Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

What do you do for a living? Oh, and what area are you headed to? You must have family in the UK - will they be able to help initially? I know a few recruiters in the UK but all down South. If it helps, I can put you in touch.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

So much to do in Northumberland, and now so many direct flights from Newcastle compared to years past; easy, and affordable, to visit Europe as well. Work environment seems much less stressful and pressure than US. Of course more reasonable social benefits than the US.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

The other thing that impresses me for a young person moving back to the UK is the various ways of investing. ISA's have higher limits than US IRA accounts, and the peer to peer lending sites have a few that offer a decent return on extra cash one wants to earn interest on, and a lot simpler to use and set up than my experience in USA. Over time it seems easier to build up savings in UK ( whether it happens for most of course another matter).

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

I've been impressed with ISA's and their ease of use with no penalties or time limits on withdrawals. (We both have cash ISAs) These days the first £1,000 of interest in non-ISA accounts is also tax free.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Have you got any fivers? The old paper fivers ceased to be legal tender a couple of weeks ago, only the new plastic ones (with a clear window like NZ$) are legal now.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Banks will exchange them for the new notes.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Banks will exchange any note that was once legal tender for a new note(s) of equivalent value. In some cases the notes may need to be sent to the Bank of England for inspection before the value is paid out.

That said, at some point most old notes will have more value to collectors than their face value.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

There is also one for young people or first time home buyers, that gives a free bonus o be used towards purchase of a house. Quite creative. Might help a bit in North East but drop in the bucket down south.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Nah, only twenties, I don't think they're likely to have any of the new fivers, and probably wouldn't give anyone the old ones.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

At the momment I'm in casual on-call employment as a a relief staff -mainly cleaning/room servicing at a hostel. I plan on moving to the Chester area and want to get a job in tourism/hospitality.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

PErhaps i can help because I am somewhat similar.

I was born in NZ, but to an english family. So I grew up with a very English view of the world but at the same time still a kiwi but with dual passports.

Anyway, i moved to the UK recently and my experience...

- Bank Account, not as easy as some people are saying. You will have no credit history so they will want to refuse you, trust me on that. You will need a job offer and proof of address. Even then prepare to have some bank workers reject you. Just cycle through the banks, one of them will give you an account.

- Insurance Number - very easy just phone the helpline the day you arrive, they will make an appointment for you.

- Treated as an outsider? Well, unlike you I was born in NZ and do consider myself a kiwi first and foremost. But not really. I find most people here never really bring it up even though I live in an area of the country that has very few immigrants.

- The accent. I obviously have a kiwi accent, but have only had a few people comment on it and it's just a polite enquiry. Some pick me straight as a kiwi, some as australian, and had someone think I was from South AFrica which was interesting.

There's a few random things you may find a challenge depending on your upbringing.

- Cars are mostly manual transmission here. I'd say it's 90%, whereas in NZ it's probably 75% auto.

- Roads can be very narrow, a bit getting used to.

- People don't like to bring up personal stuff here, they are more reserved about that type of stuff. Stiff Upper Lip culture i guess.

- Small homes. Obviously due to population pressure. In saying that, the space is better utilised here.

But otherwise, it's quite similar culturally to NZ.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Well, today is my last birthday in New Zealand! It feels so weird to type that! I also may have a job by the end of next week, here in New Zealand, so I know I'll have plenty of money saved by November if I'm successful - all I have to do is pass a pre-employment physical, and the job is mine.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Happy Birthday!

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Time for another update! I've been working full-time since June 15 and have already paid for all other transport costs (train + 1 night hotel stay in London) as well as some winter clothes. I've saved a further $2,264 as of Wednesday. I finish work on the 3rd of November by which time, I'll have over 3 thousand, with another $500+ bringing me close to (maybe over) $4,000 by the time I fly out. I have my medical stuff halfway sorted thanks to my specialist sending a letter to Chester NHS. All I have to do is register with a GP, and the Hospital will assign me to a gastroenterologist. My Auntie is being really supportive and is going to give me a place to stay for a couple of weeks and show me around as much as possible to help me sort banking and stuff like that.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Sounds like things are coming along nicely. Keep us updated!

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Thanks for the update, it sounds like things are really coming together for you.

Our son moved back just over a week ago after 30 years living in the USA (he was aged 4 when we moved there and we moved back to England 16 months ago) so I fully understand all the issues trying to get established when you don’t have a UK bank, NHS or NI number etc. He is working through all the things he needs to do to get established and is actually really loving it. On Monday he has to go into the bank with some ID and other documents to get his bank account, and on Tuesday go to an appointment at the Jobs Centre+ to get his NI number.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Thanks guys! I'll be posting more updates up until I fly, and I'll start a thread letting you all know how I'm settling in.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Sounds very positive. :thumbsup: Thanks for letting us know...and yes please keep us updated.

Good luck.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Well, it is now two weeks until I fly, and I'm well on track. I finished work last Thursday, My room is looking almost as bare as it was when I first moved in. (though less clean) and I've basically reduced my belongings to what I can fit in my luggage or will give away to family or op-shops.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Hi I have not been on Expats for a while and just thought I would catch up, reading your thread I thought to myself "I hope your family are proud of how you have approached your move, if you were my Son I certainly would be proud" We live in the Peak District after living many years in Australia our two boys have settled in well and have lead full lives since their return from Aus. It is currently cold and frosty today, we had rain yesterday but prior to that is we have had decent weather for this time of year, so pack your jumpers etc but don't forget clothing items can be bought quite cheap here at certain shops. Your first Christmas without is being hot will be a change but can also be good as you certainly will get the "Christmassy" feel with all the Christmas Markets and the Christmas lights on everywhere it can also be a good time to find a job as certain companies take on extra staff to cover the Christmas period, here in the Peak district it gets dark about 4.30pm ish and then light again at 7am (the clocks have just been turned back" it might be a little strange at first to you having early dark nights but then the bonus in Spring is that its light from very early until 10.30pm at night. I hope all works out for you, your doing what you feel you want to do and that's what life is all about really. Good luck ps I/we have not found people unapproachable here, many a time it has taken ages to do a "shop" or walk our dog as I have stopped to talk to strangers etc and ended up putting the world to rights lol.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

Thank you! I've been keeping an eye on the weather for Chester and the temps right now are what we had here in winter, but seem to be rapidly cooling. Sunset is already 4:33 as of today. I expect in 2 weeks it'll be colder and earlier. I'm looking forward to a winter Christmas after many years of summertime ones! They say this winter is going to be a cold one, so I hope that means snow!

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

I lived in Chester for many years...not in the city centre...before moving across the pond. If we returned...that’s where we would probably live.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

All the best with this and please do update us once back.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

When we had our first Christmas here after living in Perth it was the coldest one since records began, we were snowed in for a couple of days but it really added to the Christmassy feel after years of very hot Christmases in Australia. Chester is a really nice small City with Manchester and Liverpool near by, you are also a "hop and skip" over into North Wales which is a lovely part of the UK. The time of year your coming is a good one, there are plenty of Christmas Markets to visit, Christmas lights look nicer when its darker rather than when it's hot and sunny (our opinion) and there are lots of Seasonal jobs on offer. It is getting colder but you can always wrap up and there is always plenty of mulled wine etc to warm you up lol.

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

On a positive note, in 6 weeks the days will start to get longer again;).

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

That is a good attitude!

All the best Celticprince!

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

I think our ideas about what constitutes a positive development are rather different. I've always hated the days getting longer. :lol:

Re: Settling back in the UK after spending most of your life abroad
 

When the cosy dark nights arrive I find I enjoy them and when the wonderfully long spring/summer nights arrive I am more than ready for them as well lol.