MOVING FROM USA TO UK

[nsepulveda]

My name is Norma and I was born and raised in New York City, USA. I have lived there for 21 years before I moved to a small town called Nesquehoning, PA, USA. From the big city to a small country town. My husband and I are thinking to move overseas. We decided the England would be a great place for us to live. We are currently trying to have a baby. So planning to have the baby before we move and was wondering which area would you suggest that would like to find somewhere similar with good local (not private) schools, a slightly bohemian feel or diverse, green spaces where the kids could play when older, and friendly liberal people to make friends with. Any suggestions? What are the nursery waiting lists like around there? And how tough is the competition for primary school places? And Jobs? Colleges? Renting apartments fees? What the procedures of becoming a citizen in UK?

Hello - can I ask what sort of jobs you are looking for? There are lots of places in the UK which meet your criteria, however the job market is not equal throughout the UK.

Chottie my expirence are in office management and customer care/service.

Can people just up and move to the UK these days. I thought that there were strict rules in place with regard ot immigration now.

You'll need a job before you arrive though, you can't just move to another country and settle!

See the UK border agency

It is extremely difficult to get right of abode in the UK if you are not EU

Didn't want to read and run!
www.wikihow.com/Move-to-England thought this may help.
You can find most info on line re schools - there is an option of Grammar schools in some parts of the country too, which may be worth checking out if you might consider that as an education option. Only a few counties have them so worth researching.
I personally think that village schools (usually fairly rural) are great at primary (small classes and usually middle class kids who's parents are active in the school life), but then you may have to consider travel to senior schools. London is pretty packed but the schools can be exceptional, although highly sought after and even if you live in the right catchment area you are not guaranteed a place as they are over subscribed.
What does your husband do?

My husband is a salesman. He can sale you any product and he also has customer service experience.

We have been planning to live in UK because we want a change of scenery. I have went from living in one of the biggest cities in America to a town with one street light - one mile long. Money isn't a problem. We plan to stay in a vacation house until we find a job. or we may just find an apartment and pay off the first 3-6 months of rent from the beginning. Until we find daycares and jobs and great place to raise children. PLEASE ONLY COMMENT IF YOU ARE GOING HELP. NOT BECAUSE YOU FEEL SOME TYPE OF ERROR.

I have sent you a message too :) (Top right of page there will be red circle if you haven't used it before)
I suppose what you might be better off doing is renting out your home while you stay for a bit here to get a feel for things. I think having a couple of months as vacation before choosing somewhere would be a great idea. Also then you can focus on finding some jobs and try to get sponsored or find an American company to work for? The job market isn't great here at the moment and the toughest bit will be the company having to prove the job could not be filled by a UK resident, as sadly both of your professions are very common here. However, if you are here and face to face with the companies, they may be happier to do this.
South is probably the best place to start looking and if visits to London are high on the agenda check you won't need to long by train (driving in London is a nightmare by all accounts so train is the best/easier way of visiting). I told you which town I live in on my pm and it is about 1hr by train using the fast service, or 1.5hrs on the normal. This may also help with work if you are happy to commute. Hopefully you will be able to see where I am on a map and get an idea of how far from London you can happily go. If you like the sea Whistable is lovely near me, and has good schools, plus we have the Grammar option in Kent, our county. Essex does too but am sketchy on areas further afield. Cornwall and Devon are really pretty too, and the accent is mild, but maybe that is just because I am English!

Okaaay...

Why do you think we are not trying to help?
When you say money is not a problem, does that mean you are independently wealthy and do not need to work?

Why do you not move to another part of the US? Back to the big city?

Again, you do not have any legal right to settle in another country if you are not a citizen of that country. If you can organize a job and visa before you move overseas, then fine.

I seriously suggest you come and visit to find out what it's like before you even consider it! Come over for a few weeks, hire a car and travel around.

Houses are a lot smaller and closer together, jobs in certain areas are hard to come by and judging by your wants list the type of area you want will be in the South and will come with a very high price tag for not half as much space as you'd expect. Idilic pretty England does exist but it tends to be expensive. I imagine you'd be looking at the old university towns such as Cambridge, Durham, Norwich, Bath, York.

There are immigration restrictions that you'll need to research.

If you do decide to visit, DO NOT tell the immigration officer at the airport that you are in the UK to decide whether or not to come and live here in the future - you will be most likely interrogated!

no need to shout. I agree, come for a holiday first then decide

Trouble is, people with your skill-sets are easy to find. A British company would have to prove you could do the job better than a UK national. Getting a work visa is a very long, arduous process. Of course, it's possible but you need to be realistic.

I echo what others have said about coming for a holiday and getting a feel for the place. It's very different from what you are used to and the vast majority of England in no way resembles a picture postcard or a Richard Curtis film.

Oh, and please don't use capital letters to bark instructions at helpful strangers on a parenting forum. I wouldn't use that tone in your visa application either.

the caps were not a shout it was just pointing out that I have questions that need answers.. and that's my main focus.. finding out what part of the uk has the best schools, renting area, lots of jobs, spaces where the kids could play when older, and friendly liberal people to make friends with. What are the nursery waiting lists like around there? And how tough is the competition for primary school places? And Jobs? Colleges? Renting apartments fees? What the procedures of becoming a citizen in UK? Those are the things I am looking for.. And Ty

Oh my word, go find yourself an international relocator to answer your questions then. You're not coming across as very polite you know.

This is a chat forum. You'll get a couple of helpful sentences, nobody's going to give you the detail you require. Did you come on here to chat and engage or just plough for info then leave?

"I have questions that need answers"

I am still laughing at this.

Is this a wind up? You have heard of Green cards, right, OP? It's not any easier coming over here. Speaking from experience (native Californian).

I sincerely hope some bored sap is prepared to spend their Saturday preparing a detailed, researched response to your 11 urgent questions. Yes, maybe some random on the web will do all the leg-work for you.

I'm out.

Every area has good/not so good state school, affordable and less affordable housing etc . Nurseries are largely private until aged 3 and not subsidised. If you can visit UK before you plan a move you might have a better feelf or where you might be at hoem. It amy nto be as large as USA b ut is pretty avired . I'd suggestm you /your dh find work before you come over as it won't be easy to do so form cold arriving here. Nor would you have any automatic right to use NHS Healthcare etc.

You can't just move here. The UKBA link outlines the process and options for non-EU/EEA nationals.

Sorry posted too soon :-

Every area has good/not so good state school, affordable and less affordable housing etc . Nurseries are largely private until aged 3 and not subsidised. If you can visit UK before you plan a move you might have a better feel for where you might be at home and cost of living. It may not be as large as USA but is pretty varied . I'd suggest you /your dh find work before you come over as it won't be easy to do so from cold arriving here. Nor would you have any automatic right to use NHS healthcare, benefit system etc. Citizenship if neither of you are of British decent could be tricky too - check the Border agency website.

Is this a wind up?

Why are people jumping on the OP? I am sure she already knows that there are procedures to follow if you wish to move to another country!

OP, you could post this in 'Living Overseas' where there are Mners who have lived in the UK and the USA - they may have more information.