Living in the UK is indeed a very adventurous choice in life, whether you are shifting for employment reasons, educational purposes, family, or just to have a change in your lifestyle. Nevertheless, one should be aware of the UK’s peculiarities regarding housing arrangements, health care, transportation facilities, and culture. Everything from the visa process to weather patterns might come as a shock when shifting to the UK. What then, are some things to know before moving to the UK?
Once you have obtained your visa and made arrangements for your flight, the next thing that needs consideration is what to do upon landing on British soil. In case you are first landing at a London airport but you want to end up in a commuter town such as Watford, you need an efficient means of ground transportation to help kick off your new life in a smooth manner. Using a Watford Private Hire car means you are guaranteed of having a professional chauffeur who will pick you up, thus making your journey much easier.
One just cannot come and live there in the UK. There are specific visas that need to be acquired beforehand to be able to go to the UK as someone who is not a British national. For example, one can have a Skilled Worker Visa if they have been offered employment by an authorized sponsor through the Home Office; a Student Visa for going to a UK university; a Family Visa if one’s spouse is a UK resident; or a Global Talent Visa if one is a leader in their field of education, arts, or technology. All visas require a minimum financial maintenance requirement of at least £1,270, among others.
The cost of living in the UK varies. London is one of the most expensive places; the rental price of an apartment with one room exceeds £1,800 per month. At the same time, cities like Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Liverpool provide the same culture facilities for half the price. The additional expenses that need to be accounted for include council tax (from £1,200 to £3,000 a year depending on the size and condition of the place), bills for gas, electricity, and water (approximately £150-250 per month), and the license fee for watching television (£159 annually if you have a television set).
The NHS offers free health services at the point of delivery. As a visa holder, you will pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £624 for adults and £470 for children each year before arriving in the UK. You will get your healthcare free of charge including consultations with a GP, hospital visits, and emergencies. There is a catch though since dental care is partially covered, costing between £25-£100 per visit, while prescription drugs cost £9.65 in England (no charges in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Register with a general practitioner once you acquire your permanent residence.
Looking for rental accommodation in the UK is different from many other nations. The vast majority of rental accommodations are advertised either on Rightmove or Zoopla. You will need to show that you have the right to reside in the UK using your visa and your biometric residence permit, make an initial holding deposit payment (which is normally equivalent to one week’s rent), and after that a security deposit (five weeks’ rent for annual rents below £50,000). Application fees and administrative fees are not legal. It is important to know that UK houses do not usually come equipped with air conditioners, dryer machines, and double-glazed windows.
UK public transportation is widespread but pricey. The train service connects all cities, but prices for intercity train tickets tend to be very steep, such as an unexpected ticket between London and Manchester at £100+. Purchase tickets for Advance fares well before the departure date to enjoy cheaper rates. Buses are relatively inexpensive but take longer. If you’re in London, use the Tube system but be aware that there is a fare cap per day ($8.10 for zones 1-2). Most new arrivals tend to avoid buying cars at first because of expensive fuel, costly insurance, and driving on the left-hand side.
Traveling from commuter areas to international airports, for example, going back home after several months away, requires some planning ahead. One such trip may involve going from Watford to Luton Airport, which cannot be reached through any one train. Instead of managing all the train connections or airport shuttles, booking a taxi service from Watford to Luton Airport Taxi offers you a convenient alternative with a set rate for the fare. It is particularly helpful in case of early morning flights, as well as when traveling with multiple luggage items. Expert chauffeurs know how to monitor flight delays, and therefore you will never incur extra costs because of waiting around.
Also read: 10 Essential Skills You Need Before Traveling to the UK
The climate of the UK is temperate and maritime, which means warm summers and cold winters, but constant cloudy weather all year long and precipitation as well. The temperatures during summer are on average between 65-75° F or 18-24° C. In winter, it’s usually around 35-45° F or 2-7° C. The UK doesn’t see snow except for Scotland and northern parts of England. However, the lack of extremities in temperatures is made up for by the lack of sunny weather; the UK receives approximately 1,500 hours of sunshine per year, as opposed to 3,000 in Los Angeles.
Bank account in the UK should be opened first. It’s better to use digital banks such as Monzo or Starling. They will allow you to open an account just having visa and temporary address. Traditional banks such as Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC will probably need proof of address that will create a vicious circle. Provide proof with the letter of employment or lease agreement. The most important point to remember is that there will be no credit rating transferred from your home country. Your credit history will start at zero.
Politeness, queueing, and being humble or understated are some of the traits admired in British society. Always use the words “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry”—even when you bump into someone. Queue jumping is a social taboo. Tipping is not mandatory, although it is recommended to tip 10%-15% in sit-down restaurants, although many people give no tips when services are normal. Tipping is not expected in pubs for serving beverages. The humor is dry and sarcastic; do not get upset if your peers are ridiculing you. Moreover, drinking tea is part of the culture and offering a cuppa is an act of generosity.
For all US citizens residing in the UK, you must continue filing taxes in the US each year regardless of whether you have been able to reside there permanently or temporarily. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion will allow you to exclude about $120,000 of your income from US tax obligations. Nevertheless, you will be required to submit Form 1040 and FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report) if you have foreign bank accounts worth more than $10,000. The rate of income tax in the UK is relatively higher compared to that of the US, starting at 20%.
Before traveling to the UK, ensure that you have taken care of the following: (1) Visa and IHS payment. (2) Booking of at least four weeks of accommodation either on Airbnb or a serviced apartment. (3) Contacting your home country’s tax office and informing them about your relocation. (4) Health insurance covering the period until you get registered with your general practitioner. (5) Purchasing a UK SIM card (pay-as-you-go services from EE, O2, or Vodafone). (6) Packing the original copies of your birth certificate, marriage certificate (if any), educational qualifications, and a criminal background check.
Coming to the UK may be both exciting and complicated. You will not fall into mistakes which trap immigrants who are not prepared if you know all about visa requirements, cost of housing, access to the NHS, and cultural peculiarities before you start. Studying in the UK is great because of excellent educational institutions and numerous working opportunities there; however, some prior investigation and realistic attitude will do you good. Apply for a visa in advance, have enough money in case of emergency, and enjoy the experience!
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