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seahorse
Senior Member
USA
1075 Posts |
 Posted - 20 September 2004 : 22:15:56
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Yes, there's a sales tax in Japan too. 5%. Back in California, the sales tax was 8.75% before I left. Don't know if it has changed since then.
Maybe it's just because I'm an American and don't believe in taxes. :) Doesn't 17.5% strike anyone as just a bit high? Talk about the poor being screwed. |
Ken
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Worldwide Partner Group
Microsoft |
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pdrg
Support Moderator
United Kingdom
2897 Posts |
Posted - 21 September 2004 : 06:54:49
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Here's something that may make you happy with the VAT though, (and whilst 17.5% is high, some EU countries do have higher) - all prices you see will INCLUDE VAT unless they specifically state otherwise - there are no sneaky taxes introduced at the checkout. If it says £19.99, and you pay with a £20 note, you do get a penny change, not have to dig around for another £1.50 for taxes... (tripped up on that one a few times in the US...). Also, there is no 'luxury tax' or 'city tax' etc that you get on hotels in Asia (hence seeing prices like 'S$200+++' for the 3 added taxes at paytime). And the VAT is constant around the country, no local variations.
Huw drew attention to some 'exclusions' - these are on Kids clothes and shoes, cooking ingredients, some other things, originally planned so wants, not needs were VATted. Fuel is VATted, but at a much lower rate, and pensioners recieve some tax rebate to offset this, I gather.
Where do all these taxes go? Well defence, of course (don't get me started...), but also our huge NHS system, free healthcare (at point of use)! So whilst you have the option of going private (as with schools in threads passim), you can call an ambulance, get carried to hospital, get inspected, fixed and released without ever having to touch your wallet or call your insurers - so maybe those poor aren't being as badly screwed as it initially sounds? |
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Panhandler
Average Member
USA
783 Posts |
Posted - 21 September 2004 : 10:56:06
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It may be a bit off topic, but the pound is killing us!
We planned to visit the UK this year, but with the pound at 1.79 per dollar, it's become way too expensive. 
We'll have to wait until the pound slips. When it does, perhaps housing prices will slump too?
We lived in Southern California for a while, saw our house slip $80,000. in one year. It eventually came back, but we had sold by then and moved on.
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seahorse
Senior Member
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 21 September 2004 : 21:18:39
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The exchange rate is the reason I'm not buying a house. If I move my dollars over from my bank account in the US, I'd get creamed on the exchange rate.
Then again on the plus side, if the dollar stays weak vs the pound, I can send pounds back to the US and try to buy an investment property back in LA. If I ever make it back home, I'll have a place to live. 
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Ken
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Worldwide Partner Group
Microsoft |
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seahorse
Senior Member
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 21 September 2004 : 21:26:35
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quote:
Originally posted by pdrg
so maybe those poor aren't being as badly screwed as it initially sounds?
Well, Paddy, that sounds better. You'll have to forgive me, but the word tax makes me twitch.
I've seen some nice looking houses online. I'll have to drive around and look at them if they're still available when I get to the UK.
Here's a sample of one of the houses that was emailed to me today. What do you think? Seems a little pricey for the size of the place.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/rm/template/publicsite%2Crenting%2CPropertyDetails.vm/svr/1035?p_id=3759809&pa_n=1&tr_t=rent |
Ken
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Worldwide Partner Group
Microsoft |
Edited by - seahorse on 21 September 2004 21:30:45 |
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HuwR
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
20600 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 04:41:43
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| that is fairly expensive for only 2 bedrooms |
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pdrg
Support Moderator
United Kingdom
2897 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 07:41:57
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| It would seem a little dear, but it all depends on the area, and the agent. I'm in a country cottage in Oxfordshire (the further south you go the dearer property as a rule - but a VERY loose rule), and that is 2.5 bedrooms for £750 pcm. Hope that helps in some way? |
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seahorse
Senior Member
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 08:59:17
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Hale barns is pretty nice from what I'm told. Having never been there I have to take peoples word for now.
Frankly, I'd agree with both of you. It is pretty expensive for what you're getting. Can either of you suggest good real estate site? I've pretty much seen all the offerings at this one. |
Ken
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Worldwide Partner Group
Microsoft |
Edited by - seahorse on 22 September 2004 09:10:23 |
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seahorse
Senior Member
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 09:06:54
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I did a search in my parent's neighborhood. They own a place on this street. Bought it about 30+ years ago and I can tell you that it was nowhere close to even a 1/4th of this price when they got it. Real estate prices in Los Angeles are just out of control.
http://www.coldwellbanker.com/request/CBDocument?QMLclass=FindPropDetails&id=6312368&curr=3&total=9&maxRows=20&offset=0
Do you think it's a sign of failure when you can't afford to live in the area you grew up in? |
Ken
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Worldwide Partner Group
Microsoft |
Edited by - seahorse on 22 September 2004 09:09:31 |
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pdrg
Support Moderator
United Kingdom
2897 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 09:46:54
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ha - nobody can afford to buy in the UK now, unless they already have a house as downpayment - I make excellent money, but cannot get a mortgage for enough to buy anything in my area... :(
I'd say it's the sign of a shafted set of values if you cannot afford to buy a house in the area... etc ;) |
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MarkJH
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1722 Posts |
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HuwR
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
20600 Posts |
Posted - 22 September 2004 : 11:50:21
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quote:
Originally posted by pdrg
It would seem a little dear, but it all depends on the area, and the agent. I'm in a country cottage in Oxfordshire (the further south you go the dearer property as a rule - but a VERY loose rule), and that is 2.5 bedrooms for £750 pcm. Hope that helps in some way?
where in oxfordshire ? my brother lives in Aston Tirold (south of Didcot) he rents a 3 bed cottage for £650 |
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pdrg
Support Moderator
United Kingdom
2897 Posts |
Posted - 23 September 2004 : 05:10:21
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| Charlbury, Huw - moved in last March as we found rents grotesquely overbloated in central Oxford, and I needed a mainline station for Reading (my work). Could be he got in his bagsies/contract when the market was less loopy? Maybe it's the train station links that push it up? |
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HuwR
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
20600 Posts |
Posted - 23 September 2004 : 05:15:20
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| yes probably the station, where my brother lives is in the middle of nowhere but only 5 mins from Didcot. In Oxford itself you would be looking at £900+ for a three bed. |
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HuwR
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
20600 Posts |
Posted - 23 September 2004 : 05:23:29
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| I live in a 2 bed second floor flat in cowley,oxford. It cost us £65K when we bought it 4-5 years ago, the one downstairs sold last week for £138K!!, the mad thing is, I also have a 2 bed flat in Shropshire, it is only worth £60K and is much bigger than the one we live in and has a 120 foot garden and a Garage |
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