I found it really easy, although that's probably because RIM did a huge recruitment drive in Scotland, so my dad got moved out to Canada, put up in a hotel for ages, and helped with rent for a while too. I think I got lucky. Things aren't too expensive here, but I think that's because everything's expensive as hell in the UK, fuel being the biggest difference. 1.30 for a litre here, vs 2.20 back home.