The inside track on a move to the United Kingdom

With more than 330 years’ experience serving customers, we have had more than our fair share of insight into what it’s like to live and work in the United Kingdom. For many, it’s a land of Union Jack Flags, Changing of the Guard, scones and jam, punk and an above average chance of drizzle, but the UK has a lot more to offer its new residents.

Town, country – or both?

The UK is lucky to have a wide variety of vibrant cities full of art and commerce, bustling streets and a gourmet restaurant scene. London itself is the size of a small country, and with more than 10 million residents from every corner of the globe, it has something to suit every taste.

That said, each of its cities enjoys comprehensive transport links to the surrounding countryside, meaning many urban workers choose to live outside the city boundaries giving them the best of both worlds. Enjoying the heady delights of city living during the week, many retreat to the quiet comfort of a rural setting at the weekend, with long walks, log fires and the archetypal British pub lunch.

Trains, planes and automobiles

The UK’s public transport system sometimes gets a bad press, but the fact is, it is really easy to get around Britain quickly and efficiently. Its larger cities like London, Manchester and Glasgow have several transport systems to choose from including underground, train, tram, bus, cab, car and occasionally, boat or cable car for the adventurous. But even many small towns have access to at least buses, taxis and commuter train lines.

The country’s network of roads and motorways is vast, allowing for fast commuting times and plenty of opportunity to visit new places. By car, you can travel from London to either Cardiff or Birmingham in a little over two hours, or be in Edinburgh in less than seven. For enthusiasts of both beach and countryside, you are never more than 70 miles from the seaside anywhere in the UK. For those wanting to keep in touch further afield, the UK is served by 40 commercial airports taking visitors all over the world.

Choose location for education

It’s hard to beat the UK when it comes to the sheer variety of schooling available. It has some of the world’s best educational establishments, from nursery all the way through to post-graduate studies. When looking to relocate to the UK, you may want to consider private education and, with an extensive range of both day or boarding establishments spread across the country, there will be a school to suit every lifestyle.

However, the UK’s state, or free to use, school system is also something you might want to consider. Some schools do excel more than others and, as places are allocated according to the proximity of the family home, you may want to seek the advice of reputable estate agents on the correct area to locate to for the best range of schooling options.

Your good health

Since its establishment in 1948, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a world-beating network of hospitals, general practitioners, dentists and more that are all free at the point of use. Costs are only usually incurred for non-essential treatments or prescriptions for those in employment, however these are also free in Wales and Scotland. In short, if you are considered to be a resident of the United Kingdom, you have access to free healthcare with no requirement for insurance.

Many do choose private healthcare for any number of reasons – speed of access to treatment, services that are elective or cosmetic or plusher surroundings. However, the NHS is committed to providing treatment for most conditions in a timely, efficient manner.

Make the most of time off

For a relatively small island, the United Kingdom certainly punches above its weight when it comes to culture, sport and leisure activities. You may want to watch world-class Premier League football in some of the world’s most well-loved stadiums such as Old Trafford or Anfield; or enjoy a quick 18 holes at the world-famous Royal & Ancient course in St Andrews, the birthplace of golf.

Perhaps standing among the ‘Groundlings’, the name for the theatregoers who stand to watch plays at Shakespeare’s iconic Globe Theatre, is more your thing. From short riverside walks to challenging mountain climbs or whizzing round the track at Silverstone, there’s a world of opportunity on ‘this Sceptred Isle’.

Whatever your needs, the UK has something for everyone. To find out more about how you can make the most of your move to the UK, talk to us today.

We serve those with an international lifestyle. Whether you’re a UK national living or moving abroad, a foreign national in the UK, or looking to hold funds outside of your home country, we can help. You’ll need to have a deposit of at least £100,000 (or currency equivalent) maintained across your accounts¹.

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