16 Cheapest Places To Rent In The UK part 2 – Part one is here.
7 Things to Know Before Moving To the U.K
We all know moving to a new country comes with its own set of challenges. While the U.S. may be your home, you might find yourself wanting (or needing) to relocate for work or school, and after you’ve moved, you’ll probably go back and forth between both countries more than once to visit friends and family.
In order to make your move as smooth as possible, we’ve created a list of five things you need to know before moving to the U.K.
British Currency
The official currency in England and Wales is the pound sterling (£). As of today (14/02/22), one U.S dollar is equivalent to $0.74 British pounds, but currency varies every day. The Bank of England’s currency calculator is a useful tool you can use online to keep track of currency rates and convert currency.
Taxes and Social Security
There are a number of taxes you’ll be responsible for paying both before and after your move. The United Kingdom charges income tax, known as National Insurance, on employment and self-employment earnings, and there can also be state and employee pension contributions.
Most banks will exchange currency for you, but the process is time-consuming and costly. We recommend contacting Travelex or MoneyCorp to make your change before you move.
Getting around the U.K
Once you’ve settled in, you’ll need a way to get around and explore your surroundings. The cheapest and most popular way of getting around is by bus or coach (called coaches in the U.K.), but train journeys may also be worth considering because they’re fast and frequent
Volunteering
If you’re a volunteer, or if you have some free time on your hands and want to help the community, volunteering is a good way to give back. There are many different volunteer opportunities available in the U.K., which can be found on websites such as Idealist. Volunteering benefits communities and gives you the chance to practice your language skills.
The Weather
The United Kingdom has four seasons, just like the U.S., but the seasons differ in terms of temperature and precipitation. If you’re moving to London or any other part of the country near water, consider that summers are milder than inland areas while winters are colder.
Health Care
When it comes to health insurance, the U.K. doesn’t have universal coverage like some other countries do, but you are allowed to use the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS is funded by national taxes and offers free health care services at the point of delivery for U.K. residents.
While emergency medical treatment is sometimes free, non-emergency treatments have a fee that varies depending on the type of treatment.
The Food
The U.K. is known worldwide as a multicultural country, which means you’ll find many different types of cuisines from around the world here. When it comes to local cuisine, though, fish and chips are a traditional and popular dish, and you can also find Indian, Chinese, and Italian restaurants everywhere.
You’ve made a move to the U.K.; now it’s time to explore! Keep these seven things in mind before moving so you’ll have a good idea of what lies ahead of you. Before long, you’ll get the hang of living in the U.K., and after a while, you might even find it’s your new home.
What to Bring To the U.K as an Expat
So you have decided to leave your home country and live in the UK? Fantastic! The United Kingdom is one of the most interesting countries in the world. It is filled with culture, history, opportunities, entertainment, luxury items, and more.
Many things make this country great, but many people end up struggling when they get here. The best way to combat this is to be prepared in advance, so here are the things you should consider bringing when you come over.
Work Clothes
People may think of taking relatively casual clothes with them on their journey to the UK, but this is a big mistake. The reality of working life in England can be quite different from what you are used to at home, so you must adapt quickly.
Ensure that you bring enough work wear with you to last you throughout your first year at least. This will help you in the long run because it saves money on relatively expensive clothes in this country.
Documents
This one may seem obvious for many people, but the truth is that a lot of expats end up losing their passports and other essential documents when they get here. It is a very common problem, so you have to be more careful than usual when it comes to protecting your papers. Make sure that you keep them in a safe place at all times and never leave them unattended.
Credit Cards and Debit Cards
Even though the UK is a developed country, there are still many things you will need to purchase that can only be paid with cards (especially online). So make sure that you contact your bank before you go and ask them to send out some debit or credit cards to find detailed information here.
This way, you will always be prepared and won’t have to worry about not purchasing things when you need them.
Your Favorite Food Products
Many people from all over the world come to the UK to dream of living in this country long-term but end up leaving after realizing that their favorite food products cannot be found here. For example, the types of fruits and vegetables found in local stores are quite limited.
If you want to stay for a long time and somehow manage to fight the homesickness, bring along some boxes with your favorite foods when you come over.
Cleaning Supplies
Even though this may sound like an odd thing to bring with you when coming to the UK, I can assure you that it is not. The reality of modern life in the UK is that there are many public transportation and spaces around where people can drop litter anywhere they want.
This makes it very difficult for the environment to remain clean and also makes it hard for people who want to maintain their homes in this country. Make sure that you take some basic cleaning supplies with you to keep your space as tidy as possible without any problems.
Luggage
Not so many people realize that there are different luggage requirements when traveling on planes. For example, if you fly with a budget airline, you must be prepared for all your bags to be weighed before boarding the plane.
This can prove problematic for many people because their carry-on luggage might not meet the weight requirements, and they will be forced to check it in, which incurs a fee. If you value your luggage and want to avoid additional costs, make sure that you bring with you a suitcase or some other type of bag that is lightweight but big enough for all the things you need for your stay here.
Basic Knowledge of British Culture and Society
The final thing you should consider bringing with you when you journey to the UK is good knowledge of British culture and society. The best way to get this type of knowledge is by reading books or watching films that illustrate what it’s like living in Britain.
Is it good to live in the U.K as an expat?
I believe it is good, not without sacrifices. I can’t complain about the work-life balance and friendly atmosphere of my company, but you also need to watch what you eat and drink most of the time, and your friends might not be able to meet up as often as they would like.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to cut costs on your rent, then try out the sixteen places listed above. This list is based on experienced professionals living in the United Kingdom. We included areas where the average monthly rent is less than £500 a month. So, check it out if you’d love to know the best places suitable to live in the United Kingdom.
