Are you a student who who is thinking of moving to the UK? Or maybe you recently got a job that requires moving to the UK ? You need to be informed that there is specific information you need to know before moving to the UK
You will want to make the most of your move and explore the new culture, breathtaking landscapes, and scenery, meet new people and expand your network. Apart from that, you will have access to millions of career opportunities.
You will also find out the difference between living in the UK and the US. Read this article to discover seven things you must know before packing your bags and moving to the UK.
1. Culture
The UK is one country rich in culture thanks to the diversity of people with different backgrounds who live across the four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Another thing the Brits love is dry humor, so it’s best you know what you’re getting yourself into. Brace yourself for regular jokes, sarcasm, and irony that you may or may not understand but can laugh at.
Please don’t get scared and think that they are giving you the cold shoulder when your new friends throw humor in the air from time to time. They do it regularly to aid conversations, and they are probably used to it.
2. Four seasons in one day
Sounds wild, yeah? But it is another fact you have to prepare yourself for. You may have wondered why the Brits love to talk about the weather and probably make a joke about it. Well, it is because of the unpredictable British weather.
Imagine leaving your home for work in the morning with the sun beating your back, but when you are on your way back, the rain hits you. You will get used to it, don’t worry too much, and make sure you always have an umbrella.
3. Free/Low-cost healthcare system
After the war in 1948 (i.e., during the postwar economy), the British Government set up the National Healthcare Service (NHS) to make quality healthcare accessible. The NHS still provides for the people in the UK, but it is now funded by income tax.
It sounds like free healthcare, but you might have to pay for most prescriptions and specialized care, but that will reduce the total amount you have to pay, which decreases your cost of moving to the UK.
4. UK vs. the US: The difference in public holidays
You must know that the UK has fewer holidays than the US. While your folks at home may be celebrating Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Labor Day, or Columbus Day, you probably won’t observe any.
The number of public holidays (also known as bank holidays) varies across the four countries due to differences in calendars. There are nine bank holidays in Scotland, eight in England and Wales, and ten in Northern Ireland.
5. Outstanding work-life balance
You may wonder how you can get sufficient time off since the holidays are not so many like in the US. The good news is you are entitled to up to 28 days of paid work as a full-time worker in the UK, which is far higher than that of the US, which is just ten days’ leave. They are probably making up for the gap in public holidays.
6. US citizens in the UK still file for tax in the US
Wow, that’s a big one, and you saw that right. If you are from the US, when you move to the UK, you still have to pay tax in the US. However, it would help to read about the laws and facts, so you don’t pay double tax and run-on loss.
It would help to inquire about the legalities involved before moving to the UK to know whether you are on the right path. Also, if you are moving because of a job, you have to confirm whose responsibility it is (i.e., yours or your employer) to pay your tax.
7. US vs. the UK: The differences and similarities in the languages
You may have noticed that there aren’t many differences between the English and American languages, but there is quite a several disagreements between the two which include:
- Trousers (UK) = Pants (US)
- Flat (UK) – Apartment (US)
- Crisps (UK) – Chips (US)
- Football (UK) – Soccer (US)
- Organisation (UK) = Organization (US)
- Favour (UK) = Favor (US)
Conclusion
If you are looking to explore the different education/career opportunities, culture, food, etc., in the UK, you ought to be aware of the new things you might experience covered in this article. Another tip you can use is to speak to someone who has been in the UK, so even if you get surprised, there are only good surprises.
