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What is it like living in London as an American?
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Aug 16, 2023 · 1. Know the Visa Options for Living in London as an American. If you’re one of those Americans living in London that’s kind of obsessed with London (i.e..me) you might not want to leave. When it comes to visas, you always want time to be on your side.
- You Can’T Move to London from The Us Without A Visa
- Your Healthcare Will Be (Sort of) Free
- You’Ll Spend A Lot Less on Your Cell Phone Plan
- Your Taxes Will Get Complicated When Living in London as An American
- You’Ll Need to Learn New Words For Familiar Things
- Your Utilities Will Be Billed Very Differently
- Your Place Probably Won’T Have Air Conditioning Or A Dryer
- You’Ll Be Hard-Pressed to Find Drip Coffee
- Final Thoughts on Moving to London from The Us
When I first published this post, I never imagined I’d need to say this. But in case you didn’t know: a US citizen cannot live in the UK without a visa. Any American moving to London will need to obtain a visa–usually from within the US–which can take weeks to months depending on the circumstances. It’s illegal to work in the UK on a tourist visa (...
Compared to the nightmare that is the American healthcare system, the UK’s National Health Insurance (NHS) is a dream. I’d argue it’s one of the best things about living in Enland. The system isn’t perfect, but it does provide healthcare to all residents, regardless of their employment status. Nearly all medical services and treatments are free, wi...
According to Money Savings Pro, the average American’s cell phone bill is $80/month. Although I was paying closer to $45/month with my Project Fi plan, that’s still more than double what I’m paying in the UK! Currently, I’m on an O2 pay-as-you-go tariff, which is £15/month for 1000 texts, 500 minutes, and 15GB of data with rollover. I can also use ...
Spoiler alert: all US citizens are obligated to file a US tax return no matter where they live. If you thought old Uncle Sam couldn’t reach into your wallet from across the pond, you were mistaken! If you’re moving to London from the US, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the US and UK have a tax treaty that allows you t...
Everyone knows about “chips”. But for Americans that haven’t traveled abroad, expect to encounter many different and sometimes confusing terms for familiar things. I’ve even written an entire post on British vs American wordsand slang to help you overcome the language barrier. Here are just a few to keep in mind at London’s grocery storesand in dai...
Back to the serious stuff. In most US cities, you pay monthly bills for your water, gas, and electricity to the lone providers of those utilities in your area. If you’re fortunate enough to have a choice in providers, the amount you’ll save on your bill rarely offsets the hassle of switching. In London, there are tons of options for utility provide...
The other reason you’ll likely save on gas and electric is the lack of air conditioning (a.k.a. “air con”) and dryers in the UK. The summers are generally mild, making air con unnecessary. Unfortunately, every summer since 2018 has come with multiple heatwaves and 90+ degree days. I make several trips to Sainsbury’s just so I can stand in the froze...
Ah, coffee. Is there anything more American than going to a diner and getting unlimited refills of that steamy, watered-down goodness? My husband says of the few things he misses about the US, drip coffee is number one. Finding drip coffee in London is nigh impossible. If you walk into a cafe and ask for coffee, one of two things will happen. Eithe...
Expat life always has its challenges, and moving to London from the US is no exception. However, if you move here with a little advanced research and an open mind, you’ll be ready to tackle these differences. If you haven’t visited the city (which you should absolutely do before you find a flat in London), my flexible London itineraryis a great res...
Mar 9, 2024 · So without any embellishing, or exaggerating, or lying to you, here’s what I think you should know as an American that lives in London (if you’re not quite there yet, but what to know how to do it, check out my guide on how to move to London as an American).
- Americans can move to England with the proper visa. There’s a lot of misinformation out there as to whether or not Americans can move to England without a visa.
- Moving to England from America is expensive. $21,601. That was the total cost of our England relocation a few years ago. Does that shock you as much as it does me?
- You’ll probably take a pay cut when moving to England from the USA. One of the biggest surprises for Americans moving to England is the difference in pay for similar jobs.
- The pace of life is slower in England vs. America (even in London) When weighing the pros and cons of living in England, a slower pace of life ranks highly on most Americans’ lists.
Jan 1, 2023 · US citizens can live in the UK as tourists for up to six months without a visa. However, if you want to earn money, you will need a visa. One of the biggest questions people researching how to move to London from the US need to answer is which type of visa is best for them.
Oct 3, 2023 · 14 Differences to Show What It’s Like Living in London as an American. So what is it like to live in London? Let’s get into it. 1. The Work Culture is Very Different. When you first move to London, you may feel a bit of culture shock from your work environment. In London, there is a lot more protection for workers than in America.
