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One out of every four Americans who leave the United States relocates to Europe; many of which went to the United Kingdom. It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 Americans living in the UK and many more are under the process of migration and making preparations. If you too are one of them, then we have for you, 11 things to know before moving from the US to the United Kingdom.
The United States and the UK have a lot binding the both states, which includes a shared heritage, religious overlap, a common language and legal structure, and kinship relations dating back hundreds of years. Despite the differences, people in the US have stated the UK as one of their favourite locations to move to.
Although there are many differences and similarities, when it comes to specifications and regulations; there is a lot to consider before you make a move. We have listed down everything that you need to consider or know before you decide to move from the US to the UK.
First thing first, you will need to apply for your immigration. There is the process of application that requires a bit of paperwork. Be sure to fill out the application form honestly and to the best of your knowledge regarding the UK’s immigration law.
You will definitely need your passport, especially when you are permanently moving there. Visa is also compulsory in case you want to work. Additional documents aren’t required, however having your NEXUS, FAST, and SETRI cards can be helpful. Similar is the case for the family which also includes kids. Additional certification (including medical certificates of vaccination) may be required for pets. Try to bring all the relevant documentation and approved applications for immigration. That’s all there is needed to enter the UK.
For complete detail on this subject, visit the given link.
When we say the UK, it doesn’t mean Great Britain. Great Britain includes the mainland of Scotland, England, and Wales; whereas the United Kingdom includes all of the states including Northern Ireland. So when you are looking to fly abroad over such a distance, you are definitely going to look for movers; dependable and reliable movers at that.
So when you do look for movers, we advise you consider the following parameters:
This is a difficult question. If you have decided you don’t want to sell your vehicle, then you probably have to look for it to be shipped to the UK. That itself is quite hectic. But just like with the luggage and furniture, you will have to look for reliable movers if you want your vehicle to be shipped across to the UK. Moving companies who have an expertise in oversea moves are used to managing car shipping across the ocean.
Upon your safe arrival and entry in the UK wherever you may have decided to reside, you will need to have a few things put in order and checked before moving on with your regular life. This includes the following:
As an immigrant, if you look to open a bank account, we suggest you choose form one of the following:
Basic utilities such as water, gas, and electricity can easily be availed. You don’t have to worry about them if you are living on a rental property. However, if you have or want to acquire private property, you will have to contact companies that provide those services via either a phone call or writing an email. You can also visit their offices and file an application.
One of the most important requirements besides arranging for living and availing basic utilities, you will need a cell phone and internet connection. Some of the best cell service providers in the UK include:
You can use a prepaid SIM for staring instant use and get a suitable data package that suits your needs. Cell phones can be purchased from electronics and accessories stores.
The type of insurance you may need varies as per your requirements and eligibility. Some of the popular types of insurance that you should get in UK include:
Besides the first two, you may not necessarily need the other types of insurances. Since most of the healthcare expenses are covered by the NHS, a person only need health insurance for special treatments not covered by the NHS.
The cost of living in the UK is significantly lower in comparison to the US. When it comes to rent and property prices, it is almost 22.55% lower in UK in comparison to the US, but it varies for metropolitan vs small residential dwellings in towns and villages. Cities like London and Manchester are expensive to live in. The national average housing price for a detached property can be around £233,124. For London, the price for a semi-detached house can be around (on an average) £580,930; for Manchester, it’s £221,594; for Bristol, it’s £282,000. A flat may cost around £421,438 in London.
Comparatively speaking, a one-bedroom apartment is averaged around $1,300-$1,500. However, a two-bedroom rental apartment in UK is costly in comparison to its American counterpart, ranging from £1800 to £700. Consumer prices in UK are 7.89% higher; the local purchasing power in UK is 17.90% lower than the US.
For a family of four, the average cost of living in London can be around £2700 per month. In Manchester, it can fall as low as £2100.
Just as with pricing, finding a place to live in the UK is quite difficult. Factors such as budget, number of people in family, long/short term rental, and state of the dwelling and neighborhood affect the prices and feasibility of locating drastically.
If you are looking for a rental, then you have the advantage of the property owner being responsible for maintain a variety of aspects of the property to keep it up to a standard. You will need to have the following documents if you wish to acquire a rental property:
Be sure to read the rental contract carefully and clear any misunderstanding or underlying rules that you may feel need to be elaborated. If a new contract needs to be drafted, make sure all the details and responsibilities are clearly expressed. If you are looking to buy a property instead of renting one, there are numerous steps you must look after in order to ensure you can successfully buy a property without leaving any blank spaces:
Some popular website you can visit to look for property online include:
Basic amenities can easily be purchased from grocery stores, mall chains, and supermarkets such as Costco, Aldi, ASDA, and Tesco. As for alcohol, there are a variety of pubs located across the UK where the legal drinking age is 18. The sale of alcohol at stores is subjected to local laws and timings whereas at some stores (such as Tesco) people can purchase alcohol 24/7. Since the purchase isn’t regulated on government level like in UK, it is easily available and purchasable.
Although the experience may seem tiring and it may seem difficult to adjust to new changes, things get better over time. Be sure to expect a lot rain and if you are living in a metropolitan area, crowded and packed streets where finding a spot for parking is a real hassle.
All in all, you won’t be feeling much alienated (besides the English accent) and as they say, life will find a way. We are hopeful this guide was useful to get yourself prepared to move from the US to the UK.
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