Living in England as an American

The Benefits of Living in England as an American

Americans may be tempted to relocate to the UK for several reasons including the country’s rich culture, vibrant arts scene, and historic links.

Overseas workers are also attracted by the lower cost of living, free point-of-use healthcare, lower crime rates, and world-renowned education system and its close ties to the rest of Europe.

How to Move to the UK from the US

If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months you will need to ensure you have the correct immigration visa.

Which visa is the most suitable will depend on your reasons for coming to the UK such as if you plan to work, study, or set up a new business.

If you meet the criteria for your chosen UK visa then you will be able to live in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales as long as you continue to abide by the rules of the visa.

It is important to have a National Insurance (NI) number if you wish to work in the UK or claim state benefits. You may have been already given an NI number on the back of your Biometric Resident Permit (BRP) otherwise you can apply online for one.

Moving to the UK to Join Family

If you are moving to the UK to join family who are already have British citizenship or settled status, then the most appropriate route is visa a UK Family Visa.

The criteria for such visas are very strict and you will need to prove you have a genuine and qualifying relationship with the UK-based person such as them being a partner, spouse, or adult dependent.

Coming to the UK as a Student From the US

The UK is very attractive for international students as it offers a world-class education at leading schools and universities.

US citizens wanting to study in the UK will need to apply for the correct Student Visa and will need to ensure their chosen course meets the visa criteria. There are also other requirements including having access to financial funds to support living in the UK.

Once you finish studying it is possible to able for post-study visas or a Skilled Worker visa to remain in the country.

Cost of Living in England

The exact cost of living in England is very dependent on whether you choose to live and you can expect day-to-day costs to be higher in larger cities, especially London.

However, generally, the cost of living in the UK is lower than in the US with grocery and restaurants significantly more affordable.

Property prices are also lower in the UK, with renting bills around 20 per cent lower on average than in the United States.

A key benefit is the difference in healthcare costs. In the UK, the National Health Service is free at the point of use and is funded using public money. This contrasts with the US system which relies on insurance and can be very costly.

You should ensure you register with a local GP (general practitioner) to receive or be referred for treatment.

One major change for someone living in England as an American is the difference in wages. Salaries in the US are higher than in the UK and it can take some time to adjust in the difference. However, this has to be balanced with the other costs of living, taxation, employment benefits and purchasing power in the UK compared to the US.

According to the global index, the cost of living in both countries is relatively high with the US ranked 9th and the UK 22nd in the world.

How Can IAS Help?

The team at IAS can help to give further advice and assistance with living in England.

Our lawyers can provide support throughout the process including applying for a visa and settling into the UK life.

If you require further advice or assistance regarding your stay in the UK, our immigration specialists can help resolve your queries quickly and professionally. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 or use our live chat.