What Awaits an American After Moving to England from the US

The Basics Any American Moving to England Needs to Know

If you want to be moving from America to England, there are a few things you should know – and not just because you’ll have to pass a ”Living in the UK” test to become a citizen. Any time someone is relocating across the world, it’s important to be aware of everything that awaits them once they arrive. And when you get out of the plane, you’ll find yourself just a bit north of mainland Europe in the land of Great Britain. Although you’ll find yourself in a country bordered by Wales and also beautiful Scotland, you’ll find much of what you see and hear familiar.

Besides England and the US having the same official language and a few other similarities (like the political system,) you’ll find many differences too. The currency is called the Pound Sterling, the capital is London, the timezone is the Greenwich Mean Time, and there is a queen present. And while you won’t have to learn a new language in order to live abroad comfortably, you’ll still have to get used to common rainy days, people saying ”bloody” often, and drinking multiple pints of beer weekly. And other than that, we’ll tell you a few crucial facts for planning your move to the lovely Anglia.

If You’re Planning on Moving to England from the USA, You’ll Require a UK Work Visa First

You must be wondering can a US citizen migrate to the UK. Well, to be frank, the Brexit and Covid situations made it a bit more difficult for anyone to just move to England. However, the long-term stay is still possible, although it shows to be a more lengthy process that starts by obtaining a long-term work visa. Basically, as a US citizen, you have the option to stay in the UK for six months without a visa. However, for anything longer than that, you’ll need to obtain employment and the legality that comes with it. Make sure to apply for the correct visa type in your endeavor to become a full-fledged citizen.

How to Obtain Long-Term Residency?

Once you have a vignette on your travel documents that show your immigration status, you’ll have to wait for some time before being able to apply for an indefinite stay. Depending on which type of visa you have priorly and how long you’ve been in the country, you’ll be able to apply for permanent residency, also known as an Indefinite Leave to Remain. Most people will have to wait 5 to 10 years to become eligible, but those moving for their partner or family might have to comply with different conditions. Make sure to contact the UK embassy and get the proper details relating to your specific situation.

What Does One Need to Apply for Naturalization?

Once you’ve obtained a permanent resident card, you can apply for citizenship. And thankfully, you’ll be able to keep your previous citizenship since the UK allows its citizens dual belonging. Most people going through the process of naturalization will have to meet the following requirements:

• Be over 18 years old,
• Live in the UK now, and for at least 5 years,
• Learn the language and meet English language requirements,
• Pass the ”Life in the UK” test,
• Be of good character.

Is It Expensive to Move to England and What Is the Cost of Living Like?

Those planning on moving internationally will have to pose the following question: how much money do you need to immigrate to the UK? Because, prior to considering the cost of living, you should consider the expenses required to move. Generally, it’s considered that you should have about $4,000 in your relocation budget to cover the healthcare and visa costs. And after that, you’ll need around $2,000 to cover rent, bonds, and bills.

The British Costs Are Smaller in Comparison, Yet They Depend On Where You Are in the Country

When it comes to the expenses, they’re going to vary drastically upon where exactly in the country you may be. Ye, even if you decide to go to London, your rent will still be half the price of that in NYC. The monthly rent in the capital is approximately £1,600 while it’s even lower in other cities, such as Manchester, amounting to about £850. On average, the rent prices in England are about a quarter lower than American ones. The rest of the living expenses are more or less the same, amounting to around £650, or $880.

Work Opportunities Aren’t That Difficult to Come Across In the UK

If you decide to move to London or another big city, statistically, you’re bound to find a job sooner or later, since the unemployment rate is less than 4%. While there is a fair amount of competition, the job market is still booming in the capital and other larger cities. So, you might want to look into some of the biggest sectors, such as healthcare, administration, retail, hospitality, and scientific research, to name a few.

What Are the Most Livable Cities in the Country?

Although London is a favorite among many people deciding on moving abroad, England offers so many more great places and cities. So, if you are trying to decide where to move, we will recommend the following:

• Birmingham – Brum, how the locals call it, is a perfect city. It is the second-largest city in the UK, with lots of canals, nature, museums, shopping, and industry too. It is affordable and beautiful, and yet not many people decide to move here, so expat communities may be lacking. However, if you are interested in canalside living in a place with more canals than Venice, consider amazing Birmingham.
• Oxford – Oxford may be a smaller town, but it is a true fairytale. Due to its world-renowned university, it provides a truly intercultural experience, full of diverse residents. And yet, if you want to experience the true English feel, there is no better place than Oxford to do so.
• Brighton – Brighton is often named “London by the sea” due to its proximity to the capital. And yet many find this comparison unfair since Brighton is a special place with much to offer. From walks on the waterfront to a huge LGBT community and even a soccer team in the Premier League, it is a city full of personality and life.
• Bristol – This has become one of the most popular UK cities, due to its beauty and mixture of heritage and modern life. It is also an affluent part of the country, given that it provides peace and calmness that can’t be measured. You’ll enjoy the waterfront, and we hope you are shipping overseas your car since this is the perfect spot to explore the West Country from.

For more ideas on where to move exactly and build your home in, we recommend checking out the following video.

When It Comes to Public Amenities, You’ll Be Provided With World-Class Services

When it comes to living here, you should expect the highest quality of healthcare, education, and transport. And while all of these are provided by public institutions, if you decide to, you can also obtain private services in any arena that you need. And we have all the relevant info to help you make this decision.

You Can Obtain Public Healthcare or Choose a Private Medical Package

Healthcare is provided by a public institution under the acronym NHS – National Health Service.  Funded primarily through taxes, the NHS provides all residents with free healthcare that includes every type of medical service, including mental health. Although national healthcare is free, about 10% of the nation has private health insurance. Typically, an adult will have to pay around $1,800 annually for private health services, or an approximate cost of $150 monthly.

England Is Considered as One of the Best Countries for Education

Primary and secondary education is compulsory for children aged from 5 to 18. These two levels of education are followed by further and higher education. There are both free state schools and independent schools with tuition available for choosing. State institutions are tax-funded and most of the school equipment and books are covered by the schools. And given that the UK education is generally considered the best in the world, there’s no reason why one wouldn’t want to move to the best European place for college and other students.

Transport Is so Good You Won’t Need a Car, But If You Do Drive, Make Sure to Ship Your Vehicle

If you want to move through the country, you can do so by a multiplicity of transportation options. These include buses, ferries, trams, and trains mostly, but people also drive their cars and bicycles around the country. And of course, you wouldn’t want to miss out on driving in the famous double-deckers. Whatever type of vehicle you choose to get on the road by, you can expect the roads to be good, since the English transportation infrastructure is generally well maintained and modern.

England Is a Wonderful Country That Provides Many Special Cultural Experiences

Before you can actually call yourself Shakespeare’s compatriot, there is some stuff you’ll just have to experience. So, while you’re shaking off all that piled up relocation stress, here are some attractions you might want to visit:

• Stonehenge – If you are someone enthralled by mystery, you shouldn’t miss out on seeing this wondrous construction. Maybe you’ll be the one to figure out how these rare stones passed 160 miles over 5,000 years ago and become what we today know as Stonehenge.
• The New Forest – All those animal lovers relocating with dogs should make sure they explore their natural side in the national park known as the New Forest. Not only is there a chance you’ll spot wild ponies, but you can also visit Bolerwood’s Deer Sanctuary and interact with English Bambis.
• Primrose Hill – If you want to experience one of the most beautiful views in the capital, you should take your picnic equipment to Primrose Hill. There, you’ll enjoy the most beautiful skyline view and mesmerizing sundown if you stay long enough.

Get Acquainted With the Local Customs and Manners Before Moving Indefinitely

Who’d expect that even while living in a country where you don’t have to break the language barrier, you still can experience what is known as a culture shock? First of all, you might want to have an overseas shipping company ship your vehicle as soon as possible because if you end up steering a wheel on the right side, it may turn out to be a wrong idea. And just like the steering wheel is on the right side, so is the traffic. Other than that, and the British tendency to wait in neatly formed ques, we’re sure you’ll feel just like at home the moment your relocation day is done.

We Hope Beer Isn’t the Only Thing You Plan to Intake, Since There’s Too Much Tasty Food on the English Menu

As soon as you arrive in the country, you’re going to have to try out the staple street food – fish and chips. It is a must, and you get bonus points if you eat a tasty meal by the sea. Other than that, expect to run across a full English breakfast, sausages and mashed potatoes (or bangers and mash as they’re called,) shepherd’s pie, or if you are up for trying something different – a steak and kidney pie. English meals may seem strange at first glance, but you’ll get used to savoring these hearty dishes in no time.

Moving Overseas Is That Much Easier With an International Moving Company By Your Side

Now that you have all the relevant information about the English lifestyle, it’s time to hire an overseas moving company to help you start this new chapter of life. Whether it’s packing assistance you need or someone to take your items to a storage unit, a professional service will do you good in these transitory times. After all, you don’t want to lose all your energy on the preparation, just to reach London and not have the vigor to take a walk next to the Thames. So, leave the heavy lifting to those who are trained for it, put some Beatles on, and let’s get you moving like a true Englishman!