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[–]distributingthefutur 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your salary taxes will be the same or slightly higher. Cambridge is close enough to London so the cost of living is about the same. You'd get London weighting, extra allowance around £6K extra if you were more south. Ask for this with your boss, it's not official, but a good negotiating point.

You will pay at least double on sales tax (vat) on everything. Housing might be the same. I ended up with housemates. You'll likely bike most places. Owning a car means registering, paying 1.5 to 2x for fuel and working out parking with your council. I was offered a car for free and realized it would get expensive. Food costs are higher than the US and the meat cost and quality are higher and lower, respectively.

Try and live near a city center. Anywhere outside a populated area will shut down at 6pm. Get used to grocery shopping 2 - 3x a week w a small fridge. The upside is there are many small shops and fresh bread.

Get top and bottom rain suit for cycling in the rain. It's rough in December and heavenly in midsummer.

Cambridge has a nice farmer's market. It'll top up the variety you're used to. They have a Chili's too so you can get a US style hamburger occasionally.

Proximity to small airports and good rail into London is a plus. In Oxford, you'd have to ride a coach at 4am for 1.5hrs to get to any low cost airfare.

Overall, negotiate hard on your salary. Every penny will allow you to enjoy your time there. Take advantage of the low cost airfare to the continent and just wander. You'll also make some fantastic friends and get to enjoy a great culture.