Moving to the UK: A Complete Guide

Want to move to the UK? You’re not alone. Every year, approximately 715,000 people move to the United Kingdom. If you want to give your life a new start and choose the UK as your new home, you’re in the right place.  

This blog will discuss the various aspects of moving to the UK in detail. The pros and cons of living in the UK. The most essential things you should consider before traveling to the UK.

Moving to the UK is not going to be a walk in the park. You will need to arrange quite a few things to make it as seamless as possible. We have gathered a list of things you will need to tick off as you get closer to moving to the UK. 

1. Understand what life is like in the UK
2. Arrange your Visa.
3. Find a place to live.
4. Move your belongings to the UK.
5. Sort out health insurance
6. Start looking for a job
7. Manage your finances.
8. Brush up your language skills

Understand what life is like in the UK

This one’s a no brainer, if you’re about to move to a new place, you must first understand how people live there. You may have to look for things that are popular there. The necessities, the culture around the area, and what will be expected of you as a newcomer.  

In this regard, the more thorough your research is, the better. You will be able to fit in with the unfamiliar environment if you know more about it. So, you must understand the ins and outs of living in the UK before you begin your efforts to move there.  

Like every other part of the world, the UK has its own set of pros and cons associated with living in the area. From its weather being hard at times to its attractions that will make any weather enjoyable. The UK has a lot to offer to anyone planning to spend their life in the country. 

The high number of opportunities in the UK means a high cost of living is attached to the place. A report by expatica.com says an average household spends £585.60 per week on housing, & utilities.  

Around 11.7 million people (18% of the population) in the UK live in poverty.  

Still, living in the UK is around 20% cheaper than living in New York. The cost of living in the North, Wales and Ireland is even cheaper.  

Facts About British

A few facts about the British people that will help you understand them better include: 

• They love being polite: When it comes to words, the two absolute favourites of the British people are “Sorry” and “Thank You”. It doesn’t matter who you are speaking to, being nice and polite is always a priority.

• Table Manners: the British have their guide to table manners, which is not short. They put a special focus on conduct during social interactions. Especially when it is about eating and dining outside.

• Complaining: Brits love to complain about anything and everything. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially when we consider how polite they are with their complaints.

• Sportsmanship is always appreciated: It is considered poor manners to sulk or not accept defeat. Britains have a strong sense of sportsmanship. They are brave enough to accept defeat when they face it.

• Drunkenness: when consuming alcohol in the UK, moderation is advisable. Aggression, over-emotion, and impoliteness are a big no in British society.

• Etiquettes and chivalry are considered very important: When dealing with other people, your conduct must be kind & generous. This will help you fit in with the community well.
  

Once you’ve got a grip on British social conduct, you can deem it affordable to move there. The next step is finding yourself the right visa category to apply for.  

Check If You Need a Visa to Move to the UK

The rules & policies for entry into the UK are controlled by the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA). The agency sets different requirements based on where in the world you are applying from.  

If you are planning to move to the UK  from any part of the world, you will be needing a visa to be accepted into the country. There are some exemptions to this rule for several countries. If you’re wondering how to move to the UK from the US or any other place around the world. A detailed table of the visa requirement for most countries around the globe is listed by Visaindex.com.  

Requirements for people applying from some areas around the globe are as follows: 

General requirements for visa

Some of the general requirements for most of visa types include: 

• You have to show you’re getting paid a certain amount of monthly salary 

• You must prove your knowledge and fluency in English 

• Prove that you have sufficient funds to afford your arrival and settlement in the UK. 

• You might be asked to provide a criminal record certificate based on the nature of the job you’re applying for. 

• You may be asked for certain health tests, including COVID, TB, etc. 

Different types of visas you can apply for: 

There are a few different categories of visas you can apply for, to move into the UK. These include: 

• Work Visas. 
• Business Visas. 
• Study Visas. 
• Visitor Visas. 
• Family Visas. 
• Settlement Visas. 
• Transit Visas. 

For these categories, there are several groups or tiers of visas that you can apply for. The visaguide.world, a brief list of the most commonly used visas is as follows: 

Work and business visa categories

• Talent visa for highly competent foreigners. 
• Foreigners with skills in shortage areas:

General Visa (Tier 2) 

Intra-company transfer visa (Tier 2) 

Sports-person visa (Tier 2) 

Minister of religion visa (Tier 2) 

• Temporary foreign workers and youth mobility visa: 

Temporary worker visa (Tier 5)
Youth mobility scheme visa (Tier 5) 

• Other visa types

Croatian national registration visa certificate 

Domestic workers in a private household visa 

Exempt vignette visa 

• Business visa categories

Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1) 

Graduate entrepreneur visa (Tier 1) 

The investor visa (Tier 1)  

Categories of student visa

The student visas are issued to international students from across the globe. The issues visas can be one of the following three categories: 

1. Student visa (Child, Tier 4) 

1. Student visa (General, Tier 4 

1. Short term study visa
   

Finding a Place to Live in the UK

When it comes to living spaces and neighbourhoods, the UK offers a very diverse range of options. Housing is inexpensive in the north and expensive in London and other big cities. Throughout the UK, you can find a lot of options to choose from. 

Ultimately, it all comes down to your preferences. Choosing your permanent residency in the UK we recommend building a checklist to determine the potential of each option. 

Some of the criteria you can use to build the list can include: 

How expensive is the place?

One of the most important things to consider when looking for a place to live is how expensive it is going to be and how you can save money being an expat in the UK. Mostly, the more desirable and sought after an area is, the more its price tag is going to be.  

So, the ideal way is to find something that is within your budget and offers what you are looking for. 

The UK housing index report tells us that, the average house prices have increased up to £239,196 (a 2.1% increase since July 2020). The highest increase was seen in England, while the lowest was observed in the North East.  

The average housing rates of a few key places in the UK are listed in the table below: 

Country	Average House Price
England	£256,000
Wales	£175,000
Scotland	£155,000
Northern Ireland	£141,000

The second most important metric to look at is the price-to-earnings ratio of the housing area. This ratio outlines how much is the share of housing price compared to the earnings in that area. 

Hence, it is a good indicator of affordability. Some of the most popular areas and their price to earnings ratios are listed in the table below: 

Area	Median House Price	Median Income	P/E Ratio
North East	£141,400	£27,191	5.20
North West	£165,000	£28,487	5.79
Yorkshire	£164,000	£27,856	5.89
East Midlands	£192,000	£28,517	6.73
West Midlands	£194,995	£28,262	6.90
East	£287,500	£31,878	9.02
London	£470,000	£36,797	12.77
South East	£324,995	£33,357	9.74
South West	£252,000	£29,227	8.62
Wales	£160,000	£27,882	5.74

Source: House price to residence-based earnings ratio

Employment Opportunities

Employment is no doubt an important determinant in our quest to find the perfect place to live. If you are living in an area where ample employment opportunities, you will find it easier to settle down. On the opposite side, you’ll have to struggle to keep your finances afloat. 

Additionally, when looking for the right place to live, ask yourself these questions: 

• How are you going to commute to and from the workplace? 

• If you need to switch, are there better opportunities around? 
• How much will the daily commute to work cost?

Transport in the area

Good transport is crucial to our daily life. From commuting to work to taking your family out for a picnic, you will need a cost-effective and resilient transportation system wherever you live. When judging a place based on transportation facilities available, you can begin by asking yourself these questions: 

1. Are there any train or bus stations nearby? 

1. How about the reliability and consistency of the transportation system? 
2. What’s the cost of going to the nearest city centre or supermarket from where you’ll live? 

Schools and education in the area

Becoming a parent is one of the most important moments of one’s life. And with the happiness it usually brings, there are concerns about your child’s education and personal development. If you’re a parent or planning to become one soon, you must have a look at schools around the place you’re planning to live in.  

Regarding this, you can seek assistance from the local council. Websites such as Ofsted can also provide useful information. 

Amenities around the area

A useful practice can be to look for amenities within a walking distance of where you’ll live. Essential shops, medical assistance, post office and other such places must be close to your home. 

This not only saves a lot of time but can prove very beneficial when facing time-sensitive emergencies.  

Crime rates in the area

When deciding where to live, be very thorough about the security and safety around the area. This can keep you out of massive issues in the long run. An ideal location can turn into a living nightmare because of poor security and crime control.  

You can check the Police Force Area Crime Rate Data to get an idea of the crime rate in your area of consideration. Additionally, you can take the following steps to make sure you are not going to regret your decision later: 

• Visit the neighbourhood multiple times during the day and speak with the people about what it’s like to live there. 

• Check to see if there have been any major instances or if there has been a noticeable surge or reduction in criminal activity. 

• Keep an eye on the local news; is there a criminal pattern? Is there a reputation for the area? 

This short guide covers pretty much everything you need to know about finding a place to live in the UK, the next step on our list is to explore how you can transport your stuff to the UK.

Move your belongings to the UK

How to move your treasured belongings to the UK? It’s an important question that needs you to look for cost-effective and safe options for transporting your stuff to your new home. 

Most people find it stressful, and instead of doing it themselves, they seek the help of relocation specialists. It’s easier since they handle everything, and you get your stuff moved without worrying about damaging it or being ripped off.  

Some of the relocation services you can try are: 

• Crown Relocations 
• Eurosender 

• The Relocator 
• ReloAdvisor 

Sort out Health Insurance

Health insurance can quickly become a problem if you’re planning on moving to the UK. Having the right health insurance will make sure you are covered when facing any kind of issues to your well-being.  

The UK’s healthcare system is government-sponsored, under the management of the NHS. Four sub-services are working under the NHS, each with a focus on a specific locality and geography. The four services have their own set of policies and thus focus on various aspects of healthcare. These services include:  

• National Health Services (England)
  
• National Health Services (Scotland)
  
• National Health Services (Wales)
• Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland)
  

Healthcare is available to all citizens for a very nominal deduction. The UK has the second-best healthcare system out of 19 developed countries around the world. 

You can also opt for private healthcare which is a bit more expensive but comes with less waiting times and more personalised healthcare.  

Some of the top health insurance services in the UK are offered by: 

• Allianz 
• Cigna Global 

Eligibility for healthcare coverage

The NHS is free for everyone in the UK. However, based on your citizenship status within the country, certain treatments will be charged for. 

The following groups of people can get free medical treatment under the NHS: 

• Ordinarily Residents: This group of people is defined as: “A person will be “ordinarily resident…” in the UK when that residence is lawful, adopted, voluntary, and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life, for the time being, whether of short or long duration.”  

Therefore, these include British citizens, who naturalised within the UK and settled within the country.   

• EU-nationals: This includes all the residents of European Union countries.  

• Non-EEA nationals and the NHS surcharge: All non-EEA nationals are subject to immigration control, and those who have paid the NHS surcharge are exempt from paying for the NHS services. 
  

Finding a Job

Once you’re all settled in, and free from the worries of finding a home or health insurance, you can think about finding a job in the UK. Finding work can prove to be a little difficult and overwhelming at first, and you may struggle with fitting in even after getting a job. 

For your convenience, we have outlined the most important aspects of the job market and job-hunting process in the UK. 

The UK Job Market

As per data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the unemployment rate in the UK was around 3.9% in 2020. This percentage is the lowest it has been in 40 years. 

You already know most of the economic growth is concentrated in London, hence it has more jobs to offer. The competition is also high in London. Unemployment is recorded the highest in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The biggest job-producing sectors include: 

• Wholesale and retail 

• Healthcare and social work 
• Administration 
• Education 
• Scientific and technical 
• Manufacturing 

• Hospitality 

While the most common job vacancies in 2020 included: 

• Scientists (biochemistry, physics) 
• Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical) 
• IT (analysts, systems designers, programmers, web designers, software developers) 

• Medical (practitioners, psychologists, radiographers, nurses, vets, occupational therapists) 
• Education (secondary school teachers) 
• Graphic designers 
• Experienced chefs 

As far as the pay is concerned, the UK has a set of minimum wages based on the age of the workers. The range is as follows: 

• Apprentice: £4.81 
• Under 18: £4.81 
• 18 to 20: £6.83 
• 21 to 22: £9.81 
• 23 and above: £9.50 
  

Manage your Finances

It’s critical to have your finances in order before relocating to the United Kingdom. This guarantees you can support yourself and your family. Managing your finances includes any short-term cash needs as well as long-term financial planning, such as: 

• Bank accounts: you will need to thoroughly research your banking options before you relocate to the UK. What kind of an account do you need? The most common account types include current account, savings account and basic account. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons that you can explore here. 
• Pension, taxes and investments: will you be able to transfer your pension to the UK after moving there? Will this move affect your pensions? These questions need to be explored before you decide on moving. 

• Insurance: you need to make sure your family’s belongings are safe and secure. Hence you need to explore the insurance options before you leave.
  

Learn the language Before Moving to the UK

The UK is attractive to relocators because English is its official language. Still, if you plan on moving to the UK, you will need to improve your English skills. You can consider doing a course or can practice by yourself to improve your skills. If you’re planning on moving to Wales, you may want to learn Welsh as well. 

UK emergency numbers

The UK’s emergency numbers include 999 and 112. These can be used to call police, fire service, ambulance service and search & rescue service. 

Pros and Cons of Moving to the UK

While you’re considering whether to move to the UK or not, here are a few pros to help you see the positive and negative aspects of living in the UK: 

Healthcare

Pro: the UK has one of the best healthcare in the world. It is said to be the second-best among the 19 most developed countries around the world. UK residents have access to very competent, professional and affordable medical care that may not be available to many people around the world. 

Con: UK’s healthcare management facility, the NHS, has a long waiting list for specialized  

treatments. Owing to this, you may want to opt for more expensive private healthcare for time-sensitive ailments. 

Education

Pro: when it comes to education, the UK has one of the most highly developed education systems in the world. 2019 saw the UK secure the first spot in the list of best countries for education among 80 countries. Education in the UK is free for all residents. Any resident of the country has a right to send their children to public schools without having to pay anything. 

Con: the standard of public schools is not the same across the region. Some are much better than others, and such institutions give priority to students coming from their locality. Hence, if you happen to relocate to a neighbourhood with low standard schools, it may become a problem. 

Weather

Con: weather in the UK is harsh, unpredictable and overall, pretty grim. Winters are always long and very cold. 

Pro: Summer in the UK may not be as good as some other places around the world, but Brits try to make the most of the sunshine they get. From attractive parks and public places to beautiful beaches, there are a lot of places you can visit to make the most of the summer in the UK. 

Culture shock:

Pro: The UK has a diverse population owing to its long history of immigration. The positive point here is, that you’ll be able to connect with people from very diverse and different geographies, cultures, religions and ideologies. 

Con: Post Brexit, movement in the UK has been limited. There are labour, fuel and food shortages as well. 

Utilities and communication in the UK

Pros: The UK is home to some of the most lucrative utilities around the world. There are well-developed shopping malls, marts, cinemas, entertainment centres, bars, cafes, and restaurants that offer everything you need and more. You have access to affordable and reliable telecom services such as the Talk Home App, which lets you connect to anyone, anywhere around the world.  

UK visas

Con: Visa requirements are tough for anyone wanting to move to the UK. Owing to the popularity of the UK, there are a lot of people applying for UK visas throughout the year. This has led to tougher standards being implemented to balance out the situation.  

Pro: If you possess a skill that is in shortage in the UK, you’ll find it much easier to get a visa. The visa processing system is very efficient for those who meet the requirements. 

Working in the UK

Pro: Working full-time in the UK, you are entitled to 20 days of annual leave every year. Sick leaves and parental leaves benefits are quite generous as well. 

Con: The job market is highly competitive in the UK. Companies provide excellent employment packages, but you need to be able to go through a tough hiring process to be considered for a job position. 

Conclusion

Just like every place around the world, living in the UK has its own set of benefits. Though life in the UK is much developed and the incentives are nice, relocating to a new place is always difficult. We, therefore, recommend that you conduct thorough research and try to know as much as you can about the place before it’s too late to do anything.  

Having the know-how of everything listed in this blog can give you a good head start, and help you adapt to the UK’s lifestyle quite well. Good luck with finding yourself a new home. 

FAQs

Can I still live and work in the UK after Brexit? 

Yes, you can live and work in the UK post-Brexit, but you will need to have a work visa or be a part of the EU settlement scheme to continue living and working without any issues. The UK residents are required to have the visa even if they were in the region before 1st January 2021.

Is it a good idea to move to the UK? 

Based on the system of public institutions, law and order, as well as the economic situation, moving to the UK might be one of the best decisions you make. Not only are the necessities like health care and education economical, but the job market is also welcoming to ex-pats from everywhere around the world. However, there are always some cons related to moving to a new place, and the UK has its own. Make sure you read Talk Home’s detailed guide to know everything.