Moving from Chicago, IL, USA to London, England. HELP!
 

In just a couple of months, my husband and I will be making a very big move to London, England from Chicago, IL, USA. My husband went to London a few months ago for a business trip, and now we are moving out there for his job. We both have current US passports. I have a lot of questions and concerns regarding moving overseas that I'm hoping someone out there can help answer or at least point me in the direction of where I can find more information on what my concerns or questions are. Here goes:

1) I'm mainly concerned with upside-down car loans and student loans. What should we do about those loans while overseas?

2) His company is paying for our flight to England, then they are paying for furnished housing out there for 1-2 years while he works. (yes, I know, that's pretty lucky) Aside from clothes and toiletries, what else should we bring with us?

3) I will want to get a job when we move there. Will I need to apply for some kind of work visa or something?

4) What is the best means of communication with friends and family that will still be in Chicago while we're overseas? I tried Skype while my husband was out there a few months ago and it was very slow and delayed, and we even lost our connection several times. Anything better that anyone knows of?

5) We have 2 cats that are getting up there in age. I'm concerned about such a big move for them because both of them are over 10 years old. Anyone ever made this move with pets before? Is it going to traumatize them? Would it be better for us to find them a good home before we leave? (Please be serious about this one. Those cats are my babies!)

6) How does health insurance work out there?

7) What are the hospitals like?

8) If one were to become pregnant while in England even though they're a US citizen, if they have their baby in England, does that baby automatically become an English citizen? (We're going through fertility treatments right now, so this could be our reality next year)

9) What are some fun things to do in England that don't cost a lot of money?

10) Is there a website similar to yelp.com in England? (Yelp is a site that people rate places they've been. ie. restaurants, museums, theme parks, etc.) If so, what is it?

11) Something similar to Groupon.com in England?(Groupon is a site that offers discounted deals for things that are otherwise almost twice the price of the deal. The deals only go through if enough people sign up for it. Hence the 'group' part of the word coupon. Get it?) If so, what is it?

Thank you for any information you can provide for us. We're moving sometime in October. I am looking forward to this adventure, but I want to be as prepared as possible for it so I don't get stressed out. Thanks for all your help!

Congratulations! This is a big move but an exciting one, I hope. Does your husband's company have relocation agents? Often companies who transfer people internationally have people whose job it is to help with questions like these.

If you and your family members have Apple products (iPhones, iPads or I think the newer laptops will also work), you can use FaceTime. It's similar to Skype.

Yelp is international. There are a couple of threads here about inexpensive ways to eat or sightsee in London - you can use the search box at the top to find them. London Walks (walks.com) is great and inexpensive, and Londontown.com is a good resource too.

Can't give you much advice except to say London is an awesome city!! Will you live in London or on the outskirts? How lucky you both are. :)

If you know you will only be there for two years I would think about leaving the cats with someone you know & trust. If you do take them you might find want to check out about quarantine requirements (if there are any).

Yes, we are very excited about this big move, thank you, Jent! I have anxiety disorder, and I don't want to have a bunch of panic attacks because of poor planning on my part. My husband's job does have a person that is doing all these things you mentioned. But I have to rely on him to get my questions answered, and I haven't had any of my questions answered yet. He's a great guy, but he can sometimes be wishy-washy when it comes to getting something done that I asked him to do. Hopefully someone or several someones on here can give me more information. Thanks again for your info.

<<<If you and your family members have Apple products (iPhones, iPads or I think the newer laptops will also work), you can use FaceTime. It's similar to Skype.>>>

We've used both Skype (iphone/ipad from SE Asia to US computers and cell phones) and Facetime (iphone/ipad between US and Holland/Turkey) and found Facetime somewhat more reliable (less jumpy).

While you could get some answers here Kendall, this is primarily a travel forum, not an expat forum. I suggest you post on some forums more relevant to your questions. There are several specific US expat in the UK forums.

http://www.google.ca/search?site=&so...56.LaD96qq-nOU

Now a few quick comments. Presumably, his employer is arranging your visas for you both. Just make sure you are allowed to work. The employer should be arranging this, so you should not need to do anything (other than provide them any relevant info. ie. you may need to apply for a Criminal history report as they can't do that for you. You would then provide it to them to include when they apply for visas for your husband and yourself.)

Skype generally works well. My wife uses it to speak with family friends in the UK all the time. Get those you will want to talk with to also sign up as Skype to Skype is free. If you have an iPad, Apple's 'Facetime' is also free if you and the other party both have it.

Check on UK pet admisson rules. http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/pets/

Re health coverage. There will be an initial period before your husband and yourself are covered under the National Health Service in the UK. He should ask his employer about that and whether they will be providing you both with private coverage during that period. Once you are eligble for NHS you can expect any and all healthcare to be covered including child birth.

Opinions on the quality of NHS care vary. In general though I would say it is adequate and not something to really worry about.

Re baby's citizenship. I believe you would be able to apply for British Citizenship for a baby born during your time there. If you can, I would. Both the USA and the UK allow dual citizenship so there is nothing to lose and it might be useful later in life for your son/daughter to have that citizenship. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/br...izen/borninuk/

Fun things to do, much the same as in the USA. Really not a question for which there is a short answer.

http://www.yelp.co.uk/

http://www.groupon.co.uk/

I would urge you to go to some expat forums Kendall. I'm not an expert. You should find plenty of people who have made the move and can advise further.

Honestly, your husband's employer should be handling all of this. But yes, check out the expat forums; this forum is for travel, and your situation is beyond that.

But to answer one question, of course a child born in the UK to American expats isn't going to be a UK citizen. He/she will be American.

As for Skype, I'm not sure why you had problems with it. I use it all the time to communicate with people in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere in the USA. Never had any glitches with it at all.

Sounds very exciting all around!

<i> I believe you would be able to apply for British Citizenship for a baby born during your time there.</i>

Only if one or more of the parents gain British citizenship - in most cases (except naturalisation) citizenship of any country (except the US) is based on the citizenship of the parents and where they were living at the time of birth

<i>3) I will want to get a job when we move there. Will I need to apply for some kind of work visa or something?</i>
In the majority of cases (there are a few exceptions), a non-EU citizen cannot work in the UK unless they possess exceptional skills which enable them to garner enough points in the UKBA's evaluation system, or a UK employer agrees to sponsor the person. Just as in the USA (for fairly obvious reasons) you can't just turn up and try to find work. All the details are on:- http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...ation/working/. You may have to accept that you'll not be able to work AT ALL during your husband's posting to the UK.

<i>7) What are the hospitals like? </i>
Well, NHS hospitals are free for all UK residents which is a big improvement on the US situation. There are regular stories in the UK media about poor NHS care, but (as someone with considerable first hand experience) generally the care and technical skills of the NHS are good to excellent.

<i>8) If one were to become pregnant while in England even though they're a US citizen, if they have their baby in England, does that baby automatically become an English citizen? </i>
Not automatically as you will only be here for a limited time. Check the rules on:- http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/br...izen/borninuk/.

<i>11) Something similar to Groupon.com in England?</i>
It's here as well, along with several other equivelent sites.

A couple of notes:

You just can;t move there with a passport - your husband will need a work visa (his company needs to arrange that)

I don;t know if you will be allowed to work there or not - that is something his company (whatever agent they provide to supervise the process for you - will be able to tell you - but generally if you are not a citizen you aren;t allowed to work without a lengthy, complicated and often unsuccessful process)

I would assume his company would provide private health insurance - since as non citizens you would not be covered under the National Health plan - at least at first. Also, if you are used to care on demand with any MD you choose you will want private insurance.

No, any child born there is not a citizen - that is true of the US but not of very many other countries - children take the citizenship of their parents

Cost of living is going to be significantly higher than Chicago - and residences are usually smaller than in the US

I really think you need to get hooked up with his company's support group as soon as possible - to get some of this sorted out. If that person isn't helping get a couple of face to face meetings - with you sending your specific questions in advance - since only that person knows what benefits your husband's company is offering - assume he will get a housing allowance, a cost of living allowance, etc.

You may also want to look for web sites of american ex-pats in England

I think if OP's a dependant of someone on a working visa, she hersef willprobably be on a visa allowing her to work.

I would sggest asking the company if the provided housing will allow the cats - lots of rented accommodation doesn't.

The one issue for the OP with the NHS is with the fertility treatment (unless already pregnant on arrival), as this is an area with patchy coverage. You might like to see if your company will provide private insurance/coverage specifically for this.

Some basic info on that here:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Inferti...Treatment.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/IVF/Pag...roduction.aspx

"I think if OP's a dependant of someone on a working visa, she hersef will probably be on a visa allowing her to work."

Wrong.

You might find this helpful:

http://moon.com/books/moon-living-abroad-in-london/

Also this TR;
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...going-tale.cfm

and this blog:
http://beachbums1.com/category/london/

Have a look at http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/forum/index.php for help. It's worth paying the registration fee as it's a very supportive forum run by an American expat for American expats in the UK. Whatever your question or concern, you'll find someone on there who has been through it before.

A colleague of mine moved to the UK to marry a British citizen and still had to go through a quite onerous process in order to be allowed to hold a job there.

Unless your husband's company is also giving you a job I think you chance of getting one is very small. I hope you are not planning on a second income for living expenses.

>>I'm mainly concerned with upside-down car loans and student loans. What should we do about those loans while overseas?<<

If you have loans, you'll need to keep paying them off. Sell the cars and see what you can do to pay off the rest of the loans. Dave Ramsey www.daveramsey.com has really helpful advice for getting out of debt, including when you're upside-down on a loan.

Have fun!

Lee Ann

"I think if OP's a dependant of someone on a working visa, she hersef will probably be on a visa allowing her to work."

Wrong.


Then the official government site is also wrong. I think this improbable.

As OP's husband is going to be here for relatively short period (1-2 years), working for his current employer, I would expect him to be on a Tier 2 Intra-company transfer visa. Dependants of people on that type of visa may work:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...andconditions/

Yes, but this info has to come from the husband's company person making the arrangements. We don;t know what those are - or specific conditions.

1) there is a free forum called UK.yankees.com

2) re: upside down car loans - interesting British fact - cars have to be the right way up here, even if you pay cash.

3) Your child won't be English. Interesting fact # 2 there is no such thing as an "English citizen" , British citizen yes, but England isn't a nation state. Ditto Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

4) Interesting fact # 3 there hasn't been a King or Queen of England since the 17th century despite the US news coverage of late about the birth of the future King of England.

Confusing but fun.

1) I'm mainly concerned with upside-down car loans and student loans. What should we do about those loans while overseas?

Pay them off. You might want to sell the car now - it will only lose value.

2) His company is paying for our flight to England, then they are paying for furnished housing out there for 1-2 years while he works. (yes, I know, that's pretty lucky) Aside from clothes and toiletries, what else should we bring with us?

Electronic stuff you normally use (computers, iJunk). . .

3) I will want to get a job when we move there. Will I need to apply for some kind of work visa or something?

Yes.

4) What is the best means of communication with friends and family that will still be in Chicago while we're overseas?

Facetime. There are others.

5) We have 2 cats that are getting up there in age. I'm concerned about such a big move for them because both of them are over 10 years old. . .

You should try to find them homes. We'd not want to move overseas and try to drag our fluffheads with us (8.5 and 17).

6) How does health insurance work out there?

It's nationalized healthcare, with private options.

7) What are the hospitals like?

Depends. In London, you should be ok in terms of access to decent care, but the US healthcare system may have complex payment rules but has better care.

8) If one were to become pregnant . . .

Your kid to be is an American bc born to American parents. Whether the UK law makes him/her a brit is a different issue.

9) What are some fun things to do in England that don't cost a lot of money?

You have your pick of at least 10-15 excellent museums in London, for starters, that do not charge admission fees. It's free to visit Speakers Corner on Sundays and listen to insane people rant.

<i>It's free to visit Speakers Corner on Sundays and listen to insane people rant.</i>

They could just keep logging on here

Quick response (there are some errors in some of the replies):

1) Your husband needs Tier 2 intra-company transfer visa (there are several types depending on length, seniority and pay). His company has to be a registered sponsor with Home Office, but the actual application must be made by him in US before coming over. It involves applying online, paying the fees, attending biometric session and sending off supporting documents to NY where the visa will be processed at the UK consulate. If he hasn't done this and has no such visa (a sticker in his passport), he will be refused entry and put on the next flight home. He cannot enter as a visitor and change to (switch to) Tier 2 work visa - it isn't allowed. You should apply as dependant, and when approved, you will be able to work. I suggest he contacts his company immediately and ask. It's not too late if the company is already a registered sponsor and you apply for visa without delay. The visa processing time is around 2-3 weeks.
See http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...ing/tier2/ict/
And how to apply in US: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/co...e=UK%20English

2) Any children you may have in UK will only be US citizens, as neither of you is settled (i.e. a permanent resident) in UK. Your time in UK doesn't count towards settlement for most types of intra-company transfer (it normally requires 5 years). Prior to 1983, such children gained British citizenship at birth, so many US forces children became dual nationals. Not any more.

Push back hard for the answers you need from your husband's employer. Tell them in the nicest possible way that you require detailed information on how he will be paid, healthcare, your work options, housing details, etc.

I mention how he will be paid because in the 90s I worked for a U.S. based international company in Ireland and the UK for five years. I was paid in $ into my US bank account and continued to pay into Social Security and my company's 401k. I was given a monthly cost of living and housing allowance in pounds. I had local health coverage in both countries but my US health coverage remained in force. I was much younger then and in good health so never had to dive deep into details.

Just can't stress enough that you need to light a fire under your wishy-washy relo guy!

Good luck, you will have a ball.

Glad Alec was able to clarify about the working spouse as that has been my experience as well (technically I'm a working dependent (Tier 2 partner)). Other ex-pat spouses have been able to work but haven't (by choice or otherwise).

Prepare for some anxiety, because it will be stressful. But worth it.

Agree with others about using an ex-pat forum and the sponsoring company for information.

I've found blogging a nice way to keep in touch with friends/family back home. It's easy to do.

ukfrey.blogspot.com

"7) What are the hospitals like? "

Infinitely better than the conspiracy to make insurance CEOs rich you're lucky enough to be leaving. And far, far, more efficient than the nonsense your inept head of state is forcing on Americans.

Britain spends half the amount per person America does on healthcare. And we live longer.

Now apologise for asking such an offensive question.

But as a matter of interest: why DO you put up with such a farce? And then have the pig-ignorant gall to ask anything so obnoxious?

Because of all the stories we read in the newspapers and see on TV about health care being rationed and people with basic problems (for instance hip replacement) having to wait long periods (months) before surgery.

Also, quite a few drugs available in the US are not in the UK (yes, they are expensive ones and the OP is unlikely to need them). But here - when you have decent insurance - you can go to any hospital and see any specialist MD - pick the best in the country - not be stuck with a GP that happens to have an office near you and whatever specialist is available at a local hospital. I grant you have basic care for everyone. But we have as routine care more than your NHS provides (if you have decent insurance).

It is true that our healthcare system is a bad one. But the answer is not giving less to most people - it's to give top quality care to all people.

and it's true that there are not great hospitals in the US. there are also some of the best in the world. And there is no one stopping anyone from seeing the best MD in the best hospital.

My SIL needed complicated back surgery. And she interviewed the 2 MDs on the east coast that do that particular surgery before deciding which she wanted to do the surgery. No one told her what she had to go to a local hospital instead of Special Surgery - or god forbid what orthopedic surgeon would do the op. (Each of the 2 she interviewed - after getting recos from several local MDs agreed that the other was the only other MD qualified to do the surgery.)

"And there is no one stopping anyone from seeing the best MD in the best hospital."

Provided they can afford it. I would think the same is true in the UK - they have private hospitals and doctors there, too. There is also the little matter of people DYING in the US because they don't have health insurance. And going bankrupt because of medical bills even when they do.

<<I was paid in $ into my US bank account and continued to pay into Social Security and my company's 401k.>>

This seems like something important to know in advance.
Especially SS and the 401K.

>>But here - when you have decent insurance - you can go to any hospital and see any specialist MD - pick the best in the country >>

I may be wrong but this has never been my experience with medical insurance in the US. I was a public employee and we always had various types of medical coverage and husband has also. But most major, recognized medical insurance plans require that you belong to a closed system - that allows you to only see those doctors within their group. You can't just randomly call any doctor in your city and have your insurance cover it. Even PPO have very limited access to outside doctors anymore.

The only one that does do this is something like TriWest or Tricare (which is the military coverage for retired and their dependents).

Sigh, all this contradictory commentary is why I said go to an expat forum where people KNOW what they are talking about from first hand experience.

Obviously as there are conflicting opinions, some are right and some are wrong. You, Kendall, have no way of knowing which is which and that makes all of this thread a waste of time except the advice to talk to the person in your husband's company responsible for the relocation and log on to some US expat in the UK forums.

No - most people do NOT have closed HMOs. They were very popular at one point - and I believe still are in CA - but have been losing ground in recent years.

But everyone I know has a choice of plans from more limited options at slightly lower copays to a do what you want plan. I have the latter - an office visit to any MD that takes insurance is $25 (versus $300 or so for a regular office visit) and 80% of bill for MDs not taking insurance (in NY many MDs don;t take any insurance).

Yes, but here the insurance pays for any MD and any hospital. You don;t have to take the money out of pocket.

I had to have surgery several years ago and the hospital bill for 5 nights was about $95,000 - and I didn't pay a penny. (Naturally there was a small copay for several of the MDs and 20% for my Ob/Gyn/Surgeon - who doesn't take insurance - but my out of pocket was comparatively small.) And if one wanted to select an Ob/Gyn that did take insurance the total OOP would have been only aruond $3000.

Just because you and your friends have good insurance doesn't make it the norm for the whole country. Medical plans vary by state (never mind by employer). I just checked Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and if you go out of network you'll pay 30 to 50% of the bill.

A major medical insurance provider (one of the largest nationwide) in our (one of the largest states in the country) also doesn't allow you to go out of network thrusdaysd.

I would bet this is the norm.

At any rate what difference does it make - the OP's company will provide insurance and or arrange to have additional coverage thru whatever program she can get from the British

Thanks! This is my first time on Fodors, so I didn't know where to post this question. But thank you all for so much info! I will definitely post this on an expat forum. Thanks!

The rules for overseas visitors and the NHS:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNH...-services.aspx

Basically, you'd register with a local GP practice. You can use that website to find out about local services once you know where you'll be living.

You'd want to consider insurance to allow for, e.g., medical repatriation, at the very least; depending on what might happen, as someone only here for a limited time, you might also want to have cover for private care for non-urgent hospital operations, in case waiting times in the NHS go up again. That wouldn't stop you using local NHS GPs, walk-in or urgent care centres or A&E.

One thing you should know about US health insurance:

I live in the UK, but have health insurance, acquired through my employer, with a US company. In most (but not all) cases I am required to pay for my treatment up front and claim back later from the insurance company. It's the choice of individual providers whether or not they are willing to deal directly with foreign insurance companies.

NHS and medical issues and how much they cost besides no one has mentioned
....
teeth,

Officially there are NHS dentists but..

their lists will be full, so many Brits use Private Dentists, so I guess will you. Suggest you make sure that is included in any package.

We lived in the UK for about 5 years and there are a couple of things that spring immediately to mind. One is ask where the accommodation is that the company is providing. If you have a choice, get the full address details of all of them, including the full postcode and check exactly where the apartment or house is. I'm thinking particularly regarding public transport but also having things nearby like a decent supermarket, library, restaurants, any things you might like within an easy walk.

If you can live somewhere within 10 mins walk of more than one tube line, I think that's a big plus. Not only is it easier to get to places but if they are doing planned maintenance on a line or station, you have a choice of another line - they do maintenance every weekend, you can check on the Transport for London website www.tfl.gov.uk

The other thing is to register with a GP surgery as soon as you move in to your new place. If you are not registered you cannot see the doctor. You also cannot go to just any surgery, it depends on your address and if the surgery is taking new patients. This was different from Australia where we live, where you can see any GP. You do have to pay in Australia and in the UK it is free but we found the level of healthcare to be well below that in Australia.

Definitely check if the accommodation you are being given allows pets (most rentals don't) before you look into taking your cats with you.

Good luck with it all. We did the whole lot ourselves - planning, looking for jobs, finding a flat etc - so I am a little envious of you, especially having your rent paid. Wow. We found it hard at times but a fabulous experience.

One question - what is an upside-down loan?

Kay

RE: Skype. Don't let anyone tell you that Skype doesn't ever drop calls or that the connections can be poor. It can happen quite frequently.

Given the overall financial situation I think you might want to consider some other form of more reliable communication.

Tango is just one possibility and I find it to be much more reliable than Skype. You might even consider getting some sort of mobile phone plan while there.

re: phone -- we pay a grand total of &pound;5/month additional (from Sky) to have unlimited calls back to the states. Others have brought their VoIP numbers (MagicJack) etc with them to give families a local number to call.

re: upside down loan (@Kay) -- you owe more than it is worth -- typical for those that get 60-72 month car loans that don't pay off the principal as fast as it depreciates

(KP -- sell the car and pay off the loan or keep the car and keep paying the loan. Same with the student loans -- still your responsibilitly no matter where you live).

re: Dentist. Agreed -- private dentist here. We've got private health and dental. Not needed the former; have used the latter.

an up-side down loan is where you owe more in mortgage payments than the property is worth if you were to put it on the market for sale.