Ultimate guide to surviving in the UK's most expensive cities $$

When we first moved to the UK, we found everything to be overpriced and we thought it was sooo much easier to spend a lot of money than in Italy! Our image of this country was still what we had seen in movies such as Bridget Jones and Notting Hill, so we thought spending more was just part of the British lifestyle. What we didn't know is that it is not like that everywhere in the country but so far we only got to live in expensive cities. Recently we had a look at the annual Lloyds Bank Affordable Cities Review and guess what? We found out we have lived in 5 of the Top 10! Here they are:

Bath

In 7th place, Bath is a touristy city with lovely little streets, Roman architecture and... touristy prices!! Angelica went to University there which means she lived there for 3 years. Being a student in Bath means having to be extra careful in terms of budget and having to choose wisely where to spend your student loan. 

When it comes to buying groceries, people people end up spending an average of £235 a month and the average rent price per month is £425 (Angelica was paying £490 during her final year, without including bills!!). However, you get what you pay for and most people who have been there would probably say it is worth spending a lot to be in such a beautiful place.

Luckily, Primark and Lidl opened very recently and came to the rescue of students (yay!). More expensive shops also normally offer student discounts which make it much more affordable to shop. Having said this, Bath is also home of some unique and quirky shops that still remain within a reasonable price range, great examples are Alexandra May and Boho. If you fancy a cheap bite, Hong Kong Bistro, Yak Yeti Yak and The Raven are your best bet. 

In terms of entertainment, here you can still do loads and spend very little if you know where to go. Fancy discovering more about the history of the city? What better way than buying a Museum Saver Ticket and visit the Roman Baths, the Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery. If you're a fan of art, you might want to explore the Holburne Museum: it is a Grade 1 listed building and it is completely free! And you certainly shouldn't miss Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent, two of the main landmarks. 


If you are ever planning to spend 6 months or more in Bath, do buy a bus pass! Especially if you take the bus everyday, paying for a return ticket will soon add up. First and Wessex and the main bus companies in Bath, and they offer monthly and yearly travel cards. If you don't have a car, the most affordable and at the same time well-connected area to live in is Oldfield park, which is where most students decide to live.

Cambridge

We find Cambridge on 4th place in the ranking. This is where Angelica lived for a year before starting University, it was her very first taste of life in the UK and independence. But, maybe because of this new independence and the feeling of freedom, on her first month there she spend £700, without counting the rent!

It is very easy to get carried away in Cambridge with all the amazing restaurants and activities on offer. However, some little precautions can be taken to save some cash and not end up out of pocket. 

Why spend a fortune on expensive restaurants when the Sunday market is so good? The Sunday Market Cambridge is great for delicious fresh produce which can provide the quality of a restaurant at a much more affordable price. Talking about restaurants, if you want a tasty meal without burning a hole in your wallet there are a couple of Italian restaurants which will save you: Tradizioni and Aromi are definitely recommended, and if you're looking for a more local experience The Corner House Pub is what you are looking for.

A positive aspect of this city is that public transport is not essential. This city is actually the bike capital of the UK with its flat paths and bike racks everywhere. Living in the centre is extremely expensive (according to Cambridge News the average weekly rent for a student there is £209!!), but the surrounding areas are green and lovely and it is possible to live not too far from the city centre. 

In terms of entertainment, if you are ever visiting or moving to Cambridge you should pay attention to the many membership packages on offer, such as the Arts Cinema Membership. 

Oxford

Oxford is on top of the list and is where Celeste spent a year before starting uni. It is such an expensive place to visit, let alone to live in! This is probably because it is a very touristy place and so close to London.

Bad news for Oxford students: student loans here are exactly the same as everywhere else in the country (and not higher as in London). Would you like to go out for a beer with friends after a long day of work? Think again, Oxford homes one of the most expensive pints in the UK!

If you are looking for a cheap drink and a pub full of history, the Turf Tavern is definitely what you are looking for. The best value good quality pizzeria in the city is the White Rabbit while Pieminister is the perfect option if you are in need of a delicious, filling and affordable British pie. If you would only like a quick bite, the Falafel House will not disappoint.

Oxford is a beautiful city and, if you know where to go, you can have an amazing time here without going bankrupt. For example, the High Street, Christ Church Meadows and the University Parks are great places to go for a walk and take in the architecture. Entrance to the famous Ashmolean is free unless there is a special exhibition and so are the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Modern Art Oxford. Footprint Tours organises 2-hour free walking tours of the city running several times a day during the summer. Also, if you would like to visit one of the many colleges without paying an admission fee, Soul’s, Corpus Christi and Lincoln College have free entry as well as gorgeous buildings and grounds.

Chichester 

Chichester is, according to the ranking, the 5th most expensive city in the UK. Angelica spent 6 months here working in a food company (which definitely made it easier to afford the cost of living!). This city has a reputation for being a bit "posh"and the prices reflect this. Compared to London, it has a village feel and is a popular places for families to move to in order to have peace and quiet.

Rents are, as expected, are on the higher end: Angelica was paying £450 for a room 20 minutes away from the centre. However, Chichester really does have a lot to offer and it situated in a great location close to major cities and the sea. So what is the best way to enjoy it on a budget?


If it’s food you’re after, Park Tavern should be on top on your list: its cosy atmosphere, eclectic décor and delicious food should be enough of a reason to go, but on top of this, the dogs hanging in this pub are irresistibly cute and will come to your table looking for food and cuddles!
A stroll along the canal is always a lovely way to spend the afternoon. But the Cathedral gardens are probably the most fascinating place, they are a hidden and quiet spot right in the centre, perfect to chill and read a book. Angelica used to go there to take pictures as they are incredibly pretty.


And after your dinner, why not head to the Chichester Gate's Cineworld for a movie: if you are planning to spend more than a year in this city, they offer a membership which allows you to see unlimited movies for £17.99. Or if you'd prefer a more active evening, wait till Tuesday and go to Tenpin to get 50% off bowling and drinks with Tenpin Tuesdays.

Stamford 

Last but not least: Stamford. Stamford is a tiny town in the Midlands and has been named by Lloyds  the most expensive market towns in the UK. Angelica currently lives and works there, paying £500 in rent. It is hard to be able to afford to live in Stamford, and most people with a job here would rather live in nearby cities. This said, the town has also been named best place to live in Britain. It glows with beauty and is extremely well preserved even hosting stone buildings from the 17th and 18th century. 

Being so small, the opportunities to have fun on a budget are unfortunately not many, especially in the winter. However, this is a perfect place to spend the summer, with its lovely green areas such as the Meadows and Burghley House Gardens. An individual seasonal Burghley House membership costs £58 and gives you admission to the House and Treasury Exhibition and the Garden of Surprises as well as entry to special events such as the Burghley Film Festival and the Beastly Boring Burghley Tours.

Let's talk about food: Stamford is full of little cosy pubs, and King's Head is definitely one of the best. On a Friday, they offer a generous portion of fish and chips and a pint at only £15! And if you fancy pizza on a Thursday, the Bull and Swan is the place to be. Pizzas can be a bit pricey (£12, 2 for £10) but on Thursdays in the summer they show films in their garden. Enjoying a movie snuggled up on a couch outdoors with some pizza doesn't sound too bad, does it?