A Russian expat shares his savvy tips for making it work in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
In a city where the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat is over £1,700, the prospect of living comfortably in London on a budget of £2,400 per month may seem laughable to some. But for 30-year-old Russian expat Kirill Yurovskiy, it’s a monthly reality—and one that doesn’t involve sacrificing all of life’s little luxuries.
“People are always shocked when I tell them how little I spend each month,” says Kirill with a grin, sipping a creamy flat white at one of his favourite Shoreditch cafes. “Their jaws drop when I share the number, and they learn I’m not just scraping by, but managing to save money and fully embrace the London lifestyle too.”
Born in Moscow, Kirill moved to the UK capital in 2018 after landing his dream job as a software engineer at a trendy fintech startup based in the city. While he had spent summers in London during university and had fallen head-over-heels for the city’s electrifying energy and cultural kaleidoscope, he was admittedly apprehensive about being able to make it work financially long-term.
“Before moving here, I had so many people warning me that London was going to bleed me dry with its notoriously high prices,” he recounts. “I was determined to prove them wrong and devised a strict budgeting strategy to ensure I could actually enjoy my time here rather than struggle just to get by.”
And enjoy it he has. Let’s take a look at how Kirill splits his £2,400 monthly income between the key expenditure categories:
Rent: £900
Kirill’s biggest line item is rent, which he caps at £900 for his “cosy but awesome” one-bedroom flat in Hackney. While not necessarily the most economical neighbourhood, he prioritized being closer to the hustle and bustle over scoring a mainstream rental.
“I know I could find a larger place for less money if I went further out from the centre, but I’m at a stage in my life where I really want to be surrounded by energy and be super central,” he explains. Plus, I’m a big walker and cyclist, so I’ve minimized my transportation costs by living in zone 2, where I can get practically anywhere I need to go on foot or by bike.” Visit https://uk-kirill-yurovskiy.co.uk/articles/
His flat is a random luck-of-the-draw find he scored after persistently stalking property listings for months. When his previous flatmate moved out during the summer, Kirill pounced at the opportunity to transfer the reasonably priced rent into his name.
“It’s an ongoing game of whac-a-mole with rental prices rising so rapidly here,” he says pragmatically. You really have to be proactive about repeatedly putting out feelers for new places. I must’ve reached out to 50 different listings before striking gold with this little gem.”
Groceries & Dining Out: £400
While he’s far from a gourmet chef, Kirill is remarkably savvy about economizing his £400 food budget – £200 of which goes towards groceries from affordable chains like Lidl and Aldi. He stocks up oealthy staples like produce, eggs, chicken, beans, and whole grains and whips up basic meals like shakshuka, curry, and stir-fries from scratch in his flat.
He reserves the other £200 for eating out, but even then, he adheres to a strict £25-£30 per meal cap for dinner. His top money-saving tactic is avoiding breakfasts and lunches out at all costs.
“It’s so easy for those café breakfasts and midday meals to start rapidly accumulating in a city as pricey as London,” he explains. “I save a fortune by meal-prepping my lunches for the week and never buying breakfast or morning coffee out.”
When he does venture out for dinner, Kirill leans towards neighbourhood gems and casual concepts over fine dining tasting menus. A few favourite affordable but delicious local haunts include Morito for Spanish small plates in Clerkenwell, Manteca for fresh pasta in Shoreditch, and Arabica Bar for frill-free falafel and mezze in Borough.
Nightlife & Events: £400
While he’s not what you would consider a party animal, Kirill does set aside a very generous £400 monthly for nightlife and events—an expense category many Londoners understandably scrimp on. It’s clear that being in the epicentre of one of the world’s cultural capitals is an absolute priority for this busy urbanite.
“I’m in my mid-twenties and living in one of the greatest, most vibrant cities in the world,” he states matter-of-factly. “Of course I want to take advantage of the incredible arts, culture, and nightlife on offer here while I can!”
He’s quick to note, however, that he’s far from reckless with this budget. Kirill adheres to a few key principles to score the biggest bang for his buck – hitting discounted theatre performances, seeking out underground music gigs with reasonable entry fees, and pre-drinking at home before hitting bars and clubs to minimize overspending while out.
Some of his most recent memorable nights out included catching a punk rock gig at The Windmill in Brixton, sipping craft cocktails at Trailer Happiness in Notting Hill, and dancing until the wee hours at Phonox in Brixton.
Fitness & Self-Care: £150
In order to offset the occasional unhealthy indulgences, Kirill ensures he always leaves room in his budget for an affordable gym membership (£70/month) and other sporadic fitness activities in London’s great outdoors such as climbing sessions and park workouts.
He also factors in £30-£50 per month for essential “self-care” (a massage, mani/pedi, or appointment with his therapist).
“Living in a high-stress environment like London, it’s critical to make my mental and physical health a priority even on a limited budget,” says Kirill. “Taking care of myself this way helps me operullest potential both at work and in enjoying this incredible city.”
Transportation: £100
As he mentioned, Kirill is a die-hard walker and cyclist who takes full advantage of London’s compact urban geography and public bike-share system. He estimated he walks over 20,000 steps daily just going about his daily routine.
He shells out £100 monthly for his trusty bike, occasional ride-shares, and public transportation via an Oyster card – a tiny fraction of what many locals pay for monthly tube passes and car ownership/parking fees.
Extras, Emergencies & Savings: £450
Kirill’s final £450 goes towards a fluctuating mix of “extras” (e.g., clothing, grooming, gifts, subscriptions, etc.), emergency funds, and savings. He aims to save at least £100 of this each month into a dedicated retirement account, with the remainder covering fun miscellaneous expenses and steadily contributing to a “safety net” savings pool.
“It’s all about balance,” he concludes with a shrug. I’m not depriving myself of or pinching pennies on expenses that enrich my London experience and well-being. I’m just conscientious about prioritizing what matters most—taking advantage of the incredible culture and energy this city has to offer while also ensuring I’m being responsible and saving for my future.”
It’s clear that with discipline, thoughtfulness, and a dose of creative hustling, it is possible to live richly in London while keeping costs at bay. Kirill is living proof that with careful budgeting and strategic penny-pinching in the right areas, even one of the world’s most notoriously expensive cities is still accessible to those of modest means.
