Moving to London from the US: 8 Things Americans Should Know (2023)

FAQs

Is it hard for an American to move to London? ›

Moving to London is difficult if you don't have any connections, and that's not to say that it can't be done, but that is to say that there's no way it's going to happen if you don't have an incredibly positive attitude about it and roll with the punches, including expat homesickness.

London can be a great place to live as an American, but there are some things you should know before making the move. If you're looking for a big city with plenty of opportunities and a diverse population, London is definitely worth considering.

As an American citizen, moving from the US to the UK to travel, study, and live is permitted for up to six months at a time. However, you cannot work during this period. If you want to hold down a job, you'll have to have a suitable visa. There are UK work visas for just about every possible profession.

Although the latest statistics from the World Population Review rank the United States as a slightly more expensive country to live in than the UK, it is important to note that this is on average, and the cost of living varies widely across the USA.

1. Kensington. Having been voted the UK's best place to live, Kensington is an affluent part of west London. Along with world-class shopping facilities and beautiful green spaces, you'll be close to some of London's most popular attractions.

Which are the easiest countries to immigrate to from the US? Portugal, Malta and Spain are some of the easiest countries to relocate to from the United States. American citizens can either gain permanent residency or apply for citizenships via each country's Citizenship by Invest programs.

The average rent in London (Q4 2022) is £935 pcm - up 22% year on year from an average of £768 in 2021.

T he saying goes if you're bored of London, you're bored of life. However, according to a new study, this might not quite be the case. A new study has revealed that London is ranked in the top five most stressful capital cities in Europe to live in, but surprisingly it only came in fifth.

How long can an American stay in London? ›

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

The UK is often considered a cheaper place to live. The cost of living in both countries is not the same and can vary depending on where people choose to live. It's also important to note that the average salary for someone in the US is significantly higher than what it would be in the UK due to taxes.

Is moving to the UK easy? Americans hoping to move to the UK will need to obtain a visa. The most common type of visas are the UK work visa and family visas. If neither applies in your case, unfortunately moving to UK from US can be difficult.

American citizens move to the UK for many reasons, most commonly to join a partner or work. The UK appeals to expats because it's closer to other countries in Europe, it offers free health care to all residents (in addition to other state services), and there are plenty of job opportunities.

Dual citizenship (also known as dual nationality) is allowed in the UK. This means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries. You do not need to apply for dual citizenship. You can apply for foreign citizenship and keep your British citizenship.

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays less than six months.

Typically, people tip around 10-15% in London, except for when using taxis or public transport, where a smaller tip is frequently accepted. Tour guides do not need to be tipped, but this is up to the customer to decide. Some restaurants add an automatic tip to your bill.

Property & Housing

It's also on average more expensive to buy a house in the UK or London versus the US. It's worth considering that London is the second most expensive city in the world to buy property, so comparisons between the exact areas you are moving to & from will certainly help give you a better idea.

It may be hard for many to believe, but except for milk and cigarettes, New York has groceries at least 60% more expensive than in London. Read more on the cost of living in London to get a better understand of the cost of goods situation.

Where is the happiest place to live in London? ›

It comes as little surprise that the happiest place to live in London, and the 11th happiest place overall in the UK, is the leafy borough of Richmond upon Thames. The area offers riverside restaurants, spectacular deer-filled parks, and some of the cosiest pubs around – all within easy reach of central London.

The richest and most expensive neighbourhoods in London are definitely Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair, and Knightsbridge! These neighbourhoods are known for their fashionable and expensive shops and restaurants, as well as being home to many of the richest people in the world.

Mexico is the top destination for Americans moving abroad, followed by the U.K., Canada and Australia. So far in 2022, ~75% more Americans have moved to Mexico than Canada. Portugal has seen the biggest percentage increase in Americans moving in (+122% from 2019-2021)

Workers now say they need a salary of £49,300 to live comfortably. For those in London, a £65,000 wage is needed to combat the rising cost of living, a survey by recruitment firm Reed found.

The London Living Wage is an hourly rate of pay, currently set at £11.95. It is calculated independently to reflect the high cost of living in the capital, giving a worker in London and their family enough to afford the essentials and to save.

We show how a salary of £24,000 would be required just to cover essential living expenses, a salary of £39,000 to cover discretionary living expenses and a salary of £48,000 to cover savings.

Rent: The average rent that you will pay in UK varies depending on where you live and the type of accommodation you have. A one-bedroom flat averages at £758 (~$1000 USD) per month if you're in the city; £614 (~$810 USD) if you're outside of the city.

Is it easy to rent in London? ›

The London rental market moves fast and there can be a great deal of competition for the best properties. Be fully prepared with the right paperwork, and take your passport and references with you on a viewing. This gives you the best chance of being able to secure the property straight away.

But among almost every other age group, the capital sees more people leaving than arriving. This is most pronounced for very young children, people aged 18-20 and people in their 30s. A look at where people move to after leaving the capital offers an insight into why this happens.

While overall 8% of Londoners experience severe loneliness, this is 12% for young Londoners; 18% for low-income Londoners; 15% for LGBTQ+ Londoners; 12% for Single Parents; 18% for Deaf and Disabled Londoners, and as high as 14% for some ethnic minority groups.

You'll need either: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London. £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

Although the UK government recently closed its retirement visa program, it's still possible to retire in the UK through other visa types. Here's how to do so and how to weigh the financial implications of retiring outside the United States. A financial advisor can help you plan for retirement, wherever it may take you.

The law does not set any minimum amount you must have in your account.

The United States has no closer ally than the United Kingdom, and British foreign policy emphasizes close coordination with the United States. Bilateral cooperation reflects the common language, ideals, and democratic practices of the two nations.

The average salary in the U.K. versus the U.S. is lower for all demographic groups, and the reasons why vary. The key difference is that the social welfare benefits in the U.K. are not the same as those in the U.S. The U.K. also has more protections for employees than the U.S., which impacts pay rates.

If you are looking for opportunities, you may want to consider the UK, because the opportunities are more plentiful. In America, people are encouraged to work hard and achieve success. In the UK, people are expected to work long hours and be dedicated to their jobs but not attain a high level of personal success.

Where do most Americans live in UK? ›

A recent study in 2021 found that there are approximately 6 million people with non-British nationality living in the UK. And of that migrant population, around 35% live in the capital city of London.

You can apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) after five years residence, as long as you have not been absent from the UK for more than a 180 days in each of the five years. We provide a full service to support Investors moving to the UK, including tax advice.

Living in London is not easy, but it also doesn't have to be hard—if you're dedicated and willing to work towards getting what you want. Just remember that there are plenty of opportunities for people who are looking for them, although they might take time before coming around. Don't give up!

Migrants' reasons for moving to the UK are usually classified into four main categories: work, study, family, and asylum or refugee resettlement.

Salary needed to live in London in 2023:

That would be around £40K a year before taxes.

With its thriving job market and low unemployment rate, London is an attractive destination for those looking to advance their careers. Despite the high cost of living, many people choose to live and work in London due to the abundance of job opportunities and potential for career growth.

Skilled Worker Visa:

80% of people I know from America that come to the UK specifically to work have come under the Skilled Worker Visa. This is when a government-approved UK company hires you to work from them. You must be paid a minimum salary and be offered a job on the eligible occupations list.

1. Kensington. Having been voted the UK's best place to live, Kensington is an affluent part of west London. Along with world-class shopping facilities and beautiful green spaces, you'll be close to some of London's most popular attractions.

What is a comfortable salary London? ›

Workers now say they need a salary of £49,300 to live comfortably. For those in London, a £65,000 wage is needed to combat the rising cost of living, a survey by recruitment firm Reed found.

On a £40,000 salary, your take home pay will be £30,523 after tax and National Insurance. This equates to £2,544 per month and £587 per week. If you work 5 days per week, this is £117 per day, or £15 per hour at 40 hours per week.

London has an urbanisation rate of around 1%. Some urban problems London experiences are urban inequality, affordable housing, urban sprawl, and urban pollution.

While Boston fought hard to separate itself from British rule in the 18th century, the city undeniably reflects the charm and culture of London. Brick colonial homes along cobblestone streets, unique cuisine, and host of some of the world's greatest educational institutions offer a little taste of the city from home.

In order to live in the UK, you'll need to have a valid visa. The type of visa you need will depend on your reason for relocating. There are several categories of visas, including work visas, student visas, and family visas. Moving to the UK to work from outside of Europe will usually need a work visa.

Basic Etiquette

It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone's salary, wealth, weight or age. Spitting in public is considered rude. If there is a line for something, always queue and wait for your turn. Do not wave or yell to call over a waiter or person of service.

Tier 2 general work visas can be granted up to five years and 14 days. Your visa will entitle you to: work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship.

London may be rife with jobs, but competition is stiff. If you are looking for a role in technology, East London's Tech City might have suitable vacancies. Some of London's major technology companies are based at Tech City, also known as “Silicon Roundabout”.