New York to London or bust!

'Ello 'Ello 'Ello!

Quick intro. London is the only city on earth that compares or surpasses NYC in overall greatness.
I'm a 44 year old lifelong New Yorker who visited London last February with my ex and I loved it. I felt at home, but without the ugly aspects of NYC. Don't get me wrong, London is far from perfect. But I just need to get out of NYC. I'm in import-export and plan on moving to the UK and maybe start up a similar firm. Or just bring myself, my savings, invest in the UK by buying a business or just plopping into a bank account for a while before deciding what to do.

I'm looking for friendly advice. Visas, pet moving (cat), buying real estate. I'm hoping to join my fellow Americans in the UK by early 2015.
All the best, Freddy

Welcome - what visa do you qualify for?

Hi Geeta...

I am not sure yet. I have been doing research and will contact the British consulate in NYC Monday.
I know getting a Visa beyond the 6 month visitor's type is hard. Or is it?

It is. Unless you have recent European ancestry (and qualify for citizenship in an EU member state), are marrying a UK citizen, have top qualifications in your field or seven-digit figures to invest, it is punishingly hard to get into the country as a resident.

Contacting the British consulate-general won't work as they're not going to be able to advise you on what visa you could qualify for. You should read up on ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk as it will provide you with a lot of information on visas.

or seven-digit figures to invest

Is this accurate? Is it a seven-digit figure now?

Is this accurate? Is it a seven-digit figure now?

Yeah, it's £1M now: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/tier1/investor/

My goodness...

/though thinking about it starting up a business & living in London ain't cheap....

'Or just bring myself, my savings, invest in the UK by buying a business or just plopping into a bank account for a while before deciding what to do.

You have to have a visa before you can move to the UK.  If you have the means to invest in or start a UK company via a Tier 1 Investor or Entrepreneur then those are possibilities.  There is no visa however,  which covers coming to the UK, opening a bank account and then hanging around while you decide what to do.