I have been asked to talk a bit about how living in a country in an economical crisis has affected us. Here it goes…
In truth, it doesn´t effect us too much in our everyday lives. Food is more expensive here than in England but it just means you have to learn to cook better and make things last longer. Petrol here, although still expensive, is cheaper than in England. The English media would lead you to believe that people are moaning about the ´crisis´ all the time but they are not. Everyone is just getting on with it.
Tax here has always been high around 33% but there is talk of it going up to 42% due to some unruly people who have now declared themselves bankrupt and have left the tax payer to clean up the mess. Tax has already risen on ´luxury´ goods like cakes and chocolate.
A lot of people are in trouble now as they took out loans in foreign currency, which was great… until the Króna took a turn for the worst and now some are paying up to five times more than they were originally. The króna has got stronger since we first arrived in Iceland nearly one year ago. Back then it was 220kr for every pound and now it is 200kr to the pound. Before the crash it was 120kr to the pound.
Housing, heating and electricity are cheaper than in England, even since the crash. However, places in Reykjavík are more expensive like it would be if you lived in London. Heating and electricity is so cheap due to the geothermic energy which is a great plus.
Since January 7000 Icelanders have left Iceland. Unemployment has risen, like in most places. On the up side, tourism has risen hugely which Iceland has benefitted greatly from.
As for the H1 N1 flu, I am unaware as to whether there is a plan to immunize people. The vaccine is available at the doctor if you want it, but you have to pay for it. Healthcare in Iceland isn´t free like the NHS.
On the whole, living in Iceland is great. It has it´s good points and bad points like most places.
Just wanted to say HI. I found your blog a few days ago on Technorati and have been reading it over the past few days.
Great informative post Rhiannon. I really don’t see any comment from foreigners living in Iceland on how life has been for them since October 2008. Thanks for writing this.
[...] has put a great new post about what’s it like living in Iceland right now as a British citizen. In truth, it doesn´t effect us too much in our everyday lives. Food is more expensive here than [...]
Just wanted to say hi, came here from reddit. Hope you have a blast while you stay here despite of all the financial clusterfuck.
J.
About H1N1 immunization, it almost doesn’t matter any more. The first 140 doses of the vaccine arrived this week and, quite sensibly, go to health-care workers who are most likely to be exposed to the virus. By the time more arrives, is administered, and the several weeks pass for it to become effective, the flu will have already swept though the population. It seems to be really getting going these days.
You’ve made it Rhiannon…
Lot’s of new commenters…
Lots’ of love,
Óðinn Burkni
Fab blog. well done Rhiannon!
ps. tell Sam I will pay for his jab for his Christmas present.
xxx
[...] Rhiannon and Sam Living in Iceland “The English media would lead you to believe that people are moaning about the ´crisis´ all the [...]
I submitted the link to the Iceland section on Reddit and it got a bit of attention. That might help explain the extra traffic… and the fact that it’s a damn good, unique, blog post.
……so when are you starting your world famous daily magazine article then?
Lots of Love,
a devoted blog fan
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Hi,
Great blog, very informative. I’ve been looking for a blog like this for quite sometime and since I read about you on the world famous weatherreport blog I decided to follow you directly as well. I’ve been to Iceland over 10 times now and I’m contemplating moving over there mainly because my girlfriend’s from there. I’ve met so many Icelanders, very nice folks and almost on que whenever they see me they always ask when am I moving over,so it’s really nice to read a blog about someone who’s actually going/living what i may experience in the future. The foods,stores and places that you talk about I know them all and it just amazes me in a way. I’ve yet to troll thru some of your previous entries but in time I hope cover them all.Any useful info you can confer on me would be much appreciated, in the meantime, I will keep looking out for more blog entries.