So you think 5k is ok to get a "rather nice property" in Surrey. Great, good for you. This is a Pilots forum, we are talking specifically about NLH package for a Captain. So if you are not inferring anything regarding the salary of a Widebody Captain, you're clearly in the wrong forum sight.
Pardon me for thinking you were referring to an Wide Body Captains salary in this forum, even though that's what we're talking about
As to your "Histrionics", I've spent some time in Surrey, and let me assure you the cost of living is up there with the highest in the world (Real estate aside), so I don't think it's too Melodramatic to say it's a basing in one of the most expensive cities in the world.