Did you realllllly know?

Hello All-

Just how much preparation went in before the big move?  How long did you wait to start selling things?

How much were you SURE about with your future life in UK before moving?

How long did it take you to find a home of your own (not family)? 
How much money do you realllllly need to be on the safe end? (considering any savings from US is almost cut in half)
How much time passed before you found a reliable source of income/job?

Before moving-- besides the application-- what all was sorted out?

Just how much preparation went in before the big move?  How long did you wait to start selling things?

Everybody's situation is so different, you'll probably get a lot of differing opinions and situations.  I'm a firm believer in balancing head, heart, and intuition in all things especially life changing ones.

I had already given away a ton of stuff and put what was left into storage.  I also had given up my apartment and my job.  And that was all for a summer in Ireland.  I had no idea what would happen after the summer.  I did have (well I don't want to say how much exactly) a healthy amount of money saved up as well as some money in an IRA.

How much were you SURE about with your future life in UK before moving?

Well I met the man who would become my husband toward the end of the summer and we were engaged by the following spring.  So now I knew this was permanent and I returned to get my fiance visa and get rid of any remaining stuff.  Anything sell-able I chose to give to friends since I couldn't be bothered with the hassle and I like giving things away anyway.

How long did it take you to find a home of your own (not family)? 

My fiance's small flat was my home for a while, but then we looked for a new and bigger place together--especially for the reason that in so doing it would feel like a home to *both* of us.  It's getting there--not quite totally home, but close.  These things can take a while.

How much time passed before you found a reliable source of income/job?

I'll be able to work as soon as I get my FLR.  Hopefully it won't take too long to find work.

How much were you SURE about with your future life in UK before moving?

I have not been SURE about my future life at any point in the last 43 years. 

Great point!   

I was 100% sure.  The only reason I still have things in storage in Florida is because of money/transport issues.  But my life is here in England with my husband, and I haven't doubted that for a minute.

I knew virtually nothing. It was 99% Baptism by fire in my situation. Thank goodness it worked out ok! I guess I'm glad I did things the way I did. I just decided one day to move over and I did. I called a mover and in a few weeks I was here. Ignorance is bliss I tell thee!

Being sure I don't think has ever been part of the equation for me: it's more for me that I ask myself if I don't find a way / make a plan to do 'x', how would I feel on my deathbed if I didn't do it? I think it's important to live without regret.

I think life is about following your dreams and taking risks. Both can be calculated.

You can never know how things will turn out when decisions are made: usually, results in life tend to be mixed and there is lots to learn and to enjoy.

Being sure I don't think has ever been part of the equation for me: it's more for me that I ask myself if I don't find a way / make a plan to do 'x', how would I feel on my deathbed if I didn't do it? I think it's important to live without regret.

I think life is about following your dreams and taking risks. Both can be calculated.

You can never know how things will turn out when decisions are made: usually, results in life tend to be mixed and there is lots to learn and to enjoy.

Very well said.  Sometimes not doing something, no matter how risky others may perceive it to be, is more risky (on your peace of mind) than staying the course.  If that makes sense.

I know what you mean about being ready for the big move in that way.
I meant "sure" about where you were living, working, etc.
In my situation- we do have relatives to stay with a month or so until we get situated.
Although what makes me nervous is the fact that we are not sure where exactly we will be renting and where exactly we will find jobs.  Perhaps I am worrying too far ahead of time since we are not moving until April? 
I know that my boyfriend's sister will have a newborn, her two yr old, and another cat when she lets us hang out for a few weeks when we first arrive.  We will have our cat and I am worried about well.. everything!

How much did you have planned?  Did you know where you would live?  Work? 

Thanks!!
 

I guess what makes it more difficult for you is that both you *and* your partner are currently settled in the US as opposed to your boyfriend being settled in the UK with a place you could just move into.

oh yes indeed.  most people here have just moved to their significant other? 
We are applying to the unmarried partners visa in which case, from what ive read, we must travel to uk together


??

I'm not sure what the actual statistics are, but it seems like loads of people on here, like me met their British partner while travelling to the UK (or in my case Ireland) (whether as a student or visitor), or online.