The other point to bear in mind is you really do need a few quid in the bank to help a person from abroad settle in.
aybe not 2-3k but a few quid.
New Clothes (even if the basics are brought over very few phills have an extensive autumun/winter colllection in the walkin wardrobe back in phill)
heating bill.
The Wife also needed a few quids worth of Cosmetics and moistusedodas
possibly some soap or items from the local phill shop which will cost a good few quid more than equivalents bought here. We went to Boots (get one of there points cards so you get some of the money back and look out for double or triple days so you get more points back. Most women from such as a humid country as phill skin will go crazy (notice the difference when your there for us mere blokes and just imagine the hell for some ladies)Its not a vanity thing it will seriously distress many women if their skin doesn't feel good and i know my wife had a mild outbreak of spots which was partly due to the stress of the new enviroment.
The Wife also needed new nail cutters and other footcare marlarky which put the first boots bill to about 80 quid
However much you insulated wear thick jumpers indoors the thermostat will need to creep up a bit in winter and possibly summer if its like this one.
If your wife is at home she will need cash to spend not much but it soon tots up if she wants to just pop to local shops on the bus with oyster card top up etc.
Foods from home my Wife when she gotta over had the strangest cravings for foods that cost a few quid.
The telephone calls even with the cheapest phone call service will still cost a little some months for one reason or another. My Wife once or twice forgot to add the extra code on to divert though the cheap calls service so on our mobile the wife dialled up phill on a mobile (thankfully i have a discount on international calls on our mobile phones but it still cost a few quid.
If your wife wishes to take a course it will cost far more than for a resident.
I know im stating whats plan to see but just a warning to those going though the process you do need budget a few quid trust me.
So if you show that you have budgeted for your wifes move over you maybe able to get away with less
