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Hi Linden
I've lived and worked in London so I can give you an idea of what its like for a young foreigner.
Its lots of fun, but its expensive, especially in London.
Some figures:
accommodation: 40-50 pounds/week for a room in a house shared with other young people (may have to share the room); 90pounds should get him his own room in a private house (self-catered); 180pounds or so could get a self-contained apartment reasonably close to the centre of town in a reasonable area: i.e about 20-30 minutes away by train or bus (of course your son could work locally, especially if he is after pub work)
Accommodation is much cheaper outside of London, and if your son has a bar job he might get free accommodation thrown in (which could be worth it)
Work: there is very stiff competition from EU citizens and young New Zealanders/Australians/Sth Africans on working holiday visas for unskilled jobs like bar work. If your son doesn't have a work visa he will find it very difficult indeed in London.
Petrol: you know about this by now: its outrageous. In London your son wouldn't need/want a car. Public transport is best, believe me.
Clothes: more expensive than the US but bargains can be found in markets.
Weather: usually rubbish :-)
What I would recommend is getting hold of a good guide book on Britain (say, 'Lonely Planet' or 'Lets Go') - they have good advice about working and living there. Otherwise there are plenty of other more general books.
I don't mean to put you or your son off. Just be prepared...
Hope this helps
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