Moving to the UK from the USA? Here are some essentials you’ll want to know.

INTRO/SUMMARY

Before moving to the UK from the USA, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the countries that are in the area. The United Kingdom is made up of four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. “Great Britain” is the largest component part of the UK and is comprised of England, Scotland and Wales. The most notable cities include:

If you’re thinking of moving to England from the US, London would be a great choice. Uniquely among European capitals, London is considered as having two “downtowns.” Moving to England means you can experience and enjoy them both. The original City of London – with its medieval city walls, castle and cathedral – is the point from where the metropolis grew over the centuries. This area is still considered as the financial and commercial center of London. The seat of Government and the residence of the Royal family are 6.5 km (4 miles) to the West of here, in the borough of Westminster. This is considered as the other “center” of the British capital. The United Kingdom is made up of four constituent nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Meet the “Neighbors”

One of the many benefits of moving to the UK is the proximity to so many different countries, cultures, historical and potential vacation sites. While travel is a little more complicated than in the past, within a couple of hours drive, flight or train ride, you can visit:

Moving to the UK from the US also makes it easier to vacation in:

Climate:

The UK has a temperate climate. This is one of the biggest differences you may notice when moving to the UK from the USA. In general, this means that Britain gets cool, wet winters and warm, wet summers. It rarely features the extremes of heat or cold, drought or wind that are common in other climates. The weather conditions are also very changeable.

Not all parts of the UK have the same climate. London, in the south-east of the UK, is a region characterized by a warm and dry climate in the summer and a cold and dry climate in the winter.

Public Transportation:

Plane

The UK’s relatively small size means that flying is often not the most convenient option. The exception is when a sea crossing would be involved. Photo ID is required when boarding a domestic flight in the UK. Most of the large airports are connected to the national rail network.

Train

The National Rail network operates over 21,000 miles through England, Scotland and Wales. Rail travel is popular in the UK. Northern Ireland Railways operates the rail system in Northern Ireland.

There are three types of tickets available:

A seat reservation may or may not be included with a ticket purchase. It is best to check the fine print on the ticket.

Research your destination

How to Move to the UK: the Complete Relocation Guide | InterNations GO!
The Complete Expat Guide to the United Kingdom | Expatica
Moving to the UK from the US | What Should I Know in 2020? | MoveHub
How to Move to the UK: Ultimate FAQ – The Portable Wife

Visa Immigration Guidelines

New immigration system: what you need to know – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Housing Options

Just like in the United States, the housing market internationally, for the most part has been upended by COVID-19. The UK real estate market and your Housing Options may not be the same one you were looking into over a year ago when you were first considering moving to the UK.

Mainly, you want to do your research so that you aren’t surprised, and don’t find yourself unprepared late into the moving process. Get a good understanding of what an appropriate housing budget may be and set your expectations accordingly as you search for accommodations.

Estimated Housing Costs in the UK

Average house price in the UK: $280,835; Average apartment price in the UK: $244,747

Cheapest place to buy a house in the UK: Newcastle-under-Lyme (average price £62,519)

OUTLINE/STEPS

Gather essential documents i.e. “Get Your Docs in a Row” The most important first step before moving to the UK is your international moving checklist. There are so many new elements to moving internationally that it’s important to keep track of every little detail – even more helpful if you put it onto a timeline for what you want to accomplish and when. That way, you won’t be overwhelmed trying to do everything at once.

Moving to the UK from the USA: Checklist

In general, the documents you will want to gather include:

Be sure to make photocopies of everything and store in a safe, secure place. Once that is all started, apply for a residence permit or visa, and reach out to an experienced international moving company to assist you the rest of the way. At Suddath, we even assign you a single-point-of-contact Move Counselor to help ensure you have everything you need and have all of the information necessary to make your transition abroad go smoothly.

Planning for your household goods move

Taking the family pet?

Pets are family too! So if you are planning to take your furry friend(s) with you, it is vital that you understand the requirements to bring or ship your pet and begin planning well in advance to ensure a safe arrival.

Know before you go & depart with confidence

For the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and related travel restrictions, please check out the site below:

COVID-19 Information | US Embassy & Consulates in the United Kingdom (usembassy.gov)

And for country-specific information, please go to the below websites.

International Gateways to the UK

There are five airports local to London through which most visitors to the UK arrive. The two most convenience include:

Other major UK airports include:

Living in the UK – what to expect

Before relocating to the UK, be sure to also look into how you want to handle your healthcare insurance. People living in the UK can benefit from the country’s universal healthcare system (National Health Service or NHS) and once you’ve paid your Immigration Health Surcharge, you can use the NHS.

This surcharge is included in your visa application, so it’s not something you need to pay beyond visa fees. At this point, you can take advantage of the free services offered to people in the UK. Note that prescriptions and dental care, for example, do cost some money.

Or you can choose to pay for private insurance. Some people decide to go that route, often because it can help to reduce wait times for care.

Slice of Life – Cultural Etiquette

The British pub is the centerpiece of the social life. There exists special etiquette which is practiced among locals. General “pub” behavior consists of buying drinks for others. While socializing with someone, it is polite to order a drink for the counterpart by asking, “And one for yourself?” Understanding the proper behavior is highly recommended. For example, while watching soccer matches, one should refer to this as “football” and use two fingers to form a “V” for victory.

Britain refers to the island on which England, Wales, and Scotland are located. However, Welsh and Scots do not prefer to be referred to as “Brits”. Since Northern Ireland shares the island of Eire with the Republic of Ireland, it is considered impolite and incorrect to refer to someone from Eire a “Brit.” Also, the English do not consider themselves “European.” 

In conversations at business and social settings, one should avoid discussing politics, religion, controversial issues, or personal matters unless a relationship has been established. One should also avoid making jokes about the Royal family. Acceptable topics would include travel, sports, music, sightseeing, theatre, and movies. One should also be aware of the culturally determined space between people. Unlike other countries in the West, wide physical space should always be maintained. The British are generally reserved. One should maintain a calm and reticent demeanor and avoid excessive movements. If one would like to reference something private or confidential, one should tap their nose.

Clothing in the UK conforms to the occasion. Business attire is neat and conservative for both men and women. Some occasions require formal dress. Casual clothing is suitable only at casual settings.

Source: World Trade Resource

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

CONCLUSION

If you are moving to the UK from the USA and are looking for assistance for your international move, reach out to Suddath for a quote and honest guidance on how to make your experience as smooth and secure as possible.