Tips around relocating to UK
Published: 20th Jan, 2021
I have relocated a couple of times for personal as well as professional causes, and the fish in this image is something I always resonate with :). Relocating could be a daunting experience, where you feel like you have moved away from your comfort zone into an empty desert. Not anymore - this need not be the case for you and this blog aims to provide you with a plan on staying ahead.
There are many things that you could consider doing proactively prior to relocating to UK. While the below is more customized to UK, these thoughts should be helpful for relocating to any country:
- Explore rental options online - You may consider researching home rental options in advance, thus being familiar and planning your budget. However, do not initiate any dealings (booking / payments etc) until you arrive and have visibility of your immigration paperwork which takes time and is required for rental. Moreover, it is best to view and inspect the apartment in person, as pictures can be deceiving. You may consider exploring sites like Rightmove or Zoopla for your research
- Get a virtual address in UK - This will enable you receive any correspondence (letters etc) before and immediately after you arrive. One such service is Mailboxes etc, and you may research on similar services closest to where you will be based
- Open a local bank account - The biggest pain after arriving in UK is that you may not be able to use your own money easily for various services as they may not accept large amounts in cash, overseas cards may be expensive etc. This is where having a local account and debit card is beneficial. You should be able to sign up for a bank account with Monzo or Revolut (or similar banks) prior to arriving in UK, with your local virtual address. Your debit card should be available at your virtual address by the time you arrive, after which you may fund and use the account
- Secure a temporary storage space - It is likely that you will spend a few days / weeks in temporary accommodation (BnB / Hotels etc). This could be weeks in most cases as the UK Immigration department takes a while to process your paperwork, something you need for a tenancy contract. In the interim, you may consider renting a temporary storage space where you could park any baggage / belongings etc. One such example is Safestore, and you may consider exploring similar options in your vicinity
- Secure sufficient Forex - Ensure that you secure some Sterling cash as well as a suitable card (that charges a reasonable fee on overseas transactions) prior to travelling
