Wednesday, March 22, 2017

What Times News readers want to know about the UK and/or Europe



Through the Times News, readers specified what they'd like to know about the United Kingdom and/or Europe.



Now that Brexit has been voted on, what is the mood of the UK of how to move forward and its relationship to other countries outside of the Eurozone?
The feelings in Northern Ireland are different from those elsewhere in the UK.

NI just had elections.  

This article is interesting: Could Brexit mean a referendum in Northern Ireland?
As is this one: 
Brexit 'most dangerous issue for Northern Ireland since partition'
Concern over the impact of Brexit is intensifying 


What is the cost of living?
This is a question I looked into a great deal before I left because I planned a budget. The best resource was from Queen's University Belfast.

Restaurants
Avg.
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
14.61 £
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
46.70 £
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar
4.89 £
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught)
2.83 £
Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle)
3.16 £
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle)
1.41 £
Water (0.33 litre bottle)
1.10 £
Shopping
 Avg.
Milk (regular), 1 litre
0.96 £
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
1.13 £
Eggs (12)
1.85 £
Fresh Cheese (1kg)
0.17 £
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg)
9.77 £
Water (1.5 litre bottle)
0.99 £
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
6.04 £
Domestic Beer (0.5 litre bottle)
0.94 £
Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle)
1.40 £
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro)
6.07 £

Transportation
Avg.
One-way Ticket (local transport)
1.47 £
Monthly Pass
44.00 £
Taxi (5km within center)
5.54 £
Gasoline (1 liter)
1.29 £
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
14,156.29 £
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg.
Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water)
62.41 £
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff (no discounts or plans)
0.24 £
Internet (6 Mbps, Flat Rate, Cable/ADSL)
24.45 £
Sports And Leisure
Avg.
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
30.29 £
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
9.97 £
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
5.92 £
Clothing And Shoes
Avg.
1 Pair of Levis 501
55.54 £
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
34.82 £
1 Pair of Nike Shoes
48.00 £
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes
42.88 £
Rent Per Month
Avg.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
475.39 £
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
359.05 £
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
549.66 £
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
249.36 £
Buy Apartment Price
Avg.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
2,147.27 £
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
1,610.45 £

Salaries And Financing
Avg.
Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax)
1,392.68 £
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly
3.35



How people view the US, particularly in government, since Trump’s election

My personal experience is that people in Belfast, including those in the government, like Americans very much, but are mystified by what's happening politically in The United States.


Irish and Northern Ireland relationship
I'm not sure what the question is, so a general answer is that a great deal depends on Brexit. There is talk of borders and trade, but no clarity can come until more is determined in Brexit.


Are vinyl records all the rage?Oh, I think I'm the last person who can comment on things that might be cool. I haven't the foggiest idea what's in and what's out beyond Beauty and the Beast hitting theatres and the population of 7-year-olds being thrilled.


How does funding for education compare with the U.S.?Here you go: Budget breakdown for all Northern Ireland schools



What do they really think about Americans?
"They're grand!" I've fielded a lot of questions about the Amish and cowboys and most parts of the country outside major cities aren't known.


Is it hard to keep the currencies straight?

One of the first things I did when I got to our apartment was put away all my American money, which wasn't much (I travelled with very little because I knew I wouldn't be using it). I specifically didn't want the coins to mingle because the sizes are similar; the coin valued at 5 pence is the size of our dime, for example

The money is not hard to keep straight except when I don't have my reading glasses on.




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