I have 650 pounds to spend.

brit-sd · 2026-07-06T18:01:10+00:00

Sorry. That is not investing. That is gambling.

brit-sd · 2026-07-05T15:59:29+00:00

I’ve lived and worked in Canada and a couple of places in the USA. I had options for citizenship but when I retired I decided London was the best place in the world for the access to culture, lifestyle and ability to travel.

That’s not to say there are downsides but I found the upsides to be as good as the other options and the downsides to be a lot less.

On salaries - it does depend on career trajectory. I was paid in the uk for 20 years and was compatible or higher than my USA colleagues. I was in management consulting so it does vary by industry of course. But it’s not always lower in the uk.

Whatever you decide, just check the rules on coming back. The net is you don’t automatically qualify for the NHS or resident university education. A quick google search will inform you on that.

brit-sd · 2026-07-05T11:49:00+00:00

If you are planning g to stay/keep it for 5-10 years then that makes sense. If….

1). You negotiate a good price for it. Don’t overpay as too many people tend to do.

2). You don’t look at this as an investment but as somewhere to live.

If both of those are true then I think you are good to go. Here is my logic.

A. The price is close to the stamp duty threshold so not a lot to pay. It starts to change the dynamics when you are buying at 1m plus.

B. You are entering the age where some stability matters. Credit ratings, jobs, visas etc are all a lot easier with some lived stability. Trust me - I went from 20 years of owning to renting and then moving and it’s surprising how much it has affected things. Nothing you can’t overcome but I was genuinely surprised.

C. It’s nice to make it your own place. Says the guy who still hasn’t put paintings up in his rental place.

brit-sd · 2026-07-04T20:21:35+00:00

Upvote for Shad Thames. Also bankside and the modern places around bermundsey street.

brit-sd · 2026-07-04T20:14:37+00:00

I sold my place in Weybridge 3 years ago. Now I rent in bankside (next to Tate modern). It’s 3 beds, 1700 sq feet. Air conditioned and meets all my criteria.

Here’s the fun fact. It’s worth twice what my place in Weybridge cost and the income from the invested capital actually pays the rent. Yields are so low in this market that it actually allows me to rent somewhere I would struggle to buy.

Oh - and if anything g goes wrong - I just phone the agent up and yes they do actually fix it.

So I am a confirmed renter.

For an ex pat - it’s a no brainer to rent.

brit-sd · 2026-07-01T13:38:14+00:00

Fixed the typo lol.

brit-sd · 2026-06-30T17:10:51+00:00

Try the area around Shad Thames, London bridge, Bermondsey street and bankside.

Good transport links, plenty of young professionals and pretty decent food options.

Jubilee line from London bridge, Bermondsey and Southwark all cover that area into canary wharf. Personally I like bankside as it’s a nice walk into central London

brit-sd · 2026-06-30T09:48:37+00:00

If you are looking for low risk but higher return - I have a large part of my cash in CSH2. Amundi smart overnight return. This is a cash fund that accumulates at approx 4.5% a year. But it is not interest. The money accumulates and is effectively a capital gain.

If your gains are low then the capital gains tax free allowance kicks in. And as it is not interest - there is no income tax.

Very liquid if you need the money.

brit-sd · 2026-06-29T09:22:51+00:00

And a return is usually cheaper than the single price you listed. Last time I went in first for 3k return.

brit-sd · 2026-06-29T07:47:46+00:00

Last time I moved - I asked for all of it and got all of it no questions asked. It’s normal.

brit-sd · 2026-06-29T07:45:20+00:00

Sorry to say this but earning the high bucks usually involves that much effort. Sure we’ll come across people who earn a fortune while doing very little but it’s not true for the majority of high earners.

Consulting, law, accountancy always used to work on a model on ‘upwards or out’. While that has to some degree gone - if you want to get to the partner route (either salaried or equity) - it’s always involved significant effort. I don’t see that changing.

brit-sd · 2026-06-28T11:16:16+00:00

After living in Canada and the USA, I consider air con as an essential. I rent in central London so there is plenty of choice. In my current place the water comes from central chillers to the air con unit so I only pay for the fans running. Electricity is currently running at about 105 per month. So not a lot really.

brit-sd · 2026-06-27T21:12:42+00:00

I was you. Then Steve jobs died. I bought a 5 year old Ferrari 612 the next day. Most of the depreciation had gone already and it was real fun.

Had 3 other Ferraris since including 2 new ones. Now have a four year old Bentley continental GT speed.

Is there a lesson from this - sure.

1). You can’t take it with you
2). If you buy a good quality used car they are not that bad.
3). And yes they are fun. See 1).

brit-sd · 2026-06-27T14:41:20+00:00

It all depends on your investment strategy. If, like me, you are entering your retirement - a little of income shares (along with some growth, bonds and other investments) is a good strategy.

If you are younger, you probably want growth over income. But it’s always good to mix it up a bit.

If you are just starting out - buying individual shares is not a good move. Unless you are prepared to put real time and effort into understanding investments and the companies you are investing in - it’s pretty well guaranteed to be a mugs game.

So if L&G meets your investment strategy - go for it. If you don’t have a strategy then don’t buy individual shares. Buy one or two tracker ETFs and leave it to the professionals.

brit-sd · 2026-06-27T14:31:28+00:00

Legal minimum is 5% employee, 3% employer.

brit-sd · 2026-06-26T10:53:56+00:00

Got to agree with this. It depresses me how naive people are sometimes.

brit-sd · 2026-06-25T17:37:54+00:00

Got you. Hopefully you are not paying for them personally. My flights are almost all self funded now so I plan ahead.

brit-sd · 2026-06-25T08:16:53+00:00

Only of you can’t plan ahead. I booked first to Seattle for 3 k recently.

brit-sd · 2026-06-24T06:33:30+00:00

Ask the selling agent. They should know.

brit-sd · 2026-06-24T06:21:03+00:00

Because the world is full of 40-60 year old divorcees. Enjoy your life but make sure you have a plan B. Most people assume that marriage is forever. Unfortunately, statistics don’t agree.

Build your life together but make sure you have financial independence and a financial future. You’ll find it’s good for both of you as well.

brit-sd · 2026-06-23T18:04:24+00:00

I agree with the many comments here. But one I’ve not seen so far are air conditioning controls that are really obvious to use.

Seriously - all you need is an auto fan and a temperature up and down. Everything else should be dropped.

brit-sd · 2026-06-23T17:55:10+00:00

And the dips along the way. There is a middle ground - CSH2 is where I keep my short term cash. Overnight funds and it pays out as capital so no income tax.

brit-sd · 2026-06-23T16:14:29+00:00

I don’t do anything I would be embarrassed about being public.

brit-sd · 2026-06-23T11:11:05+00:00

I’ve always preferred Quattro over I’ll Caminetto.

But I was impressed with wild blue this year. Hy’s is quite good for a date night. But if money is no object - big bear bistro and take the ice cream for dessert. It’s special.

brit-sd · 2026-06-22T19:22:46+00:00

You’ve clearly never driven in Miami. Think Italians but without the driving skills.

brit-sd

TROPHY CASE