“Let's stop dreaming that life in Romania is cheaper”, says a Romanian woman during a debate on the costs of living in Great Britain compared to those in Romania. The £3,000 difference is considered an exaggeration by most panelists.
The cost of living in Great Britain is not very different from that in Romania. PHOTO: Unsplash
A Romanian who wants to return home from the UK asked the members of the “Homecoming Group” on Facebook how they are dealing with prices in Romania.
“We are in the UK, but we are following the evolution of the situation at home. For those of you who are back, may I ask, how do you feel about prices and wages in the country at this time? When I was in the country last year, I was horrified to see the prices of some foods more expensive at Kaufland than at Asda (supermarket chain in Great Britain), we actually left the equivalent at 100 euros when we did the market and did not brag about anything in the basket, only normal foods for a family of 4″wrote the Romanian who wished to remain anonymous.
He also stated that already a house with a garden and at least 3 bedrooms in a big city, top 5, in Romania, has become more expensive than in a big city in the North of England.
“I don't even want to remember how much money I spent on accommodation on the Romanian coast, to go to the sea with the children, because the devils are taking me”, he added.
The comments were not slow to appear. “But yes, house prices have increased a lot, especially in big cities, but also in small ones where there is an economy”Andrea claimed.
Silvia confessed that her family is also thinking of leaving the UK: “Here it seems to me that we are starting to live, I think worse than in Romania, honestly, you have everything you want here, you don't lack, but what is more important in life, peace of mind, children's happiness or money?”
She also stated that in Great Britain the cost of living has become a nightmare: “I prefer to go back home, where I have healthy food, from the garden we are thinking of having, the help of the grandparents, the children will be happier, etc. You can also find a job at home, I have friends who haven't been out of the country for a day with normal jobs and they are much better than us here. A couple, if they have around 7,000 lei at home, live decently”.
“Until you have your home in Romania, it's not really worth coming”
The anonymous member of the group who asked the question believes that 7,000 lei would not be enough for a decent life in Romania: “7,000 lei is 1,400 euros, I honestly don't know what we would do with this money in Romania, I talked to foreigners there, it's 200 euros per month only for gas and car insurance, rent or bank installment 500, the rest I have to pay we pay for food, utilities, clothes, everything the children need, that's why I'm asking”.
Silvia stated that she owns a house in Romania, so she will not pay installments: “There will be utilities, food. But it's the same here, we only have the rent 1,600 lire without utilities, food, car insurance, I mean I have to have around 4,000 lire here just for that… I don't see the point why I would pay rent here, when at home I won't have to do that…”
The initiator of the discussion claimed that he does not own a house in Romania, so he will have to rent, but he complained that the rents in London have become extremely high: “In August our contract expires, I don't even want to think how much the agency will want to increase our rent, considering that most of my friends had increases from 300 pounds upwards… So what would be the point of the state in the UK, when did everything start going crazy?”.
Another member argued that indeed, London is expensive, but in other cities the rents are close to Romania.
Cristian believes that if you don't have your home in Romania, it's not worth coming back. “Until you have your house in Romania, it's not really worth coming. I'm telling the truth… Only if you've got some old job. But if you have a house, you manage it decently”Cristian concluded.
Great Britain vs Romania: £3,000 difference
On the same discussion group, a Romanian from Great Britain posted a calculation with the necessary expenses in Great Britain and in Romania.
“Today, over coffee, for those who want to return from the UK to Romania in particular, I made a comparison between living in the UK and Romania in terms of the minimum/decent monthly costs for a family with 2 children. The list refers to the prices of 2023-2024 and was made by
Thus, life in England, for a family with two children, costs 3,912 pounds per month. In Romania, where rent or house rent expenses were not included, probably assuming that the returnees have a place to live, the costs amounted to about 5,200 lei, that is about 930 pounds sterling.
For rent in England, the author estimated a cost of nearly £900.
“Freedom and peace of our hearts are not on the LIST. We haven't been able to value them, but they certainly far exceed any extra material value you can have in the UK (cars in installments, houses in installments, anything in installments)”Marius also specified.
Marius' calculations: 3,912 pounds in England, 930 pounds in Romania. PHOTO: Mariusica Sică
Lavinia does not agree with the fact that Marius did not include the “rent” in Romania. “If you sell your house in Romania and buy here, it's even better to come out here. Diesel is cheaper here, so I don't understand, here you fuel the car and drive it, and in Romania it sits on the driveway (which is also specified in the “equipment” of the 5-room villa).
She claimed that clothes are cheaper in the UK and going out and supermarket prices are the same. “That you came back because your soul called you is one thing, and I don't dispute it – everyone feels good where their soul is pulling them, but to compare prices in such an exaggerated way to emphasize how good it is in Romania is stupid on face”, Lavinia concluded.
Stănculescu stated that he bought his first apartment, in Romania, after only 4 years of work.
“Then I bought another 3-room apartment, NEW, in Bucharest, 1km from Piață UNIRII, for only 98,000 euros. 6 years ago we also built our country house! Our friends here, most of them have 2 properties each (at the age of 40-45), they have a car, and many also have motorcycles (which are a hobby, not a necessity). We go on trips in the country and abroad. It seems that you are one of those who see only the bad in Romania, and all the good in the UK. Sin!”
“Eating in the city, 200 lei in Romania? Be realistic”
Oana claimed that Marius exaggerated when he listed the fact that 200 lei is enough in Romania for going out to restaurants in the city, and he added 400 pounds for clothing per month to the costs in England.
“The last time I was in Romania was 2 years ago and I paid for 2 people food and drinks (without alcohol) 190 lei, one way out. I have 2 children but I can't afford to buy £400 worth of clothes every month. I think this calculation is made subjectively. Returning to Romania you have to do it because that's what you want, not trying to exaggerate something, because there are so many things in Romania that are much worse than in the UK for example, such as the fact that in Romania you put a few hundreds of lei per month for medicine/doctor, which in the UK is free or at minimal cost. Do what makes you happy, but also be realistic”explained Oana.
Cătalin believes that those who have a home in Romania will return: “Rest assured that in a maximum of 2 years, all those who had something in mind, who put aside or bought a house in Romania, will return home. Those who made the civilized and the Westerners and sold everything they had in Romania, because they are doing well outside, will get tired of paying rent, mortgages and living among Muslims and blacks. We will live and see.“
Another member of the group claims that you can't get by in Romania with food on 1,500 lei per month, according to Marius' list: “Perhaps half a month in Romania, the prices of food products give you a headache. In the UK with around 600 pounds a month, you eat decently and what you want. In Romania, you refrain when you see the prices”.
“I used to spend about the same amount when I lived in France”
Mariana emphasized the same thing: “I don't know how you calculate 1,500 ron/month on food… I spend about 2,000 ron and we don't drink juices, I filter the water, we don't buy in excess. Then, my daughter needs at least 50 lei when she goes for a walk with her friends, 100 lei if she goes to the cinema. A dinner in the city is approximately 2-300 lei/ 2 people. An anniversary, something, minimum 200 lei.”
She also stated that her family owns the apartment they live in and needs about 1,500-2,000 euros/month to live comfortably.
“I spent about the same amount when I lived in France. The only difference is that we are
