Home sweet home!
May 26th 2014, 7:17 pm
#16
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Joined: May 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 709
Re: Home sweet home!
Wow! Great update glad everything went so smoothly. Glad you and the pooch made it safely 
May 27th 2014, 5:20 pm
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 270
Re: Home sweet home!
I am paying cash for my car but I was just at the ford dealer and they can offer financing based on your US credit rating given they are a US company. Im sure the other dealerships would probably do the same. So if you have good credit in the country you are coming from and you have a job lined up in the UK then financing shouldn't be a problem.
Ive narrowed it down to a couple of cars and am going to check on the insurance before making my decision.
Ive narrowed it down to a couple of cars and am going to check on the insurance before making my decision.
Keep us informed with what you decide.
Good luck with your move and glad to hear all ok.
We will be following you in 7 weeks.
Cheers
Nigel
May 27th 2014, 5:45 pm
#18
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
Re: Home sweet home!
Had my registration appointment with the doctors office today and no problems what so ever. Didn't even need my passport or any type of ID because I have my NHS number. Went over my forms took my height, weight etc and that was it. Even the fact that I have been out of the UK for 18 years didn't prevent the registration or cause the need for more documentation. yay!
May 27th 2014, 5:52 pm
#19
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
Re: Home sweet home!
Update on car insurance:
You can use comparethemarket.com however the prices were higher than others I found. They do accept the no claims from another country but the reason the premiums are higher is because insurance companies want to know that you have experience of driving in the UK. They ask you to state when you became resident in the UK, if you were from birth your premium would be several hundred pounds cheaper. I went direct to Aviva who actually quoted about 150 pounds less than any company on compare the market. I also tried Adrian Flux who came in 50 pounds less that Aviva. If you call Adrian Flux you can also get a cheaper rate so once I decide on which car to buy I will call them. Seems that my insurance for a 2013 fiesta would be about 350 pound for the first year using my 12 years no claims from the US and having a clean license for 21 years. Obviously next year it will be lower as I will have experience driving in the UK to show. While I have to do a bit of searching on my own it really hasn't been that hard to get someone to accept the US no claims bonus.
You can use comparethemarket.com however the prices were higher than others I found. They do accept the no claims from another country but the reason the premiums are higher is because insurance companies want to know that you have experience of driving in the UK. They ask you to state when you became resident in the UK, if you were from birth your premium would be several hundred pounds cheaper. I went direct to Aviva who actually quoted about 150 pounds less than any company on compare the market. I also tried Adrian Flux who came in 50 pounds less that Aviva. If you call Adrian Flux you can also get a cheaper rate so once I decide on which car to buy I will call them. Seems that my insurance for a 2013 fiesta would be about 350 pound for the first year using my 12 years no claims from the US and having a clean license for 21 years. Obviously next year it will be lower as I will have experience driving in the UK to show. While I have to do a bit of searching on my own it really hasn't been that hard to get someone to accept the US no claims bonus.
May 27th 2014, 6:22 pm
#20
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Home sweet home!
Had my registration appointment with the doctors office today and no problems what so ever. Didn't even need my passport or any type of ID because I have my NHS number. Went over my forms took my height, weight etc and that was it. Even the fact that I have been out of the UK for 18 years didn't prevent the registration or cause the need for more documentation. yay!
Ditto with the info on the car insurance, very good to hear.
May 27th 2014, 7:53 pm
#21
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 603
Re: Home sweet home!
lgabriel73,
All this info is so helpful, thank you!
All this info is so helpful, thank you!
May 27th 2014, 7:59 pm
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Home sweet home!
Glad things are going well and thanks for the useful info!
May 29th 2014, 3:54 pm
#23
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Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Falmouth, Cornwall
Posts: 432
Re: Home sweet home!
Brilliant info for those of us moving back in the near future. Thanks so much. Particularly interesting is the US/UK credit re: cars and Amex. Good stuff. Plus I drove for 7 or 8 years (clean record and no claims) before moving to the USA so hopefully that'll count for something on the insurance front.
Keep the info coming but most of all good luck to you and all the best for the future and for getting your life re-started back in the UK.
Cheers, M
Keep the info coming but most of all good luck to you and all the best for the future and for getting your life re-started back in the UK.
Cheers, M
Jun 1st 2014, 2:08 pm
#24
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
Re: Home sweet home!
Well I've been back two weeks now and I can honestly say that America seems so far away and almost like it never happened. I'm still getting used to the idiosyncrasies of the UK but slowly but surely finding my feet. The weather has turned beautiful again which has given me the opportunity to be out and about with the dog finding places right on my doorstep that I never knew existed. One thing that has amazed me is how green everything is and how the hills just roll for miles. Im sure its always been this way but I guess sometimes you have to move away from a place to really appreciate it. Everyone is so friendly and although I am getting annoyed that people think Im american I still have a good banter with anyone that wants to chat. On a walk through the hills yesterday came across some horses and event they were friendly, LOL. Came over and stood there and let me pat him for ages. Cant remember the last time I've come across horses when walking let alone been able to touch one.
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Jun 1st 2014, 2:47 pm
#25
Banned
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Re: Home sweet home!
Well I've been back two weeks now and I can honestly say that America seems so far away and almost like it never happened. I'm still getting used to the idiosyncrasies of the UK but slowly but surely finding my feet. The weather has turned beautiful again which has given me the opportunity to be out and about with the dog finding places right on my doorstep that I never knew existed. One thing that has amazed me is how green everything is and how the hills just roll for miles. Im sure its always been this way but I guess sometimes you have to move away from a place to really appreciate it. Everyone is so friendly and although I am getting annoyed that people think Im american I still have a good banter with anyone that wants to chat. On a walk through the hills yesterday came across some horses and event they were friendly, LOL. Came over and stood there and let me pat him for ages. Cant remember the last time I've come across horses when walking let alone been able to touch one.
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Jun 2nd 2014, 1:40 am
#26
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 603
Re: Home sweet home!
What a wonderful update! Love hearing how its going and you have some great tips in there too, thank you!
Jun 2nd 2014, 1:51 am
#27
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Home sweet home!
Well I've been back two weeks now and I can honestly say that America seems so far away and almost like it never happened. I'm still getting used to the idiosyncrasies of the UK but slowly but surely finding my feet. The weather has turned beautiful again which has given me the opportunity to be out and about with the dog finding places right on my doorstep that I never knew existed. One thing that has amazed me is how green everything is and how the hills just roll for miles. Im sure its always been this way but I guess sometimes you have to move away from a place to really appreciate it. Everyone is so friendly and although I am getting annoyed that people think Im american I still have a good banter with anyone that wants to chat. On a walk through the hills yesterday came across some horses and event they were friendly, LOL. Came over and stood there and let me pat him for ages. Cant remember the last time I've come across horses when walking let alone been able to touch one.
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Anyway, I pick up my new car tomorrow, YAY! a 2013 ford fiesta. Great miles to the gallon and zero road tax. I get 7 days free insurance through Ford and will then finalize my own insurance which looks like it will be around 300 gbp through Adrian Flux. One thing I do recommend to those moving back that is if you haven't driven if the UK for many years like I hadn't then have a family member or friend take you out a few times. The roads are so different and add in focusing on changing gear all the time it takes some practise. Once I have my car I can then start catching up properly with old friends. Have a long list of them waiting for me to get in touch to arrange to meet up just wanted a few weeks to find my feet first. Oh and of course I can now start the official job hunt. Fortunately I haven't been in a rush as I am doing consulting for the company I worked for in the US so I still have money coming in. Wow, has it really been only two weeks that I have been home? Seems like I've been here a lot longer!
Such a nice update and good luck with the car! What an exciting time!
Jun 2nd 2014, 2:39 am
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Home sweet home!
Sounds great!
I'm interested in getting a Fiesta too.
I'm interested in getting a Fiesta too.