Moving to the UK – 8 Quick and Easy Tips you need to know.

So you’re serious about Moving to the UK! Firstly, I already live in the UK and this is where I was born. Over the past few years more and more people from all over the world are contemplating a move to the UK. If this is you, then you will probably have a mixture of feelings at the prospect of moving countries, but also you may have a few worries and questions about what to expect when moving to the UK. Here I will tell you a little about myself, the things you need to think about before committing to such a large lifestyle change and hopefully this will help you decided what you need to plan for before you move to the UK.

I have often thought about what others must have running through their minds before Moving to the UK. Personally, If I were to move countries then I would, like yourself have so many questions about what to expect and what life is really like in the country I was planning to move to.

What would it would be like to up sticks and take the whole family and move to a different country. My husband has a job where we could easily move to the USA or Australia and a fair few other countries to start a new family life together abroad. Luckily, the job is so specific that it would also provide job provide security within the countries. I know my husband would love to move to sunnier climates and enjoy a more carefree life. To be honest I am probably the one holding him back as “I am Such a homegirl!”

what should you expect when moving to the UK

In the UK, we all love a moan about our British weather and how we would love to have more sun and cleaner beaches.When I think about what the UK has to offer I realise we as a nation are really lucky to have the gorgeous scenery, the National Health Service and much more. We have for example the Yorkshire dales, which is only a short drive from where I live! Not to mention the iconic landmarks the UK has to offer such as Buckingham palace, Tower Bridge,The Houses of Parliament, Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall to name but just a few.

When I think about it, I can clearly see the reason why people would want to Move to the UK and set up home here. In the UK we have world-leading education facilities, world-famous universities and free state schools attended by over 90% of school-age children. The country is a very diverse country which has a number people from varied ethnic backgrounds all living as communities within large cities and rural areas of the UK.

It must also be extremely daunting adapting to a new culture not to mention all of the different regional accents we have! Even I struggle with accents and I am sure many people find my northern tongue difficult to decipher at times. Here are my top 8 tips for anyone thinking of making a move to the UK helping you to endure less stress in your relocation. After reading this post if you are serious about moving Click here for even more advice and helpful tips.

8 Moving to the UK tips and advice.

1. Start learning the English language – Even if it’s just the basics it will help you make the move as stress free as possible. Take the time to study and be prepared. I have fallen foul of this when I have been on holiday to other countries and there is nothing worse than not understanding what others are actually saying to you. Here is a great site that will help you to Learn English Online.
2. Research – Research the area you are moving to. What are the schools like in the area, the nearest hospital, G .P surgery and what transport you will need for your commute to work. You could start by taking a look at the cities within the UK and learn a little bit about each here. Deciding where you live is very important for any person moving to the UK because you need to make sure you are going to like the country and that their is enough to make the move permanent.
3. Make a plan – What do you have to offer the UK? I am positive there will be loads of things once you begin to brainstorm a little. Start by writing down a list of the jobs you are interested in and your skills. Use it as a starting point to help you focus your research on. Once you know what employment you are looking for this will help you choose which area you really want to live in. I Live in Leeds, which is a large city in the UK. It’s great for mixed communities and there are always job opportunities available to those who want to work.
4. Savings – Make sure you have enough money saved before moving to the uk. Spend time researching the area you would like to move to and make sure you can realistically afford to live in the UK. Make sure whatever happens that you are going to be financially secure when you arrive either on your own or with your family. The government help non UK nationals financially, but this is forever changing and the last thing you want is to be living in the UK without any money at all.
5. Homes – In the UK we have many housing options available. You could buy your own home, rent a council property, private rent, housing association and so on. The point is again know the area you are about to move to and you should be able to set up where you are going to live before moving to the UK.
6. Paying Tax & How to get your National Insurance Number – If you plan on working in the UK as a standard taxpayer then you will need to get a National Insurance Number to ensure you don’t pay excessive amounts of tax on money you earn. If you are a little unsure exactly what you will or won’t need to pay tax on because this could depend how long you are here and how much you earn.
7. Using a non UK national driving licence in the UK – Now If I were to live somewhere other than the UK I would want to know how if I could use my driving licence in other countries. You will need to have a vehicle that is tax, MOT tested and Insurance and an driving licence permitting you to be on UK roads. To be honest it’s quite confusing to say the least but these are all legal requirements in the UK and if you are thinking of driving here then please make sure you fully understand what you need so you do not get into any trouble.
8. Finding a Job – Now you could wait until you arrive in the UK to find a job, but it would be much easier if you had one before you arrive or have some interviews set up before moving to the UK.

Firstly, I totally understand that stress you may be feeling right now. I have looked into moving abroad as mentioned above, but for me leaving part of my family behind is a huge step and one that I really am not prepared to take right now. You have to be certain you want to make the move to the UK and although it is going to be quite difficult, the benefits for you and your family will far outweigh the initially ups and downs. Good luck with everything and I truly hope you make the right choice for you and your family.

I would love to hear from anyone who has already been through the process of moving to the UK or has made the move from the UK to other countries. Is this as exciting as it sounds? I really would love to know your thoughts about the benefits or other worries I may not have covered above.

*A collaborative post*