Dogs and Distraction

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Tracy Baines

My daughter told me she had a problem with her food a few days after we had put a deposit on a puppy – an English springer spaniel.

It was meant to be a surprise. Now it seemed it would be an added burden, an unwanted distraction when all I wanted to do was concentrate my energies on getting Nelly well.

Should we still go ahead or should we just lose the deposit; call and cancel and let the pup go to a new home?

But the thoughts of that cute little puppy made me feel warm and peaceful and so we went ahead anyway.

Aware of the stress factor (we had had springers before) I knew that if it all got too much we could rehome her.

I prepared myself by watching endless episodes of It’s me or the Dog and reading countless books on how to train your dog. I wanted to be fully armed and confident.

It was with a mixture of trepidation and excitement that we went to collect her on Christmas Eve and as soon as my husband and I saw her I knew that it was the right thing to do.

Focussing our attention on Millie was exactly what we needed. Nelly came with me to puppy socialisation classes and then to training. It gave us something else to focus on, something that kept us together. We had a common aim other than her illness.

It could have been a disaster but it turned out to be the best thing we did. You need to find your own distraction from the eating disorder. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a pet, a jigsaw or gardening. You need something that gives everyone a break from the illness.

Distraction is good.

Tracy Baines has written a book about how her daughter’s eating disorder impacted on her family. The book It’s Not about the Food is part memoir part self-help guide. It contains resources she found helpful and quotes from many other parents she either interviewed or who responded to her questionnaire.

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.tracybaines.co.uk

Eating Disorders – Missing the Signs

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Tracy Baines

If you’ve been reading my previous articles I know what some of you are thinking. She’s a bit dim isn’t she? How could she not know her daughter had an eating disorder?

That’s what I thought too. How could I have not known? Mother’s should know everything; they are meant to care for and protect their child against all comers.

What a shock it was. I was ashamed. I was a bad mother. Yes, I should have known.

Of course, I knew there was something wrong, I just never dreamed that it was an eating disorder. She wasn’t the type, was she? She loved her food. How wrong I was to dismiss it. It cost us precious time.

The thing is, most people are under the impression that eating disorders are anorexia. End of. Unless they are skeletal they can’t possibly have a problem. Big mistake.

My daughter was hiding things well. If someone wants to keep a secret they will go to great lengths not to be discovered. And my daughter was 19. She went to work, she could drive, she was an adult. She’d been ill for a couple of years – not all the time, some times were worse than others but I knew something was wrong. I went with her to the doctors, got referred to consultants and none of them could find anything wrong. No one mentioned her mental health, no one mentioned eating disorders. They were looking at the physical – as was I.

I took her to numerous alternative practitioners, had a nutritionist come to the house. Again, not one mention of eating disorders. Did they guess and not tell me? I doubt it.

She had always been feisty and strong willed – which can work for you or against you. It was the latter on this occasion. You need huge willpower not to eat. You need lots of determination. A steely core.

She was a stroppy teenager – who isn’t. I had been a stroppy teenager – I’m quite sure my mother still bears the scars from the lacerations of my sharp tongue. My daughter didn’t do anything I hadn’t done, only she did it to extremes.

I knew something was wrong and I was right.

And it would be well to remember this: if you think something is wrong it usually is – so persevere, get help. Don’t dismiss your instincts – they are the most powerful thing you possess.

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.tracybaines.co.uk

An Authentic Mexican Experience: Peyotito Review

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Kesh

After paying homage to our favourite cocktail, the Margarita, we decided to tail end National Margarita week with a trip to one of London’s most hotly tipped Mexican restaurants, Peyotito. As well as delving into their perfectly executed cocktail collection, we also ventured into their predominantly gluten and dairy-free menu to get a taste of the honest flavours of Mexico.

Having sampled many a Tex-Mex menu travelling through America, it’s not easy to come across Mexican cuisine outside of Mexico which is truly accurate and it’s something I certainly find lacking in London. Well thank goodness for Peyotito and well done to them for restoring the reputation of Mexican cuisine. The menu is a far cry from burritos and chimichangas and something much more accurate to the authentic dishes of Modern Mexico without the Texan twist and it goes without saying, the drinks list is authentically Mexican too.

Our favourite, the signature ‘Peyotito’ Margarita made with Mezcal instead of Tequila, packs a smokier punch than tequila but much more evocative of true Mexican style. You’re encouraged to sip slowly rather than knock it back and my favourite touch is that the ‘Peyotito’ Margarita contains a vial of mezcal inside your glass to add as you please or to enjoy on the side. Tajin coats the rim of the margarita which completes the well rounded flavour profile. Mezcal is much appreciated here at Peyotito with the old Mexican saying: Tequila to wake the living, Mescal to wake the dead’ emblazoned on it’s wall, gives you an idea of how to drink and dine the Mexican way and I thoroughly recommend trying some of the mescals they have on offer. Famously it’s the only spirit to not give you a hangover.

It’s the little of touches that really add class and panache to a place like Peyotito, which is the sister venue of Mayfair’s Peyote. Set in an indoor garden-like haven, you’re really a far cry from having mariachis and sombreros thrust in your face which is a rarity. On arrival you are presented with corn chips and three different accompaniments, Salsa Verde, a deeper, smokier and fiery chilli dip and a refreshing peanut dip. The chilli dip comes with a warning and with the deep flavours of Habanero which comes before the heat, it’s hard to not want to keep delving back in to experience the richness of the sauce. We recommend going for a bowl of their chunky Guacamole on the side to offset the heat.

Our waitress gave us a run down of all that was on their menu and recommended that most of the dishes are good for sharing. We were keen on trying a lot of what was on their menu and there really was a varied and mouth-watering selection. In terms of smaller dishes, they offer a couple of soups dishes, salads and crudo which is mainly comprised of sushi-grade yellowfin tuna but true to Mexican style served alongside corn, avocado and salsa. We decided to go for one of three ceviches on offer their signature dish, which is a scallop ceviche made with fresh coconut, cucumber and serrano chile. We then opted for a fish taco and a 24 hour braised lamb taco and from the mole side of the menu which means cooked in a sauce, we opted for the short rib.

BLANCO

When the food arrived it’s presented with no extra frills, simple, authentic and naturally stunning. The colours of the tacos and the different ingredients just bounce off the table. The portions are reasonable, not heavy but also bursting with zesty and vibrant flavours. A real feast for your eyes, there be no heavily starchy food here covered in cheese with a side of beans. This is really impressive, honest cooking made with typical Mexican flavours and enough to transport you straight to the food carts of Oaxaca. The first thing you notice when you start your dining experience is at how fresh everything tastes and how well balanced all of the dishes are.The food is of the highest quality and this is noticeable from dish to dish. Having chosen the signature ceviche dish ‘Blanco’ it was interesting to see how the delicate flavour of scallop would be complimented but the coconut, cucumber and chile are not overbearing in the slightest. The coconut is presented as an almost delicate soup in the bottom of the shell and is just the right combination of zesty and subtle.

Both taco dishes are presented on soft corn tacos, which I much prefer to it’s crunchy counterpart, the dishes are easily manageable with a knife and fork here. The sea bream is well cooked with a crispy skin left on and soft fish melting underneath. Bravo for our skin-on fish tacos this is much appreciated and adds an extra complementary texture to an already stand out dish. The lamb tacos are also robust in flavour bursting with a herbaceous yet smoky and sweet note; every mouthful is as divine as the last. The short rib is decadent, presented in a similar style to a beef dish you may encounter in a french bistro it’s full of the rich, chocolatey mole and served alongside seasonal veg. It personally resembled an elegant Sunday roast but with a flaky, fondant meat served with intense robust flavours of mole. After making our way through the dishes, we were happily full and well satisfied at the varied selection we had chosen but opted to go for the Flan De Vanilla to share. This baked custard dish was creamy, more-ish but still light, a theme which seems to go through all of the dishes we tried.

If authentic Mexican dining is what you’re after with a side of London’s best Margarita, in my opinion, Peyotito is definitely the place to be. The restaurant is vibrant, attention to detail is on point and the dishes are honestly first class in terms of quality of the food, flavour and value for money. Great for a quiet date, dining alone or with a group of friends, the staff are attentive and will make sure your every need is catered for. It’s a refreshing change to a lot of Mexican restaurants I have tried in the city and also fills a gap of sophisticated Mexican dining with a much more laid back and edgy feel to it. So if a slice of authenticity is what you’re after make sure to make your rezzies at Peyotito.

Peyotito

31 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2EU
Notting Hill, London
020 7043 1400
reservations@peyotitorestaurant.com

http://www.peyotitorestaurant.com

World Book Day on 2nd March 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Margaret Graham

With World Book Day on Thursday, 2nd March, and one of Frost’s favourite charity’s competition, the Words for the Wounded Independent Author Book Award, due to close on 11^th March we thought it an idea to look at the help available to self-publishing authors.

While many aspiring authors still strive to take the traditional publication route, one I took years ago and still enjoy, self-publishing has its place, which is why WforW have set up their Award.

There is a ‘but’ though. Increasingly, WforW finds that some books entered are better than others. Yes, the idea has to be good, but so too the structure, editing, and the presentation. This is essential if one is to interest a publishing house, or, is determined to be an Independent Author. You see, your readers deserve a good book, in every sense of the word.

We looked at Reedsy: with registrations for self-published print and ebooks estimated to have grown 375% since 2010, Reedsy gives authors access to editors, designers, marketing experts and ghostwriters for their project. It also offers masterclasses and free courses on all aspects of writing and publishing.

This company makes the process of publishing a book simple and accessible for authors and publishers at any level, by connecting them with leading editors, designers, publicists and marketers through its curated marketplace. Reedsy also provides a suite of tools to assist the publishing process, guiding writers from the first word of their manuscript, right through to typesetting, publishing, distributing and marketing the final book.

So, yes, there are organisations out there to help the independent author. For instance, Frost recently ran a series of A Day in the Life articles about Troubador, a self-publishing organisation. I know several who have worked on their books, and published with them, to their complete satisfaction.

There are independent editors too, but editing is their only brief, they do not necessarily provide a package under one roof.

And what about the New Writers Scheme at the Romantic Novelists’ Association? The scripts are sent to an appropriate reader who provides a report that may include, for example, comments on plotting, characterisation and structure. The organiser will not only assess and advise on a manuscript but advise and support authors whose report on their manuscript indicates that their novel is ready, or almost ready, to be submitted to a publisher and agent.

So, whatever you are writing, there is help out there. Do look around, assess, ask questions. It might just help you become the best that you can be.

www.wordsforthewounded.co.uk

www.reedsy.com

www.romanticnovelistsassociation.org

www.troubador.co.uk

It’s Not About The Food by Tracy Baines reviewed by Milly Adams

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Margaret Graham

This is the most extraordinary book. It is one for every parent, and perhaps every child, even if they are over 18. Its sub-title is ‘Battling through your child’s eating disorder.’

Tracy Baines writes succinctly and movingly about her daughter, Neile’s, battle with The Bitch as they came to call the internal bully who was ruining Neile’s sense of self-worth. It was a battle they fought – the family and Neile – in a wilderness of fear and panic. Eventually, by hacking at the undergrowth they forged a way through to the light. It wasn’t a quick fix, it was slow, painful with many steps backward, but they found help: from therapists, from support groups, from the right people to be with, but most of all from the new puppy that joined the family.

Eventually Tracy’s family was lucky, they didn’t lose her daughter who is now well, a mother, happily married to a strong sound man. But they did lose that remarkable puppy, Millie, who inexplicably died suddenly and quietly as Neile found herself, as though the puppy knew her job was done.

Walking beside her daughter thoughout these years of despair and worry, Tracy realised that the biggest enemy is fear, the greatest strength is objectivity, (not to mention the family, and also, knowledge) It also revealed to her, her own frailties, her own battle with self-worth, the need to create boundaries herself in order to leave space for her own needs.

This was a road she and her daughter travelled together, but it was also one which drew the family; husband Neil, brother Nick, closer. They all found strength, and found themselves but not until Tracy finally crashed as life imploded around her.

Ultimately it was not just Neile who emerged from this chrysalis state, but Tracy, fully formed, different, ready for the world. It was a state that an alternative therapist used to describe Neile’s condition to Tracy. I feel it described Tracy’s just as much.

So, words of wisdom from Tracy? ‘Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone, that you cannot solve all of the problems all of the time, that you can support your child but you cannot fix them – they have to do that for themselves – and you have to learn to let them, hard as it is. Letting go will revitalise you and give you the energy to cope with whatever comes your way.’

Half this book is about the journey, and then it continues with the practicalities of survival, and hopefully a return to health, with a renewed stronger core.

As Tracy says: sometimes when it looks like things are falling apart they are really falling into place.

It will be the most valuable book you can read this year. Perhaps ever.

Tracy’s articles and short stories have been published all over the world in magazines like Woman’s Weekly, My Weekly, Take A Break, Best and The People’s Friend. A regular speaker at writing festivals, she also judges short story competitions and organises creative writing workshops.

She lives in Dorset with her husband and another, different, but much loved springer spaniel, both of whom are hyperactive and hard work.

For more information about Tracy go to:

www.tracybaines.co.uk

It’s Not About The Food by Tracy Baines: pb £8.99 available on Amazon. Also as an ebook

Eating Disorders – Are you asking the right questions

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Tracy Baines

Speaking up

My daughter was 19, almost 20 when I found out she had an eating disorder. A friend had told her that if she didn’t speak to me about it then he would. I will be forever grateful to that young man. How long would it have gone undiscovered otherwise?

She agreed to get help but didn’t feel able to make the call. So I called and got through to the doctor – who couldn’t speak to me because she was over 18. I handed over the phone.

I made other calls and appointments and drove her there and sat outside. And waited, and waited. I wasn’t invited over the threshold. She was an adult, wasn’t she – but she was a vulnerable adult.

She was referred to the eating disorders clinic quite quickly – thank goodness. I went with her to every appointment for weeks; months. I would ring the doorbell because she couldn’t summon up the courage to do that. A simple task, to ask for access. I didn’t know that I should have made her do it herself. I daren’t. I didn’t want to give her any opportunity not to get help.

That was her controlling me, and the eating disorder was controlling her. Fear takes hold and that’s when you lack clarity.

If only someone had told me earlier. If only I had asked.

I didn’t even ask.

I didn’t ask because I knew that NHS resources are overstretched. I didn’t want any professional wasting their time on me. I wanted them to spend their expertise on getting my daughter well because I had no idea what to do.

I should have asked.

I may very well have got the information I needed to help her get stronger. She came out of her appointments and came home with me and I had to deal with the fallout. I had no idea if what I was doing was right or wrong. Pure guess work. I didn’t know anyone else in the same situation and was too embarrassed to ask. I was her mother I should have spotted the signs.

I should have known my child.

Talking about it helps.

Parents need support too. It may very well help the child recover faster. It will certainly help you to speak to others in the same situation. I can’t tell you what a relief it was for me.

You can look on the B-eat website for how and what to do if you are concerned that someone you know or love has an eating disorder.

www.b-eat.co.uk

www.tracybaines.co.uk

Authentic Peking Duck Pancakes Recipe

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Frostie

Pancake Day (28 February 2017) often makes you think of a sweet treat, but why not mix it up this Shrove Tuesday by making savoury pancakes.

Below, the chefs at Royal China reveal their exclusive recipe for the most authentic and delicious Peking Duck Pancakes.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Duck Breasts

3 Shallots – sliced

3 Spring Onion

1 Clove Garlic

1Tsp Maltose Sugar

2 Tbsp Vinegar

3 Tbsp Oil

Salt to taste

Method:

Fry the shallots, spring onion and garlic in a pan and heavily salt
Marinate the duck breasts with the fried ingredients
Mix the maltose sugar with vinegar and hot water, and pour on the skin
Place the duck into a barbeque cooker until cooked
Baste the skin of the duck with hot oil until it is golden brown and crispy

For the Pancakes:

Slice the duck breast into slender strips, and place meat in a pancake with sliced spring onion, cucumbers and a dollop of plum sauce. Wrap and enjoy!

The Royal China Group consists of six of London’s most authentic and prestigious Chinese restaurants, including the luxurious and critically-acclaimed Royal China Club. Based in prime areas of London, the restaurants are centrally located on Baker Street, as well as in Bayswater, Fulham, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Canary Wharf.

www.royalchinagroup.co.uk

2017 Rental Affordability Index

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Frostie

To rent the recommended space for one person, Londoners must pay an average of £963.76 per month.
On average, Londoners must earn a gross salary of at least £3,323.07 per month to afford to live alone and meet additional living costs. That equates to a gross salary of £39,876.84 per year.
A family living in London must earn an average of £6,305.31 per month to cover rent plus living costs. That equates to a gross salary of £75,663.72 per year.

Nested.com, the London based online estate agent, produced the Rental Affordability Index. The study illustrates the price of renting per square metre in 33 London boroughs, 15 UK cities and 72 cities worldwide. Based on this, the research could further convey the minimum gross salary required to support an individual and a family of four in rented property, based on the minimum space recommended for one person, and for a family.

The comprehensive study was undertaken in order to understand the costs associated with renting as an individual and as a family, and to determine whether cities are becoming increasingly unaffordable. The inclusion of specific results for each of the 33 London boroughs allows easy comparison between regional and global cities to the UK capital, with its much-publicised unaffordability.

The price per square metre of property was calculated based upon current market listings for all locations researched, whilst the minimum space recommended for one person and four people is laid out in guidelines from the Greater London Authority.1 The gross salary guideline was included to help illustrate relative affordability.2

London

To rent a property of the minimum space recommended for one person, Londoners must on average pay £963.76 per month.
Taking into account the recommended maximum 29% of income which should be spent on rent,2 on average a Londoner needs to earn a gross salary of £3,323.07 per month to live alone. This equates to £39,876.84 per year.
In London, the minimum space recommended for a family of four requires a monthly income of £6,305.31. This equates to an annual salary of £75,663.72.
The least affordable borough to rent in London is Kensington and Chelsea, where rent per square metre is £72.40 per month.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Kensington and Chelsea, an individual needs an income of £9,736.55 per month, or £116,838.60 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Kensington and Chelsea, a monthly income of £18,474.48 is needed. This is equal to an annual income of £221,693.76.
The most affordable borough to rent in London is Bexley, where rent per square metre is £13.30 per month.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Bexley, an individual must earn an income of £1,788.62 per month, or £21,463.44 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Bexley, a monthly income of £3,393.79 would be required, equal to an annual income of £40,725.48.

The results for London, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	Borough	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	Kensington & Chelsea	£72.40	£2,823.60	£116,838.60	£5,357.60	£221,693.76
2	City of Westminster	£54.82	£2,137.98	£88,468.08	£4,056.68	£167,862.60
3	City of London	£44.42	£1,732.38	£71,684.64	£3,287.08	£136,017.12
4	Camden	£39.50	£1,540.50	£63,744.84	£2,923.00	£120,951.72
5	Hammersmith & Fulham	£32.86	£1,281.54	£53,029.20	£2,431.64	£100,619.64
6	Islington	£32.34	£1,261.26	£52,190.04	£2,393.16	£99,027.36
7	Wandsworth	£31.69	£1,235.91	£51,141.12	£2,345.06	£97,036.92
8	Southwark	£31.29	£1,220.31	£50,495.64	£2,315.46	£95,812.08
9	Lambeth	£30.53	£1,190.67	£49,269.12	£2,259.22	£93,484.92
10	Haringey	£26.65	£1,039.35	£43,007.64	£1,972.10	£81,604.08
11	Hackney	£25.72	£1,003.08	£41,506.80	£1,903.28	£78,756.36
12	Richmond upon Thames	£23.49	£916.11	£37,908.00	£1,738.26	£71,928.00
13	Merton	£22.42	£874.38	£36,181.20	£1,659.08	£68,651.64
14	Tower Hamlets	£21.70	£846.30	£35,019.36	£1,605.80	£66,446.88
15	Barnet	£21.67	£845.13	£34,970.88	£1,603.58	£66,355.08
16	Brent	£20.89	£814.71	£33,712.08	£1,545.86	£63,966.60
17	Kingston upon Thames	£20.50	£799.50	£33,082.80	£1,517.00	£62,772.36
18	Ealing	£20.47	£798.33	£33,034.32	£1,514.78	£62,680.56
19	Enfield	£19.00	£741.00	£30,662.04	£1,406.00	£58,179.36
20	Waltham Forest	£17.70	£690.30	£28,564.08	£1,309.80	£54,198.60
21	Hounslow	£17.47	£681.33	£28,192.92	£1,292.78	£53,494.32
22	Harrow	£17.17	£669.63	£27,708.84	£1,270.58	£52,575.72
23	Lewisham	£16.82	£655.98	£27,144.00	£1,244.68	£51,504.00
24	Greenwich	£16.52	£644.28	£26,659.92	£1,222.48	£50,585.40
25	Newham	£16.50	£643.50	£26,627.64	£1,221.00	£50,524.08
26	Sutton	£16.08	£627.12	£25,949.76	£1,189.92	£49,238.04
27	Redbridge	£15.92	£620.88	£25,691.64	£1,178.08	£48,748.08
28	Hillingdon	£15.83	£617.37	£25,546.32	£1,171.42	£48,472.56
29	Bromley	£15.70	£612.30	£25,336.56	£1,161.80	£48,074.52
30	Croydon	£15.30	£596.70	£24,691.08	£1,132.20	£46,849.68
31	Barking & Dagenham	£14.94	£582.66	£24,110.04	£1,105.56	£45,747.36
32	Havering	£13.88	£541.32	£22,399.44	£1,027.12	£42,501.48
33	Bexley	£13.30	£518.70	£21,463.44	£984.20	£40,725.48
	Average across 33 boroughs	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72

UK cities:

The second most expensive UK city for rent prices is Edinburgh at a cost of £12.85 per square metre.
The most affordable city to rent property is Belfast at £6.29 per square metre.
An income of £1,728.10 per month is needed for single habitation in Edinburgh. That equates to an annual salary of £20,737.20 per year
To afford family rental in Edinburgh, a monthly income of £3,278.97 is needed. That equates to an annual income of £39,347.64.
An income of just £845.90 per month is needed for single habitation in Belfast. That equates to an annual salary of £10,150.80 per year.
To afford family rental in Belfast, a monthly income of just £1,605.03 is needed. That equates to an annual income of £19,260.36.
Single rental in London is more expensive than family rental in any other UK city.
Three of the UK cities made the top 50 global cities list (London, Edinburgh and Bristol)

The top 15 results for the UK cities list, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	City	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	London3	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72
2	Edinburgh	£12.85	£501.15	£20,737.20	£950.90	£39,347.64
3	Bristol	£11.22	£437.58	£18,106.80	£830.28	£34,356.36
4	Southampton	£10.68	£416.52	£17,235.36	£790.32	£32,702.88
5	Manchester	£9.79	£381.81	£15,799.08	£724.46	£29,977.68
6	Aberdeen	£9.61	£374.79	£15,508.56	£711.14	£29,426.52
7	Cardiff	£9.24	£360.36	£14,911.44	£683.76	£28,293.48
8	Leeds	£8.92	£347.88	£14,395.08	£660.08	£27,313.68
9	Nottingham	£8.83	£344.37	£14,249.76	£653.42	£27,038.04
10	Sheffield	£8.54	£333.06	£13,781.76	£631.96	£26,150.04
11	Birmingham	£8.51	£331.89	£13,733.40	£629.74	£26,058.24
12	Newcastle	£8.47	£330.33	£13,668.84	£626.78	£25,935.72
13	Glasgow	£8.31	£324.09	£13,410.60	£614.94	£25,445.76
14	Liverpool	£7.19	£280.41	£11,603.16	£532.06	£22,016.28
15	Belfast	£6.29	£245.31	£10,150.80	£465.46	£19,260.36

Global cities:

Of the 120 locations included in the ranking, San Francisco is the most expensive city to rent property outside of London, at £42.81 per square metre.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in San Francisco, an individual must earn £5,757.21 per month. This equates to £69,086.52 per year.
To afford rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in San Francisco, an income of £10,923.93 per month is needed. This equates to £131,087.16 per year.
Of the 120 locations included, Cairo is the cheapest city to rent property, at just £3.05 per square metre.
To afford to rent alone and cover additional living costs in Cairo, an individual must earn £410.17 per month. This equates to £4,922.04 per year.
To afford the rent for the minimum space recommended for a family of four in Cairo, a monthly income of £778.28 is needed. This equates to £9,339.36 per year.

The top 50 results for the global cities list, ranked by the cost of rental per square per metre, are as follows:

	City	Cost Per Sq. Metre	Monthly Rental for a Single Person	Yearly Income Needed to Afford Single Person Rental	Monthly Rental for a Family	Yearly Income Needed for to Afford Family Rental
1	San Francisco, USA	£42.81	£1,669.59	£69,086.52	£3,167.94	£131,087.16
2	New York City, USA	£41.03	£1,600.17	£66,213.96	£3,036.22	£125,636.64
3	Hong Kong, Hong Kong	£33.14	£1,292.46	£53,481.12	£2,452.36	£101,476.92
4	Dubai, UAE	£30.49	£1,189.11	£49,204.56	£2,256.26	£93,362.52
5	Singapore, Singapore	£28.84	£1,124.76	£46,541.76	£2,134.16	£88,310.04
6	Washington D.C., USA	£28.73	£1,120.47	£46,364.28	£2,126.02	£87,973.20
7	Geneva, Switzerland	£26.66	£1,039.74	£43,023.72	£1,972.84	£81,634.80
8	Sydney, Australia	£25.30	£986.70	£40,828.92	£1,872.20	£77,470.32
9	Zurich, Switzerland	£25.19	£982.41	£40,651.44	£1,864.06	£77,133.48
10	Los Angeles, USA	£24.75	£965.25	£39,941.40	£1,831.50	£75,786.24
11	London, UK3	£24.71	£963.69	£39,876.84	£1,828.54	£75,663.72
12	Miami, USA	£24.53	£956.67	£39,586.32	£1,815.22	£75,112.56
13	Chicago, USA	£21.52	£839.28	£34,728.84	£1,592.48	£65,895.72
14	Copenhagen, Denmark	£20.40	£795.60	£32,921.40	£1,509.60	£62,466.24
15	Tokyo, Japan	£20.20	£787.80	£32,598.60	£1,494.80	£61,853.76
16	Vancouver, Canada	£20.00	£780.00	£32,275.92	£1,480.00	£61,241.40
17	Amsterdam, Netherlands	£19.54	£762.06	£31,533.48	£1,445.96	£59,832.84
18	Paris, France	£18.93	£738.27	£30,549.12	£1,400.82	£57,964.92
19	Melbourne, Australia	£18.18	£709.02	£29,338.80	£1,345.32	£55,668.36
20	Oslo, Norway	£17.39	£678.21	£28,063.92	£1,286.86	£53,249.40
21	Reykjavik, Iceland	£17.34	£676.26	£27,983.16	£1,283.16	£53,096.28
22	Stockholm, Sweden	£17.28	£673.92	£27,886.32	£1,278.72	£52,912.56
23	Dublin, Ireland	£16.81	£655.59	£27,127.92	£1,243.94	£51,473.40
24	Seoul, South Korea	£16.36	£638.04	£26,401.68	£1,210.64	£50,095.44
25	Toronto, Canada	£16.32	£636.48	£26,337.12	£1,207.68	£49,972.92
26	Auckland, New Zealand	£16.24	£633.36	£26,208.00	£1,201.76	£49,728.00
27	Brisbane, Australia	£16.12	£628.68	£26,014.32	£1,192.88	£49,360.56
28	Helsinki, Finland	£15.92	£620.88	£25,691.64	£1,178.08	£48,748.08
29	Beijing, China	£15.80	£616.20	£25,497.96	£1,169.20	£48,380.64
30	Perth, Australia	£15.48	£603.72	£24,981.48	£1,145.52	£47,400.84
31	Munich, Germany	£15.26	£595.14	£24,626.52	£1,129.24	£46,727.16
32	Shanghai, China	£15.17	£591.63	£24,481.20	£1,122.58	£46,451.64
33	Milan, Italy	£15.00	£585.00	£24,206.88	£1,110.00	£45,931.08
34	Rome, Italy	£14.54	£567.06	£23,464.56	£1,075.96	£44,522.52
35	Tel Aviv, Israel	£14.51	£565.89	£23,416.08	£1,073.74	£44,430.60
36	Frankfurt am Main, Germany	£13.71	£534.69	£22,125.12	£1,014.54	£41,980.92
37	Edinburgh, UK	£12.85	£501.15	£20,737.20	£950.90	£39,347.64
38	Dusseldorf, Germany	£12.68	£494.52	£20,462.88	£938.32	£38,827.08
39	Madrid, Spain	£12.04	£469.56	£19,430.04	£890.96	£36,867.36
40	Hamburg, Germany	£11.99	£467.61	£19,349.40	£887.26	£36,714.24
41	Vienna, Austria	£11.88	£463.32	£19,171.92	£879.12	£36,377.40
42	Taipei, Taiwan	£11.88	£463.32	£19,171.92	£879.12	£36,377.40
43	Brussels, Belgium	£11.85	£462.15	£19,123.44	£876.90	£36,285.48
44	Moscow, Russia	£11.60	£452.40	£18,720.00	£858.40	£35,520.00
45	Bristol, UK	£11.22	£437.58	£18,106.80	£830.28	£34,356.36
46	Berlin, Germany	£10.81	£421.59	£17,445.12	£799.94	£33,100.92
47	Southampton, UK	£10.68	£416.52	£17,235.36	£790.32	£32,702.88
48	Osaka, Japan	£10.29	£401.31	£16,605.96	£761.46	£31,508.64
49	Jakarta, Indonesia	£10.28	£400.92	£16,589.76	£760.72	£31,478.04
50	Barcelona, Spain	£10.27	£400.53	£16,573.68	£759.98	£31,447.44

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