Hello and Help

First of all, I want to say hello. 

I have spent a limited amount of time (less than 10 hours) researching about moving from the USA to UK.  I am a business man (i.e., Business_Man) considering the move to UK.  I would enjoy any assistance or feedback anyone may have for me and my wife. 

Let me tell you a bit about me, my wife and the consideration.  I am considering working in the financial services industry (brokerage and insurance) in the UK.  At least that is what the industry is called in the USA.  I don't know if it will be in London, Edinburgh or where specifically in the UK yet.  My wife is older than me and her two daughters are basically grown and gone.  We don't plan to have anymore children and are both pretty adventurous.

I have a lot of questions.  If you could choose anywhere in the UK, where would it be?  Wales, Scottland, Ireland, London, etc???

I know A LOT of information is on this site in the archives, but any recommendation you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

Hi, Welcome ...

First advise (a) read this forum (and other links it takes you to) and (b) visit for a holiday to do more research into places and the job market. Do NOT make your visit for the purpose of obtaining a job, which would be illegal unless you already had an appropriate visa or EU citizenship.

Things to research here and / or on a visit:
Obtaining legal right to live and work in UK (not possible for everyone)
Persuading an employer to give you a job
Somewhere to live - choosing a location
Somewhere to live - the mechanics
Bank Accounts, cost of living, budgetting
Shipping your effects
National Insurance number
Getting used to the British way of life (and would you love it or hate it?)
Enduring the Distance
Driving and Driving License

You might find it useful to have a look at www.findaproperty.com and www.upmystreet.com to get an idea of areas you might want to live in.  Also look at the IND (Immigration & Nationality Directorate) site to find out what kind of visa you might be eligible for: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk - from what you have said I am guessing you would be looking at obtaining a work permit (employer sponsorship).

Good luck!

Hi Business_Man,

For some indicators on quality of life in various places in the UK, have a look at
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nscl.asp?ID=8459
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/4100983.stm

Think hard about the phenomenon of British people leaving Britain in such high numbers:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3982217.stm

At the risk of oversimplifying the situation, many British people say they cannot stand the cloudy, cool, and rainy weather, and some parts of Britain have deteriorated in recent years.  Many people (including me) consider London unliveable.

Also take note of this entirely unscientific survey of allegedly bad places to live:
http://books.reviewindex.co.uk/reviews_uk/0752215825.html

That book is just opinions people volunteered, not a survey.  I'm sure that some people in those places think they are wonderful.

I second Britwife's recommendation of upmystreet.com, and GrahamE's recommendation to visit various parts of the UK and have a look around.

I was just reading the forecast for 2005 published by The Economist magazine, and Britain's financial services industry is apparently set to remain competitive, as it always has been.  Sorry I have no specific advice on jobs.

Jim H

WOW!  Thanks for all the quick responses and all the good information.  Many things each of you mentioned I need to research.  One point of interest.  I already have a job opportunity.  I wouldn't say that I accepted an offer to work in the UK, but a large player in the financial service industry and I have had some conversations.  They are interested in me and I am interested in the opportunity.  I would only go if I had employment. 

Couple other questions........

How common is it for the wife of a "child-less" family to stay at home?  Do both spouses typically work in the UK? 

Is it common for a company that requires exclusive travel for the job (beyond the tubes) to provide a company car?

It seems many people feel London is NOT the place to live.  If you don't mind, share some specific reasons.

Thanks again to everyone.  SO GLAD THAT I FOUND THIS FORUM!!!!

Reasons not to live in London:

- It's filthy
- It's too expensive
- There's too much crime.

This is coming from someone who has lived in London for several years in the 80s and the 00s.  It's OK if you're on a VERY good income and can afford a decent place to live in a good area, otherwise if you're on an average income in an average area it can be a bit dismal.  It's great if you want to be in the thick of things all the time, but if you are looking for a more sedate lifestyle, forget it unless you are a millionaire.  I really enjoyed living in London when I was single and had £££ to squander on going out all the time but now I'm finding it quite a difficult place to be. 

Hard to say how common it is for childless wife to be an at hom-er - put it this way, the only women I know who don't work outside the home have small children or are over the age of 60.

Company cars are quite common in certain professions, depending how often and how far you are going to be travelling but it's not something I know much about.

Hope that helps a bit.

Britwife,

Thanks!  I am loving this forum.  I understand about London and the comments you make sound familiar.  A good friend that worked all over the world really liked Edinburgh.  Any thoughts on this area?

Can you tell me what a VERY good income is if you live in London? 

Another "off-the-wall" question......I read a little about the PETS system.  Just as many american families, we have a dog that may as well be a child.  Anyone have any experience with bringing a pet over?

Thanks again to everyone!!!!

On women and work, my wife comments that, just as in the States, young women without children usually work either because they need the money or are bored at home.  Older women are probably more likely not to work if they don't have to.  But many women do volunteer work.  Lots of volunteers in hospitals, and there are "good neighbour" schemes to look in on the elderly, etc.

If your wife is at all religious, there are lots of things to do connected with churches in the UK.

Jim H.

Edinburgh is a lovely city, I've been there a few times,  but property is expensive there as well, and cold(!) but I think it would be a great place to live.

A very good income in London - well to be able to buy a house here and live well in a good area ... I wouldn't like to hazard a guess how much you'd need to earn for all of that really but if you look at the house prices, you are looking at around a million for a 3 bed house in a good area like Hampstead or Chelsea.  As a couple you can live reasonably well on, say 25k, (which is the average salary in London I think) but in a cheaper area and even then you would only be able to afford a small apartment. Outside London you get a lot more for your money property wise. 

Everyone,

Thanks!  Is the 25K in $ or £?  Also, is the million in $ or £?  Thanks again!

Edinburgh is sounding better all the time.  Other than cold!  My friend tells me the country is beautiful up there!

sorry!  that's £ in both cases.  Yes Scotland is lovely. So is Wales, and a tad warmer.

Not to be a nerd, but is the £25K joint income for a husband and wife, or just one income.  So the joint income would be £50K?

Hi there,

My husband and I live in the Southeast in a large town called Reading. Its very close to London (about 30 miles west) and very expensive.  You also have to consider counsul tax where ever you buy or rent (like property tax in the states, note the renter pays it here)....we pay £108 per month on top of our rent which is £800 for an extremely small 1.5 bedroom house.

£25,000 will give you roughly £1500 net income per month. Needless to say.....its very expensive over here, especially in London or towns close to.  Another key thing to remember is a £ pretty much equals a $.  If you go to Pier One or Home Base (i.e. - Home Depot) for example things will cost the same as in the US....the difference....you aren't bringing home the same type of salary in the US.  Salaries tend to be 1/3 to 1/2 lower over here.

Julie

Not to be a nerd, but is the £25K joint income for a husband and wife, or just one income.  So the joint income would be £50K?

I mean if you were living on one income of 25k.

Thanks again to everyone!

I am sure I will have more questions in the future!!