Opening a Bank Account

Sorry if something like this has already been posted, I looked and couldn't find this question so...
I am going to be moving to the UK and would like to open a bank account right away. I have money in my US savings account so I was thinking of using some of that money to put into my UK checking/debit account. Do you all think the best way of doing this is to wire money from my US savings to my UK banking or to get some cash from my US account and use that? I am not intending on taking a whole lot out of my US savings account to start a UK account, only about $1,000 ish.  I am trying to find the way that makes the most sense.  Please let me know if you have suggestions.

First, there are a couple threads on the first page discussing how people transfer money.  Wiring money is generally an expensive option for all but larger amounts.  Most banks don't require you to deposit that much money to open an account.

What I'm going to do is just deposit a very small amount of cash I'll get out of the ATM, basically whatever seems reasonable based on what I have in my wallet that day.  If I need more pounds before my first paycheck, I'll use XE to transfer money after the account is open. 

I must not have looked hard enough. I will find those threads. Sounds like a possibility to go with XE though. THanks.