moving to the uk

copperhead

hello im planning on moving to the uk early next year
i was wondering how to go about this
will my driving licence be ok over there
how do i register for tax etc
am i better off selling my car on ireland and buying a run around over there
any tips or pointers .
thanks

Edgware

Your driving licence will be fine in the short term but you will need to exchange it for a U.K. one. Its not a big issue . Apply to the DVLA. Bear in mind that Brexit may have implications for this.
You will need to apply for a National Insurance number. You can work short term without one. From the date of application it might take 3/4 weeks before you get an appointment.
You will need Proof of Identity and Address so get your name on a Utility Bill as soon as possible. It will be needed also when opening a bank account.

As regards the car where will you be living? In in London I would sell the car as the public transport is good. Parking fees are excessive and if going to Central London you willhave Congestion charges. If you are living in a provincial town e.g. Milton Keyes, Northampton rtc a car would be useful for getting around and out to the country. You can re register to a U.K. registration if you wish. The days when a car with a big IRL sticker attracted customs/police attention are gone ( unless its a Hiace van of course)

bobbyy gee

You will find cost living high there unless you have a tech job
Expect to spend all your money on food and housing it's also impossible to make friends if you can speak a language you would be better moving to europe

Edgware

bobbyy gee wrote: »

You will find cost living high there unless you have a tech job
Expect to spend all your money on food and housing it's also impossible to make friends if you can speak a language you would be better moving to europe

London is expensive no doubt. You will need to be earning well there to enjoy it.
As regards making friends it really depends on the nature of your work. If in Construction, Nursing you will undoubtedly find Irish groups and if in to the G.A.A. the clubs are always welcoming to new people. London is an international city and if in Law, I.T. or Finance you will be meeting people of all nationalities who will be good social mixers. The northern cities can be different and more clannish.
As regards opting for continental Europe I'm not so sure. It is nearly impossible to make friends in any of the Eastern European countries and your language skills would have to be very good to be comfortable in France/Germany/Spain.

enda1

Edgware wrote: »

Your driving licence will be fine in the short term but you will need to exchange it for a U.K. one. Its not a big issue . Apply to the DVLA. Bear in mind that Brexit may have implications for this.
You will need to apply for a National Insurance number. You can work short term without one. From the date of application it might take 3/4 weeks before you get an appointment.
You will need Proof of Identity and Address so get your name on a Utility Bill as soon as possible. It will be needed also when opening a bank account.

As regards the car where will you be living? In in London I would sell the car as the public transport is good. Parking fees are excessive and if going to Central London you willhave Congestion charges. If you are living in a provincial town e.g. Milton Keyes, Northampton rtc a car would be useful for getting around and out to the country. You can re register to a U.K. registration if you wish. The days when a car with a big IRL sticker attracted customs/police attention are gone ( unless its a Hiace van of course)

That's not the case currently. Let's see with Brexit however I guess.

copperhead

thanks for all the advice
to give a bit more information im looking at moving to the north west of england
as its cheap enough to live in and there will be plenty of job opportunities for me there
im a lorry driver so hence the licence questions
although i have spent alot of time in england i have never officially lived there so thanks again for the advice

ancapailldorcha

copperhead wrote: »

thanks for all the advice
to give a bit more information im looking at moving to the north west of england
as its cheap enough to live in and there will be plenty of job opportunities for me there
im a lorry driver so hence the licence questions
although i have spent alot of time in england i have never officially lived there so thanks again for the advice

I would think that the licence thing would be some sort of EU standard that the UK will replicate or agree to retain the current system. I don't know though so I'd take anyone else's opinion over mine.

I used to live in Manchester and really liked it. Don't know what your financial situation is but it should be quite affordable for you to find someone and house prices are more reasonable up north. As for tax, you'll need a National Insurance number which will necessitate a trip to a Job Centre. You may be able to sort it beforehand.

DilD

Lived in London for years up until recently, cost of living is cheaper than Ireland, don't be fooled thinking it's crazy expensive, it definitely is not.

Food, drinks, clothes, etc. all cheaper than Ireland. Rent is dear as expected, but I would say when you take into account the job opportunities are far greater, general living expenses are cheaper and there is a lot more on offer than anywhere in Ireland (socially and professionally), then I would say you are getting more value on rent there also.

With making friends, don't worry, the English are a far friendlier group than we are here to be totally honest. They have a bigger culture of socialising outside of work regularly and companies usually organise their own social events to help with that. The Irish are 'known' for our drinking culture, but it's a big exaggeration, you're likely to have a far larger social circle, the difference is you are far less likely to come across any sort of drunken fights or trouble. You'll find you'll get along with people in the UK far easier and quicker, they love the Irish just as much as the Americans do!

To sum it up I wouldn't be put off by the tall tale of your whole wage going on rent and food, it's so far from the truth nor is it a lonely place to be in terms of socialing with new people!

Best of luck

ancapailldorcha

Couldn't disagree more. The cost of living in London is nothing short of extortionate, far in excess of most of Dublin in my experience. Transport is also going to be a significant drain on your finances which you'll need to prepare for.

Edgware

ancapailldorcha wrote: »

Couldn't disagree more. The cost of living in London is nothing short of extortionate, far in excess of most of Dublin in my experience. Transport is also going to be a significant drain on your finances which you'll need to prepare for.

I agree. Accommodation is expensive and while you might find a place out in the extreme suburbs like Stanmore you will have a long commute.
The poster is thinking of the North West which is completely different. Manchester, Bolton, Rochdale etc are better as regards accommodation costs

partyguinness

DilD wrote: »

With making friends, don't worry, the English are a far friendlier group than we are here to be totally honest. They have a bigger culture of socialising outside of work regularly and companies usually organise their own social events to help with that. The Irish are 'known' for our drinking culture, but it's a big exaggeration, you're likely to have a far larger social circle, the difference is you are far less likely to come across any sort of drunken fights or trouble. You'll find you'll get along with people in the UK far easier and quicker, they love the Irish just as much as the Americans do!

I have been here over 10 years and I don't recognise that at all. The English are not as friendly as the Irish. They are polite and will chat to you if they have to but don't mistake that friendliness. I find that a lot of the English would rather cut off their fingernails than engage in chat- very, what would I say, on and off and very quick to take offence. They are like Murphy's Dog- it's great craic when they are dishing out the 'bantz' but they do not like to be on the receiving end that's for sure. They tend to take themselves awfully serious.

Very very hard to integrate into existing social groups compared to living in Ireland. I know English people from outside the locality who actually agree with that observation.

I am have clients that are Asian (Indian) and they said themselves after living in Ireland for a few years that they prefer the Irish as they are more friendly and open like the Indians themselves unlikes say the WASPS.

If you suggest going out for drinks or curry you willl be taken for a weirdo.

Now I am married with kids so my days of falling out of clubs/pubs are well behind me but when I do venture out I have seen plenty of drunken brawls. Every time.

I appreciate that eveyone has different experiences and that is just mine.

northy_north

I appreciate this thread is a bit old but just want to my tuppance if anyone's reading and considering a move. I couldn't disagree more with the above post. Been here 6 years in a few different places (never London), and the description above seems more apt to Dublin and its people, rather than anywhere I've lived here

In particular the "weirdo" comment, that just seems off the wall to me.

But I guess we all have different experiences, just giving a glimpse into mine. Arrived here thinking "sure give it a go" and now settled, married to a local and baby on the way

X6.430macman

Can I ask where in Ireland you come from?

Feenix

partyguinness wrote: »

I have been here over 10 years and I don't recognise that at all. The English are not as friendly as the Irish. They are polite and will chat to you if they have to but don't mistake that friendliness. I find that a lot of the English would rather cut off their fingernails than engage in chat- very, what would I say, on and off and very quick to take offence. They are like Murphy's Dog- it's great craic when they are dishing out the 'bantz' but they do not like to be on the receiving end that's for sure. They tend to take themselves awfully serious.

Very very hard to integrate into existing social groups compared to living in Ireland. I know English people from outside the locality who actually agree with that observation.

I am have clients that are Asian (Indian) and they said themselves after living in Ireland for a few years that they prefer the Irish as they are more friendly and open like the Indians themselves unlikes say the WASPS.

If you suggest going out for drinks or curry you willl be taken for a weirdo.

Now I am married with kids so my days of falling out of clubs/pubs are well behind me but when I do venture out I have seen plenty of drunken brawls. Every time.

I appreciate that eveyone has different experiences and that is just mine.

Maybe if YOU suggest going out for drinks or curry you are taken for a weirdo.

JJJackal

Has anyone moved to the UK recently? If so can I ask what is the cheapest way to move possessions? Probably over 300kg of items in total. Likely more if it wasnt too expensive. Its for 3 people