How You Can Combine Low-cost Living with a Good Quality of Life in the UK
Austerity is here and it seems like it’s here to stay. But many people have embraced it, not just as something that is unavoidable, but as a new way of living. You might be wondering whether it’s possible to live better for less, but still enjoy a good quality of life. The answer is yes. We are lucky that, in the UK, we are blessed with free healthcare and education, and state welfare when needed. But, asides from that, there are many ways we can be more frugal with our lifestyles, yet still enjoy healthy and well-rounded existences.
Prime Locations
If you are looking for a bargain home, it’s unlikely to be in a location like Farringdon or Sunbury-on-Thames, these are typically expensive areas to buy in due to their locations. Farringdon, for example, is in highly sought-after zone 1, while Sunbury-on-Thames is known for its beautiful riverside properties. So, for those looking to get a better deal, it’s a good idea to look at locations that are up-and-coming, rather than already established locations that are in high demand with a price tag to match.
While London predictably remains the most expensive place in the country to buy property, with houses in Mayfair costing an average of GBP 3.29 million, there are plenty of alternatives. Top pics include Falkirk and Stirling, Kilmarnock, Bridgend, and Glasgow. The key is to look for areas that are currently, or soon to be regenerated. If you work from home or remotely, consider more rural or village locations, and don’t be frightened by purchasing a “doer-upper”. All of this will save you money!
Entertainment and Culture
Living a good quality of life and enjoying various forms of entertainment in the UK doesn’t have to come at a price. There are plenty of things that can be enjoyed with minimal price tags – especially considering that 13% of the UK is woodland, there is so much of the country to explore. The options include hiking, camping, travelling, and relaxing, and most of the time, it doesn’t cost a penny.
Fresh air, the great outdoors, and lashings of Vitamin D (if you are lucky) are great for the mind, body, and soul. You can hike through forests, laze by a lake, or climb to some of the country’s tallest mountains and hills. There are also plenty of cultural sites throughout the country that are often surrounded by beautiful views, and charge either nothing or a nominal entry fee.
Food and Drink
When it comes to food and drink, you might think there aren’t many ways to compromise on cost yet still enjoy quality sustenance. But you’d be wrong! You don’t have to shop at high-end farmers markets and stores, to enjoy the best of British food. For example, there are various websites dedicated to frugal living and cooking. This is a concept whereby delicious recipes are put together using items that cost less than GBP 1, typically from clearance sections or items that are near their sell-by-date. The frugal living movement is so popular that even billionaires are doing it!
Other tips include writing a shopping list before you go shopping, to ensure you don’t end up buying things you don’t need. Reducing the number of fish and meat you eat, is not only good for you and the environment but it saves you money as well. You can cook up big batches of healthy vegetable casseroles, curries, and soups, and freeze them for a later date. Ultimately, there are many creative ways to live cheaply without it impacting your quality of life. You just need to make these opportunities happen.
