Move to the UK?

DreamThrall · Jul 2, 2006

This may be a completely off the wall question, but it is something that I have been peripherally thinking about for the past week or so. My wife and I are both US citizens, and we have been thinking about moving to the UK to live and work, perhaps permenantly. What kind of things will we need to do to be able to make this happen? Will I need to get a work visa, or apply for dual citizenship or what? What about working remotely from the UK for a US company?

Reginald · Jul 2, 2006

I don't know much about that, but UK > America in most respects. Don't tell anyone I said that.

Shippi · Jul 2, 2006

theotherguy · Jul 2, 2006

It depends mostly on your professions. Ask your companies if there are any openings in the UK. If not, consider the economic impact of finding a new job. I don't know much about the immigration policy of the UK, but I assume its fairly open, and it should be easy for you to emigrate. It probably might be a good idea to have dual citizenship.

I'm not so sure about the economic side of it though. Make sure you can afford a good home next to decent job opportunities before you move.

DreamThrall · Jul 2, 2006

The company I'm working on isn't international - but I do web development, and from what I understand, good programmers are always in need anywhere. As far as the economic impact on my financial situation, I wouldn't do this unless I could live without a job for a good half year at least. If I do end up moving to the UK, it wouldn't be for another 3 years at least because my wife has to finish up school.

Angry Lawyer · Jul 2, 2006

Dooo eeet!

Beer awaits in the south-east. VISIT ME!

-Angry Lawyer

SimonomiS · Jul 2, 2006

An umbrella.

DreamThrall · Jul 3, 2006

I live in Louisiana, I'm used to the rain.

-Psy- · Jul 3, 2006

Never move to the UK. The goverment is as ****ed up as the American one.

*cough*

I'm moving to Sweden when I'm old enough :X

Beerdude26 · Jul 3, 2006

PsychoFreak said:
Never move to the UK. The goverment is as ****ed up as the American one.

*cough*

I'm moving to Sweden when I'm old enough :X

Hawt buttsechs with The Monkey, eh?

Spank dat monkeh

Ikerous · Jul 3, 2006

If i ever moved from where I live now, it'd be completely dependent on the location of other hl2.netters

Sulkdodds · Jul 3, 2006

Only do it if you move down near me and Lawyer.

Nah, I wouldn't bother tbh unless things get really bad in America.

Terminator · Jul 3, 2006

Want to swap with me?

Tr0n · Jul 3, 2006

The weather sucks there.

Terminator · Jul 3, 2006

Tr0n said:
The weather sucks there.

The weather has been even more random recently.
Yesterday it was 30c here which is pretty high for UK, i had to sleep in my volvo with the windows open last night, was too hot in house.

DreamThrall · Jul 3, 2006

Sulkdodds said:
I wouldn't bother tbh unless things get really bad in America.

That's not the reason at all, actually. I mean, by the time I'd be able to do this, I'll have spent a quarter of a century in America, living as an American. Why not go somewhere completely different? I mean, the only thing that ties me down to the States is my family, but I don't really see them much as it is - and they'll have a new incentive to come visit if we're in a different country

Plus, as I mentioned before, my job is completely portable, as will my wife's (she wants to make jewelry).

Tr0n said:
The weather sucks there.

One word, friend: Katrina. I really don't think it can get much worse in the UK.

Razor · Jul 3, 2006

Ikerous said:
If i ever moved from where I live now, it'd be completely dependent on the location of other hl2.netters

There is a large population of hl2.netters around the midland area of the UK, so don't move anywhere near there. Others areas to avoid would be London and Edinburgh and especially Lincoln, Comrade Badger lives there still i think, i'm not too far away from Lincoln either.. Infact, you might want to just move to Africa, i'm sure theres no hl2.netters in Zimbabwe or Kenya or Cote d'Ivore.

swiss · Jul 3, 2006

Moving to Sweden? do you know what the tax situation is like there..

Anyway I dont know how easy it is for an American to come work in England, but generally the UK is more lenient than the US in immigration. Check the immigration office website http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/

DreamThrall · Jul 3, 2006

Razor said:
Infact, you might want to just move to Africa, i'm sure theres no hl2.netters in Zimbabwe or Kenya or Cote d'Ivore.

Yeah, but then I have to worry about pirates.

-Psy- · Jul 3, 2006

Hey, I live in the Midlands! How did you know?

DreamThrall · Jul 3, 2006

swiss said:
Anyway I dont know how easy it is for an American to come work in England, but generally the UK is more lenient than the US in immigration. Check the immigration office website http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Yeah, I was looking at that website, but it was really late and I couldn't pay attention... Looks like I'll probably have to get a job so I can get sponsored for a work visa, which I think is the same way it works here in the States.

pomegranate · Jul 3, 2006

Razor said:
There is a large population of hl2.netters around the midland area of the UK, so don't move anywhere near there.

OI!!

kirovman · Jul 3, 2006

www.ukvisas.gov.uk

The UK is quite strict about issuing visas. Easiest way is if your company sends you here. Good luck!

$kelet0r · Jul 3, 2006

[Deleted]

Crushenator 500 · Jul 3, 2006

The UK isn't as nice a place as you may think... Sure it's nice and green, but there's also shit weather, shit people (chavs), and everything's stupidly expensive

I agree with shippi

Javert · Jul 3, 2006

Be prepared to cut a hole in your wallets. The dollar to pound conversion is nearly 1.8:1, meaning things will cost twice as much. So it will be an initial burden with what you bring. But once you find a job that pays well the problem should gradually disappear.

There's also a citizenship test of course, that tests basic political, religious, and social (also linguistic) issues.

Edit: Minor punctual issue that should lead to ... easier computing.

kirovman · Jul 3, 2006

Yeah, the UK is really expensive.

Although I heard Moscow has recently overtaken London and Tokyo as most expensive city in the world.

$kelet0r · Jul 3, 2006

Javert said:
Be prepared to cut a hole in your wallets. The dollar to pound conversion is nearly 1.8x1, meaning things will cost twice as much.

does not compute

kirovman · Jul 3, 2006

john3571000 said:
does not compute

Yeah, if things "cost twice as much" I'll just convert my pounds to dollars

Kamikazie · Jul 3, 2006

DreamThrall said:
One word, friend: Katrina. I really don't think it can get much worse in the UK.

qft ;(

Every year there is a hurricane that ****s with Florida, but 2004 was the worst with Charlie...and the other three. But it still can't compare to Katrina.

pomegranate · Jul 3, 2006

Javert said:
Be prepared to cut a hole in your wallets. The dollar to pound conversion is nearly 1.8:1, meaning things will cost twice as much.

Hahahahaha!!!! Yes things are more expensive here, but that's not the way it works. Please tell me that's meant to be a joke. Do you imagine that things in Japan cost thousands of times more than they do in the US, because everything is in 1000s of Yen?

DreadLord · Jul 3, 2006

Javert said:
Be prepared to cut a hole in your wallets. The dollar to pound conversion is nearly 1.8:1, meaning things will cost twice as much. So it will be an initial burden with what you bring. But once you find a job that pays well the problem should gradually disappear.

Lol.. That's so not how it works.. Or everyone would come to the US and buy everything. Your stuff is cheaper, so it evens out.

See here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A3WS8O/sr=8-2/qid=1151949953/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-7182894-1987130?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BAAM5M/qid=1151949990/sr=8-6/ref=pd_ka_6/202-9503153-0559022

Lol @ Things costing double. ZOMG A $10 CHEESEBURGER?? I HATEZ THE UK!!1

Javert · Jul 3, 2006

*throws hands in the air*

Despite edits and common sense, I'll just say this: 1)It's more expensive, and 2)The dollar is weaker in buying power towards that ratio. Amazon.com links and cheeseburgers do not account for the entire economy. :/

DreadLord · Jul 3, 2006

Javert said:
*throws hands in the air*

Despite edits and common sense, I'll just say this: 1)It's more expensive, and 2)The dollar is weaker in buying power towards that ratio. Amazon.com links and cheeseburgers do not account for the entire economy. :/

I live in Massachusetts. It doesn't get more expensive than that. By far the most expensive state to live in in the US. It sucks.

Sulkdodds · Jul 3, 2006

Massive chew-sets?

DreadLord · Jul 3, 2006

Sulkdodds said:
Massive chew-sets?

You-Kay? LOL

Sulkdodds · Jul 3, 2006

No, I just...for some reason I always think 'massive chew sets' when I hear 'massachusetts'. And I have NO idea why.

JNightshade · Jul 3, 2006

Probably because you're SULKDODDS D:

EDIT: anyway, I get what Javert was trying to say, and he's somewhat right. I went to the UK last year, and it was expensive as F*CK. Good lord...

DreamThrall · Jul 3, 2006

DreadLord1337 said:
I live in Massachusetts. It doesn't get more expensive than that. By far the most expensive state to live in in the US. It sucks.

Try moving to Washington DC.

Adidajs · Jul 3, 2006

Kamikazie said:
qft ;(

Every year there is a hurricane that ****s with Florida, but 2004 was the worst with Charlie...and the other three. But it still can't compare to Katrina.

yeah, during one of the two years i spent living in florida.

I wonder how hard it would be to move with an MD degree to another country.

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