England is ridiculously overpriced. The average wage doesn't correspond with living costs, particularly if you live alone. It's best to be self- employed, that way you can claim back a lot of your wage that the government is hoping to get their foul mits on. An of course the undeclared earnings are a must, to any self-respecting citizen. As for the house prices, I already own my own house, so I'm urging them to keep on rising!