It's pretty expensive to live here right now and getting more expensive by the day! We pay over £4 for a gallon of diesel for my Audi, in the USA that would be over $7 a gallon!
Our energy costs have risen substantially over the past year and British Gas are about to hike their prices by ANOTHER 22%...pretty frightening really especially for those on a fixed income like the pensioners are.
There are many more people from here now relocating to distance shores and we (husband and I) are seriously looking to relocate to New Zealand...a lot are doing it because it's warmer where they are going to not just because of the cost of living here.
Here is one site that you can take a look at to get some idea of comparitive costs with where you are now:
http://www.workgateways.com/working-cost-of-living.html
This is basically for the London area which, being the capitol, is likely to be very expensive....there are lots of "cheaper" areas....where I am in West Yorkshire for starters!
Having said all this, if you really want to come to England then give it a go. This IS a beautiful country with lots to see and do....we have such a rich and varied history that you can completely lose yourself in it....so many places to see...so many things to do.
Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the very best for your future.