Can Expats Vote In UK Elections? All You Need To Know part 2 – Part one is here.

Overview of what living in the U.K Entails

Living in the U.K as an expat is great! There are so many positive things about being an expat, including fantastic work opportunities, various free activities to do, and there are always events happening. Getting your residency card is not too difficult either.

However, it’s best to arrange everything before you leave your home country, so you are ready to move on arrival. Moreover, there are some negative things about being an expat in the U.K, though. For example, it is very cold, and it rains a lot! Below are a few pros and cons of living in the U.K as an expat.

Pros

Great Public Transport System

People who live in the U.K can commute in comfort and style, using the underground or train systems to get around their city. The underground/train system in the big cities is efficient, clean, and comfortable. And with a range of easy-to-use apps available for iPhone or android, traveling around the city is simpler than ever.

Quality Education Can Be Found Across the Country

There are many top universities in the U.K that offer world-class educations to students from all over the globe. Whether you’re a student looking for a bachelor’s degree or a post-graduate program, the U.K has a university that meets your needs. Also, as an expat, if you have a child trying to find the right school to attend, many options are available.

There’s Always Something for Everyone

Whichever city you choose to live in as an expat, it won’t be hard to find things to do outside your home and work life. Whether it’s watching football at the pub with friends, drinking wine in a local bar, or taking day trips to see castles, there are many activities that you can partake in.

The abundance of Culture and History to Learn About

The U.K has played a major role in world affairs for centuries, so there are endless amounts of history to learn about. Not only that but there are endless opportunities for people who would like to see the culture and history in person. There are many museums and historical sites around the country that can be visited to expand your knowledge of the past.

Food Is Tasty and Affordable

There’s a reason why gastronomes come from worldwide to sample the unique foods available in the U.K. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal at a fine dining restaurant or something quick and cheap at a street food vendor, there’s an option for everyone.

The Climate Is Mild All Year Round

The climate varies depending on the part of the country that you’re in, but it can be said that the weather is mild enough to avoid seasonal extremes. This makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors during all four seasons without being too hot or cold.

Work-Life Balance Is Important For Most People

The work culture in the U.K involves a good deal of respect for employees to spend time with their families and focus on their personal lives. It’s not uncommon for people to take a few days off work to travel or relax without worrying about it negatively impacting their career.

Cons

Weather

The last two summers in the UK were both quite bad and wet. While England may have been better historically, it still gets cold, but not as cold as Siberia or other countries at similar latitudes. So if you are from somewhere hotter, this may seem like a big change.

Expensive Housing/Renting

In cities like London and Manchester, renting can be very expensive, especially renting by the week. However, other cities like Birmingham and Liverpool are much cheaper to live in. This can make it expensive to move around if you are not local.

Longer Commutes

If you live outside of London, expect your commute to be longer than before (and more expensive). Public transport is good, but services may not run as frequently as you are used to. Be prepared for a longer commute when you move to England from outside of London.

Food

In the U.K, food is more expensive and not as good as in some European countries or even in the USA (although this depends on where you go). If you have a family, be prepared for a bit of a shock when comparing food prices to what you paid before.

Driving On the Left Side of the Road

This may seem quite obvious, but it can be very dangerous if you are not used to this (although many people do it without noticing). It might also waste your time trying to get somewhere and keep forgetting which side of the road you are supposed to be on.

Frequently Asked Questions about Living in the U.K

What are the average prices of cars?

The average car in the United Kingdom costs around £9,000 – £10,000 to buy new, and a second-hand car will cost around £5,000. In fact, the price of a car in the UK is generally more than in most other countries, largely because of higher taxes.

Can expat live conveniently in the U.K?

Yes. The UK is highly developed with well-developed transport, telecommunications, and other infrastructure networks. Many expats choose to live in London, which has an international airport and excellent access to waterway channels along the River Thames.

How cold does it get in the U.K?

In general, this varies depending on where you are in the UK. However, temperatures can fall below zero degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit) in some places during the winter months. This is because the cold, damp air from the North Sea meets colder air coming down from Scandinavia and Russia.

How many people in the U.K speak English?

Around 98% of the UK population speaks English. The other major languages spoken in the United Kingdom are Welsh, Polish and Punjabi. More so, English is also one of the official languages in the Republic of Ireland, although only around 1.5 million people speak it.

Conclusion

The voting age in the UK is 18, as mentioned earlier. However, if you are registered to vote, and you leave the country for more than 15 years, then you may lose your right to vote. This law has been controversial, with many people claiming that it should be overturned. Nonetheless, refer to this platform for more information.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

In most cases, people have a life in the UK and elsewhere. For some, this may be due to government or military employment or by being posted abroad for work reasons. Military men and women may even find themselves repatriated following a tour of duty overseas. No matter your situation, a time will come when you find yourself wondering if you should repatriate to the UK.

What are some of the benefits of repatriating to the UK? Of course, taxes are one of them, especially for people who have an overseas assignment or were on a posting that can be considered as ‘foreign’ by HMRC. Even higher salaries may not be enough to counterbalance UK taxation rates against a possible scenario of a lower tax bracket abroad.

This is especially true for people who live and work out of the UK for more than six months a year. In fact, it also applies to those who spend less time outside their country of residence unless they have foreign income, which would make them eligible to be placed into a lower tax band due to earning income overseas.

However, it’s not just about taxes. While many countries have the potential to offer considerably better work conditions or salaries, living in the UK can also mean that you return home ready to relax without having to worry about the language barrier, cultural differences, or even time changes.

This is especially true if you are used to a certain way of life and find yourself in a country where this means of life is incompatible with the one you lead. So, if you’ve been surfing the internet to know the right time to repatriate to the UK, worry less. In this article, we will walk you through what you need to know.

10 Benefits of Repatriating To the UK

The term repatriation is defined as the return of citizens or residents to their country of origin.  Due to political instability, terrorism, violence, or natural disaster, it has become common for many immigrants to seek refuge in other more stable countries.

Many countries have strict rules which regulate who can enter their borders and how long one can stay for – and often, those rules can change without warning.  As a result, more and more immigrants are choosing to look into the benefits of repatriating back to their home country as opposed to continuing to live as an immigrant in another part of the world.

When you think of the UK, what do you envision? The traditional image of a family in front of the Buckingham Palace passing the Queen quickly on their way to work or school comes to many minds. However, with increasing numbers of expats returning home for an increased quality of life and business opportunities, this may be changing. Here are ten benefits of repatriating to the UK.

1.    Low Tax Rates for High Earners

The UK’s tax rates are low compared to other countries, especially with its European neighbors. However, there has recently been a small increase in taxes for top earners, but the changes only make the current system more competitive.

If you’re considering a career in investment banking or fund management, you should know that the UK has a top “additional rate” of income tax of 50% for those whose yearly earnings are more than £150K. This is marked as an exceptional tax, only to be paid by those who can afford it.

2.    A Growing Economy Means Opportunities for Expats

Unlike many economies worldwide, which are still struggling to find their feet after the financial crisis, the UK’s economy is growing steadily as it emerges from the mess. This makes it an attractive place for expatriates who want to be a part of a thriving economy.

More so, you can continue doing business with European neighbors like France and Germany. In addition to this, the UK’s economy is not based on a single sector but instead covers a wide range of industries. This means that no matter what your expertise, there will be opportunities for you in London.

3.    Increased Life Satisfaction and Quality of Life

It’s difficult to put a number or statistical evidence to this benefit of repatriating to the UK, but it’s something many expats value greatly. How happy you are in your home country is one of the most important factors when moving abroad. If it isn’t somewhere you could spend the rest of your life; then there’s little point in moving there for work or study reasons.

Expats who have lived in the UK say they have higher life satisfaction, regardless of how many more hours a day they work. The country’s first past post system for elections also means that you won’t have to spend your time arguing with people about who should run the country – whichever party gets the most votes runs it.

4.    An Expanding Community of Immigrants

As the UK continues to grow economically, there has also been an increase in immigrants since 2000. The country is now home to over 7.5 million foreign-born people, meaning that 22% of residents were not born in the UK. This gives expats who move back an excellent choice for places where they can meet like-minded people and where there are plenty of facilities for English speakers.

5.    A Great Place to Raise a Family

The UK is often described as one of the best places to live in the world if you want to raise a family. It has excellent life satisfaction scores across all ages, including children. The cost of living is also relatively low compared to other places, especially regarding education.

For expats looking for the best countries to raise a family, this could be one of your top choices. As a bonus, if you have children born overseas but are still citizens there, they can apply for UK citizenship after living in the country for just three years.

6.    An Improved Work-Life Balance

There’s no doubt that the UK has a fast-paced and competitive work environment, but its residents also enjoy one of the best work-life balances in the world. Those returning home after studying or working abroad often value this greatly.

At the same time, those who choose to stay can easily make time for themselves between their work and social commitments. Because of this, you can expect to see fewer burnt-out people in the UK compared to other places like Singapore or Hong Kong.

7.    English is Widely Spoken

If there’s one thing that makes it easier for expats moving to the UK, it’s the fact that many people speak English fluently. This means you’ll need to spend less time learning the language when you arrive and instead focus on getting settled in.

Besides, you will probably come across some words or phrases unique to the UK, but this is a pretty easy problem to overcome. The one exception, of course, is if English isn’t your first language – expats from non-English speaking countries should expect this to take up some of their time when they first arrive.

8.    Less Bureaucracy and More Efficient Government

There’s a lot to be said about the UK government. It’s known for its efficiency, something that leaders of other countries, including France and Spain, have begun to try and emulate. The English-speaking country also has relatively little bureaucracy compared with many others across Europe.

Also, you can buy a property in the UK within days of deciding you want to, for example. In fact, it’s been reported that several French citizens have been buying properties in England as a way around their own country’s red tape when finding somewhere to live.

9.    A Rich Cultural Heritage and Access to the EU Market

The UK has a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its museums and architecture and is celebrated each year during the London Eye event. If you want to be a part of this, repatriating to the UK will allow you access to other European countries within the EU through membership in the single market. This gives you greater freedom to travel to any country which has signed up to it without having to apply for a visa.

10. The openness of the Country

The UK is one of the most multicultural countries in Europe, with people from all over the world calling it home. This makes it easy to settle into your new life there since you’ll find many familiar faces around you who can help you get used to things like paying taxes and driving on the left side of the road. Expats have also found that Britons are typically very open and friendly, which makes it easy to get settled quickly.