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Cheap At Half The Price
The Mercer Survey, an annual comparative study of the most expensive and cheap places to live in 143 cities across the globe tells us that for the third year running Moscow tops the chart. Poor London takes second place.
The ‘Mercer measurement’ is an evaluation of the cost of living including over 200 items ranging from housing to entertainment.
This year’s report found that one cup of ‘ordinary’ coffee, including service, would cost £5.19 in the Russian capital and £2.20 in the heart of London. A copy of an internationaal newspaper would be £3.05 in Moscow compared with £1.50 in Britain.
Many of the ill-informed would think that New York was the most high-priced. The city does not even rank in the chart of the top-ten.
Part of this calculation reflects a profound change in currency value. Meaning, for example, that the US dollar has dropped dramatically against other leading currencies.
If you want it cheap but maybe not cheerful, move to Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay in South America. A cup of coffee there – and a good one – in the best cafe in town will be 30 pence.
However, it is best to take a few hundred greenbacks with you because the local merchants in this part of the world tend to dislike their local coinage.
