Eastern European cities rise sharply in cost of living rankings

[Miklos]

From the Mercer cost of living survey http://www.mercerhr.com/pressrelease...ontent/1142150

Mercer’s survey covers 144 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is the world’s most comprehensive cost of living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.

Europe

London remains the most expensive city in Europe, with a score of 120.3. “Steep accommodation and transport costs together with the appreciation of the pound against the US dollar have contributed to the city’s high ranking,” said Marie-Laurence Sepede, Research Manager at Mercer. Scores are based on the cost of living for expatriates who are likely to stay in Central London, where accommodation is more expensive. Other UK cities are less costly, with Glasgow in 40th position and Birmingham in 47th place (scores 87.5 and 85.8).

Moscow is the second most expensive city in Europe ranked in 4th position (119), followed by Geneva in 6th place (113.5) and Zurich in 7th place (112.1). Other high-scoring cities include Copenhagen ranked 8th (110), Oslo, which has moved up from 15th to 10th place due mainly to the appreciation of the Norwegian Krone against the US dollar, and Milan ranked 11th (104.9).

Budapest in Hungary ranks in 24th position (score 93.3) and is the costliest city of the countries that joined the EU last year. “Many cities in the new EU accession countries have risen sharply in the rankings this year, as they make strides to bring their economic infrastructure up to EU standards. Central and Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly attractive for investment by multinationals,” commented Ms Sepede. Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava have all risen by more than ten places.

Bucharest in Romania is the least expensive European city in 103rd place (71.4), followed by Limassol in Cyprus ranked 100th (71.9).

[Miklos]

http://www.pestiside.hu/archives/its...tral001014.php

No, it's not just your imagination, or even the fact that you are a loser and can't earn enough money to get by. Budapest is horribly, horribly expensive. In fact, according to a well-publicized study by human resource consulting firm Mercer, Budapest is the most expensive city in the region, Világgazdaság online reports. Not only does the Hungarian capital "lead" Warsaw and Prague, life in Athens, Brussels and even Berlin and Los Angeles is apparently cheaper than in Budapest.

One hundred and fifty cities around the globe are included in the annual survey, which takes into account the cost of housing, travel, food, clothing, services, entertainment and sport. Budapest ended up 25th on the list of most expensive cities in the world, up from the 34th spot last year.

[Mr Cool]

I'll agree with you Miklos. The price is pretty high. My only question ??????? is how do the locals get by? What do they think about the incredibly high prices (this is in relation to average income)?

It's also worth noting that as you venture out of the city centre prices drop sharply. You can pay a resonable price for a coke in one place, yet only a five minute walk away you can multiply that figure by four. Its Crazy.

I for one only parted my cash for sensible prices. I don't let my pants get pulled down (i.e conned out of money).

[Miklos]

Originally Posted by Mr Cool

I'll agree with you Miklos. The price is pretty high. My only question ??????? is how do the locals get by? What do they think about the incredibly high prices (this is in relation to average income)?

It's also worth noting that as you venture out of the city centre prices drop sharply. You can pay a resonable price for a coke in one place, yet only a five minute walk away you can multiply that figure by four. Its Crazy.

I for one only parted my cash for sensible prices. I don't let my pants get pulled down (i.e conned out of money).

Locals (with possible exception of business and mafia types) avoid touristy places like the plague.

Locals know how to save money and are very cost conscious. When there's a sale on at Tesco (or another big store) on a single item, you'll literally see hundreds of people line up for it. They know where (and how) to shop, make use public transport almost exclusively (unless someone else is paying for their car and fuel; often the case with businesses). Otherwise, they make do without.

[Mr Cool]

The only problem with this Miklos is that foreign tourists do quite the opposite. When they come on holiday to places like Prague or Budapest they spend spend spend, which I suppose is not a bad thing.

But when I hear stories from medical students who have spent £40 on a night out it becomes concerning. I also got the impression that the English are not liked that much either among teh older generation!!! Or then again this could just be me?

Oh well, I'll see how it goes.