So many questions
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1
So many questions
I am looking to move from the USA to the UK. I am a British Citizen but I've never lived there as an adult, and I have so many questions.
1) I have a whole household of things and many of them are electric. Is it worthwhile to take them? TV's, computers, exercise bike, oxygen concentrator (might need it, but likely won't because of the low altitude), really nice sofa and chairs that use electricity for the foot rests, kitchen things like Cuisinart, Instant Pot, Vitamix, also things like a sewing machine, etc.
2) Will I need to take driving lessons if I've never driven on the left side? Might I want to - just to get some familiarity?
3) I've read some harrowing stories about shipping. Is it really bad? Are there other ways to transport the more important items? (Like work computer set up, and personal items like wardrobe, vitamins, things like that)
4) Have any of you moved back for a year? I am thinking I should do that before buying a house to make sure it's where I want to be. I don't know if it's worth selling everything and then maybe having to buy again if I come back, or selling from there, if I decide to stay in the UK.
5) Any other tips?
Thanks so much.
PS No longer a spring chicken, not so easy to just pick up and go at this age.
1) I have a whole household of things and many of them are electric. Is it worthwhile to take them? TV's, computers, exercise bike, oxygen concentrator (might need it, but likely won't because of the low altitude), really nice sofa and chairs that use electricity for the foot rests, kitchen things like Cuisinart, Instant Pot, Vitamix, also things like a sewing machine, etc.
2) Will I need to take driving lessons if I've never driven on the left side? Might I want to - just to get some familiarity?
3) I've read some harrowing stories about shipping. Is it really bad? Are there other ways to transport the more important items? (Like work computer set up, and personal items like wardrobe, vitamins, things like that)
4) Have any of you moved back for a year? I am thinking I should do that before buying a house to make sure it's where I want to be. I don't know if it's worth selling everything and then maybe having to buy again if I come back, or selling from there, if I decide to stay in the UK.
5) Any other tips?
Thanks so much.
PS No longer a spring chicken, not so easy to just pick up and go at this age.
Last edited by darshanfj; Oct 23rd 2021 at 3:52 am.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,651
Re: So many questions
1 . Not worth taking electrical items. Furniture , yes
2. Yes
3.Shipping is a bit chaotic at moment. Taking much longer to ship
4. If moving back for a year - to try it out - then leave everything in the US and rent something in the UK - preferably furnished.
2. Yes
3.Shipping is a bit chaotic at moment. Taking much longer to ship
4. If moving back for a year - to try it out - then leave everything in the US and rent something in the UK - preferably furnished.
#3
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,526
Re: So many questions
One great option for an initial “trial run” in the UK is to get a “winter let” of a holiday cottage. Price is cheaper than a weekly holiday cottage rental, but more expensive than a long-term rental. You can often get them for anywhere between 2 and 5 months - depending on the cottage owner’s season. One big advantage is they are fully furnished and equipped. Limitation is they are mostly located in holiday regions, so generally not in city or suburb.
It is a long enough period that you can put yourself in the mindset of a permanent resident and see if it might work for you.
An example
https://www.countrycottagesonline.co...p#.YXPCbhqkqhA
It is a long enough period that you can put yourself in the mindset of a permanent resident and see if it might work for you.
An example
https://www.countrycottagesonline.co...p#.YXPCbhqkqhA
Last edited by robin1234; Oct 23rd 2021 at 8:07 am.
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,128
Re: So many questions
We rented a house for 7 months in the place we thought we'd want to move to and didn't hire a car so we could ensure that the public transport worked well for us. We did hire a car 2 or 3 times when we had visitors and wanted to be able to drive them around.
#5
Re: So many questions
If taking furniture back, remember beds are a different size and US furniture tends to be on the large size, as rooms are usually much bigger. Don’t take anything that requires heating, even if it’s dual voltage, because it will probably burn out due to the much higher voltage.
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Whitby, Ontario
Posts: 730
Re: So many questions
Try driving - I think a few lessons at least would be a good idea but I think you can only drive on your US licence for a year? My American son in law lives in the UK and is taking lessons in preparation for a UK driving test.