Living costs

Wendero

Hi

I read on the NUI Galway homesite that the living costs are 1000 euros per month. Is that correct? I've know someone who said that 1000 euros is something you survive on, not something you live on.

Depending on whether or not the value of the Euro will go up and down, I'll have somewhere between 1200-1400 euros per month to live on (study loan/allowance). Is that enough? I want to hear people's experiences about this.

Thanks in advance,
/John G

witnessmenow

Here's a break down of what I'm paying a month

Rent €220
Bills €60
Petrol €70
Food €200
Misc €50

---

Total = €600

I dont drink so there is a big saving. I also go home at the weekend so I dont have to pay for food then. Obviously enough I'm lucky to have such cheap rent ( I was paying nearly double that last year). I also live in a house with 5 others so bills are failry low as they are split 6 ways (€60 is probably even too high). I dont eat out nearly at all either so I guess it all adds up.

Wendero

Thank you so much:)

So, 1000 seems reasonable (that's what NUIG says)? Let's take your calculation, and add 200 to food, and 50 to the food. Then it's 850. That's okey for me:)

/John G

witnessmenow

Yeah you can certainly get by on the €1000 anyways. But to be honest other than a student that lives at home there probably isnt that many that spend less than me I'd imagine the average student spends closer to the €1k mark.

I'm funding my way through college this year so I'm watching my money like a hawk

Wendero

I see. Do you think the rents will fall, now when the property bubble is gone? With how much?

/John G

leninbenjamin

Wendero wrote: »

I see. Do you think the rents will fall, now when the property bubble is gone? With how much?

/John G

hard to say. many will say yes to this, but i doubt it to be honest. Landlords will find their mortgages have gone up recently and will be wanting to keep the rent as high as possible. and also you have to realise Galway's 80,000 population has something like 10k students, so the bulk of demand for rental accommodation will be from students which, for the areas around the institutions at least, will keep rents artificially high. If you're willing to live further out you can probably get better rates, but really you want to live as close to town as possible. transport is a nightmare in the city.

Wendero

Thank you for the information. This means, that if the number of students doesn't decrease, the rates won't do so either. Did I get it right?

/John G

leninbenjamin

Wendero wrote: »

Thank you for the information. This means, that if the number of students doesn't decrease, the rates won't do so either. Did I get it right?

Pretty much. Basic demand and supply (you'll be learning all that if you do the Financial Maths course ). The rates for the student areas have been much higher than the rest of the city for years now because of the demand. oh and if you're hoping to live in one of the official student residences thing then apply early for accommodation, they are usually gone very early, some will go before the summer i think.

have a look on daft to get prices if you like. the student residences usually cost in excess of €100/w for a single room, but i see places on offer for €80/w (or less) with a double bed in other places.

Wendero

I have been to daft so I knew that:)

Hehe, supply and demand is really Economics 101:) Do you study at Galway?

Would you recommend me to apply for the "official" student residences?

/John G

Black_Knight

Theres a few threads in the NUIGalway forum about accomodation already.
Here has a bit of info on what student places are like, and here is a list of places to look out for on daft or the Galway advertiser.

What year are you in? Or what year will you be in when you plan on moving to the City?

For me, my monthly budget would be:
Rent €317
Bills €60
Petrol €60
Food €200
Misc €80

---

Total = €717

Im sure some people do spend €1000 a month, easy. Student accomodation will cost you about €400+ a month. I go out a few times a month but if your in 1st or 2nd year you'd probably go out plenty more, and spend plenty more. It all depends on yourself really.

Wendero

Okey, interesting. So it might actually be LESS than 1000 euros... quite fun, because the Swedish study loan authority offers every Swedish student in Ireland 3140 crowns per week (2500 in loan, 640 in allowance), 12560 per month. That is, with 1 euro = 10 crowns (the euro is unusually expensive now), 1256 euros/month. Pretty much then. And then we haven't counted the other loans you can get; you can get loans for the flight, for insurance and for tuition/registration fee. You don't have to prove that you can pay back or something; if you're admitted to a university, you'll get it. The interest rate on the loan is 2 %.

I think the 1256 per month is based on the living costs in Dublin. Since most Swedish students who want to study in Ireland goes to Dublin, they better give them enough money so they can live there - not in Galway or Limerick.

/John G

leninbenjamin

Wendero wrote: »

Okey, interesting. So it might actually be LESS than 1000 euros... quite fun, because the Swedish study loan authority offers every Swedish student in Ireland 3140 crowns per week (2500 in loan, 640 in allowance), 12560 per month. That is, with 1 euro = 10 crowns (the euro is unusually expensive now), 1256 euros/month. Pretty much then. And then we haven't counted the other loans you can get; you can get loans for the flight, for insurance and for tuition/registration fee. You don't have to prove that you can pay back or something; if you're admitted to a university, you'll get it. The interest rate on the loan is 2 %.

I think the 1256 per month is based on the living costs in Dublin. Since most Swedish students who want to study in Ireland goes to Dublin, they better give them enough money so they can live there - not in Galway or Limerick.

/John G

if that's the case you'll be fine for money. I'm in Dublin now (doing a masters in computer science since you asked, i graduated with a BA in Economics and IT this year from NUIG) and i'm spending less than that.

Wendero

Really? So Dublin isn't so expensive after all? May I ask you how much you spend/month?

/John G

My budget is something like
Rent €340
Bills €60
Travel €20
Food €100
Going Out €200
Misc €80

---

Total = €800

I get away with cheap food, cos there's 4 of us who cook one day a week each (really good idea!)

Wendero

stuohy, thank you so much. Where do you live? Galway or Dublin?

I'm not really going out, so I think I'll get away even cheaper. The only thing I do every friday is to rent a movie, buy some coke and snacks, watch the movie and eat:) I don't think that'll cost 200 euros per month in Galway;)

Food might be a little bit more expensive for me, but thanks for the idea. How much does an internet connection (with a reasonable speed) cost?

Thank you once again
/John G

I'm in Galway, Internet is pretty reasonable, we're splitting it between us, 6 in the house and you get it for like 20 a month, http://www.upc.ie/internet/ .
The TV & Internet bundle is well worth it, http://www.upc.ie/deals/newcustomer

Wendero

20/month EACH? That's pretty much, since it would mean 120/month totally, if you're paying alone.

Would you recommend a room on campus, or off campus?

/John G

No No!

3 megabit broadband is €20 total, check out the site!

The bundle is €44 total.

Well technically there is no on campus accomodation, there are student villages.

Corrib Village is a haven of first years, and is a right kip.
Cuirt Na Coiribe is ok, but I don't think its very nice, its expensive and isn't very comfortable

Gort Na Coiribe is probably the best of the bunch, but is still expensive, the best thing about it is its very easy, pay the deposit and set up the rent and thats really it, all the bills are taken care of.

I'm in off campus accomodation, and I find it nice, its a bit more hassle, sorting out landlords, but works out cheaper. Hope that helps!

Black_Knight

3Mb for €20, thats a bit ****e for 6 people. €30 a month for the 10mb unlimited download line should suit your ECE mind much better!

FYI Wendero, id say 95% of people posting in the NUI Galway forum are either living in Galway or living in galway and attending NUI Galway.

Wendero

Okey, 20 euros TOTALLY, that's another thing:)

What do you study? I don't think you told that. Do you know anyone who study Financial math and economics? I want to know what they think about their professor and so.

Yes, your information really helps me. I'm extremely thankful! If I see you in Galway, I'll buy you a guinness;)

/John G

Wendero

Yes Black knight, I know most people here are living in Galway, I just wanted to make sure. 3 mbts isn't very much, but it appears the prices aren't much higher than in Sweden, which is what I feared they would be.

/John G

Black_Knight

Black_Knight wrote: »

3Mb for €20, thats a bit ****e for 6 people. €30 a month for the 10mb unlimited download line should suit your ECE mind much better!

Heh, yeah, the limited download cap is a pain, but the rest of my house aren't as into warez as me!

Wendero

I understand:)

Can I add you on the MSN? I would like to talk more with you. Or... do you have MSN?

You can add me, gustavsson_john@hotmail.com

/John G

EDIT: I've already added you now. I hope it's okey.

Wendero

Wendero wrote: »

I understand:)

Can I add you on the MSN? I would like to talk more with you. Or... do you have MSN?

You can add me, gustavsson_john@hotmail.com

/John G

EDIT: I've already added you now. I hope it's okey.

God no! Leave me alone you weirdo!! :P Only joking! No probs!

Fionn MacCool

I take it the aforementioned budgets do not include going out on the batter?

witnessmenow

well in my case anyways Its kinda hard to go out on the "batter" when you dont drink

Also wendero, do you have to pay fees? All students here need to pay the college €1117 every year for registration fees, this does not include the €4000-6000 the Irish government pays on our behalf for course fees

I included going out in mine. About €200, although I actually don't know what I spend!

Wendero

stuohy, yes, I know you did. Going out in this case, does that mean going out to party, or going out eating, or both, or none of them?

Wittnessmeow, you don't drink? I didn't thought teetotallers existed in Ireland;) Well, I don't drink either since I'm not 18. Not sure what to do when I turn 18, but I've never been that kind of guy who go partying every weekend.

/John G

genericgoon

Wendero wrote: »

stuohy, yes, I know you did. Going out in this case, does that mean going out to party, or going out eating, or both, or none of them?

Wittnessmeow, you don't drink? I didn't thought teetotallers existed in Ireland;) Well, I don't drink either since I'm not 18. Not sure what to do when I turn 18, but I've never been that kind of guy who go partying every weekend.

/John G

There's a huge difference between the rather silly habit of certain students to get absolutely plastered and spend stupid amounts of money on drink, students who get hammered but only on cans and the cheapest of vodkas and people who generally only drink in moderation and mainly in pubs/at home.

Wendero

Yes, yes I know the difference. I guess I'm just a little bit prejudiced;) Hehe. I think I would rather belong to the third group of moderate drinkers than to one of the two former.

Vodka comes from Sweden, but I don't see the point with it.

/John G

Wendero

You people who eat for 200 euros per month, how many times do you go to restaurant/month? I noticed Stuohy - who lived with a couple of friends - only spent 100/month, and as I understood it, he cooked his own food. How much does a meal at Bialin cost? How much at charcoal grill?

I'm just interested because 200 seems a lot to me - I'm not saying anyone is exaggerating, I don't think anybody are, I'm just suspecting you might not cook your own food everyday (and you definitely don't live on noodles;)).

/John G

leninbenjamin

Wendero wrote: »

You people who eat for 200 euros per month, how many times do you go to restaurant/month? I noticed Stuohy - who lived with a couple of friends - only spent 100/month, and as I understood it, he cooked his own food. How much does a meal at Bialin cost? How much at charcoal grill?

I'm just interested because 200 seems a lot to me - I'm not saying anyone is exaggerating, I don't think anybody are, I'm just suspecting you might not cook your own food everyday (and you definitely don't live on noodles;)).

/John G

no way in hell you can live of 100/m in this country. less than 25/w? for 7 days? he must be eating absolute sh*te or else be anorexic. A meal in the bialann would cost at least €4. same in the Charcoal.

Wendero

Well, I don't know, maybe he's eating **** and is anorectic at the same time? Haha, or he just found a less expensive shop?:)

Okey, 4 euros... how much is normal/maximum?

If you eat for 5 euros/meal, two meals per day, that's totally 300 euros/month. If you eat for 4,5 euros/meal, 22 days per month (mon-fri), that's roughly 190. It appears that those who spend 200/month eat mostly at restaurants - they even eat their dinners at restaurants. Or, they could do for the same cost.

Or did I get it wrong?
/John

leninbenjamin

leninbenjamin wrote: »

no way in hell you can live of 100/m in this country. less than 25/w? for 7 days? he must be eating absolute sh*te or else be anorexic. A meal in the bialann would cost at least €4. same in the Charcoal.

Like I said before, I only have to cook once a week, which costs about a tenner, thats 4 days covered, the rest are generally pizza, spuds or pasta, nice and cheap stuff like that, 25 a week is well achievable!

I suppose I didn't include lunches in my costs, which'd be an extra 50 or so a month, going on a mix of homemade sandwiches and eating in college aswell (well, G&L or Ward's! )

Wendero

Okey. In Sweden, you'd have to pay 100 euros per month. That's a normal cost for perfectly normal food:) But on the other side, I'll get 1200-1300 in study loans on Ireland, while only getting 750 in Sweden (/month).

So, you cook one day per week, and who cooks the other days? Do you cook for all your friends?

I sent you a message in your guestbook btw, Stuohy. I'm online on the MSN if you want to chat:)

/John

my breakdown..

400 rent
500 standing order to debt
600 food/drink/going out
100 petrol

and 300 whatever...




i need to cut down spending big style

Wendero

It appears so, "ads by google".

Well, the only costs that apply to me on that list is rent, food and whatever. That would be 1300 - slightly more than I have (with today's Euro/SEK exchange rate). How can food cost 600? Do you eat goose liver and drink champagne every day?;) Or did you include going out?

/John

Wendero

Wendero wrote: »

So, you cook one day per week, and who cooks the other days? Do you cook for all your friends?

/John

Yup, the 4 of us cook for each other, once a week (people go home at weekends). Its a great system, cos you can buy in bulk, which saves loads of cash.

Wendero

I get it. Which student residence do you think is the best? Coirib, atlantis, centrepoint...? Are they worth their price? This might be off topic, but I feel I need to know it.

/John

Black_Knight

Wendero wrote: »

You people who eat for 200 euros per month, how many times do you go to restaurant/month? I noticed Stuohy - who lived with a couple of friends - only spent 100/month, and as I understood it, he cooked his own food. How much does a meal at Bialin cost? How much at charcoal grill?

I'm just interested because 200 seems a lot to me - I'm not saying anyone is exaggerating, I don't think anybody are, I'm just suspecting you might not cook your own food everyday (and you definitely don't live on noodles;)).

/John G

OK, well id say I eat pretty well most days. Lunch for me is a sandwiche, soup and drink, and sadly enough, this is also my breakfast. So already thats €25 for the 5 days im at college. Then dinner id say I spend on average the same each day. Thats about €50 a week, by 4 weeks. ~€200! I dont go to restaurants, maybe a takeaway once every forthnight.
On the weekends then I either go home to the mammy and daddy, or ive some manner of food from during the week left over.

Wendero

wow, seems like huge grocery costs. God, you would save money if you went to some restaurant it seems, if that's how much soup and a sandwiche costs:P Well, you can be happy you have your parents there - I won't.

/John

Black_Knight

Its a handsomly sized roll and a good portion of soup. If it keeps me going from morning till 6 or 7 in the evening then ill pay €5.
Where are these less then €5 a meal restaurants you speak of? You'd be lucky getting soup for €5 in a restaurant.

Wendero

Okey, well, it was just someone who said that the cheapest meal in Charchoal cost 4 euros, so I thought five was resonable.

And what's a roll? Stuohy eats rolls too, but what is it?:)

/John

oneofakind32

Rent is obviously going to be the biggest chunk of your weekly spend. I get by on about 100 a week between food and going out. I do'nt really keep track on where that goes with regard food, drink, stationary and the like.

Wendero

Okey, would you recommend living in a student residence? What student residence, if so?Should one rent with ensuite, twin, double, deluxe (like Atlantis offers)... ? I need a recommendation.

/John

Supermanscat

Keep away from Centrepoint, you be as well to commute from Sweden. Dunaras is very far too.

Go for Gort or Cuirt na Coirib.

Wendero

Thanks for the advice. You mean it's far away from the university? Is that what you mean or did I get it wrong?

Why gort/coirib? Just curious:)
/John

leninbenjamin

Wendero wrote: »

Why gort/coirib? Just curious:)
/John

they are pretty close compared with the others, just across the river. And they are also probably the best in terms of fittings and that.

Have to be on your toes living in the student residences though, some of the back entrances to the houses are in a CCTV blackspot and all kind of schenanigans goes on in them. Students robbing from each other and that.

Wendero

Wendero wrote: »

It appears so, "ads by google".

Well, the only costs that apply to me on that list is rent, food and whatever. That would be 1300 - slightly more than I have (with today's Euro/SEK exchange rate). How can food cost 600? Do you eat goose liver and drink champagne every day?;) Or did you include going out?

/John

Thought I was in the Galway City forum when i posted by breakdown.. I'm not a student anymore.. graduated from NUI there this year so my spendin is cause of job :P


6 months ago, finishing 3rd year, my breakdown was..

350 rent,
400 for food, phone, drinking, going out.
and no car.


its funny, i used to spend 750 a month and be happy. cause of a job, i spend 1900 a month now

the 600 you asked about is food and going out at the weekends.. 150 a week standing order into a "spending" account. nice food after 3 years of bad food

Wendero

Oh, now I get it. Well, spending 2000 euros/month isn't very bad - if you can afford it so you're not living on loans or something, which I assume you don't:) What are you working as?

Isn't it heavy traffic on the river? Can you walk from the student residence to NUIG?

/John

Black_Knight

Wendero wrote: »

Isn't it heavy traffic on the river? Can you walk from the student residence to NUIG?

/John

On the river none what soever. On the Bridge over the river, thats a different story. It can be quite bad from 8.30am to 9.30am and then again in the evening from about 5- 7.

But back to this €4 charcoal grill dinner. I doubt the €4 dinner would fill me up. If I eat there ill generally spend between 6 and 7 euro.

A roll is a baguette, or a "french stick" as I heard one man once call it.