I was born and raised in the United States and I had a pretty happy life there for about 30 years before I moved to England. Start by reading the UK Government’s website on visas and immigration. The system isn’t perfect, but it does provide healthcare to all residents, regardless of their employment status. The summers are generally mild, making air con unnecessary. If you are already an American in London, or from any other country in the world, find a new expatriate here and help them learn the ropes! I have to admit I am a slightly nervous about it. “air con”) and dryers in the UK. I’ve also heard it’s helpful to put “Possesses right to work in the UK – No sponsorship required” or something to that effect at the top of your resume to prevent it from getting overlooked. According to the 2011 UK Census, there were 173,470 US-born residents in England, 3,715 in Wales, 15,919 in Scotland and 4,251 in Northern Ireland. While we can make the $$ work on one salary, I like the breathing room of both salaries. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Beyond thrilled to find this blog! Sure, I'm still trying to shake the workaholic attitude I developed in the US, but I'm grateful to be surrounded by more people who seem OK with leaving their work at the door once they clock out. Jennifer Still. For electric and gas, most providers let you pay monthly, quarterly, or annually. I was able to bring our Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner, because it works at any voltage. Love exploring new and familiar places alike and hope those featured will … Americans living in London will love all the charming places within day trip distance You’ll spend a lot less on your cell phone plan. Here, she shares about moving to London, what living in London as an American is like, and what tips she has for future expats in London. As a brit this was interesting to read! There were a few days where I deeply regretted moving to London from the US. This was super helpful thanks! There are a few things to consider when you’re deciding what to bring over from the US. Specifically an American woman? The amount of money you’ll pay in UK taxes will likely be much higher than what you paid in the US. Nearly all medical services and treatments are free, with the exception of certain things like prescriptions and dental procedures. Either the person behind the counter will blankly stare at you for a moment before asking “…what kind?”. It’s comforting to bring a few things from home. I have a special needs daughter who is nine and I have very little info on resources for her. Like many others, I think the US has a serious gun problem, which is especially apparent based on how mass shootings are becoming more frequent and deadlier in America. Air fryer? An image of a chain link. We worked with a pet relocation company to ensure everything went smoothly. Great question Marie, and congrats on the move! Any American moving to London will need to obtain a visa–usually from within the US–which can take weeks to months depending on the circumstances. I’m hoping to relocate into the UK, but from my research it seem difficult to get move from U.S to UK. I wrote an entire post on renting in London with a dog that should help. in July and appreciate all the tips! I highly recommend reading the UK goverment page on visas and immigration to fully understand your options and the requirements for each visa type. We hired a dual UK / US expat tax firm to handle our US returns, and it cost around $2,000. Fortunately, I don't worry about gun violence nearly as much in the UK, especially since the UK has stricter gun laws than the US. Moving to the UK is not easy but once you understand the process, you will be able to plan ahead and have a … You asked about being an expat so I answer. 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