Everyone asks the same question before they move abroad: "How much do I actually need?" And everyone gets the same useless answer: "It depends."
Here's the thing — it does depend. But not in a way that means you can't plan. Let me give you real numbers, real breakdowns, and a framework you can actually use to figure out your specific number.
The four buckets of move money
Before you can calculate a number, you need to understand what you're actually saving for. Moving abroad costs money in four distinct categories, and most people only think about one or two of them.
The golden rule
Whatever number you come up with, add 20%. Unexpected costs are guaranteed. The only question is what they'll be.
1. First month rent + deposit
In the UK, you're usually looking at one month's rent upfront plus a security deposit of up to five weeks' rent. So if you're renting a room in London for £900/month, expect to pay £900 + ~£1,040 on day one. That's over £1,900 before you've bought a single grocery.
Outside London, rooms drop significantly. Surrey, Manchester, Edinburgh — you can find decent rooms for £600–750/month, which makes the upfront costs far more manageable.
2. Setup costs (the stuff people forget)
This is the bucket that bites everyone. You need a SIM card, a transport card, bedding if your room isn't furnished, a duvet, hangers, toiletries, pots and pans, a phone charger (if your plugs are different), and roughly 47 other small things you use every day without thinking about.
Budget £200–400 for the first two weeks of setup purchases, even in a furnished room.
3. The gap period
How long until you get your first pay cheque? Most jobs pay monthly in the UK. If you start a job in mid-month, you might wait 6 weeks for your first payment. You need to cover rent, food, transport, and life for that entire period.
4. Emergency buffer
This is not optional. Stuff goes wrong. Flights get cancelled. Deposits get disputed. You lose your wallet. You need a buffer that lets you handle something going wrong without it becoming a crisis.
The actual numbers (UK example)
| Category | Minimum | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| First month rent + deposit | £1,400 | £2,000 |
| Setup costs (week 1–2) | £200 | £400 |
| Living costs until first pay | £600 | £1,000 |
| Emergency buffer | £500 | £1,500 |
| Total | £2,700 | £4,900 |
If you're moving to London specifically, add another £500–800 to both columns. If you're moving somewhere cheaper (Manchester, Glasgow, smaller cities), you might come in under the minimum column.
"Don't move with just enough. Move with enough plus a buffer. The buffer is what lets you stay calm when things don't go to plan."
How to actually save it
The math is simple once you know your number. If you need £3,500 and you have 6 months, that's roughly £580/month to save. If that sounds impossible on your current income, either extend your timeline or reduce your target (move somewhere cheaper, find a job with accommodation included).
The people who struggle most are the ones who move with exactly enough and no buffer. One unexpected expense and they're stressed, making bad decisions, and considering going home.
Use the free budget calculator to plug in your specific destination and timeline and get a personalised number.