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United Kingdom: You Could Win $75 Amazon Gift Card for Posting Tips about Living in United Kingdom:
I highly recommend Cardiff as an incredibly livable city. I know most people think London, but Cardiff is affordable, the city is walkable from end to end, and there's a castle smack dab in the middle of the city. The university is top-notch and the people friendly as can be.
United Kingdom: Want to relocate to UK:
Based on what little information you provided, here is the only advice and information I can give. If you want a job in the computer industry, you'll need to find a company willing to hire you and sponsor a visa -- that means the company has to justify why they need you and your skills over someone in the UK or the EU. Or you could work for a company in the States that is willing to relocate you to a UK office. Keep in mind that Oxford is a university town and that most of the high-tech industry is between London and Reading or in the Cambridge area. Also, Oxford is very expensive. Or you might consider going back to school as a way to get over there legally. That's what I did. I moved to Cardiff for 2 years and did my Master's at Cardiff University. I LOVED Cardiff -- it's an incredibly livable and affordable city. I job-hunted while I was there but no luck (I'm an editor and writer), although I interviewed with two places (both associated with universities, which are used to the visa process). Hope some of this information helps.
United Kingdom: UK Banking:
I hope it's easier these days because back in 2003 when I went to the UK for grad school, no bank would let me open an account. I finally had to have a local friend co-sign for me (what's absurd is that she was basically living paycheck to paycheck while I was bringing in thousands of dollars, so go figure). Even then, it was a minimal bank account -- no checkbook!! Totally absurd. I moved back to the States but there's no way I'm giving up that bank account (I plan to retire to the UK).
United Kingdom: How are Americans received in the UK?:
I couldn't disagree more! I lived in the UK for nearly two years and made wonderful friends. Perhaps it was because I was at university, but I think even in a work environment, Britons are incredibly welcoming (you may hurt their feelings if you *don't* go to the pub with them for a pint!). DO NOT pass up the opportunity to live in the UK if you can!!! I would drop everything to do it again!
United Kingdom: Spending a few years in England:
I can answer a little bit on this one. I checked into retiring to the UK and found out that you cannot just up and retire there. You must have some kind of prior connection -- either having lived or worked there before, or relations (I think). That was a relief to me, as I had gotten my Master's in the UK, lived there for two years, and I maintain my bank account and have a tax ID and NHS ID. Hopefully, the laws won't change by the time I'm ready to retire.
United Kingdom: Tax obligations for dual-citizens:
My experience being a U.S. ciitizen who worked in the UK is that you have to FILE a U.S. tax return but you DO NOT pay taxes on the first $80,000 you earn in the UK (this was four years ago). After that, I do not know what kind of percentage you pay. I paid all the usual taxes in the UK on my salary. The important thing is to file the U.S. tax return every year, whether or not you owe anything. Find a good accountant who knows the appropriate tax forms (I still file a special U.S. tax form every year because I maintain my UK bank account, although I pay no taxes on the dividends.)
United Kingdom: What's my best bet?:
I've been exactly in your position and in my experience you cannot secure a flat from a distance. I doubt you'll find a landlord willing to do that. When I moved to Cardiff in 2003, I was in my 40s and went for the same reasons you did. It was the best thing I ever did for myself, but it was incredibly scary and stressful for the first month. Like you, I also had been used to living on my own and didn't want to live in student housing or with a bunch people far younger than me. I was lucky enough to have a friend's house to stay out the first week, and so was able to land someplace and look from there (and lucky enough to have her drive me around!). My only recommendation for you is to find a bed & breakfast to stay out for a few days -- and go a couple of weeks before registration. Another HUGE hurdle will be opening up a bank account. I don't know if you've researched that yet, but you may be able to check with a UK bank that has an office here -- I know I recently have seen one, but I can't recall which one (Barclays?) -- so maybe that might make it easier for you than it was for me. My friend had to co-sign my bank application. Regarding customs, I didn't have to prove I had a place to stay. I vaguely recall bringing proof that I was enrolling in a UK university. I would check with the university on this -- they should have a department that helps international students (Cardiff does), and they can tell you what you need to know. I also don't know if you've checked on the cost of flats, but even in a small city like Nottingham they're going to be expensive, but not as bad as London (a small flat in Cardiff cost about as much as a two-bedroom in Seattle). Don't bring a lot with you, because you won't have any storage space, the kitchen will be tiny, and you'll have to buy new electronics. The only electronic device I recommend bringing is a laptop.
I can't recall all that I went through those first weeks, so feel free to ask me more questions.
United Kingdom: Might be planning a little early, but:
As for moving to the UK to do graduate work, and all that entails, I can speak directly to this. I moved to Cardiff for two years to earn my Master's. I started planning two years in advance, which really entailed cleaning out a lot of stuff and starting to put things in storage in the event I returned to the States (I was eventually forced to). The hardest part was getting a bank account once I was there. You had to have a place to live first and tons of documentation. The fact that I had tons of money in my American accounts and references from my bank was irrelevant (that is, I wasn't some poor 18-year-old with no credit history). After almost crying in the bank, I finally was able to get a UK friend to co-sign for me. It was a total nightmare! And even though I returned to the States 4 years ago, I won't give up my UK bank account (I plan to retire there half-time, which now I can do because I've established a link to the UK -- you can't otherwise). I also have an NHS card and a tax card, so I'm in the system. I advise getting both of these as well if you plan on working there at all while you're in school (I did -- students can work up to 20 hours a week). Oh, and before they give you a tax card, you'll be interviewed by someone in the government. As far as a moving company, I wouldn't contact one any sooner than two months ahead. And don't take too much with you -- the flats are tiny, tiny and there's absolutely no storage (barely room for your clothes). I went over with two suitcases. Any electronics I wanted, I bought there. The only electronic I brought with me was my Mac laptop, which worked fine with a converter at the wall. I bought a new mobile when I got there as well. You may decided to buy an international phone, which are cheaper these days, and not have to worry about that. Feel free to ask more questions if you want.
United Kingdom: Chicago IL to London UK Salary Help:
The information about paying both U.S. and UK taxes is incorrect. You have to *report* any wages, but you don't pay taxes on it. That is, you have to file a tax return, no matter where you live in the world. I still have to report in my U.S. taxes that I have a UK bank account, but the interest isn't taxed.
Please double-check this information, as I vaguely recall my accountant saying that there was a limit on earnings, after which you paid some tax, but it was a pretty high number.
Lea
United Kingdom: Health insurance for travels back to US?:
Yes, you can buy long-term travel insurance -- when I was studying in the UK, I bought a policy that covered me for the entire year I was a student (plus I was also on the NHS). I can't recall the name of the insurance company now, but it was one of the big ones.
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