There could be many reasons for moving from the US to the UK. Relocation for work is something that often happens in today’s advanced world, or perhaps you have met and fallen in love with someone who lives in the UK. It might simply be that you love the country and want to make it your home. Whatever you reason or reasons, there are a number of things to bear in mind before you go so that you can settle quickly and easily once you arrive.
Finding A Home
To begin with, you are going to need somewhere to live. You should decide whether you want to buy a property or rent one. Both have their pros and cons, so thorough research is required. If you know where you want to put down roots and you know that you will be there for many years, or perhaps the rest of your life, then buying a property makes sense if you can afford it. If you’re not sure where you want to live, or want to try a variety of different areas within the UK, renting might be the preferred option.
If you want to buy there are additional legal documents and elements to go through, so obtaining a local conveyancer is important. Find a good property solicitor in Lincoln if this is where you are going to live, as a conveyancer who knows the area will often be quicker at the job than one who is out of the area.
Look After Your Health
If you are on any form of medication or long-term healthcare, discuss the move you want to make with your doctor before committing to anything. They might suggest that you wait until your treatment is over, and if this is the case it is important to listen to what they say, even if that means your move takes longer overall.
If they say you can travel, it is crucial that you put plans in place to find a new doctor once you arrive, particularly if you have ongoing health concerns, but even if you don’t it is important to know where you can turn should something go wrong. Remember, the NHS (the UK’s National Health Service) is free for residents, but if you have just moved to the country then it will be 12 months before you qualify, so ensure you have money put aside for treatment if you need it.
What To Take
Over our lives we accumulate a lot of possessions. You won’t be able to take everything with you when you head off to live in a new country – at least not at the start. Take only what is essential on your first trip, and put everything else into storage. You can even have a garage sale to reduce the amount of possessions that you have to make everything easier.
Once you are settled you can then decide what else you need to bring across from the US. Work out the costings and determine whether it is worth transporting these items or whether it might be quicker, easier, and cheaper to buy them in the UK instead.
This post was written by Bill Clark. Bill is a freelance journalist who specialises in writing about culture and the arts, however will write about anything that piques his interest including business, travel and lifestyle. He can be reached on Twitter @BilboClark01.
