Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

Yes should have done the same. Hard even to have location to get mail. But they do have Black Pudding and Yorkshire Pudding, great cider and the river Wansbeck.

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

Yup I opened a bank account, needed my new driving licence and a utility bill. She scheduled the initial setup meeting for one hour - and we really did need that entire hour (mind you she was a sweet Spanish lady, I think I got her entire recent medical travails & her sister who lives in Ft. Lauderdale etc...) But part of it was, since I'm an American person, all the extra British and U.S. compliance forms I had to complete. Just for a current account!

Yorkshire puds are one of my weaknesses. I buy the Tesco Finest frozen yorkshires, eat a couple of them as a late night snack fairly frequently.

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

What a nightmare ! No address no bank account. No bank account hard to transfer money, and anything that requires standing order is out the window.

I even missed Black Pudding. The draft Cider is great ! There is even a posh coffee shop in the centre.

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

US compliance forms ridiculous. To open a current account they ask what tax jurisdiction you were in, then computer requests social security number !

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

Welcome home morpeth. We often walk along the lovely Wansbeck where it runs through your username. ;)

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

Many Swans up there ? I was astounded on one area where before maybe one would find two of three Swans, there were over 20. They have lost fear of humans, and as I sat having morning coffee came up and surrounded me.

Quit interesting after a few years. Ashington has a posh coffee shop, never though to see that.

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

hey morpeth we will be heading back to the UK in a month can I ask which bank you opened your account with and has anyone got any suggestions to open bank accounts, I thought Halifax was supposed to be good but the person on the phone at Halifax then advised me that you need to be living in the Uk for a year before you can open an account with them

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

It seems the key is whether you can show a residential address , a real big factor. Actually post office seems easier than banks. Still waiting for some approvals but best advice I could give is rent from private landlord a room on a six month lease of some sort unless you wish to pay for a flat in advance. There is a company called APS that offers a prepaid card that has a sort code and account number. So getting an address and phone number , then signing up for electoral roll and getting an APS card seems first steps from what a few people told me.

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

cheers really good advice

Re: We are finally back in the UK
 

The other issue is if you have been tax resident in America as that generates more paperwork at the banks for opening an account.