Input and Opinion

Is anyone familiar with this:
https://mapartments.co.uk/

I'm not in Manchester, so I'm not familiar with the area or local letting agencies.  But perhaps for others to have a better starting point, what are you looking for beyond the area of Manchester?  Bedroom size?  Need/want a garden?  Rather live near the canals?  What's your approximate budget?  Want to live in the city centre, or a bit further out?  Closer to transport links?  Are you dead set on Manchester, or is it one of a few locations you're considering?

It's also worth mentioning that to meet the requirements of the visa for accommodation, those who don't have family/friends to stay with in the UK often just book temporary accommodation like an Airbnb or hotel around the "anticipated travel date" (either with refundable fees or pay at check in). That serves two purposes in that you're not paying for a place you can't live in, and when you do come to the UK you can actually see the places you're considering for a long term rental. Available housing stock changes constantly, and prices may change significantly with Brexit too (too early to know if anything will happen), and you may realise you want to be in a different part of town or closer to a train.

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It's also worth mentioning that to meet the requirements of the visa for accommodation, those who don't have family/friends to stay with in the UK often just book temporary accommodation like an Airbnb or hotel around the "anticipated travel date" (either with refundable fees or pay at check in). That serves two purposes in that you're not paying for a place you can't live in, and when you do come to the UK you can actually see the places you're considering for a long term rental. Available housing stock changes constantly, and prices may change significantly with Brexit too (too early to know if anything will happen), and you may realise you want to be in a different part of town or closer to a train.

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The OP will not be applying for a spousal visa though, as they are both American... therefore this advice will not apply.

It will depend on the type of visa they can qualify for as to whether any accommodation is required in advance.


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I found this - published today:

London and Manchester in the UK made the list for the most expensive cities to live in Europe.

That’s according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2019 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, which looked at the cost of 160 items across 133 cities across the world to determine the ranking.

Have you already sorted out how you will qualify for a visa?  If not, it's a bit of the cart before the horse.  You won't be able to sign an apartment lease without a visa (and a bank account).

I'm not in Manchester, so I'm not familiar with the area or local letting agencies.  But perhaps for others to have a better starting point, what are you looking for beyond the area of Manchester?  Bedroom size?  Need/want a garden?  Rather live near the canals?  What's your approximate budget?  Want to live in the city centre, or a bit further out?  Closer to transport links?  Are you dead set on Manchester, or is it one of a few locations you're considering?

We are looking for a furnished 1 bedroom (queen or king size bed) in the city center within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, pubs and public transportation. Our budget around $1000.00 U.S. pcm.

It's also worth mentioning that to meet the requirements of the visa for accommodation, those who don't have family/friends to stay with in the UK often just book temporary accommodation like an Airbnb or hotel around the "anticipated travel date" (either with refundable fees or pay at check in). That serves two purposes in that you're not paying for a place you can't live in, and when you do come to the UK you can actually see the places you're considering for a long term rental. Available housing stock changes constantly, and prices may change significantly with Brexit too (too early to know if anything will happen), and you may realise you want to be in a different part of town or closer to a train.

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Yes. Our plan is to pre-pay for a six month stay than come back to Texas.

I found this - published today:

London and Manchester in the UK made the list for the most expensive cities to live in Europe.

That’s according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2019 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, which looked at the cost of 160 items across 133 cities across the world to determine the ranking.

Believe me, It is still much less expensive living there than it is here in Dallas, in Los Angeles where our daughter lives, or on the East Coast where some of our friends live.

So, if I understand it, you're looking to rent a flat for 6 months while in the UK as a visitor?

Have you already sorted out how you will qualify for a visa?  If not, it's a bit of the cart before the horse.  You won't be able to sign an apartment lease without a visa (and a bank account).

Yes. We can come over and stay for 6 months as visitors without a visa since we are U.S. citizens and then go back to the U.S. We have already discussed this with a few places which we are interested in and they are ok with our situation. They key is us pre-paying for our living arrangements. We will basically just be tourist. If we decide to stay after our initial 6 month visit, we will make the necessary adjustments. This is all still at least a year awat as we have other travels to complete.

So, if I understand it, you're looking to rent a flat for 6 months while in the UK as a visitor?

Yes. but pre-pay. In actuality we will be visitors until we make a solid decision. Essentially testing the waters.

We can come over and stay for 6 months as visitors without a visa since we are U.S. citizens and then go back to the U.S.

Just as a heads up and to clarify, you do need a visa to visit the UK.  US citizens have the benefit of not being required to apply for entry clearance in advance of flying to the UK, but when you land and have the interview with the IO, that IO is deciding on the spot whether to grant you a visitor visa or not (which will be the stamp in your passport). 

Six months is the maximum permitted time; the IO may decide to grant 3 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, or not allow entry at all.  Please take care and do not equate the benefit of not needing to apply for a visa in advance as not needing a visa at all.  Some Americans have gotten caught up with this as they were under the impression they were automatically entitled to a 6 month tourist stay and found out that wasn't the case, and it ended up being a rather costly mistake. 

If you aren't sure you would have enough evidence to allow the IO to grant you a full 6 months upon arrival, you could apply for an advance visitor visa.  That way, you would be sure you would have prior permission to stay for such a long amount of time and not take a gamble that you'll be at the mercy of the IO that day.

Another thing to consider when making your plans, would you be able to financially support yourselves during those 6 months without any work while you're visiting?

Just as a heads up and to clarify, you do need a visa to visit the UK.  US citizens have the benefit of not being required to apply for entry clearance in advance of flying to the UK, but when you land and have the interview with the IO, that IO is deciding on the spot whether to grant you a visitor visa or not (which will be the stamp in your passport). 

Six months is the maximum permitted time; the IO may decide to grant 3 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, or not allow entry at all.  Please take care and do not equate the benefit of not needing to apply for a visa in advance as not needing a visa at all.  Some Americans have gotten caught up with this as they were under the impression they were automatically entitled to a 6 month tourist stay and found out that wasn't the case, and it ended up being a rather costly mistake. 

If you aren't sure you would have enough evidence to allow the IO to grant you a full 6 months upon arrival, you could apply for an advance visitor visa.  That way, you would be sure you would have prior permission to stay for such a long amount of time and not take a gamble that you'll be at the mercy of the IO that day.

Another thing to consider when making your plans, would you be able to financially support yourselves during those 6 months without any work while you're visiting?

Very good info, and thank you for that clarification!:)  As we were just sitting here talking, we decided that we will be applying for a visitor visa. In addition, yes, we will be able to financially support ourselves as well as pre-pay for our accommodations accordingly (depending on our allowed length of stay). We will work out those details moving forward. We still do not plan on making that move for at least another year.

Sounds good, and best of luck with your planning.    Sounds exciting!

I was just making sure as no work means literally no work.  Even if you are lucky enough to be self-employed and be able to operate your business abroad/remotely, it is still considered as working in the UK and is not permitted without the proper visa.  It's another thing that has historically gotten some visitors in accidental trouble as it was thought that no work meant no work for a UK employer.  IMO, if you want to visit for a few months and have the ability to work remotely and keep yourself financially afloat, all power to you.  Unfortunately though, UKVI does not have similar feelings on the matter.