Rugged coastlines, ancient history and vibey city-life are just some of the delights to take advantage of when moving to the United Kingdom. Whether you’re stomping across the Yorkshire moors in the footsteps of Emily Brontë, marvelling at the magnificence of Roman Britain at Hadrian’s Wall, sipping cocktails in trendy Soho, or watching world class theatre at London’s West End, Great Britain has much to offer as an expat destination. The weather might not always play along, but good schooling options, sporty outdoor life and a cosy pub around every corner makes living in the UK a rewarding experience. Besides, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing!
The United Kingdom is made up of four countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – each with their own ancient histories, languages and unique landscapes. The seat of government sits in London, but each nation has devolved, albeit limited, power to set their own laws. History is ever-present in the UK. Indeed, the story of the British Isles can be traced from prehistoric times.
In London, and other notable towns and cities across the country, you’ll find Roman ruins, Norman churches, Elizabethan public houses, genteel Georgian architecture and impressive Victorian villas clamouring alongside some of the most architecturally inventive buildings in the modern world, such as The Shard and the Gerkin. From the largest cities to the smallest villages, there’s always some reminder of Great Britain’s rich history.
The UK’s population is just below 68 million. London is the most populous city with 9.6 million people. Manchester is second, with a population of 2.79 million, and Birmingham third with 2.66 million. If city life isn’t for you, there are many quaint villages within commuting distance to major cities where you can enjoy the quieter side of rural living and where populations are in the thousands rather than millions.
The cost of living varies depending on which part of the UK you settle in. In their 2023 cost of living survey, Mercer ranks London as the 17th most expensive city in the world, above Dubai and Tokyo. However, the further away from London you go, especially to the north of the country, the more affordable life becomes. For example, London is 64.6% more expensive than Birmingham (in terms of rent), and 32.7% more expensive than Manchester.
As with other world hubs, living in London will cost substantially more than other parts of the UK. The good news is that the extensive rail and road network radiating out from London gives you the option of settling further away from London and commuting in. The rise of agile working and working from home means you have the option of casting your net wider to find the best balance between proximity to the city and affordability. Transport costs are another thing to consider. While you may get more for your money living in a village outside of London, or any other major city, your commute will be costly.
Let’s take a closer look at how much things, such as rent food and utilities, cost in the UK.
The UK has a wide variety of wonderful restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. Whether you feel like a Thai curry, Indian tandoori, Italian pasta, or Vietnamese pho, there are dining options to suit all tastes. Eating out has, however, become more expensive since the cost-of-living crisis. Expect to pay around £100 ($127.30) for a three-course meal for two with wine.
The UK rental market can be competitive, especially in the bigger cities where demand outstrips supply. It may be necessary to act fast, so make sure you have all your ducks in a row when viewing properties so you can make an offer.
There are a number of requirements for renting a property in the UK, such as a bank account, work contract and residence permit. In terms of buying a property, the market may be slightly more favourable to buyers at the moment, although interest rates are at an all-time high at around 5.8%.
Estate agent websites are a great place to get started and have excellent property photos and descriptions. Rightmove and Zoopla advertise properties for estate agents, letting agents and property developers and are a great place to familiarise yourself with UK property both for rent and for sale.
The good news is there are many different property types available to choose from across the UK, depending on budget of course. Semi-detached and terraced housing is very common in cities, whereas detached houses are more often found in smaller towns and villages. Period properties built in the 1800s and 1900s are very popular. In London, for example, larger Victorian houses are often converted into flats with lovely period features such as high ceilings, bay windows and fireplaces.
If you’re moving with your family, or have pets and would like more space, look for accommodation in one of the charming towns and villages dotted around the countryside. You’ll benefit from larger gardens; a close-knit community feel and a more peaceful way of life. Commuter towns and villages are rarely more than an hour from the city and good transport links make commuting possible. Examples of commuter towns around London are Sevenoaks in Kent, Guildford in Surrey or Chelmsford in Essex, although there are many villages to consider too.
Expect to pay more for the privilege of living in London. Central boroughs such as Kensington and Chelsea, Fulham and even Richmond come at a premium, with a one-bedroom flat in a Victorian conversion costing anywhere between £1,300 to £6,000 ($1,656 – $7,643) a month. A four bedroomed town house in Richmond costs between £4,000 to £6,000 ($5095 – $7643) a month.
There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in the UK, and if you know you’ll be living in the UK long-term, buying may be more attractive than renting.
The average house price in the UK is £298, 000 ($379, 630) but don’t expect to see much change from £1 million ($1, 274 000) for a property anywhere near London. Most mortgage lenders require a 25% cash deposit. Buyers pay stamp duty, and if you already own a home in the UK or abroad, you’ll need to factor in an extra 3%.
The United Kingdom is known for its National Health Service (NHS), which since World War 2 has ensured citizens and legal residents have access to free healthcare. However, in recent years, the NHS has been grappling with more people seeking treatment, which means it can often be challenging to get doctor’s appointments, and there are long waiting lists for routine operations.
Now more than ever, people are turning to private healthcare, safe in the knowledge that should a health crisis arise, they’ll receive treatment in a timelier manner. Although healthcare in the UK is generally comprehensive, dentistry and mental health support are two areas where it’s particularly difficult to find treatment on the NHS, so private medical insurance is strongly recommended.
The table below gives you a broad idea of what an operation would cost in the UK.
As an expat in the UK, you’re entitled to free medical care from the NHS as soon as you have your biometric residence permit. Once you’ve received your residence permit, you’ll need to register with a GP at your local surgery or online. All referrals, NHS or private, are run through NHS GPs.
Accident and Emergency (A&E) is the first port of call for emergencies (for both NHS and privately insured patients), and should further treatment be necessary, you’ll be referred to a private practitioner in agreement with your insurance.
In addition to NHS facilities, international health insurance can help you experience reduced waiting times and comprehensive medical support while living in the UK.
The vast majority of children in the UK attend government schools which are free. 7% of British children are educated privately in independent schools, which charge school fees. Education on the whole is good in the UK and choosing between government and private really comes down to affordability and personal choice.
If you’re relocating to the UK for the short term and want your children to continue their home country education, there are 108 international schools across the country, offering American and IB curriculums, the majority of which are in and around London.
Local government schools in the UK are free. Primary and secondary school applications are done through your local council’s website, which can be found on the Gov.uk website. For A levels at sixth form colleges (ages 16-18), applications are done directly through the school.
The education system in the UK is different from many other parts of the world. Children are required to be in school full time from the age of four. Focus is on early numeracy and literacy. This differs from the US and many European countries which delay learning to read and write until slightly later, around the age of six or seven.
Secondary school (High school) begins at the age of 11 (Year 7) and culminates with GCSE’s (Years 10 and 11). Students can then opt to leave formal education or continue on to complete two years of A levels or BTECs (vocational qualifications) at a sixth form college. Many private sixth form colleges offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) option, although universities in the UK and the rest of the world recognise both A levels, BTECs and IB.
Catchment areas are important when choosing a school. Most councils require students to live a certain short distance from their school in order to best serve communities. This means that your choice of housing is directly linked to which government school you send your child to. Keep this in mind when looking for a house to rent or buy. Estate agent websites almost always list catchment areas in proximity to a listed property, so you can see which schools are in the area. Good schools are often oversubscribed and have waiting lists.
Both independent and international schools charge school fees. Many schools in the private sector also offer boarding. Class sizes are generally smaller at private schools and are capped at around 20-22 pupils as opposed to 30 in government schools. As time of writing, while the best-known independent schools may charge in excess of £50, 000 (€58, 753; $63, 561) per year or more for boarding, many excellent private day schools can also be found in the £30, 000 range (€35, 252; $38, 147).
Catchment areas do not apply for private schools. Some schools adhere to a three-form intake, usually at Year 3 (age 9), Year 7 (age 11) and Year 9 (age 13). But many also accept students at all years, providing there’s space. Most are competitive to get into, and prospective pupils will write entry assessments and undergo an interview.
The days of the much-loved and convenient two-year working visa, which attracted skilled and unskilled workers from all over the world, are long gone. If you want to live and work in the UK today, you’ll need to apply for a specific work visa. The good news is, there are a number of options including skilled work visas, health and care worker visas, global business mobility visas and the global talent visa amongst others.
A reasonable tax rate, and a growing work-from-home culture means that the UK is an attractive place to work for expats.
Visa restrictions seem to be tightening recently as the government tries to address over-population and illegal immigration. For many nationalities across the world, life in the UK remains an unattainable dream. For those who qualify, there are numerous visa options. Below are some of the more popular visa routes to live and work in the UK.
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. There are strict requirements including: proficiency in English, a minimum salary requirement, a job that is on the list of eligible occupations and work for an employer that has been approved by the Home Office. You must have a confirmed job offer before applying for this visa.
A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional and work in an eligible health or social care job. Minimum salary requirements also apply.
A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch. This is a good option for expats on short term assignment to the UK. Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations, and you must earn more than £48, 500 ($61, 802) per year.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, UK taxes are higher than in most other English-speaking developed economies (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and the United States), but they’re considerably lower than in most other western European countries.
Work culture in the UK is known for its professionalism, teamwork and respect for rules and procedures. Diversity is valued and mutual respect is paramount. Politeness, above all else, is expected in the workplace. Punctuality is also important and good time management skills are highly regarded. Dress code varies from workplace to workplace, but whether formal or casual, smart presentation is expected.
There are a few cultural nuances to be aware of. Foreign workers in the UK are often perplexed by the dry or ironic British humour. Brits can be quite self-deprecating and boasting about one’s achievements is not the done thing. Honest conversations and problem-solving are highly valued.
Since COVID-19, working from home has become much more accepted and, in fact, new regulations have recently come into effect which state that an employee may request flexible working hours flexible working hours from the first day of their job.
Multiculturalism in the workplace is the norm in the UK. It’s what makes Britain such a vibrant and interesting place. That being said, understanding British cultural nuances will help you settle into your new work environment. The British are quite reserved, so that tepid compliment you just got from your new boss was actually very high praise!
This is where the UK comes into its own. There’s so much to do! World class museums, stately homes and gardens, fascinating historical sites, open countryside, beaches, parks, moors, even mountains!
You’ll never be short of something to do on the weekends. That’s if you don’t spend it shouting encouragement at your kids from the sidelines of a football or rugby field or sipping G&Ts in the sun during cricket season. It's impossible to list all the wonderful things the UK has to offer, but use this as a starting point:
London is well served by trains and buses, but limitations in the rail network in the north of the country sometimes leaves commuters with no choice but to drive. That being said, 49% of the population commute to work on a daily basis.
Travelling by car is the most popular. Roads are good, cars are affordable. Just don’t try to find parking in major cities! If you choose to own a car, you’ll need to ensure it has an MOT (Ministry of Transport) roadworthiness certificate, road tax and insurance. All of these must be updated annually. Be aware that not all foreign drivers are eligible to drive in the UK; check Gov.uk to see what rules apply to you before getting behind the wheel.
Many people choose to travel by train or bus. The London Underground handles 5 million passenger journeys a day, scuttling through the underbelly of the capital, bypassing the chaos on the roads above. It should be noted that in the more rural areas, bus routes are less common and train stations may be several miles away, in which case a car becomes necessary.
As with any international move, what you put in is what you’ll get out. It may seem daunting to make friends in fast-paced London, or the rural village in Scotland you now call home, but reach out, join social groups, head down to the pub on a Friday night, join a sports team and you’ll find life opening up.
In fact, sport is a great way to meet people and make friends. Every Saturday and Sunday up and down the country children play club football or rugby. Local clubs are very welcoming and social, so get involved. Just wrap up warmly! Join a running or walking club. Most towns and villages have Facebook pages that are a wealth of information.
Village pubs hold regular quiz nights and other events and village committees are always looking for an extra pair of hands to help with the village fete or jumble sale.
British people love dogs! You’ll make friends just by walking your furry friend.
The UK is a wonderful place for dogs and they are a much-loved part of British life.
Bringing your pet with you to the UK is fairly straightforward providing you comply with the rules and regulations. Depending on your point of origin, your furry friend may need to spend time in quarantine for up to four months. Please note that the UK has a list of banned dogs that are not allowed to be brought into the country.
Living in the UK can be a wonderful experience. Yes, the weather doesn’t always play along, but summers are glorious, and winters are cosy, so embrace the seasons. With excellent job opportunities in city hubs, such as London and Manchester, a favourable tax rate in comparison to Europe and top-notch schooling options, the UK is an excellent expat location.
While not everyone has private healthcare, the reality of longer waiting times and fewer available GP appointments means that private health insurance is an important necessity when moving to the UK. International health insurance can help you experience reduced waiting times and comprehensive medical support while living in the UK. At AXA - Global Healthcare, we have levels of cover to suit a variety of needs. To find out more, visit International Health Insurance: AXA - Global Healthcare.
Local insights have been provided by Oban International’s LIME (Local In-Market Expert) network: https://obaninternational.com/lime-network/