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A Short Guide to Moving to Wales From the US

Daisy Wilson May 17, 2013
Posted May 17, 2013 In Living Abroad,
Daisy Wilson

Daisy was born in Salt Lake City and in her free time, she writes about moving and watches Charmed.

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular places for US expats and it holds third place in the number of Americans who live overseas. And moving to Wales was a choice for many people as well. But when moving internationally, finding an overseas shipping company is not all you need to do. There are tons of obligations and responsibilities you must finish, but gathering information can be overwhelming. Thus we created a guide for your easier navigation of moving to Wales from the US.

Even though more and more Americans decide to live in a different country, moving abroad is still confusing and complicated for many people. From hiring an international moving company to gathering documents needed for travel abroad, there are so many things you must follow and do. That’s why it is best to make a checklist for moving abroad and follow it from start to finish. Just make sure you have everything you need. Good preparation is a key to successful international moving, and be aware that relocating for love to the UK will not be the same as relocating for a job. Paperwork will be different for starters.

All the Papers You Need When Moving to Cymry

Before you book an overseas moving company for overseas shipping, you will have to apply for a proper visa or work permit if you plan to settle in for longer. Did you plan to stay less than six months? If yes, you can do so without any papers – all you need is a valid passport. Here are some of the visa types you can apply for:

  • Standard visitor visa,
  • Student visa,
  • Work visa,
  • Investment visa,
  • Innovation and startup visa.

The UK government has an online test where you can see what type of visa you can get and how.

How to Get Welsh Citizenship?

Getting Welsh citizenship will be a bit tricky. After all, the whole purpose of relocating overseas is to become a full member of that society and live abroad without restrictions. And if you wonder can US citizens move to Wales and become citizens, the answer is yes, and here is how:

  • If you are a Commonwealth citizen,
  • If you were born in the UK,
  • If your parent is a British citizen,
  • If you’re married to a British citizen,
  • If you have indefinite leave to remain.

Moving to Wales From the US – Choose Among Best Places for Living

When relocating across the world, location is probably one of the most important things on your mind. And if you are an American moving to Wales (or Cymry, which is the name of the country in Welsh,) you will be happy to hear that your dream of balancing urban and rural life can come true in the Kingdom of Britons. If you want to buy a home in an urban hive or a small countryside town that is more to your taste, you can have it all.

Cardiff, a Welsh Capital, Can Become Your New Home

As you would expect from a capital city, Cardiff truly has it all, and you will like to live there. From University to some of the most famous tourist attractions, it offers a diverse and exciting life with more than 18 million tourists visiting each year. Being a compact city, going around will not be that difficult, and the public transportation system is excellent.

But if you are keen to live in a coastal urban city, then you should consider Swansea. Swansea is a city located on the southeastern coast, and it is the second-largest city in the country. Swansea has unique archeological sites that date from ancient times.

For Food Lovers and Outdoor Enthusiasts, a Gateway to Wales Is the Best Choice

Abergavenny is located six miles from the Welsh-English border. It is popularly called a Gateway to Wales. Here you will discover amazing food, drinks, and fantastic scenery. With the Black Mountains in its backdoors and Brecon Beacons National Park in its southeast corner, the city is surrounded by excellent places for hiking, cycling, biking, and more.

Moving to Jewel of Cardigan Bay?

Aberdyfi, an amazing coastal village, is located where the river Dyfi meets the waters of Cardigan Bay. Water-sport enthusiasts will like to settle here, but sailors and fishing enthusiasts as well. It is a truly seductive small place with a laid-back kind of living. But it also has a lot of content for tourists, from amazing bars and restaurants to art galleries and many excellent beaches.

What About Cost of Living? Is It Cheaper to Live in Wales Than England?

It is no secret that the UK is considered one of the best countries to live in, and Cymry is one of the top choices for many Americans. The cost of living is significantly lower than the cost of living in Connecticut, for example, but the education system and healthcare are excellent. To be more precise, you will pay $1,200 (£930) for a one-bedroom apartment in Hartford, while for the same apartment, you will pay around $890 (£650) in Cardiff.

Consumer prices are lower too. When compared with London, consumer prices are 27% lower in Cardiff. So to answer the question, “is moving to Wales a good idea,” we will say yes, especially when it comes to housing options and cost of living.

Healthcare and Schools Are Considered to Be Excellent

When relocating to Cymry you might think that speaking English will get you to places. However, think again. Even though there are two official languages, English and Welsh, if you want to fit in, you should speak both. Luckily, learning a new language abroad is easier than doing it while you are in the US. Furthermore, know that Welsh is spoken in most schools.

So if you want your kids to enjoy learning in highly ranked elementary and high schools they should practice the languages. On top of that, most communities and neighborhoods have good schools, so you cannot make mistakes no matter where you settle. If you can’t decide where to move, just contact expat communities in your city of choice and ask them for advice.

After you have covered education it is time to think about your health. We all know the troubles when it comes to healthcare in the US. It can cost you an arm and a leg, so it is normal to know what to expect when you are relocating abroad. When it comes to healthcare in Cymry, you will be happy to know that you and your family will be entitled to healthcare if you are working here. For more information check this video below.

Expat Guide to Way of Living in Wales

So, is Wales a good place to live? Cymry is a diverse, multicultural, and cosmopolitan place, where you will meet all kinds of people with different backgrounds and ways of living. You will quickly learn to love their culture and history. And don’t be surprised when you hang a dragon flag on your doorstep – Welsh are really proud of their flag and national animal, dragon. But you will have to learn to love football and rugby. But don’t worry. With a couple of pints of beer and cheerful people around, it will not be difficult.

Plan Ahead and Book the Best Shipping Overseas

As you can see, moving overseas demands a lot of preparation, paperwork, and research on your behalf. And not to mention that you have a practical aspect of a move to handle too. You will need to find reliable movers on time to help you if you wish to reduce the relocation stress.

If you plan to relocate your entire life to a place that is almost 20% covered in national parks, don’t rush the whole process. Enjoy it. Learn all the little details about it (like, there are four times more sheep than people in Cymry), and then when you know enough we suggest booking movers for packing service. This way, you will avoid any possible customs problems because movers will know what you can bring and what not. Also, you’ll have enough time to enjoy learning about long Wales history, while the movers do all the heavy lifting.

On the other hand, if you are relocating fewer things and wish to be transported quickly, you should consider taking an international move by air. Also, when searching for movers, make sure you book ones that provide storage service in case you need a place to keep your belongings until you find a home.

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