MOVING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM THE US

The moving company that prioritizes security for your relocation to the United Kingdom

The UK is a large and diverse nation comprising of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it holds a vast number of attractions for expats and your experience can truly change depending on the region you choose to settle in.

Explore the big cities such as Manchester, London, and Birmingham, and relax in the villages and small quiet towns that offer a peaceful and charming place to live.

United Kingdom quick guide

Best places to visit:

London, England:

British Museum
Tower of London
Buckingham Palace
Parliament houses
River Thames.
Covent Garden and the West End.

Edinburgh, Scotland:

Edinburgh Castle
Royal Mile
Palace of Holyroodhouse, and enjoy the festivals that often take place in the city.

Stonehenge, England:

Witness the ancient stone circle and marvel at the mysteries surrounding its construction in Wiltshire.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland:

Antrim Coast (basalt columns formed by volcanic activity

The Roman Baths, Bath, England:

Roman baths
The Georgian architecture, and the charming streets of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

Windsor Castle, England:

Visit the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, located just outside London. It's an official residence of the Queen.

Cambridge, England:

Historic colleges
River Cam
Fitzwilliam
Tate Modern and The British Museum, London

Best places to move in the United Kingdom

The "best" places to live in the UK can vary depending on individual preferences, lifestyle, and priorities. However, several cities and regions are consistently recognized for their quality of life, job opportunities, amenities, and cultural attractions. Here are some areas that are often considered among the best places to live in the UK:

England features iconic landmarks such as the city of Bath, the Tower of London, and Stonehenge. Living in England allows residents to immerse themselves in centuries of cultural and historical significance. It is also well-known for its high standard of education, offering great opportunities in distinctive and worldwide recognized universities.

London is, like any capital, constantly evolving. Its financial market makes it an excellent place to move for professionals seeking business and professional development opportunities. Salaries are considerably higher; as well as the cost of rent and living. Fortunately, the metro system is well-developed, allowing you to live further away from the city center while being minutes away from your job and the attractiveness of London.

Manchester is known for its rich cultural scene, including theaters, art galleries, and music venues. The city hosts various cultural and sportive events throughout the year. Compared to some other major cities in the UK, Manchester generally has a more affordable cost of living. Housing, transportation, and daily expenses may be more manageable for residents.

Birmingham features numerous parks and green spaces, providing residents with opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Cannon Hill Park and Lickey Hills are among the city's most popular green areas.

Ex pats key data

Best cities to live as a UK expat:

Aberdeen
Birmingham
Bristol
Cambridge
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leeds
Leicester
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Oxford
Reading
Southampton
Swindon

For additional info enter: placestolive

Rent

The average rent that you will pay in UK varies depending on where you live and the type of accommodation you have. A one-bedroom flat averages at £758 ($1000 USD) per month if you're in the city; £614 ($810 USD) if you're outside of the city.

Key takeaways:

In 2024, rent prices in London are 29.5% lower than in New York City
The U.S. is forty times larger than the U.K., so costs depend on where individuals and families reside.
The average monthly salary after taxes is 42% less in London than in NYC
Knightsbridge and Chelsea were the most expensive areas to live in London in 2023

Comparing Costs in the U.S. vs. the U.K.

In 2024, groceries prices in the United Kingdom are 26.4% lower than in the United States

As of Jan. 2024, gasoline costs in the U.K. for the equivalent of one U.S. gallon is 8.18 USD compared to the nationwide average in the U.S. per gallon cost of 3.45 USD

Medical care is provided through the National Health Service, and prescription medicine costs are heavily subsidized. About 10% of residents and some ex-pats buy private health insurance that enables them to skip long waiting times for some specialist appointments.

Utility costs in the United Kingdom for utilities are approximately 50% higher than in the United States

Internet in the U.K. is 47% cheaper for residents than for those in the U.S.

Monthly private preschool or kindergarten costs are 23% lower in London than in New York. "Cost of Living Comparison Between London and New York, NY."

REQUIREMENTS FOR MOVING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM THE US

Documentation

As in many countries, a packing list is mandatory, this includes:

· A copy of the bill of lading (AWB)

· Passport copy

· Online customs clearance application form

· And supporting documents, which can be found in: uk.uembassy.gov

Remember: the person moving to The UK must submit an online application to relief from duty and tax when importing their household items.

Cost of living:

According to data from iasservices.org.uk, the cost of living is 0.49% lower in the UK than in the US, making the difference minimum. This figure encompasses housing, with the average rent for a one-person dwelling in the UK being $1,188. Meanwhile, a family would anticipate paying $2,139 per month.

While rent in the US has been steadily increasing, currently averaging $1,525per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Family rents are also higher in the US, averaging $2,566 per month.

Visa:

Determine the type of visa that suits your purpose for entering the UK. Common visa types include tourist visas, work visas, student visas, family visas, and more.

Gather all the required supporting documents.

These may include:

-Passport.
-Passport-sized photographs.
-Confirmation of accomotion arrangements.
-Proof of financial means.
-Employment or educational documents.

Remember that the specific documents can vary based on the visa type.

For more and official info visit: www.gov.uk

Working visa:

There are many different work visa routes available, focused mainly on skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors and specific schemes designed to attract certain profiles of workers.

The Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored UK work visa designed for migrant workers to work in a specific job within an eligible skilled occupation for a Home Office-approved employer. The Skilled Worker visa replaces the previous Tier 2 (General) visa under the old rules.

It also allows you to work in UK waters.

In most cases, when recruiting a skilled migrant worker, the sponsoring organization must pay an Immigration Skills Charge.

Eligibility:

You must work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
be paid a minimum salary - how much depends on the type of work you do
You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.

To Apply:

You must apply online providing some documents such as:

your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this
proof of your knowledge of English
a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
your job title and annual salary
your job’s occupation code
the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship

Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one.

criminal record certificate

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit
use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

With a Skilled Worker visa you can:

work in an eligible job
study
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
take on additional work in certain circumstances
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

For more official info visit: www.gov.uk

Student visa:

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
can speak, read, write and understand English
have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

With this type of visa you can:

study
work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

For more info enter: www.gov.uk/student-visa