Seattle→Glasgow - My Continuing Adventures! [Updated-Dec 20]

This is a post I'm going to be updating throughout the whole process of moving to serve as reference to everyone else what it's all like. There's a lot of single question threads here (which are all fantastic and where I found a lot of my info), but few (if any) give the impression of what I'm in for. So! I will be your guide to the ups and downs of this roller coaster of insanity (because anybody who is uprooting quickly is clearly insane!)

-=Current State of Affairs!=-
•Dec 20th


-=Timeline=-
December
PACK PACK PACK!!

I've decided not to take any furniture except for some IKEA shelves for my video game systems and DVDs, so all my board games, personal effects, and books will be packed up into these boxes:



Those are fry boxes from the local Jack in the Box. They go through SO MANY of them in a week I easily collected about 45 of them from their recycling bin. Given how my downsizing is going I think I'll only need 20 or so, but it's better safe than sorry.

This also allows me to accurately predict how much space I'll need when getting quotes from shipping companies. They're 1.52ft³ (13"x13"x15.5") each for those interested

January
•Finish off packing

February
•Apply for marriage visa

March
•Buy plane tickets

April
•Pack up sh*t to ship over
•Move on over!

-=Pricing=-
Visa
-$1284-
This is the flat rate for marriage visas.

Airlines
-Icelandair $717-
Deciding to go with them since they actually have lower rates for one-way trips (other like to jack up the price to more than round-trip!). Plus, cats count as extra baggage ($132*2 cats)

Shipping Stuff
Rough Estimate based on average of all services: $1400

Given my 20-boxes estimate, I'll only need 30ft³, but I'm erring on the side of caution and going with a 50ft³ estimate.

-Rainier Overseas (200ft³ "liftvan") $2720-
This is the recommended service on the UK-Yankee quote page. Actually way more than any of the other services. It IS a huge container (I may revisit this later and look at something less)

-Allstate Vanservices-
Awaiting a reply via eMail

-UPakWeMove $1376-
These guys have one terminal in each state it seems. Lucky for me they have one in Seattle, so I can save money driving my own boxes to them.

Still awaiting quote via eMail, but here's screenshots of the options on the site:




The form for the Cheap Ship was broken (it won't load any terminals and won't let you continue without one), so the price could be way less. We'll see.

-=Questions=-
•I have loads of apps on my phone, will I still have them when I move to the UK, or am I expected to buy them all over again?
•What's the best way for one to get a job before/once I move?
--Will my normal resume be ok?
--Should I look into other forms of employment verification like letters of recommendation?
--Is there a site I should be looking for jobs on that cater to people moving soon?
•I know that after my move I should contact the IRS so I don't owe back taxes, apply for NHS, and apply for extended stay of leave, but is there anything else one should do that's not obvious?

December 20th


Currently selling my 1972 Thunderbird (you can see the ad here) to help pay for shipping/flying costs. The more the merrier!

This has been a process for about a year now, and I've only had one person give a genuine offer (who just sent me an eMail saying he's bailing out on it). So, that's my current stress.

My living room looks like a tornado hit it: I'm going through the boxes in my closets and downsizing (throwing away stuff, stuff to sell, and stuff to go to Goodwill)

I've acquired a 3tb external hard drive and ripped all of my DVDs to it, so I only need to keep those box sets and favorites.

As for books, packing a lot of books in a big box is a HUGE mistake (one I've learned in the past). I dropped by Target's pharmacy and asked for them to save boxes for me. Why the pharmacy? They're smallish boxes that fit Tabletop game books nicely (D&D, etc) and have lids. Gonna check back with them after Christmas.

-=Pricing=-
Visa
-$1284-
This is the flat rate for marriage visas.

Actually it's not. That price is out of date.

The current visa price for fiance (marriage) and spousal visas in the US is $1,404 (£851).

See: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/usa/fees/?langname=UK%20English

The prices increase every April, so $1,284 is a pretty old price (it was over $1,300 a few months ago).

-=Questions=-
•I have loads of apps on my phone, will I still have them when I move to the UK, or am I expected to buy them all over again?

Why wouldn't you have them? They're installed on your phone, so they aren't going anywhere (as far as I know).

However, you will need to look into getting your phone set up in the UK in order for the apps to work and for you to use the phone - you may need to get it unlocked in the US before you can use a UK SIM card or phone service.

You'll also have to look into cancelling your current phone contract as using it abroad on a US contract will be expensive.

•What's the best way for one to get a job before/once I move?
--Will my normal resume be ok?
--Should I look into other forms of employment verification like letters of recommendation?

UK CVs (we don't use 'resume') are a specific format usually, so you would be best to reformat your resume to fit a UK one.

It will depend on the company and job application as to what you will need. Some companies have online application form so no CV is required, others will ask you to send a CV and cover letter, others you upload your CV online and then companies contact you.

You will need to provide things like references, but usually you just provide their contact details and then the company contacts them directly for a reference.

--Is there a site I should be looking for jobs on that cater to people moving soon?

Not specifically, as it will be much easier to look for jobs once you have a visa that allows work (if you are getting a fiance visa to marry in the UK, you can't work until you are married and have your next visa. If you are already married when you apply you can work right away), and are in the UK, but there are lots of online job search sites you can start looking at and registering with:

monster.co.uk
reed.co.uk
jobsite.co.uk
totaljobs.co.uk

•I know that after my move I should contact the IRS so I don't owe back taxes, apply for NHS, and apply for extended stay of leave, but is there anything else one should do that's not obvious?

- Apply for a National Insurance number if you will be working

- Register at a GP surgery (this is how you 'apply' for the NHS)

- Open a bank account

- Get your name on bills

- Start saving pieces of official mail addressed to both of you at the same address (separate or joint) for future proof of living together for the length of your visas.

That's about all I can think of right now.

[quote author=Xenophule link=topic=81762.msg1093995#msg1093995
•I know that after my move I should contact the IRS so I don't owe back taxes, apply for NHS, and apply for extended stay of leave, but is there anything else one should do that's not obvious?
[/quote]

You don't need to specifically contact the IRS after you move. You just need to make sure you file your US taxes every year. When you're overseas, your deadline is June 1 instead of April 15.

•I know that after my move I should contact the IRS so I don't owe back taxes, apply for NHS, and apply for extended stay of leave, but is there anything else one should do that's not obvious?

You don't need to specifically contact the IRS after you move. You just need to make sure you file your US taxes every year. When you're overseas, your deadline is June 1 instead of April 15.

Oh cool that's much easier! Thank you

Since I'm working after January I assume I'll have to file taxes next year as well. Curious on how I will retrieve my last W-2 from my employer. Hmmmmmm

ksand24:

I have a habit of deleting apps when I need room on my phone, and  I've noticed some apps tell you they're only available in the US store (or at least when the wife tries to redeem some free apps). Just wondering if it'll do the same when I go to redownload them.

Thank you loads for the update on the pricing for the visa.

And thank you for the other tips as well! Very handy!

I have a habit of deleting apps when I need room on my phone, and  I've noticed some apps tell you they're only available in the US store (or at least when the wife tries to redeem some free apps). Just wondering if it'll do the same when I go to redownload them.

Is it an iphone?

If so, then it depends whether you have a US or UK itunes account (or both). If your wife only has a UK itunes account, she won't be able to access apps from the US store.

But if you're keeping your US account and credit card registered to a US address, then you can still use your US itunes account while in the UK. But you won't be able to download things from UK itunes unless you also have a UK account with a credit card registered to a UK address.

I have 2 itunes accounts - one UK and one US.

- The US one is registered to my US credit card (I'm a UK citizen but I lived in the US for a while - I have a US bank account registered to my aunt's address in the US)

- The UK one is registered with my UK credit card.

So, I can choose which account to use to purchase apps, music and videos.

Often I find that certain things are only available in the US store or are cheaper in the US store than the UK store, so I will use my US account to buy them.

Matching hubcaps on the Thunderbird!!

You don't need to specifically contact the IRS after you move. You just need to make sure you file your US taxes every year. When you're overseas, your deadline is June 1 instead of April 15.

Oh cool that's much easier! Thank you

Since I'm working after January I assume I'll have to file taxes next year as well. Curious on how I will retrieve my last W-2 from my employer. Hmmmmmm

You need to file every year, even when your income is solely from the UK. Depending on how much you make, you might not owe, but you should still file. It's one of the joys of being a US citizen!  There are lots of threads on here about taxes.

For the cats...it is my understanding that with a stopover they would need to be cleared for that country as well as for the UK.  Don't they have to go manifested cargo to the UK regardless?

You may want to try Vayama.com for a cheap one way ticket that can get you on a direct flight to the UK.  We found a good ticket on there that was half the cost of a normal ticket or less, for the flight we wanted.  That may give you some more and better options.

This hasn't anything to do with moving to the UK.  More moving in general.

Personally, I wouldn't use dumpster boxes for packing, especially if my things were going to be in them for several months.  And especially if they were originally food or restaurant boxes. 

I would be willing to bet your visa fee that by the time you get to the UK, there is going to be a roach nest in at least one of those boxes.

Clean new cardboard boxes from a moving company are worth the small investment they cost.  Especially if you only need 30 or so.

Just my two cents.

Normally I'd agree with you, but these boxes are fine

I didn't actually get them out of the dumpster, I collected them when I was working at Jack in the Box, so they've not seen the dumpster at all.

Plus they're french fry boxes which means they're:
•Used to transport dry, frozen goods
•Built to hold lots of weight

Also, I've had them in my possession for a couple years and they're still cool.

Thank you so much for looking out for me though! Much appreciated

Matching hubcaps on the Thunderbird!!

Original bodywork as well!

You need to file every year, even when your income is solely from the UK. Depending on how much you make, you might not owe, but you should still file. It's one of the joys of being a US citizen!  There are lots of threads on here about taxes.

Oh cool, one less thing I need to do haha. I've seen the subforum for taxes and will be using the hell outta that next year! Thank you

Is it an iphone?

If so, then it depends whether you have a US or UK itunes account (or both). If your wife only has a UK itunes account, she won't be able to access apps from the US store.

But if you're keeping your US account and credit card registered to a US address, then you can still use your US itunes account while in the UK. But you won't be able to download things from UK itunes unless you also have a UK account with a credit card registered to a UK address.

I have 2 itunes accounts - one UK and one US.

- The US one is registered to my US credit card (I'm a UK citizen but I lived in the US for a while - I have a US bank account registered to my aunt's address in the US)

- The UK one is registered with my UK credit card.

So, I can choose which account to use to purchase apps, music and videos.

Often I find that certain things are only available in the US store or are cheaper in the US store than the UK store, so I will use my US account to buy them.

This is pretty brilliant! Solves that issue; thank you!

For the cats...it is my understanding that with a stopover they would need to be cleared for that country as well as for the UK.  Don't they have to go manifested cargo to the UK regardless?

Everything I've looked into doesn't say anything about needing to clear that country as well, but you bringing it up has prompted me to double-check. I'll post back when I find out!

Just out of curiosity....MPG?

8-15 generally

Somehow I got 24 on a day trip, but I'm guessing that was Automoses looking out for me (god of traffic).