Your Journey Begins Here

Living in the UK

1) Life in the UK can feel like a mix of old and new. You'll enjoy:

• Polite conversation.

• Pubs instead of bars.

• Sunday roasts, cream teas, and endless cups of tea. Plenty of barista coffee too.

• Milk and other dairy products being delivered to your door is widely available.

• Foods choices to cater for all preferences and dietary requirements.

• Queues (lines) and apologizing a lot, even when it’s not your fault!

2) Healthcare

• NHS (National Health Service): Doctors appointments and hospital treatment free at point of use for residents. Prescriptions are low-cost (Around £9.90 per item).

• Private healthcare: Widely available and often used for quicker access and for specialist clinics.

3) Travelling

Driving in the UK:

• Left side of the road.

• Speed limits: Posted in miles per hour.

• Traffic lights: Red → Red+Amber → Green to "Go" then Green → Amber → Red to "Stop".

• Roundabouts: Very common; always yield to the right.

• U.S. licenses are valid for up to 12 months. You may need to exchange it for a UK license depending on length of stay.

Public Transportation:

• Trains: Nationwide, but can be expensive, advised to book in advance.

• London Underground (The Tube): Efficient and well-connected.

• Buses: Extensive and reliable, even in rural areas.

• Taxis and cabs widely including and booking Uber available 

Short Journeys from the UK:

• Channel Islands & Isle of Man: Not part of the UK, but British Crown Dependencies.

• Ireland & EU: Short flights or ferry rides make European trips quick and accessible.

4) The Weather

• Mild summers (60s–70s°F). Odd weeks here and there where the temperature reaches the 80-90s°F.

• It can feel hotter than it is and with humidity.

• Rain and overcast, especially in western areas.

• Snow is rare in the south, more common in Scotland and the north.

5) Weights and Measures

In the UK, a mix of imperial and metric systems is used in everyday life, often side by side, reflecting both historical tradition and gradual metrication. For example:

• Milk and beer are typically sold in pints (with a pint being 568 millilitres), especially in pubs and supermarkets, while bottled water and soft drinks are sold in litres.

• Packaged food is typically labelled in grams or kilograms. In schools and science, the metric system is standard, but in informal or traditional settings, imperial units persist. This dual system can be confusing, but you will soon get used to it and be comfortable navigating between the two.

• Petrol and diesel at the pump are sold by the litre, but fuel economy is commonly measured in miles per gallon (mpg)—a blend of metric sale and imperial efficiency measurement.

• Distances on road signs are given in miles and yards, and speed limits are in miles per hour (mph). However, temperatures in weather forecasts are often reported in degrees Celsius

• Body weight is commonly discussed in stones (which is 14 pounds to one stone) and pounds. So 175 pounds is 12 stone and 7 pounds or just “12 stone 7”.

6) Age Restrictions

• Driving – Legal at 17.

• Alcohol: Legal at 18.

• Smoking: Legal at 18. Any form of smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, such as shops, restaurants, pubs, bars, sporting venues etc.

1) UK Housing: What Do the Terms Mean?

• Detached: A standalone house with no shared walls.

• Semi-detached: One side of the house shares a wall with another.

• Terraced: A row of houses, each sharing walls on both sides. Unless End of Terrace which has only one shared wall.

• Bungalow: A single-story house, these can be Detached, Semi-detached or Terraced.

• Flat/Apartment: Individual units in a building.

2) Renting in the UK

• References: Landlords may require proof of income, UK bank account, and previous landlord references.

• Deposit: Usually 4–6 weeks' rent, held in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme (TDP).

• Rent: Paid monthly in advance.

• Responsibilities: Tenants are usually responsible for utilities and minor maintenance unless otherwise stated.

3) Buying Property

• Timescale: Can take 2–3 months or longer.

• Freehold: You own the building and land.

• Leasehold: You own the property for the duration of the lease (e.g., 99 to 999 years), but not the land. You may pay ground rent and service charges.

• Charges: Include solicitor fees, surveys, stamp duty (tax), and mortgage setup.

Housing

Home Living

1) Water Quality

UK tap water is generally safe, clean, and drinkable across the country. In fact, many areas boast soft or slightly hard water, ideal for tea-making. Bottled water and in home water filters are available. A variety of American style fridge freezers are available for purchase depending on the space available in the kitchen.

2) Heating in the UK

• Central Heating: Usually gas-powered with radiators. Controlled by a wall thermostat or timed programs.

• Electric Storage Heaters: Found in older or rural homes. They “charge” overnight during off-peak rates and release heat during the day.

3) Internet and Connectivity

• High-speed broadband is widely available, even in rural areas.

• Fibre broadband: Common in urban areas, with speeds up to 1 Gbps.

• Providers: BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and others.

4) UK Media & TV Licence

• TV Licence: Required to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer. Currently £159/year.

• Streaming: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and others are widely used.

• Radio & Newspapers: The UK has a robust press and national radio network via BBC Radio.

5) Recycling & Refuse

Each council has its own system. Most areas offer:

• Curbside bins for recycling, food waste, and general rubbish.

• Glass, paper, and plastics separated by colour-coded bins.

6) What’s Not Typically Included in UK Homes?

• Tumble dryers not always guaranteed: Outside lines or inside drying racks used.

• No air conditioning or ceiling fans: Rare due to mild climate.

• Dishwashers: A mix of homes have them or not, more common in new build properties. You can buy them separately.

• Smaller fridges/freezers compared to U.S. homes, but can buy U.S. style appliances if space allows.

Work and Finance

1) UK Banking

• Banks: HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest. Many other online only banks.

• Proof of address may be required to open an account, ask your bank if tenancy agreements or utility bills will suffice.

2) Currency

• Currency: Pound sterling (£ or GBP).

• Bank of England currency notes used in Scotland.

• Scottish currency notes not widely used in rest of the United Kingdom.

3) Employment & Starting a Business

• Right to Work: Check visa type.

• Employers: Must register with HMRC and provide payslips, pensions, and paid holidays.

• Holiday: Minimum of 28 days per year, including public holidays.

• Companies: Register with Companies House.

• Self-employed: Register with HMRC. You’ll pay income tax and National Insurance.

Shopping

1) Supermarkets & Delivery

• Popular supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl.

• Home delivery to your front door and Click & Collect from the supermarket are widely available and user-friendly.

2) Food Standards

The UK has stricter food regulations than the U.S. Artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, and preservatives are often banned or limited. Shop-bought food is generally of high quality, with widespread access to fresh produce and responsibly-sourced meats.

3) Finding Familiar Goods

• Running low on luggage space? No worries.

• You can find many U.S. brands in UK stores like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, or specialty shops like American Fizz and Candy Hero. Amazon UK also carries many U.S. items.