Thanks for the feedback. I’ll work out a new post and put it up in the London group later. For now, I’ll clarify a bit more here:
Since I have not yet been offered a salary, I’m going by what I can estimate from casual research. I am hoping that, given the school’s decent reputation and area, I can expect a higher than average salary. But until the offer itself comes, I keep my estimates within the average. I should clarify that the position is not a teaching job but a librarian job.
The school itself is in Barnet, in North London. Given the fact that the school is located there, I already expect the average cost of living to be on the higher end of the scale, but I do not know.
The position is entry level. Basically, the necessary degree (Masters in Library Science) and some work experience. Hence the low range.
Rent and transportation have been my biggest concern. I do not know what sort of situation Barnet is in as far as housing and transport, but I have already decided that, if possible, I will attempt to find shared housing and leave my car behind. I’d like to be able to bike to work, but I already suspect finding housing that close is outside of my pay range. So I intend to bus if possible.
I lived in Barnet for several months in 2013, it’s a reasonably affluent area, green leafy suburbs. High rent, for the most part. From quickly looking at income data, the surrounding areas are relatively heterogenous though, so you’ll most likely find a cheap place nearby. There’s plenty of bus services to and from the town centre and the fare doesn’t scale with distance so living elsewhere might work very well for you. As I recall there were plenty of cycle paths, so biking might work too if you’re at that kind of distance. If you end up living to the south of Barnet, don’t be tempted to use the Tube just because it’s there—even an annual pass just for Zone 4-5 is more expensive than an annual bus pass for the whole of London.
I’m glad to hear that! I was worried all around Barnet would be too affluent, but if there is a mix of income brackets, I might have a chance to live comfortably without wrecking my income.
Thanks for the advice on the Tube. If at all possible, I’ll prefer my own feet to others’ wheels, but if it comes down to bus vs. Tube, I’ll keep your advice in mind.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll work out a new post and put it up in the London group later. For now, I’ll clarify a bit more here:
Since I have not yet been offered a salary, I’m going by what I can estimate from casual research. I am hoping that, given the school’s decent reputation and area, I can expect a higher than average salary. But until the offer itself comes, I keep my estimates within the average. I should clarify that the position is not a teaching job but a librarian job.
The school itself is in Barnet, in North London. Given the fact that the school is located there, I already expect the average cost of living to be on the higher end of the scale, but I do not know.
The position is entry level. Basically, the necessary degree (Masters in Library Science) and some work experience. Hence the low range.
Rent and transportation have been my biggest concern. I do not know what sort of situation Barnet is in as far as housing and transport, but I have already decided that, if possible, I will attempt to find shared housing and leave my car behind. I’d like to be able to bike to work, but I already suspect finding housing that close is outside of my pay range. So I intend to bus if possible.
I lived in Barnet for several months in 2013, it’s a reasonably affluent area, green leafy suburbs. High rent, for the most part. From quickly looking at income data, the surrounding areas are relatively heterogenous though, so you’ll most likely find a cheap place nearby. There’s plenty of bus services to and from the town centre and the fare doesn’t scale with distance so living elsewhere might work very well for you. As I recall there were plenty of cycle paths, so biking might work too if you’re at that kind of distance. If you end up living to the south of Barnet, don’t be tempted to use the Tube just because it’s there—even an annual pass just for Zone 4-5 is more expensive than an annual bus pass for the whole of London.
I’m glad to hear that! I was worried all around Barnet would be too affluent, but if there is a mix of income brackets, I might have a chance to live comfortably without wrecking my income.
Thanks for the advice on the Tube. If at all possible, I’ll prefer my own feet to others’ wheels, but if it comes down to bus vs. Tube, I’ll keep your advice in mind.