Cambridge is one of the best-known cities in the United Kingdom for its tourist attractions, its historic universities and its landscapes.
For this reason there is the expectation that the cost of living in Cambridge is too high and combined with the starting salary for Nurses, Midwives, and
Allied Health Professionals makes Cambridge unaffordable.

That is why we offer you the opportunity to learn more about the cost of living in Cambridge and you will be able to decide if Cambridge is right for you.

Budgeting how much expenses will cost in Cambridge will vary greatly, depending on your family situation and social-life needs. Someone living alone in a studio flat who goes out for a nice meal once a week will have different needs compared to a family of four in a two bedroom flat and primarily prepares home-cooked meals. Everyone’s situation is unique, but we can look at some estimates and compare.

The website Numbeo.com estimates that the average single person living in Cambridge will have an expected cost of living of £9,708 per year, whereas a family of four in Cambridge should expect a cost of living of £33,546. Both these estimates do not include the cost of rent, and only take into account everyday expenses, such as food, shopping, education, transportation, and some entertainment. Notice that healthcare is not among these expenses, because all residents of the UK are eligible for free healthcare from the publicly funded National Health System (NHS).

It is everybody’s dream to own their own home, and with hard work, budgeting and savings, it can be achievable. But for new international nurses and midwives arriving from overseas, this is usually a dream that will take a few years of planning and preparation. So, we will focus on renting, as that is the most common situation for NEU candidates.

While you are preparing for your OSCE, you will receive free or discounted accommodation provided by your Trust. The duration of the accommodation varies by Trust from 1 month to 12 months. Many of our NHS Trusts have onboarding departments who will help you initially settle, and during this time these departments will help you look for rental properties that are a reasonable commuting distance to the Trust and within your budget. If your Trust does not have a department with these services, or you wish to search on your own accommodations, there are many online resources, such as RightMove.co.uk, which help make finding a flat easier than it has ever been before.

There are still many considerations when making the decision whether or not Camrbidge is right for you. This guide is designed to give you a general overview of your many options to consider.

If you are a single person starting as a Band 5 nurse in Cambridge, and your 1 bedroom flat is outside the city centre, so you commute to work every day, then living in Cambridge should be very affordable. Some nurses become roommates with nursing colleagues to split the cost of a 2 bedroom flat, making both their accommodations even more affordable.

If you are a four person family with two incomes coming from a nurses working Cambridge, and you live in a 3 bedroom flat is outside the city centre, so you both commute into work, you may be able afford Cambridge depending on your other expenses, such as childcare.

Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. With the help of this guide, you can start to consider your options.