Living in UK: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in UK

Living in England

Last updated on Jan 06, 2024

Summary: People describe life in the UK as diverse, vibrant, and full of opportunity. Expats love the culture, the history, the architecture, the countryside, and the friendly people. The average cost of living for an expat in the UK is around $2,500 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. The population of the UK is approximately 66 million people, and the largest cities are London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Leeds. The cons of living in the UK include the high cost of living, the unpredictable weather, and the lack of privacy. Additionally, the UK is a densely populated country, so it can be difficult to find affordable housing in some areas.

What do I need to know about living in England?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to England, they said:

"Depends from where you are moving.. if its from abroad... English culture is a challenge, it takes a lot of time to make real friends, but once you are in, you are in!!! :)," wrote one member in Weston Super Mare.

"Think carefully of what part of the city you would want to live in. Public transport is good but most people drive their own vehicles. Parking is scarce however," remarked one expat who made the move to Leeds.

"Before retiring in England, expats should research the local housing market, cost of living, exchange rate, annual income tax bracket, eligible pension schemes and healthcare options. It is also important to explore visa and residency requirements and investigate whether a UK bank account is necessary. When considering working after retirement, expats should familiarize themselves with the labor laws governing their employment and any other relevant regulations. Lastly, to ensure a smooth transition, expats should embrace the local culture, language and lifestyle," explained one expat living in UK.

"Bring plenty of starter money. Most homes and rental properties are out of reach for the average white or blue collar worker within Cambridge. They further out you go, the more affordable it gets, but then you have the commute time & costs to absorb," said one expat in Cambridge.

Answer Question & View More Answers

Traveling Mailbox
Connect

Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Traveling Mailbox

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

How do I meet people in England?

Please login to continue reading this article.

Not a member? Join Today (it's free).

About the Author

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.