Tips on moving to the UK

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Regarding what you are allowed to bring into the UK, please see this site: HM Customs & Excise

Living and Working In Britain FAQ - a wealth of info.

Forum Member Advice On What To Bring To The UK

Our forum is a great place to share ideas. Kelley H started this conversation and it was suggested by Heather that it be posted permanently for future site visitors. We hope you find it useful. These posts were taken directly from our forum. You are welcome to register and post your questions on the forum. It is free.

Lia posted
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Well... this may sound silly, but when I moved here to be with my then fiance, I didn't ship any of my household stuff. He'd owned his own home for about 7 years or so and had everything we needed... or did he? The night I arrived, I went into the bathroom to wash my face and couldn't find a washcloth (or facecloth, or flannel or whatever it's called here). He'd never owned one... didn't have any. ... bring washcloths!!

marianna posted
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I can't find a proper waffle-maker! Bring your own from America and use a British plug adapter! UPDATE 26TH FEB 2002: Lakeland Limited sells waffle irons. www.lakelandlimited.com

Nancy posted
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Bring your own US measuring cups with you. This is particularly important if you do any baking and would like to make your favorite American recipes when you're over here. Yes, you can convert, but it's not always an exact science.

Elizabeth posted
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Bring kitchen towels, any beloved utensils, measuring spoons, and minimal clothes and shoes; PMS is PMT, Jello is Jelly, pants are trousers; stock up on Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body Works, any favorites as you won't find them here, although you will get used to the more expensive counterparts; be prepared for bank and NHS battles (just in case). Just last week British Air wouldn't take my credit card because it was US registered (that's not happened before); remember dvd and vhs formats are different and not all players play both; remember that people speak in terms of celsuis, millimeters/grams, and that a UK pint and gallon are bigger than a US pint and gallon, paper comes in different sizes, windows don't have screens, and lightbulbs are different; there will be times at which you will feel like you speak a foreign language-you'll get the hang of it; have family/friends write 'gift' on packages they send you and a value less than $20 so that you can avoid duty; be prepared to be asked to expain why the US government is doing


Gina posted
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I wish I'd known how bad the salaries are here. I turned down one job because it didn't pay enough, only to realise later that I was actually offered a decent amount of money. I'm now in a job that pays even less than that one, and I hate it (the money and the job).

David posted
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Had I known then...
I would have gotten a letter from my car insurance broker of five years that I was a good driver. This would have come in handy.

I'd have gotten a letter of introduction from my bank and several other respectable people to help get my first UK account.

I'd have gotten a letter from my landlord to help with our first flat.

I'd have brought a couple of the telephones I had sitting around the house. They work here.

Things I did that helped:

Had a nice pile of travellers checks in hand. (These served as my bank account for a while.)

I shipped all of my linens, pots, pans, dishes and other kitchen stuff.

Cyndi posted
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I'll second David's comment about getting a letter from your car insurance company. If you were a claims-free customer, have them write a letter saying that! The more years the better.... My husband and I pay 2000 GBP/year for insurance on a little 1.3 Toyota Corolla. Neither of us got international drivers licenses. I would get one if I could go back in time! That also made the insurance more expensive. The 2000/year is after a four year no-claims bonus! We never expected that kind of cost.

We also shipped our household goods, which makes a HUGE difference, especially if you are feeling a bit homesick-atleast you have your familiar things around you! I would have thrown in more JIF Peanut Butter, as it is nowhere to be found here.

Joan posted
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.... go on a clothing shopping spree before you come! Clothes are more expensive here too! Especially jeans! Also, having some of the things you love that you can't get here that easily (ie, natural peanut butter, diet iced tea mix...) is a good idea, even if it's just to make you feel 'at home' here.

Kerry
(Moderator) posted
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Bring your preferred medicines/toiletries! Robitussin comes to mind. The cough syrups here are different. Hydrogen peroxide and Bactine!


Hamish posted
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Re. using American telephones in the UK - You can get an adaptor from electrical stores like Dixons which lets you use American phones here. Just a little piece of plastic, kinda like a smaller version of the adaptors that let you plug in your American hair-dryer.


Elizabeth posted
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I bought a phone adapter in the US (Best Buy) and like it as into one adapter I plug a US cord (for my laptop) and a UK cord (for my phone) and then a cord goes from the adapter to the socket. In my flat I have only one phone jack so I was glad that I brought a very long cord for my laptop as I can move it from room to room.

As mentioned about cough syrup, bring any medicines you can't live without such as allergy pills, extra prescription meds, etc. Of course some are available here, but mine were not and I didn't want to try something new.

Another thing I like is my US calendar. Some UK calenders are opposite ours (have the weekdays along the side) and my brain just can't handle that.


amy posted
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We really wish we had kept open a U.S. checking account. We deposited U.S. checks in our new U.K. account and they took 2-3 weeks to clear, leaving us in the lurch for cash for a bit. This will also help to pay bills that come in late, as you can only pay U.S. bills in dollars.

Regarding clothes-definitely agree with others about this too-my husband stocked up on J.Crew kahkis and other basics--and I bought a few items like this also. Things here are more expensive and while we do have the Gap here-the prices are actually higher because if it's $20 in the states, it's 20 pounds here-which makes it $24-25 because of the exchange rate. So, if you can stock up on things like jeans and running shoes you will be glad you did.

Gina posted
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Another tip for those just moving here..bring something to do! I'd shipped all my belongings but they didn't arrive until a month later! So the first several months I was stuck at home (couldn't drive) and there wasn't much to do except watch TV. So pack some books, needlepoint, a pack of cards..whatever!

Carol posted
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Stock up on any regional or specialty seasonings you regularly use. You'll be surprised at how much you'll want some Tony Chachere's or a bag of crab boil in a few months' time.

Your favoUrite cast-iron skillet.

Pie dishes and cake pans, especially that bundt pan you haven't used in years. You'll absolutely have to bake a sour cream pound cake before too long.

Recipe books, for when you start craving sour cream bundt cake. (This is a biggie... I can't stress how much you'll wish you had these if you don't bring them. This applies even if you hate to cook now.)

Kids' clothes & shoes.

Adult shoes, for that matter, especially if you need arch support or are hard to fit.

If you or your other half wears plain ol' pocket T-shirts, pick up a bunch at Walmart. They're the equivalent of about $5 apiece here.

Finally, take a look through your kitchen cupboard and the rest of the house for little things you use every single day (the stuff you just use without thinking about.) If they're country or regional-specific, there's a good chance you may not find them here. Do a web search using something like "product name UK" as a phrase (then choke at the prices and run to WalMart again.)

marianna posted
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A note about socket converters. The cheap ones don't convert voltage, and as the voltage is higher here (i think) if you bring a expensive stereo system/computer, but a big voltage converter. I don't have personal experience w/ electrics blowing up, but this is what I have heard. Some A/C adapters can take a range of voltages, some can't!


Lisa posted
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**Please read this disclaimer** This is a story about female hygiene. If this makes you in the least bit queasy/embarassed don't read it!! In a word: douche. If you use it, bring it.


Caroline posted
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You will probably think I am making this up but I had a nearly identical experience with trying to buy peroxide! I thought let me get this straight - I can buy codeine cough syrup with no prescription, but peroxide is "another matter entirely"? Is there something about peroxide I don't know :-)!?

Caroline posted
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PS until recently couldn't find non-aerosol shaving cream for my legs, now have found it at Boots. Being a bit of a 'greenie' I didn't want to use the aerosol but not enough of a greenie to give up shaving my legs I guess...!


Caroline posted
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I found rubbing alcohol here but had to ask for it, I think it is referred to as isopropyl alcohol (as it is also in the US sometimes). It was a few years ago that I last bought it here, but I don't recall getting the same weird look and interrogation as when I asked for the peroxide. (I have noticed that some people at the chemist's counter seem to take their role a lot more seriously than others and sometimes when buying things like allergy medicine or eyedrops I am asked a lot of questions, other times not) Caroline


Dawn posted
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My partner says to ask for surgical spirit for the rubbing alcohol.He says when you hear the word peroxide, Brits think of a strong chemical. Because they don't use it very much. They tend to use bleach instead.


Caroline B posted
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Here is something I wish I would have known before I moved here: Private medical insurance doesn't cover any pre-exisiting conditions. Therefore it is best to sign on to it before any conditions crop up. Also, some private medical insurers seem to look for excuses to deny claims even for conditions that aren't pre-exisiting, choose a plan carefully (the one that appears cheaper may not be in the long run...). I also didn't realize that many employers don't pay any fringe benefits beyond the usual vacation etc. (Ie they don't augment NHS with private insurance in many cases, though some offer this for example IBM does).The NHS technically speaking covers everything, but can involve very long waits (both times I went through the NHS there were long waits involved, in one case I waited 8 months for an appointment and am now on a 54 week waiting list for a diagnostic test).


Marianna posted
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I don't agree with the above statement that many employers don't give benefits past the standard vacation (20-25 days, and what a vacation!). I am employed by the aforementioned IBM and yes they do offer employees very good health benefits. My husband and his small circle of friends who work in the advertising industry and banking/finances all get excellent benefits including health care, dental care, discount club memberships etc. I wouldn't want to discourage any american spouses/fiances/etc from wanting to move here for fear of bad work benefits. Maybe for fear of a lower salary, but not bad benefits. For me, the NHS has been a bit to get used to, but I think it's only because it's out of my comfort zone. I haven't had to resort to any of the private health care insurance that I own (knock on wood), and am currently very happy that birth control is free. Get on track America!