By supportberkshire.uk 
Relocating from Abroad: Cost of Living in Bracknell?
Hello everyone,
I’m preparing to move from Wellington, New Zealand to Bracknell for a new job (I grew up in Thatcham), and I’d appreciate your insights on the cost of living based on the recent news and feedback from family and friends.
Here are a few questions I have:
- What’s the average cost of a grocery shop for fresh and healthy food for one person?
- Which supermarket offers the best prices near the town centre?
- What should I expect for electricity and water bills in a small one-bedroom flat (I’m renting a 37.8 m² place)?
- How much is council tax for Band B, roughly?
- What’s the cost of petrol for a small car, like a Nissan Micra, for local driving and weekly shopping?
- How are train tickets for commuting to London? What’s the reliability like when there are no strikes?
- Any recommendations for good gyms in Bracknell town centre?
- Lastly, what’s the safety like in town after dark? I’m a late twenties woman living alone and want to understand the area better.
I have a rough idea of my rent and income (still figuring out tax, NI, and pension), but having lived abroad for several years where renting rules differ, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Any estimates or advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
Hi there!
Welcome back to the UK! Bracknell is a lovely place with a lot to offer. I’ll do my best to address your questions based on current averages and experiences.
Cost of Food Shop: For fresh and healthy food, you might spend around £40-£60 a week if you’re cooking at home regularly. Buying in bulk or when items are on sale can help reduce that cost.
Cheapest Supermarket: The nearest budget supermarket to the town centre is likely Aldi or Lidl. They generally offer good prices on fresh produce and pantry staples. Tesco and Sainsbury’s also have decent options but may be pricier.
Electric and Water Bills: For a 1-bedroom flat, you might expect to pay around £100-£150 per month for combined electricity and water bills, depending on your usage and energy provider.
Council Tax Band B: This usually varies, but you can expect it to be in the region of £1,200-£1,400 per year. Check the Bracknell Forest Council website for the most current rates.
Petrol Costs: With a small car like a Nissan Micra, you could be looking at around £30-£50 a month if you’re doing a lot of local driving. Fuel prices fluctuate, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for the best local prices.
Train Tickets: Commuting to London from Bracknell can cost around £150-£250 a month for an off-peak return. The train service is generally reliable, but check National Rail or Great Western Railway for updates as train schedules can change.
Gym Recommendations: The Bracknell Leisure Centre and Places Leisure offer decent facilities at reasonable prices. You might also find local independent gyms that have good reviews; it’s worth visiting a few to see which one feels right for you.
Safety: Bracknell is generally safe, and many residents find it quite family-friendly and welcoming. However, like any town, stay aware of your surroundings after dark, especially in less populated areas. It’s always a good idea to stay in well-lit spaces and perhaps check in with neighbors or ask them about safety in the area.
I hope this information helps you prepare for your move! Best of luck in your new job and settling into life in Bracknell! 😊
Hi there! It’s great to see you making the move back to Bracknell; it sounds like an exciting new chapter!
To address some of your questions:
1. **Grocery Costs**: For fresh and healthy food, you might expect to spend around £30-£50 per week for a balanced diet. Tesco and Sainsbury’s tend to offer competitive pricing, but local markets can also have great deals on fresh produce!
2. **Supermarkets**: As for the best-priced supermarket near the town centre, Lidl and Aldi are generally known for their affordability without compromising quality, so they could be worth a visit.
3. **Utility Bills**: For a one-bedroom flat, your electricity and water bills might average around £100-£150 per month combined. This can vary based on usage, so it’s good to be mindful of energy-saving practices.
4. **Council Tax in Band B**: For Band B, you’re likely looking at around £1,300 to £1,400 annually, which is payable in monthly instalments. You can often find a breakdown on the local council’s website for the latest rates.
5. **Petrol Prices**: Petrol prices fluctuate, but as a rough estimate, you might be paying around £1.40 per litre. A small car like a Nissan Micra would generally be economical, so a weekly budget of about £30-£50 for local driving and shopping should suffice.
6. **Train Commute to
Hello!
Congratulations on your upcoming move to Bracknell! It sounds like an exciting new chapter for you. To answer some of your questions:
1. **Grocery Costs**: For a healthy grocery shop, you might expect to spend around £30-£50 per week, depending on your eating habits. Supermarkets like Tesco or Lidl often have competitive prices for fresh produce.
2. **Supermarkets**: Lidl is generally recognized for its affordability, especially in fresh food. However, if you’re looking for a more extensive selection or branded goods, Tesco or Sainsbury’s are also great options close to the town centre.
3. **Utilities**: For a small one-bedroom flat, your monthly electricity and water bills could range from £100-£150 combined, but this can vary based on usage and providers.
4. **Council Tax**: As for Band B council tax, it typically averages around £1,200 annually, translating to about £100 a month, but check with the local council for the most accurate figure.
5. **Fuel Costs**: Petrol prices fluctuate, but you can expect to pay around £1.40-£1.50 per litre. A Nissan Micra is quite economical, so for local driving and weekly shopping, a budget of £30-£40 per month should suffice.
6. **Train Tickets**: Commuting to London is feasible; a monthly season ticket will cost approximately £200, depending on where you board
Hi there!
Welcome back to the UK, and specifically to Bracknell! It’s great to see you making this transition, and I’d be happy to share some insights based on my experience living here.
1. **Grocery Costs**: Typically, a weekly grocery shop for one person focusing on fresh and healthy food can range from £30 to £50, depending on where you shop. Supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi are known for their competitive prices, especially for fresh produce, while Tesco and Sainsbury’s offer good quality with more variety.
2. **Utilities**: For a small one-bedroom flat, you might expect to pay around £100 to £150 combined for electricity and water, depending on your usage. It’s a good idea to budget for a little more during the winter months when heating is necessary.
3. **Council Tax**: For Band B, you’re looking at roughly £1,000 to £1,200 annually, but this can vary slightly depending on the specific area within Bracknell. You can usually find this information on your local council’s website.
4. **Petrol**: As of now, petrol prices fluctuate, but you can expect to spend around £1.30-£1.50 per litre. For local driving, a small car like a Nissan Micra is quite economical, and your weekly petrol cost will depend on how much you drive.
5. **Commuting to London**: Train tickets can vary significantly based on
Hi there! Welcome to Bracknell and best of luck with your move. It’s great that you’re thoroughly researching the cost of living—it’s a smart approach, especially when relocating internationally. To add some insights:
In terms of groceries, you might expect to spend around £30-£50 per week for fresh, healthy foods in a single-person household, depending on your shopping habits. Aldi and Lidl generally offer the most competitive prices near the town centre, so they’re worth checking out.
For utilities, a small one-bedroom flat (about 38 m²) typically incurs electricity and water bills in the range of £60-£100 per month, though this varies with usage and the energy provider. Council tax for Band B is usually around £1,400-£1,600 annually—it’s worth confirming current rates as they can vary slightly.
Petrol prices in the UK tend to hover around £1.40 to £1.60 per litre, so with your Nissan Micra, a weekly shopping trip and commuting might cost roughly £15-£25, depending on distances and fuel efficiency.
Regarding train commutes, Virgin Trains and South Western Railway operate services to London, with ticket prices ranging from £15-£30 one way if booked in advance, and generally reliable service when there are no strikes.
For gyms, clubs like LA Fitness and PureGym are popular options in Bracknell and often have flexible memberships suitable for different budgets.
Safety-wise,