Downton Gabby

... but I'm going to ask if you kind people can come up with a checklist with possible suggestions of specific best services in the most sensible order in which to do them.

So, imagine you're coming to live in the UK for the first time, renting a home, bringing a dog, needing to register for the electoral roll and NHS, get permission to drive with a US license, obtain insurance (with a great driving history and no claims ever), get a bank checking account with debit card, find a place to rent with good internet service, and find a prepaid mobile service (Tello seems good).

It's a lot, I know. Maybe some of you can help.

Thanks in advance.

DG

BritInParis

Having somewhere to live is likely to be your top priority. You won't be able to open a bank account, register with a GP or register to vote without a UK residential address.

Getting a prepaid mobile is as simply as walking into a mobile phone shop or supermarket and buying one.

You will be able to drive on your US licence for up to a year after you arrive but you won't be able to swap it for a UK licence. You'll need to pass a UK driving test in order to keep driving after the first year. Obtaining insurance on a US licence is likely to be considerably more expensive than a UK licence so you may consider making that a priority if you intend to buy and run a car.

Regarding pets I have no knowledge myself but I understand the process is somewhat involved so you should research the requirements well in advance.

LondonSquirrel

Might be easier to look for a place to live once you get there and simply book into an aparthotel or holiday home at first, which would be easiest to do from abroad. Many hotels and holiday homes take dogs though some may make a small extra charge.I think it is what I would do. And I would come with just a very big suitcase to check in and as big a carry on case as the airline allows. The rest of my stuff I would put in storage until I found proper accommodation. You don't need special permission to drive on a US licence but the one year starts when you first arrive and doesn't re-set on any trips back. I am sure you know but just wanted to make it clear to anyone who reads because some people think trips back re-set the clock, then again a lot of people think the same about ILR! I would also make one of my first priorities to get pet insurance for the dog. And maybe try to sort something about the bank account before I left. Some banks abroad have branches in the UK, for example Citibank. They might be able to set you up with an account in London. Or open an account off shore with HSBC or Lloyds in Jersey or the Isle of Man.

Wintersong

You might want to check and see if it's feasible to get an international bank account set up before you go as it *may* make things easier for you. Worth looking into, at any rate. https://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/home/per...global-banking

I'd get a pet passport sorted sooner rather than later. It will remain valid (so long as you keep vaccinations up to date) so is probably better to do in advance as it will be one less thing to worry about closer to the time.

Your biggest issue is going to be finding somewhere to rent. My advice would be to do this in person - once you settle on an area, go over there and visit some agencies, talk to people, ask them to look at your US credit report and see what they can do to help you. As LondonSquirrel said above, you might be best off putting stuff into storage temporarily (international movers will usually store for you until you're ready to receive) and renting out some vacation accommodation while you find somewhere permanent.

Register with the NHS as a priority on arrival - everything else can be more leisurely.

verystormy

The dog needs to be one of the first things as completing the formalities can take some time. We moved from Oz to the UK which is one of the easier countries to go from and it still takes some weeks.

Editha

I agree: number one priority is arranging for the dog importation. At the same time, start looking for accommodation. Everything else can be dealt with quite quickly when you arrive.

Pistolpete2

Indeed the dog and the accommodation are really the only items which appear to require planning.

Not sure when you are planning to make this move and timing might have a bearing on options depending upon what 'route' you choose to take.

We moved over in August and decided to settle in Dorset mainly due to college options and the range of properties which did winter lets (fully loaded holiday let properties rented out of season for from 20 weeks to 6 months). We came over with a dozen or more suitcases and have left our furniture etc etc in the Caribbean so fully loaded was ideal. We only had to buy towels and sheets/pillows/duvets.

We had to pay our entire winter let costs up front but the monthly rental costs are low.

We have found it behooves us to build a relationship with one specialist holiday letting agent which also covers residential such that they now know us and we have established credit and fees are lower. We have done two winter lets (2014 and 2015) but are now in a normal residential lease through them.

Winter lets typically start from late September to early November. My checking revealed that they are plentiful from Dorset thru Devon to Cornwall in these parts.

A winter let gives you time to settle and check out the area before putting down roots. It is a proper lease so you get what you need to establish bank accounts, NHS registry, electoral register, drivers licence....

I have to say that some agents will not rent to you when you have not actually seen the property, to cover themselves.

There are also good storage facilities around here, if needed and we have used them here and up near Gatwick. This has allowed us to 'check out' of the UK from time to time when on extended vacation, subject to careful timing in line with lease ends.

In your other recent thread the article refers to Purbeck as happy but pricey. There is a huge range of property and price on offer east of Weymouth in Purbeck and this is prime doggy country (actually far too much so for my taste ) and landlords offer holiday property with pets allowed as a niche market for them. I'm just not sure whether the northern 'desirable' areas such as Eden and Craven have the same renting options.

In my opinion, the area east of Weymouth (Preston and Overcombe) as far as Swanage is desirable Purbeck and the country is some of the most beautiful in England (sadly a little is restricted due to the MOD Lulworth ranges) and the climate is mild in winter, and with cool sea breezes in summer which for me is one big issue (almost ) covered.