How did you handle your money?

So, in a year, it looks like I'll be studying in Europe (Amsterdam, specifically), and then in another year, I'll (hopefully) be living in the UK with my partner.

I've worked out a plan for a lot of issues -- my pets, my belongings, methods of keeping in touch with my family, etc.. The one thing that has me throwing my hands up and saying "what do I do?!" is my money.

In the US, I have a checking out with a small town bank. It's a good bank, but it's small with only a few branch locations. And, as a small bank, I imagine that it has limitations as to what it can and cannot do. I'm unsure if I should keep my bank account open and just continue using it for the year that I'm studying in Amsterdam, and then somehow find a way to open a bank account in the UK when I get there (on an EEA family permit -- at least this is the plan, anyway). The thing is, I don't want a joint account at first. I want to first have a personal account of my own, but I've heard that it's almost impossible to open a UK bank account without permanent citizenship.

What are your thoughts?
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I want to have some kind of plan in place, so that I can feel safer about jumping into this big move.

I've kept my U.S. account for convenience and opened my own UK account. You can get one as a resident (EEA permit, spousal visa, work visa, BRP) before ILR; generally, all you'll need is proof of address and proof of residence. I opened one with Lloyd's about a week after landing using my visa in my passport and a banking statement mailed to my London address from the States (from an investment account, not my everyday bank, though).

Congrats on deciding on the Amsterdam route. I hope your partner's job is a boost to him and his well-being, that you enjoy the programme you enroll in, and that it's a happy time for you as a couple!

I want to first have a personal account of my own, but I've heard that it's almost impossible to open a UK bank account without permanent citizenship.

Huh? That's definitely not true. Of course you can open a bank account without being a UK citizen.

You may have difficulty openings UK bank account but permanent residence isn't a requirement.