Wanting to move to the UK, advice?

[Icelandic Gopnitsa 30]

I am not sure if I even can move yet or not, but if I can, I would really like to move to the UK for college. But if anyone is from the UK, or long-time people living in the UK but from elsewhere, can you give me some advice? It would be very appreciated. Especially with financial stuff, or would it matter where you are from. Or in general. I feel like I could get overwhelmed easily there, especially if I go someplace like London. 

Edited July 2, 2016 by Empress Theodosia

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

If you're starting from scratch then you'd be better off trying to get advice from a site like the one linked below.  I'm sure plenty of people on here will have good advice but the site below can link you to a variety of resources dealing with visas, accommodation, funding and all of the other things you will need to consider.

 

http://www.educationuk.org/global/

[Icelandic Gopnitsa 30]

If you're starting from scratch then you'd be better off trying to get advice from a site like the one linked below.  I'm sure plenty of people on here will have good advice but the site below can link you to a variety of resources dealing with visas, accommodation, funding and all of the other things you will need to consider.

 

http://www.educationuk.org/global/

Oh no I think I can handle Visas and what not. I am talking about once I am there. Things that I dont NEED but may help. (if I do go)

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

Oh no I think I can handle Visas and what not. I am talking about once I am there. Things that I dont NEED but may help. (if I do go)

 

Make sure and get a hobby, something that you can share with other people, especially anything that has a club on campus.  If you're alone in a foreign country then it would be a good way to get to know people and to expand your social circle beyond just those on the same course as you.

[Corgis 574]

Well were are you coming from?  A small town in the states?  Paris?  Anyways, I have been to the UK a few times and one thing I find very interesting about the place is how easy it is to travel.  You can literally drive from one side of the country to the other within a day and still have spare time.  Also, I hope you like rain because it rains like crazy over there.  One time I was over in Whales for 2 weeks and it rained almost every single day.  Things in the UK generally tend to be smaller then in North America.  Cars are about 2/3 the size, some streets barely have room for a car in each direction, houses are sometimes very tight and even trains are smaller.  Another observation is that cell phones are a MUST.  People in North America often use cell phones but in the UK you can't even use free WiFi without a cell phone.  In general the UK just seems further ahead in terms of technology.  

 

This is just a few general observations anyways from somebody who lives in Canada.   

[Raritas 6,820]

Speaking as someone who has lived in England all my life, I can hopefully give you a bit of information. 

 

Financially, the UK as a whole isn't as pricey as some other European countries, but the closer you get to London the more extortionate the prices become. Depending on where you're thinking about staying, living costs shouldn't be too troublesome, assuming you don't plan on living in the centre of London. However, transport prices in the UK are pricey. For example some train companies charging ridiculous rates to travel from say London to Manchester. Just something to bare in mind if you want to travel around a bit.

 

Weather wise, expect terrible weather, even in summer time. Rain, rain and more rain is usually what to expect

 

Food, pretty much what you're used to in America or any other European country, aside from the unique cultural cuisine. I highly recommend fish and chips, or going out for a pub meal. There's nothing more British than that

 

People wise, we're a friendly bunch, every country has it's bad minority but you shouldn't run into too many problems. Most people in the UK are pretty mild, just don't offend someone's football team...  :-P

 

Just bare in mind we've recently voted to leave the EU so migrating here may become slightly more difficult/the process may change assuming you're think about doing it in the next couple years. 

 

Other than that, I'm not sure what else to focus on Hope any of this was helpful

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

can you give me some advice? It would be very appreciated. Especially with financial stuff

 

I'll echo that finding a proper advice website would be the best idea. However, I  can offer a few observations:

 

1. Try to keep in mind the value of the currency. The pound is quite weak at the moment, so it's less of an issue, but even so it's still worth a fair bit more than a dollar or a euro. As such, when budgeting try to change it back to your usual currency in your head so that you can keep a tally of how much you've spent.

 

2. If you're coming from the US, the prices in UK shops already have VAT added - so if it says £2.99 then £2.99 is what you will pay.

 

 

 

Another observation is that cell phones are a MUST.  People in North America often use cell phones but in the UK you can't even use free WiFi without a cell phone.

 

3. ...well, any WiFi capable device really, it doesn't have to be a phone. Don't make a habit of using public WiFi though, at least not for anything important - it's far too easy to intercept or fake, which can lead to details being stolen (this is true everywhere with free WiFi, not just the UK.) 

 

4. 999 is the emergency number; fire, police and ambulance. 111 is the national non-emergency medical number - so call that if you need medical advice but don't think you need an ambulance. 101 is the national police non-emergency number.

 

5. Every pub, bar etc. is obliged to offer free tap water.

 

6. Find a local friend you can ask questions. 

Edited July 3, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Icelandic Gopnitsa 30]

Speaking as someone who has lived in England all my life, I can hopefully give you a bit of information. 

 

Financially, the UK as a whole isn't as pricey as some other European countries, but the closer you get to London the more extortionate the prices become. Depending on where you're thinking about staying, living costs shouldn't be too troublesome, assuming you don't plan on living in the centre of London. However, transport prices in the UK are pricey. For example some train companies charging ridiculous rates to travel from say London to Manchester. Just something to bare in mind if you want to travel around a bit.

 

Weather wise, expect terrible weather, even in summer time. Rain, rain and more rain is usually what to expect

 

Food, pretty much what you're used to in America or any other European country, aside from the unique cultural cuisine. I highly recommend fish and chips, or going out for a pub meal. There's nothing more British than that

 

People wise, we're a friendly bunch, every country has it's bad minority but you shouldn't run into too many problems. Most people in the UK are pretty mild, just don't offend someone's football team...  :-P

 

Just bare in mind we've recently voted to leave the EU so migrating here may become slightly more difficult/the process may change assuming you're think about doing it in the next couple years. 

 

Other than that, I'm not sure what else to focus on Hope any of this was helpful

Me trying to go to the UK after they vote to leave the EU like