Arrived in UK - to do list assistance

Hi there, my wife (American) arrives in England on Saturday and I'm beyond excited to start our new journey together this side of the pond. I have thought of the following but would appreciate and advice from those in the know

1) Collect BRP card
2) Get a NI number
3) Call the NHS and register
4) Register with local Doctor surgery and dentist
5) Apply for provisional license (although I understand my US license is valid for 1 year)
6) Open bank account
7) Get names on household bills so she can establish credit and identity.
and finally learn how to master roundabouts

 

3 and 4 are the same thing. No need to ring the NHS. Just go to your local surgery and tell them you need to register. make sure you have her BRP and passport with you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do try and remember, although things need to be done, that an immigrant can often feel overwhelmed by it all. I always suggest huge doses of television: the news, Countryfile, game shows, even reality TV.

You don't really need to know all the characters on Coronation Street, but it helps with immersion to know what it is.

A trip to your local library...

Learn the local transportation network.  Go to an Indian buffet on a Sunday so she can learn which curry is her favourite.      And try to find some local interest groups so she doesn't get cabin fever during the settling in process.

Learn the local transportation network.  Go to an Indian buffet on a Sunday so she can learn which curry is her favourite.      And try to find some local interest groups so she doesn't get cabin fever during the settling in process.

Definitely look for interest groups. I found a knitting group and that helped me a lot with settling in. It was really nice to have plans separate from my husband. Particularly while I was still unemployed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Learn the local transportation network. 

Yes. I had never really been on any form of public transport before moving over (OP's wife may be from NYC or something and this may not matter), and the first time I took a train from Bristol to Bath and back was such a great eye-opener.

Then figuring out the Bristolian bus system.......

Buy her a book called "Culture Shock " that will help her deal with homesick  and fitting in issues.  Also buy her "Watching the English " which will explain a lot of bizarre things she will find


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes. I had never really been on any form of public transport before moving over (OP's wife may be from NYC or something and this may not matter), and the first time I took a train from Bristol to Bath and back was such a great eye-opener.

Then figuring out the Bristolian bus system.......

Totally stereotyping, but I think as Americans (those who are not used to public transport) don't realize how awesome buses are.  I used to walk to the train station to take the train into Reading sometimes.  Took too long for me to realize the bus would get me there without having to walk in the rain!

Definitely agree with watching a lot of British TV. I also watched a lot of American TV on British channels so I didn't feel so homesick. Gilmore Girls used to be on every day for 2 hours.

I would suggest looking at a map of the country as useful... I still have no idea where a lot of counties are! haha. People think you're a bit thick when you don't know where the big cities are in relation to where you are.