One tip

What would be the one tip you would give to a new arrival based on your experiences?

Mine - When November comes around and the 5th of November. Don't panic. We haven't gone to war. The UK has a major celebration called Guy Fawkes. It is actually a bit odd, but in essence we celebrate the capture of a man by that name who was planning on blowing up the houses of parliament in 1604. We celebrate it with lots of fireworks and bonfires. Many councils will hold organised displays but many people will also be letting fireworks off in their gardens.

The one tip I'd give is that, unless you are from NYC and used to it, you're going to do a lot of walking. A lot. Even when you drive somewhere, you'll probably have to park a bit away and walk at least a short distance to your final destination. Buy good walking shoes, preferably ones that are easily cleaned.

What would be the one tip you would give to a new arrival based on your experiences?

Mine - When November comes around and the 5th of November. Don't panic. We haven't gone to war. The UK has a major celebration called Guy Fawkes. It is actually a bit odd, but in essence we celebrate the capture of a man by that name who was planning on blowing up the houses of parliament in 1604. We celebrate it with lots of fireworks and bonfires. Many councils will hold organised displays but many people will also be letting fireworks off in their gardens.

My Catholic wife loves it.....

One tip?
Get a UK provisional driving licence, even if you have no intention of ever driving a car in the UK.  It will be very valuable to you as identification, as you won't want to be carrying your passport around with you all the time.

If you like days out and have a car, get a National Trust Membership.  It's about £120 for a year and there are hundreds of interesting places all over the country that you can visit for free.  You get to picnic on the front lawn of the huge stately homes of the %1 from last century.   No matter where we go, there's always a NT property to visit

Expect everything to be a bit more difficult to get done here.

From opening a bank account, getting a drivers license, buying a house, getting a job, it's a learning experience.

If you move near London, get a year long membership to the Historic Royal Palaces , that pays for itself with one visit to the Tower of London.  Then you can visit Hampton Court Palace as much as you like.

One for anyone planning on living in Windsor.

Get an advantage card. They are free from the library and give unlimited free access to Windsor Castle, free or discounted parking in public car parks and discounts in shops.

Which kind of leads to another tip. If you are planning on working in London, Windsor is an easy commute and while still expensive, is a fair bit cheaper than London house prices and is a wonderful small town to live in.

Expect the weather to be very unpredictable. Yesterday I had shorts on and the windows open, today I have the heating on and I'm wearing a sweater. With that said, it's also a good idea to invest in some rain gear- a waterproof jacket/raincoat, wellies/rainboots and a sturdy umbrella. Oftentimes rain here is accompanied by wind, and a flimsy umbrella won't do!

Go with the flow and make an effort. It's a big deal to be invited to the pub after a knackering day at work, so accept. Literally move mountains to make and maintain friendships - they are not always easy to come by, especially if you are not a student.

Also - passport photos.

Oh and take care of bureaucracy as soon as it arises! Maybe there is lots in the US (I was still basically a dumb kid when I left and blissfully unawares!), but there is lots here and it's probably different...

Yes to the National Trust membership! We don't have a car (yet) and still get a lot of use out of it up here in the northeast.

And also seconding the "prepare to walk" thing. I lost a bunch of weight here just from walking everywhere! I really think that has something to do with how much thinner everyone is over here compared to the US. (Seriously, it was really jarring to come back to the US for a visit, I had never really registered the obesity epidemic before it wasn't ubiquitous.)

My one tip is: Try new foods! Your new favourite food may be right here!!   Haggis, whitebait, faggots, cullen skink, butteries, steak and kidney pie, jammie dodgers, beef olives, cumberland sausages, teacakes, sticky toffee pudding, lancashire hotpot, yorkshire puddings, etc etc etc 

As a pedestrian, never trust fully a zebra crossing.

As a pedestrian, never trust fully a zebra crossing.

See, I thought this one was down to the fact I have a 'trust no one' policy about life. It's a relief to know I'm not alone.

What are butteries and beef olives?