Things to Consider When Moving to The UK

Lmatthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 10:42

Hi everyone

My girlfriend and I are thinking about moving to the UK to live for a couple years before we come back to Australia to settle down and produce spawn. We aren't planning on going until mid-2017 but I want to be as prepared as possible before heading out there. It definitely does not help that 2016 will be a big year with wedding planning and a new job amongst other things.

I am an accountant by trade (CA) and was hoping to land some contracting accounting work while I'm over there. She is a registered pharmacist and was hoping to work at a pharmaceutical company while there. She can't work as a pharmacist in the UK as it will require 12 months study followed by a 12 months internship so she's willing to halt her career for the time being and spend some time in the industry side of the business. We are both in our mid 20's if that makes any difference to things.

What are things we will need to consider and plan for before we hop over there? We have done some very high level research and plan to do a lot more. I am definitely keen to make sure we have as many bases covered as possible before we go though.

tl;dr My girlfriend and I want to live in the UK for a couple years. What do we need to consider?

Travel

Comments

  • gaz3342 on 08/04/2016 - 11:15
    +40

    It's cold and it rains a lot.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:30

      I actually love the cold but my girlfriend is less enthusiastic. Hopefully we can both land some flexible working arrangements and find some time to travel around the warmer parts of the continent.

    • gimli on 08/04/2016 - 22:33
      +2

      Don't fart in public

      • Stevetheadventurer on 08/04/2016 - 23:34

        I negged you because i think thats bad advice.. ;)

      • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2016 - 00:53

        You'll end up spontaneously combusting.

        You obviously haven't heard of the break wind theory.

        • Meconium on 11/04/2016 - 16:34
          +1

          You can't make an omelette without breaking wind.

  • retiredfeline on 08/04/2016 - 11:20
    +5

    More of your life will be spent indoors.

    Have a look at numbeo.com for some comparisons. E.g: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_resul…

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:35

      Those Numbeo stats are very interesting. So in general the UK is cheaper than Australia, but if I were to drill down into Melbourne and London the stats are flipped. Any recommendations for towns that might be a better balance for price and lifestyle?

      • conan2000 on 09/04/2016 - 23:35
        +4

        London is one of the worst places I have been for earning/living cost ratio. I have a lot of friends living there and the salaries in Melbourne are a fair bit higher for the most part, with better living costs.

        Edinburgh is a great city, plenty going on and can earn a good salary as a CA with significantly lower living costs than London. But really, as a CA you should be able to pick up a good salary anywhere you go. The only benefit of London is it's easier to get to other places as the airports give you a lot more direct flight options.

        • virhlpool on 10/04/2016 - 02:36

          How about Sydney for earning/living cost ratio, mate?

        • conan2000 on 10/04/2016 - 09:04

          @virhlpool:

          Probably even worse! That's why I said "one of", according to worlds most expensive cities lists there are a few places worse than London.

        • virhlpool on 10/04/2016 - 15:02
          +1

          @conan2000: Agree. Sydney is real bad and I have no clue as to what can be done to improve earning/living cost ratio here. I am in real dilemma if I should even stay in Sydney if I get an opportunity in any other city. Seeing the kind of houses you get on rent for $2000 a month, I would say you get much better houses (modern, more equipment, better furnished) for 75% of that cost in almost all of the developed world. And I am not even talking about very good areas of the city.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/04/2016 - 18:01
          +1

          Depends where you work. I worked in banking in London and earning vs cost of living felt very comfortable and I could save a lot of money as a result. Coming back to Aus was a rude shock after that, as it sure became expensive during the years I was away.

          Dare I say also the weather thing is blown out of proportion. Sure, winter is pretty bad, but so is Melbourne (where I live no) winter for example. I remember coming back to Sydney first and it as bucketting rain literally every day for weeks. Aus despite the tourism brochures isn't such a great reference point for comparisons of cost of living and weather methinks.

        • conan2000 on 11/04/2016 - 20:43

          @virhlpool:

          When I first moved to Australia (I transferred with work), I was offered either Melbourne or Sydney. No pay differential, would have been nuts to go to Sydney for the same money.

        • conan2000 on 11/04/2016 - 20:44

          @w8:

          Oh, you could definitely be paid quite well. But could you have bought property? I looked at graduate roles there quite a few years back. 2k extra in London over another city! Would have burnt through it in no time.

        • Abaddon on 13/04/2016 - 13:51

          @virhlpool: So move out of the city somewhat. I work in the CBD, I pay $430 rent per week for a modern 3 bedroom house which is 5 minutes drive from the beach. I just have my last hour of sleep for the night on a train from the central coast. And read a book or watch a tv episode or 2 in the hour and 15 minutes it takes me to get back to my car.

      • stumo on 10/04/2016 - 09:12
        +1

        Cambridge is nice. Spent a good few years there. Prefer it to London thats for sure, and not just because of the living costs. You will need a car though. But the car also gives you freedom to explore.

    • banana365 on 10/04/2016 - 11:07
      +3

      It could be the opposite way round. I moved to Perth a decade ago from the UK and everyone was saying that the lifestyle here is much more outdoor oriented. It may be if your idea of outdoor lifestyle is bring fairly inactive outdoors; barbecues, beaches etc. We had a much more outdoor lifestyle in the UK;hill-walking, kayaking, mountain biking or even just going for relaxing walk.

      We (and that includes my Australian born and raised wife) find that it's too hot to be very active for much of the year and, in Perth at least, there just aren't the same opportunities for some of the stuff we used to do. I'm not complaining because we've just changed to different ways to keep ourselves active.

      Another influence is the amount of daylight. In summer we could go out in the hills after work as it was light until 11,that's not an option here .

      • whodidthat on 10/04/2016 - 17:27
        +2

        Have to say, as much as I hated the UK weather (particularly winter), the daylight hours of "summer" were a bonus. I was a landscaper, worked from 8am through to 10pm most days. Went shopping at midnight. Built the dosh up so I could close down for winter to head off for the sun.

  • oscargamer on 08/04/2016 - 11:29
    +3

    Travel insurance, umbrella, warm jacket, sensible shoes

    • gimli on 08/04/2016 - 22:33
      -2

      And a dictionary

    • 973728 on 10/04/2016 - 12:56
      +1

      Depending on your circumstances, given you are going for 2 years, it may be cheaper to use a credit cards 3 months holiday insurance and then buy local UK insurance after 3 months stay in the UK (read the fineprint of policies to see if you are eligible).

      Reason been that insurance in the UK can be <$80 for all of Europe compared with Australian rip off prices.

  • Stevetheadventurer on 08/04/2016 - 11:30
    +14

    You'll have to listen to people whine allot in an annoying or amazing accent depending on where you live…

    • King Tightarse on 11/04/2016 - 17:44
      -3

      Yep polite whinging and general negatively. That's Poms to a T. Also impolite whingeing.
      Did I mention they whinge a lot?

      • gimli on 11/04/2016 - 20:35

        yep you get negged alot more on UKbargain

  • Randxyz123 on 08/04/2016 - 11:33
    +2

    Check out https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1631731&…

    This https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility/overview is the visa you probably want though if you want to stay for longer you might need something different.

    Best of luck!

  • tre180 on 08/04/2016 - 11:39
    +2

    The major thing to consider would be where you want to live within the UK, you'll find that Scotland or NI are different to the south of England when it comes to the people, weather, food etc. Do you plan to travel about the UK for a bit before you start working?

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:42
      +2

      We plan to start working as soon as we get there hopefully. Ideally we would have just gotten married at that point so finances would be a bit tight. But we would also like to do some travelling periodically while we are there.

      With regards to considering places to live, we would like to find some idyllic balance between cost and lifestyle that's close to London but convenient for travelling. Does this place even exist or am I kidding myself?

      • tre180 on 08/04/2016 - 13:52
        +2

        Brighton might be a good fit, it's a beach town that's an hour outside London by train and its right on the south coast so it's probably the sunniest part of the UK (which isn't saying much). I have a mate living there and he reckons its very hip, a great music scene and lots of cultural stuff happening. And Nick Cave lives there so you'll have a fellow aussie to show you the ropes!

  • tomsco on 08/04/2016 - 11:44
    +2

    Once you get you National Insurance/NHS Number, go find a dentist. It's cheap.

    http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1781.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCateg…

  • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 11:51
    +2

    The weather!

    Buy thermal wear.

    Location/costs.

    Your girlfriend could work here - but beware of WINTER! http://www.indeed.co.uk/Pharmaceutical-jobs-in-Barnard-Castl…

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:43

      Thanks for the tips! I'm not really familiar with Barnard Castle - is that where the pharmaceutical companies are based?

      • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 13:55
        +2

        One of the largest has been based there for a long time - GlaxoSmithKline
        There's also Honeyman Group

        Barnard Castle is really nice but can get bad winters. A66 is one of the main roads, often cut off by snow.

        Some good places to live around the area. Darlington isn't too far away.

      • logictom on 09/04/2016 - 00:14
        +1

        It's a nice place but it's a small town with not much around it - if you live near the CBD it will be a big change - whether that's a good thing or not is dependent on what you want.
        Leeds, Durham and Newcastle are great cities - Durham on the small size but lots of history.
        Newcastle has a good airport, Leeds has Leeds Bradford airport not far from the city if you're wanting to see the rest of Europe.

        • whodidthat on 09/04/2016 - 14:38

          Darlington is also well connected, transport wise. Close to major roads, airport (though not sure now of connections to London from there) and major railway station. Plus, if pushed, national buses.

      • Gershom on 10/04/2016 - 16:35
        -1

        It's in County Durham, i.e. it's horrible.

  • grabngo on 08/04/2016 - 12:18
    +2

    Buy your property now before u go cos when u come back,u wont be able to afford property…even with your UK Pounds.

    • 973728 on 10/04/2016 - 12:57

      On another note, send money to the UK now whilst the GBP is weaker (with Brexit looming). Chances are that brexit will not happen and AUD will lose value quite considerably by mid 2017.

  • GiggidyGoo on 08/04/2016 - 12:58
    +9

    Been there, done that so some useful info.

    • See if you can land a job before you go. This will dictate where you will end up if you don't have anywhere in particular in mind. They also may assist in relocation/visa etc. This leads into getting a bank account asap which you will need residential proof, employment proof etc.

    • Think about what you plan to do. If you want to travel the continent lots, you may want to consider being closer to airport hubs which are serviced by Ryanair, EasyJet etc. We did a lot of "leave Friday, come back Sunday" type trips due to lack of annual leave and went on their regular "just pay taxes" flights. Sometimes our petrol/parking cost more than the flight itself!

    • Don't get trapped in London. Be open to other towns/cities. Trust me, a lot of Aussies get caught up there.

    • Make sure you have a bit of funds to get you through the initial settling in period.

    • Remember why you're going over there and make the most of it. You won't get this easy chance again once your sprogs come along. Travel everywhere your budget allows. Socialise and make some good local friends.

    All the best though and enjoy. What you're doing was probably the most fun 4 years of my life.

    • tomsco on 08/04/2016 - 13:34
      +1

      If you want to travel the continent lots, you may want to consider being closer to airport hubs which are serviced by Ryanair, EasyJet etc.

      Just don't live in Luton, lest you want to be stabbed.

      • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 13:58

        We used to live in Luton (well, one of the outer suburbs - Leagrave) but that was in the early 70's.
        I think it's changed now!
        Lived there as my dad worked in London and we hated the place.

        • tomsco on 08/04/2016 - 15:30

          I stayed in Leighton Buzzard when I was over there. Loved it, but looking at some of the report on the Leighton Buzzard Facebook page, sounds like it's not far off - stabbings, excavators being smashed into the bank, no police presence. A bit sad.

        • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 15:55

          @tomsco: Wow, that place has changed then!

      • parisienne on 09/04/2016 - 10:02
        +1

        Beheaded,set on fire…whilst alive,watch as wife raped….then stoned.Basically,think of Luton as the worst suburb in whatever state you are in…then x 100.A friend of mine used to live just up from there,and i went through it several times to get to the hallowed ground of cheap flights there.Goggle the place.

        • tomsco on 09/04/2016 - 11:30

          yep, you need goggles to protect your eyes from the toxic waste.

        • parisienne on 10/04/2016 - 09:55

          Thanks Tomsco.Maybe GOOGLE it instead.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:48

      Great tips! Thanks so much.

      You mentioned not getting trapped in London. Any suggestions for other places that could be a good balance between cost and lifestyle? We were admittedly originally keen to get into London because it looked like the hub for work and activity.

  • mangoss on 08/04/2016 - 13:08
    +3

    VITAMIN D! As an Aussie, I was prepared for the cold and rain, but not for the lack of sunshine for weeks on end. Became pretty depressed and saw a Dr; turned out I had a Vitamin D deficiency from lack of sunlight. When you get there, go into Boots and buy some Vit D tabs.

    Also - it's weird, but our $2 coin is the same size of their 1 quid coin; when I first got there I kept trying to pay with the 1 quid coin based on size alone when reaching for it from my wallet, and got a few dirty looks ;p Took some getting used to.

    Travel as much as you can - it's easy to get stuck into the working long hours routine and partying in London, but take as many weekend trips around GB, Europe, Ireland etc as you can. Wish I'd done more of this.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 13:51
      +1

      Oh man such a good tip. I've not exactly been hearing the most encouraging feedback when it comes to the UK weather.

      • stumo on 10/04/2016 - 09:19
        +2

        Yep my wife suffered a bit over there due to the short gloomy days. I bought her one of those snake-oil full spectrum lightbulbs for the lounge room, and it seemed to help.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 14:24
      -6

      Lack of sunlight gives you depression? I'm sure it doesn't help, but it's certainly not the trigger. And the U.K. Is not Finland, even in the depth of winter it is day light during the day time.

      OP, you don't need vitamin D tablets.

      • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 14:36
        +4

        Endless grey skies, rain, snow, short winter days, no guaranteed summer - isn't that depressing? LOL

        • virhlpool on 10/04/2016 - 15:08
          +3

          It is, hey.

        • Lunatic on 11/04/2016 - 14:42

          Sounds awesome to me \m/

      • oscargamer on 08/04/2016 - 14:38
        +5

        it certainly can

        look up SAD

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 14:40
          -8

          There are 65 million people in the UK. They don't all have depression.

        • oscargamer on 08/04/2016 - 14:46
          +3

          @thorton82:

          hence the word "can"

          you ever lived there - i did, for 32 years, most of them act depressed

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 14:49
          -1

          @oscargamer: yeah I have lived there, for almost half my life. My point is that Britain doesn't have a ridiculous lack of sunlight and it's certainly not enough to make you depressed. If you are, you've got other issues.

        • logictom on 08/04/2016 - 23:41
          +2

          @thorton82: It can do, it's called SAD http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/pag…
          Moving from Oz to the UK you might be move likely to get it due to the big difference in amount of sun you get here

        • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2016 - 11:45
          +2

          @logictom: S.A.D. and vitamin D deficiency are different. SAD is not related to vit. D levels. Many GPs do not know enough about these subjects and will prescribe the wrong solutions, albeit in good faith. The treatment for SAD is sunlight or prescribed hormones such as melatonin. Vit D deficiency can cause all sorts of physiological issues, such as bone problems, but prescribing Vit D for depressive symptoms caused by lack of sunlight is wrong.

        • mangoss on 09/04/2016 - 13:58

          @Ninjastud: Hey Ninja, Dr got me to take Melatonin with it, I was struggling with sleep a bit too. It wasn't a full on depression, just felt bit down which was out of character and went to GP - blood test showed low D levels, so she got me to supplement. Felt better after a few weeks, sleeping well helped too.

          OP sorry for not mentioning the melatonin, I always thought it was primarily for the sleep? Haven't seen it for sale in Oz but it helped :)

        • logictom on 09/04/2016 - 18:17
          +1

          @Ninjastud: I wasn't saying that they were the same thing, just that a lack of sunlight can give you depression, which you can get those odd blue bulbs which simulate day light.

        • virhlpool on 10/04/2016 - 15:31

          @oscargamer: "most of them act depressed"? Interesting.. Haven't stayed much there except a few days as a tourist but I didn't find general society ("most of them" as you say) acting depressed to be honest. We watch UK TV shows and news and not there as well.

        • Gershom on 10/04/2016 - 16:40
          +2

          @thorton82: yes they do, every one of them. Including the Queen.

        • ThadtheChad on 12/04/2016 - 11:03
          +1

          @thorton82:

          Don't have a choice, do they? :)

      • mangoss on 08/04/2016 - 15:05

        Thorton, advice came from a qualified experienced UK doctor - and the tabs helped. Speak to a medical professional before you discount the advice :)

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 20:21
          -8

          Yep righto. Everyone in the UK is depressed because it gets dark early in winter. Honestly the shit I see on here sometimes is ridiculous.

        • spiffycashew on 09/04/2016 - 12:57
          +5

          @thorton82: Jesus mate nobody said they all get depressed.. the worst of the comments on here are people like you who get needlessly defensive over nothing

        • mangoss on 09/04/2016 - 13:54
          +4

          @goodguy: Well said goodguy :)

          Never said everyone gets depressed in the UK!!… I personally went from being a beach bum to not seeing sunshine often (arriving late Autumn), and it was hard to get used to overcast skies all winter. Dr did a blood test, and Vit D was low - she got me to supplement with Vit D and Melatonin. Not a big deal, but it helped me feel a bit better.

          Felt much better when the sun started to come out more often / for longer in late Spring.

          Thorton, relax man. This isn't about you. If any tip helps the OP, or gets him to investigate what might help him further, then good for him. Quit trolling and find something else to do with your time!

        • GameChanger on 15/04/2016 - 01:06
          -1

          @thorton82: Thorton glad to see your posting more often.

          Its nice to see common sense around here!

      • virhlpool on 10/04/2016 - 15:09
        +1

        I don't know much if one would need vitamin D tabs or not, but UK weather can be depressing for sure. So, you are wrong here.

  • oscargamer on 08/04/2016 - 14:00
    +2

    Depending on jobs of course, Bristol / Bath (the south west) are absolutely beautiful - and only a couple of hours to London (to do the tourist things).

  • driver33b on 08/04/2016 - 14:01

    Language difficulties…there are Scottish, Welsh and Pommys' over there.

    • whodidthat on 08/04/2016 - 14:02
      +3

      Don't forget Geordies!

  • raytriplej on 08/04/2016 - 14:02
    +4

    Bank accounts can be hard to open there. Some banks here (i think HSBC) have a facility to open a uk account as well. We took a letter of introduction from ANZ back when my wife and I moved there for 4 years.

    Tax file number = National Insurance number. For us it required applying and having a face to face interview with them before being issued.

    Renting - needed a bank account before we could rent. But then to get a bank account you needed an address. Round and round in circles. Hmm. That was a pain. Anyway, when you rent the tenant also pays the council rates (council tax) so factor that in on top of rental prices. Rent was paid monthly in advance so it was an initial big hit on the savings.

    If possible live in a town on a main train line. We lived in a town only serviced by a branch line so found it restrictive. We then moved to a new town on a main line.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 14:12

      Sounds like a bit of a pain to get across that renting/bank account spiral. How did you manage to get through that?

      • raytriplej on 08/04/2016 - 14:15

        My experience was a few years ago now (yrs 2000 - 2004). There are ways to make it easier now as whodidthat posted below.

      • mskeggs on 08/04/2016 - 14:18

        This is a big hassle. Ended up opening my bank account at the address of the hotel I was staying at. And I had a well paying full time job etc. so the local bank manger wanted to help, but they just couldn't. Natwest and I think, Lloyds could do nothing. I eventually got Barclays to help.

    • jenkemjunkie on 10/04/2016 - 11:58
      +1

      you can open up an HSBC account in Australia prior to leaving. I can't remember the name but I could then verify it when I got there. Instead of getting one of those tourist bank accounts with disgusting fees.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 14:17
      +1

      Oh awesome. Looks like this could make things easier when finding a place to rent.

  • raytriplej on 08/04/2016 - 14:16
    +1

    Drivers licence was easy to get a UK version (done thru UK post office). A local ID makes life that little bit easier.

    • matthewli88 on 08/04/2016 - 14:18

      Great tip. Didn't even begin to think about driving but that's such a good idea.

      • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2016 - 14:19
        -2

        Don't bother mate, I used an Aussie license for years.

        • raytriplej on 08/04/2016 - 14:22

          It was cheaper for me to insure my car with a local drivers licence, and then when asked for ID locally it is accepted without question.

        • tomsco on 08/04/2016 - 15:32
          +1

          @raytriplej: In all fairness, unless you look 12, you probably won't be asked. And if they do see it… well you know those pommies love us Aussies :p

        • raytriplej on 08/04/2016 - 21:38
          +1

          @tomsco: Sorry I should have clarified, I didn't mean ID for the pub. I never got asked. Just for instance, photo ID at the bank, photo ID when setting up mobile phone plans, rental agreements, ID to collect parcels. Yes a passport does the same, but local ID simplifies these transactions and means you don't need to carry your passport with you.

      • logictom on 09/04/2016 - 00:06
        +2

        Not sure what the driving is like in Melbourne but, unlike Sydney, in the UK people actually pay attention to lane priority rules and move over when not over taking. People indicate when leaving roundabouts and if someone flashes their headlights at you they are giving you way. Of course that may all go out the window if you chose to live in London, they're not like the rest of the UK.

        Not sure how the converting a license thing works but in the UK you have to have been testing in a manual to drive a manual.
        Petrol is the same price in £ as it is in $ so it's essentially twice the price.
        Insurance doesn't cover the car it covers the driver, generally you won't get policy that allows unnamed drivers. There's no separate CTP and comprehensive, you buy one policy from the insurer and it's either Third Party only (CTP), Third Party, Fire and Theft or Fully Comprehensive.
        Pink slip = MOT, Rego = Car Tax

        Make sure you put antifreeze in the windscreen washers in winter!

        • whodidthat on 09/04/2016 - 14:44
          +1

          "in the UK people actually pay attention to lane priority rules and move over when not over taking"

          Soooo right!
          Far too many here hog lanes and block/slow down traffic, and it's getting worse.

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