Leeds, England
An American expat in Leeds appreciates the NHS and good public transportation, but has had difficulty finding a job of a similar level to what she had in the US and adjusting to the expensive housing with limited storage.
Leeds
I was lucky to have worked here for a year before making the final move. So I had a good idea what to expect.
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There is always something you weren't expecting. A lot of Americans find they miss the food (especially Mexican-type) but that wasn't such an issue for me. When I first arrived the culture reminded me of what the US was like when I was a child. But now it all seems much more Americanized with a lot more cars, American TV shows and so on.
Yes, at first I was just happy to observe the differences, then I suppose I made more of an effort to blend in and resented other Americans. Then I reached a stage where I stopped thinking of being "foreign". Having recently made a second move after an interim back in the US, I find I still have some culture shock -- and part of that is shock at how the UK has changed since I've been away.
I think there is depression when you realize this is for keeps. There is a sense of loss -- that you are no longer the person you once were. There are some things you don't even think about until you go back to the US and realize you missed them. For example, we would go back usually in the cooler months but the first time I went back in summer I realized I missed seeing all the wild flowers (even weeds!) and birds that are not found in the UK.
The main plus for me is the NHS. I was lucky to have good health insurance in the US and was close to top-notch hospitals and doctors. But many Americans have had to live with poor health care or none. The Affordable Care Act is in the throes of changing that, whereas the UK has provided full coverage for everyone for a long time at no point-of-service cost. The other thing I appreciate is good public transportation.
The greatest difficulty I had was in finding a job at the level I had had in the US. Another challenge is getting used to housing. Space is at a premium and very few houses provide the storage that Americans are used to.
I once stayed with an English couple and offered to wash the dishes after the meal. They were totally amazed that I scrubbed out the tea pot!
Be open to new experiences. You can't expect everything to be just like home -- nor would you want to.
Get a quote for expat health insurance in UK from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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Expats in the U.K. are able to utilize the public health care system, which is managed by the NHS. Many expats want to have private health insurance to help reduce wait times and several other reasons. Read for more details on how to navigate the system.
An expat interview with Julie Falconer, a travel writer and author of the blog - A Lady in London.
Expats living in London sometimes struggle to find room for their belongings. Matt Cook offers advice on how to make the most of your space and love your life in London.
With scores of NHS-funded hospitals recruiting overseas nurses, Brit Peacock offers advice for nurses interested in moving to the UK.
There are numerous restaurants in London that offer wonderful Thanksgiving menus for expats and locals! Here are few of our favorites.
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Get a quote for expat health insurance in UK from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote
Expats in the U.K. are able to utilize the public health care system, which is managed by the NHS. Many expats want to have private health insurance to help reduce wait times and several other reasons. Read for more details on how to navigate the system.
Support your favorite restaurants in Leeds as they recover from the pandemic. Submit a free listing for them on Expat Exchange to help spread the word about them to the expat community.
An expat interview with Julie Falconer, a travel writer and author of the blog - A Lady in London.
Expats living in London sometimes struggle to find room for their belongings. Matt Cook offers advice on how to make the most of your space and love your life in London.
With scores of NHS-funded hospitals recruiting overseas nurses, Brit Peacock offers advice for nurses interested in moving to the UK.
There are numerous restaurants in London that offer wonderful Thanksgiving menus for expats and locals! Here are few of our favorites.
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