" I have an opportunity to relocate to the UK. My husband and I live in NYC in a rent stabilized apartment which means our rent is very very reasonable. I am considering the financial ramifications of a move to Surrey and would like some advice on how much more expensive it will be. My company is paying me in US currency - is that the best way to go? Thanks, Pat "

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" Hi Pat, I live in Surrey and at the moment house prices and rentals are high. Typical rentals for properties located 10-15 miles south westt ofGuild fordrd, Surrey are listed in last week''s paper as follows: £725pcm (per calendar month) for a two bedroom house iBad shothot Lea, £550pcm for a 1-bedroom mews house in Haselmere £425pcm for a 1-bedroom flat Lip hookhook near train station, £550pcm for a spacious 1-bedroom ground floor flat in Frensham. Although I''m familiar with smallpatspats, I think you might find the flats and houses smaller than most American homes. These rentals are all located in bursurs and away from busier town centres liGuild fordford, which would be more. Here are some Surrey estate agent web addresses to do some more research. It''s best to live near where you work as petrol (gas) is very expensive and traffic on most roads very at rush hoursweb sitessites: www.findaproperty.com/keatsletting, www.hamptons.co.uk, www.greenwoodlettings.com, www.southern.properties@dial.pipex.com I know it''s quite expensive in NY/NJ, but you will have to get used to the fact that most things cost about 50% more here. It would be great if you could come for an extended few weeks and drive around to get a feel for the place, look at a lot of properties, hang out in a couple of town centres. I love it here, but have been here 6 years and it is very different than US, esp NYC! Good luck! "

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" Pat - My husband and I lived in Surrey (Epsom) last year, and have now moved back to Seattle. We really liked it for our short time there, but it definitely is a lot more expensive. All of the prices seem reasonable - until you realize that everything is in pounds, not dollars! A couple of pieces of advice on finding a place. First, live close to where you work. Petrol is very expensive, the roads take two to three times as long to travel in England as they would in the US, and the trains can be very unreliable. Its best to keep your commuting to pleasure, that way it won''t grate on you when trains are late. Second, when you are looking for a flat, test the shower for water pressure before committing to a place. A lot of places have ""electric showers"", which regulate water temperature and are very nice. Third, choose a flat that you really feel comfortable in. It may not be the newest or the nicest that will feel like home! Some of the best places are older and cozy - and you''ll feel more like you''re living in England. I was also paid in US currency by my US company. Every pay period I would need to transfer money to my UK account to get sterling. I think it worked rather well, given that the exchange rate changed in my favor during the time I was in the UK. Beware, though, that it may reverse if the US economy has problems. Also, with each foreign deposit I made, the bank charged me a fee (I think it was about 20 pounds - or 30 dollars). Taxes are also a little more complicated if you get paid in US funds, since you will need to pay income taxes to Inland Revenue for income earned in the UK even if you are paid by a US company. Also in regards to taxes - pay attention to the 335 full days out of the US rule! It will save you being taxed at a higher rate than you need to be by the US government! Do whatever you can to make the overseas working arrangements possible. There is no comparison to living and working abroad! Good luck! - Jodie "

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" Hi Pat, I live in Surbiton, Surrey about half an hour from central London and next to Kingston. Rents in this area for a two bedroom flat average about GBP800. As to being paid, I get paid in sterling which I think is the way to go unless you are going to do most of your spending abroad. Advantages: 1. Direct deposit into your UK bank account 2. No constant worrying about exchange rates. 3. No transfer fees until you need USD or other currency. 4. Taxes are simpler Disadvantages: 1. Salary can be erroded in USD terms if exchange rate slides unfavorably (which it has done over the past few months). This is only an issue if you need to buy more products or investments in USD than you do in GBP. It can also have a psychological effect since Americans tend to judge their salaries in USD terms. Eric "

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" Hi Pat, I have lived in London for a month so can''t speak about Surrey. However, I would suggest that you arrange to be paid in sterling as it will make your life easier for the reasons the others have stated. The UK and US are also on different tax calenders and it will be easier to manage if you are paid in sterling. Both the IRS and Inland Revenue have detailed info on their websites that will help you calculate what you''ll pay. Furthermore, as part of your relocation package you should ask for tax assistance-just in case you encounter problems. As for costs, I have found that if something costs $10 at home it is 10 pounds here, but that is like paying $15 (or so). Salaries are lower here and people spend a larger percentage of income on rent/mortgages than in the US. That makes it difficult when negotiating your salary. In my case, I did lots of research on costs of living and salaries to see if what I as offered was reasonable. Sites like monster.com have international sites and you can check the going rate for your profession. You will want to look at several areas near your office before deciding where to live and I suggest you visit for at least two weeks so that you get a feel for things. My company put me in a hotel for a month and I contacted estate agents to show me around. I was amazed at how small places were (and that most lack closets), but when I walked into my place I knew it was perfect. When you find an area that you like, visit during the day, at night, on the weekend, etc., to get a feel for it. Another tip: car or transportation allowances are more common here than in the US. With the price of petrol it is worth checking into. You''ll have millions of questions as you work through this process, but once you get here you will realize that it is worth it. "

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" Hi-- I''m new to this list. I thought this would be a great place to pool all our resources for buying American products in the UK. Include everything here! I''ll share mine, which I know some of you know of: Jerry''s Home Store in London Made in America in Chippenham cybercandy.co.uk Any others? "

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Just found a web site for online shopping of American products: http://www.dxmarket.com/americatoyou Good luck to all

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Foodstuff on my website Hi all. I''ve got a few food links in my website that might interest you. Go to www.americanexpats.co.uk and check under Buy American button! Cheers! Kerry

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" Hi Pat, We moved to the UK last August and, I am happy to say, quite happy with the way we negotiated our package. Through advice received on this site and through friends already living in the UK, we were very well informed. We have been happy with how we are being compensated. We decided to keep a percentage of our salary in US dollars wired directly into our US account from which we pay our US bills via online banking through our US bank (credit cards, student loans, etc). The remainder is paid to us in Pounds Sterling converted by the company at the prevailing rate at the time of the paycheck issue (it only varies by a few pounds each time). We live in Berkshire (next to Surrey), so the cost of living is similar. A lot of the housing cost will depend upon your lifestyle. Do you have children? Pets? Detached homes are common for expats in this area, but are substantially more than flats or semi-detached homes. A 3 bedroom detached house will run about 2000-3000 pounds per month. Many companies simply figure out what percentage of your income you would reasonably pay in the US, deduct that amount from your paycheck, and pay your rent directly, making up the difference based upon whatever budget you agreed to in your contract. Transportation is commonly provided which is usually a car with petrol, insurance, maintenance, and any other expenses. A cost of living allowance is also usually added to your paycheck. This amount is based upon cost of living idices that are updated quarterly. There may not be much of a difference between NY and London though. Other things normally included are: a ""Home Leave"" visit at least once a year, tuition for minor children, professional relocation assistance, mobility payment, and moving expenses. You should also note that you will be responsible for any Council Taxes on rental property. They are paid monthly and can be substantial in and around the Greater London area (100-200 pounds per month). Good luck with your assignment. Regards, Lisa "

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" Hi! Rosslyn Deli on Rosslyn Hill near Hampstead has a whole back area of American food. Prepare to pay through the nose, though. I can easily spend a the equivalent of a week''s worth of groceries on, like, five items...But its totally worth it if you''re jonesin'' for something. "

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