What is a good salary in UK at present?

adam cool dude · 2 Aug 2023 at 18:37

As a single person I would say 50k to be extremely comfortable Midlands and North. (House ownership, holidays and hobbies)

There are massive variables though. I knew of people who earnt far more than we do as a couple but blew it all on takeaway, pubs etc and have very little. Massive mortgage and a smaller house and not even kids. (We have 2). They must have been on circa 90K combined before tax which is a huge wage for the east midlands. Living in a 3 bed semi.

This seems to answer the OP's question though.

Your household's income : Where do you fit in? | Institute for Fiscal Studies

When you think about your income, do you feel rich, poor, or just plain average? Find out where you lie in the UK income distribution.

ifs.org.uk

You put all your bits in and it works it all out.

We are in the top 35% (I sure as hell don't feel like it) but if I were to sell off my kids we would be in top 12% which just seems mad and explains why a lot choose not to have kids.

Back in 2007 before we had kids and wages adjusted for inflation we were working in a factory in junior leadership roles fresh out of school that anyone could do. With overtime we had a combined salary adjusted for inflation of 80+K between us. I think that paints a massive picture in itself compared to now.

Spook187 · 2 Aug 2023 at 19:36

Orangeade said:
For me, no money would be worth it in the UK as even though London has a lot going on.....I just don't like the aggressive people and (lack of) culture.

For me a good salary is one where you can buy everything you want without thinking about it, saving a large amount a month and having at least one house paid off.

So for London as single person I'm presuming 150k as the tax is insane and property price high. Even then are you really getting ahead or just more comfortable than most?

Up north I'd just kill myself. Grey, miserable weather, surrounded by miserable unhealthy people. Wouldn't do it for a million a year.

loooooooooooool which part of the north are you blabbing on about.

delta0 · 2 Aug 2023 at 19:59

Orangeade said:
For me, no money would be worth it in the UK as even though London has a lot going on.....I just don't like the aggressive people and (lack of) culture.

For me a good salary is one where you can buy everything you want without thinking about it, saving a large amount a month and having at least one house paid off.

So for London as single person I'm presuming 150k as the tax is insane and property price high. Even then are you really getting ahead or just more comfortable than most?

Up north I'd just kill myself. Grey, miserable weather, surrounded by miserable unhealthy people. Wouldn't do it for a million a year.

London lack of culture? Sounds like you didn’t venture beyond Oxford street. It’s one of the most cultural cities in the world! I would take London over dieing of boredom in Switzerland :cry:

flea.rider · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:02

you have a higher income than around 65% of the population WOW ..

Orangeade · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:03

Nitefly said:
Must admit I’m fascinated by this thread… trying to figure out what everyone earns

Best post yet

Thanks.

Spook187 said:
loooooooooooool which part of the north are you blabbing on about.

I had the unfortunate experience of going to Birmingham once, this damn near killed me. Still it ticked off going to Pakistan off my bucket list.

Manchester was awful, actually slightly more pleasant people but it was dilapidated and depressing. I think I had to go see BNY Mellon many years ago. Urgh.

Liverpool I went once and just wow....if I met a stunning blonde there I'd say no....and still tell her she would never walk alone.....as there would be gypsies nearby to steal her felgen.

And Scotland....so beautiful and filled with the most obnoxious bitter people ever. Could power a dam with it.

Dreadful. But it's okay I won't haunt (with exception occasionally London when I have to) your fair shores again!

It really does puzzle me with all the beauty of the UK that it's so awful.

Guess being post colonial has its downsides.

Orangeade · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:04

delta0 said:
London lack of culture? Sounds like you didn’t venture beyond Oxford street. It’s one of the most cultural cities in the world! I would take London over dieing of boredom in Switzerland

My English wasn't the best, I meant London had a lot going on but UK lacked culture. All the high streets look the same, same shops, betting, charity, lidl..

Edit: and yes to a lot of people Switzerland is pretty boring, but it's actually quite nice once you know the right people. Most immigrants (especially English and Spanish) just huddle together and complain that it's boring rather than getting stuck in and getting involved.

Ayahuasca · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:06

GaryTheSnail said:
100% one or the other! I recon it's homework and they getting answers from others.

Orangeade said:
For me, no money would be worth it in the UK as even though London has a lot going on.....I just don't like the aggressive people and (lack of) culture.

For me a good salary is one where you can buy everything you want without thinking about it, saving a large amount a month and having at least one house paid off.

So for London as single person I'm presuming 150k as the tax is insane and property price high. Even then are you really getting ahead or just more comfortable than most?

Up north I'd just kill myself. Grey, miserable weather, surrounded by miserable unhealthy people. Wouldn't do it for a million a year.

4chan is leaking.

Diddums · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:09

flea.rider said:
you have a higher income than around 65% of the population WOW ..

you have a higher income than around 97% of the population

Bloody hell

delta0 · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:11

Orangeade said:
My English wasn't the best, I meant London had a lot going on but UK lacked culture. All the high streets look the same, same shops, betting, charity, lidl..

Edit: and yes to a lot of people Switzerland is pretty boring, but it's actually quite nice once you know the right people. Most immigrants (especially English and Spanish) just huddle together and complain that it's boring rather than getting stuck in and getting involved.

No worries. I see what you were trying to say. I think there’s a lot of culture in the UK. Edinburgh is a pretty fun place to check out. Cambridge and Oxford are also great. Depending on what you are looking for there will be something awesome to do. Like walking and rural places then get to the lakes, Scotland or Wales. Want quirky villages just general beauty from coast to inland then check out Cornwall. Surfing, West Cornwall, North Devon and South Wales. Lots of beautiful castles to discover. It has everything except any decent skiing or very high mountains

Whitewater · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:11

Orangeade said:
...

I had the unfortunate experience of going to Birmingham once, this damn near killed me. Still it ticked off going to Pakistan off my bucket list.

Manchester was awful, actually slightly more pleasant people but it was dilapidated and depressing. I think I had to go see BNY Mellon many years ago. Urgh.

Liverpool I went once and just wow....if I met a stunning blonde there I'd say no....and still tell her she would never walk alone.....as there would be gypsies nearby to steal her felgen.

...

Yeah, none of these are in the North.

delta0 · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:13

Whitewater said:
Yeah, none of these are in the North.

That’s a can of worms to open…

Ayahuasca · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:16

Orangeade said:
I had the unfortunate experience of going to Birmingham once, this damn near killed me. Still it ticked off going to Pakistan off my bucket list.

No surprise you’ve gone to Switzerland then, a country that has major issues with racism and xenophobia.

dlockers · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:17

130k minimum or GTFO

Johno please? · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:19

neocon said:
It's definitely the sensible option financially. But sad not having your own family and kids.

Sad? Na, theres far too many humans. People have kids for such stupid reasons anyway.

Spook187 · 2 Aug 2023 at 20:29

Orangeade said:
Thanks.

I had the unfortunate experience of going to Birmingham once, this damn near killed me. Still it ticked off going to Pakistan off my bucket list.

Manchester was awful, actually slightly more pleasant people but it was dilapidated and depressing. I think I had to go see BNY Mellon many years ago. Urgh.

Liverpool I went once and just wow....if I met a stunning blonde there I'd say no....and still tell her she would never walk alone.....as there would be gypsies nearby to steal her felgen.

And Scotland....so beautiful and filled with the most obnoxious bitter people ever. Could power a dam with it.

Dreadful. But it's okay I won't haunt (with exception occasionally London when I have to) your fair shores again!

It really does puzzle me with all the beauty of the UK that it's so awful.

Guess being post colonial has its downsides.

Well i guess you are right about the Scottish

Whitewater · 2 Aug 2023 at 21:36

delta0 said:
That’s a can of worms to open…

It’s time this great nation faced the truth - that the North/South boundary is, in fact, the M62.

GIBURROWS · 3 Aug 2023 at 02:21

Train driver.

Voltar · 3 Aug 2023 at 05:59

Whitewater said:
It’s time this great nation faced the truth - that the North/South boundary is, in fact, the M62.

Is that Northern for M25?

AndyCr15 · 3 Aug 2023 at 07:06

Orangeade said:
Edit: and yes to a lot of people Switzerland is pretty boring, but it's actually quite nice once you know the right people.

Love how you pick out some places in the UK that, let's be honest, if you were trying to think of places that aren't so great (Birmingham, I'm looking at you for example) but for Switzerland, it's all about knowing the right people?! :cry:

I don't think you've structured your argument too well...

Since I became a cyclist 4 years ago, my view of the UK has changed. We have such beautiful countryside with some fantastic little villages that you just don't see much of if you live in/only visit big cities.

Orangeade · 3 Aug 2023 at 07:07

delta0 said:
No worries. I see what you were trying to say. I think there’s a lot of culture in the UK. Edinburgh is a pretty fun place to check out. Cambridge and Oxford are also great. Depending on what you are looking for there will be something awesome to do. Like walking and rural places then get to the lakes, Scotland or Wales. Want quirky villages just general beauty from coast to inland then check out Cornwall. Surfing, West Cornwall, North Devon and South Wales. Lots of beautiful castles to discover. It has everything except any decent skiing or very high mountains

Like my previous quotes there are beautiful places in the UK, its just ruined by the general unhappy population.

The British at their best are amongst the finest people on the planet. There is a reason they were a cultural powerhouse. But sadly the average person is no longer like this. Its a shell of itself.

Whitewater said:
Yeah, none of these are in the North.

Hmm, where are they then?

Ayahuasca said:
No surprise you’ve gone to Switzerland then, a country that has major issues with racism and xenophobia.

We are actually very tolerant of everyone, 25% of our population is foreign....we just expect people to integrate into this land and to abide by our rules. Is that really so unfair? Or should we just cave in and become like you and in a few years wonder why society isn't cohesive and crime is high?

P.s if you're implying I'm racist then that's just ridiculous with my heritage.