Moving to UK?

Question

We plan on moving to probably London from Oregon , I would like to learn more about the way things work, how people feel about americans, and taxes, as well as citizenship
thank you
ah

Answer 1

The other answerers have pretty much summed up "life" in the U.K.

Regarding citizenship, you must first have lived in the United Kingdom for a period of five years, spending no more than 450 days outside of the U.K. during that 5 year period to be considered for naturalisation as a British citizen. You can find more details on the link below.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/nationality/advice/bn7?view=Standard

As for work, you would first need a work permit which you cannot apply directly for. he employer in the UK who wants to employ you must do this. In other words you need to have had a job offer from a company based in the United Kingdom before you move. You cannot move and then look for employment, however you may travel on a visitor visa and stay for a period of no more than 6 months to look for work attend job interviews but you cannot perform the duties of this work (paid or unpaid) without a work permit.

Once you have a work permit, you may then apply for a work permit holders visa. You can find out more about this in detail on the websites below.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1018721068127
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage.html
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1018696642519

There are many taxes in the United Kingdom, two will come directly out of your wages, income tax and national insurance contributions, the latter goes towards the NHS (see below).

You will also be subjected to further taxes such as property/council/poll tax and VAT. VAT is paid on most goods and services and is already included in the price when you purchase, unlike in the United States, were you see a price, get to the cashier and then have to pay the state tax on top.

Others will include, road tax and fuel duty if you intend to drive. There will also be a TV license fee, if you plan to have a TV in your household.

I am not too about the exact details of taxes but this information can be found below.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/index.shtml

You may also like to know that if you are in full time employment with an employer who has his principal place of business in the UK then you will be ully exempt from National Health Service (NHS) hospital charges in England. This exemption applies to your spouse, civil partner and children (under the age of 16 or 19 if in further education) if they are living with you in the UK on a permanent basis.

This basically means that if you are ill, need medical treatment, operations etc then as long as you are working full time, you won't have to pay the charges (like you do in the States) for any treatment received. Note however, that if you go to a doctors/GP and receive a prescription, there will be fees for this medication.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/International/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074381

Your children (if they are moving with you permanently may also receive free education up until the age of 19, which is the age U.K. citizens apply for university.

By law, all children of compulsory school age (between 5 and 16) must receive a full-time education.

For more about the British school system visit the website below.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education-uk-system.htm

You may also find other interesting bits of information and facts about British cultures etc below.

http://www.britainusa.com/index_faq.asp?i=41011&d=4

Answer 2

Its a big question !! We live near Shrewsbury. Its a good market city, still full of life. I guess housing cost might dictate where you live. Jobs are available but again, it all depends on what you do. If you want a professional £150K job, there are virtually none in Shrewsbury. You'll need London, Birmingham, Manchester or Chester for that. If you want a £15-25K job, there are lots in the midlands. Chester is great and easy access to wales and the midlands but can be quite expensive. Anywhere with land is disproportionately expensive in the midlands, shropshire and cheshire We pick up Central TV, the one that serves the midlands and it shocks me how much crime there is in the large cities in the midlands ( like birmingham ) it seems like a different world to Shrewsbury. try the estate agents near the market in Shrewsbury, all quite helpful compared to London and the Thames Valley. ( etc ) When you move, pop around for a cup of tea, the kettles always on.

Answer 3

Well London isn't one of the friendliest places in the U.K and can be very expensive.
Somebody else (a friend) recently asked a similar question to this as they are moving over here from the U.S and they received some very rude answers about immigration,not all of us are against it and not all of us are rude like that!
My ex girlfriend is an American and has lived over here for many years,she has managed to carve out a great career as a University Lecturer and absolutely loves life in the U.K,can't say she's had many problems living here & settling in.

Answer 4

There are better places to live in England than London. It is a very busy city with lots of traffic delays. Most people don't like Bush but don't mind Americans except that Americans have the reputation of saying everything is bigger or better in the states. Income tax is 20 to 25% depending how much you earn and there is a 17.5% tax (called VAT) on most goods (it is included in the price). It takes a long time to get British citizenship (why would you want to if you have American citizenship - there are no advantages i can think of). London is a very expensive place to live especially to buy or rent property.
I would advise you to look for somewhere different to live if you want to live in England (there are a lot of nicer places than London).
I am English living in Canada and like it a lot more here than England.

Answer 5

On a personal basis you will probably be able to make friends easily with British people but there is a lot of resentment towards the government of Bush and the economic and cultural imperialism of the USA.
A major reason for this unpopularity at the moment is the Iraq war which was not wanted by most people in the UK and many people demonstrated against it before the invasion.
The latest problems with sub-prime loans in the American mortgage market have had major repercussions in this country as some of our banks have bought these loans from American banks and the government had to guarantee the savings in one bank to stop its collapse.
As for taxes, you will pay income tax and national insurance,property tax which you pay to your local council, value added tax (VAT) on most goods and services, petrol tax, vehicle tax and a few others.
The good side of that is that you get free schooling, free healthcare and various benefits for the disabled,elderly, children and unemployed.
The government has recently introduced a new test for citizenship which has been greeted with derision as the questions are so badly chosen that most British people would score badly.

Answer 6

Hi,

the UK has enjoyed a strong relationship with the US for many years. On a daily basis over 300 different languages are spoken in London - which is testament to London being a truly global city with many different nationalities choosing to live there.

You might find it helpful to review http://www.britainusa.com - which will provide you with a lot of information pertaining to the UK- culture, visas, etc. http://www.visitbritain.com will provide an overview from a tourist perspective.

Once you are in the UK - the British American Business Inc - can help you get connected / networked into the business community. http://www.babinc.org

Best of luck!
Jaclyn

Answer 7

Us Brits are a lot more reserved than the Yanks. As a rule of thumb don't make a obvious comment about everything you see. It is better to keep silent and be considered a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Don't keep harping on about how much better things are in the USA.
Most Brits think George Bush is a complete moron.
We drive on the left and prefer manual gear boxes in our cars.
Petrol (gas) is very expensive.
We like our beer warm and flat.

Answer 8

Hello

Its all pretty much the same i think.
I mean everybody has an egenda and most people dont mind where your from.
London is a nice place to live.
Youll probably find it really strange at first because i dont think its as busy as the usa but its not like another planet lol.

I moved to the canary islands 3 years ago with my parents and that really was like another planet with the sleeping at mid day and all the shops closing.
Im moving back to the uk this december actually.

Dont worry just enjoy your move.

Good luck!

Answer 9

we dont like americans much, they tend to come over here and remind how we would all be speaking german if it wasn't for them (untrue).

Avoid that type of arrogance and you'll be fine.