to move the thread that will hopefully help! Many thanks.

Thanks for moving it over and already lots of useful replies! She's going to Lime Grove LCF so sadly the Costume Store is the nearest by a long way... Trust me she will be renting privately after that which I know is way cheaper in Acton!