I'm a 34 year old single female US citizen wanting to know what it takes to live in the UK. I do not want to work, go through the process of getting a work permit, etc. I have a job already that is great.
I am not a "skilled migrant" nor did I ever finish my bachelor's degree (a year from finishing and not interested in going back to school).
Here is my situation: I like my job in the US, and do not plan on giving it up. My job allows me to telecommute (work from home). Meaning, I can be anywhere in the world, so long as I have a stable high speed internet connection for my laptop.
I make $40,000 per year, live in Arizona, and my take home pay (spendable cash) after taxes is approximately $2300/month. I have no bills. No credit card bills, my truck is paid off, and I am not a homeowner. I am in a good financial position at this time. The only recurring monthly expenses I would have is $75 for my US cell phone (family plan with my father - so I plan on keeping it up for him) and $25 for Vonage (so I have a local US phone number to take with me that friends/work can contact me at).
So that leaves $2200/month for rent, food, public transport, misc. I am rarely sick, so I do not need to seek medical care ever.
I have researched briefly about sharing flats with others, which would be fine by me, as I would use them as a starting point for socializing in a new environment.
The visa requirements are confusing. I know I can stay for up to 6 months as a tourist before I have to leave. My question is - how common is it for people to stay 6 months, exit the country, and then come back in? Is this frowned upon? What about contracts? Am I subletting "verbally" or an informal contract with the flat mates, or do I have to sign a contract with the landlord? And how hard is it to sign with a landlord, given my situation? I prefer the 1st option.
I also found some information for a long term visitor's visa that can last anywhere from 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years, with the stipulation that I can only stay for a max of 6 months (which I assume to be a more legal version of exiting and entering every 6 months?) How hard is this to obtain? Obviously I will not be shooting for the the 6 months, as I can stay in the UK without a visa for this length of time.
Or, let's say the only way I can only stay for the 6 months as a tourist. Is this per calendar year? i.e. I am in the UK for 6 months cumulative in 2007... so I can not start again until Jan 1st 2008. Or is it per annual year? i.e. I visit the UK from June 1st 2007 to Nov. 30th 2007, and then I can not enter again until June 1st 2008??
So, do you know anyone else in a similar situation as me, looking to live in the UK? Has a job and just wants to live there?
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