Why Should You Move to England?
There are many pros to living in the UK, but if you’re considering moving there, read this first!
The UK is a large area with four different countries that make up its borders. The countryside is beautiful, historic cities like London are bustling with life and people from all over the world, and it’s home to the most famous English landmarks, which are known around the world, like Stonehenge and Big Ben.
Although the UK contains four countries, this post will focus on living in England.
I was living in Oxford.
To be honest, I always saw myself settling in England full-time. But after moving to the UK, I learned that some of the cons are too big for me to overcome. However, the pros of living in England have kept it on my “maybe” list for the future.
England has both beauty and opportunity. Let’s take a look at what else makes it worth living in the UK!
The NHS Means (Mostly) Free Healthcare Living in a Commonwealth country means free healthcare.
The UK actually has a two-tiered system, more like New Zealand’s. It means that there is a free option for all to use, but if you want to, you can pay to upgrade your treatment.
The free healthcare system is known as the NHS (National Health Service). It officially opened in 1948 and has grown from one hospital in Manchester to cover all of the countries in the UK.
This government funded healthcare system ensures that any British citizen with an injury or illness can get access to treatment from a doctor or nurse. Even dentists are included!
Cheap Airlines Mean More Travel One of the reasons so many travellers are drawn to the UK is their plethora of cheap airlines. With Ryanair and EasyJet, you’ll have tons of options for a cheap weekend getaway.
I love a budget airline. It allows you to fly without paying for all the bells and whistles you don’t really need on a two hour flight.
These airlines really are bare bones. You usually can’t even select a seat unless you pay. Even your hand luggage is rigorously checked to ensure they can’t charge you extra to check it (which they do all the time).
Take advantage of sales to get the cheapest fares. I saw flights across Europe for less than 10 pounds when I lived in the UK!
Getting a Visa is also a complicated process. They require biometric checks – which usually can only be done at one hospital in a country. That means that if you didn’t live in Toronto like I did, you’d have to fly to Toronto from the outskirts of Canada just to get your fingerprint scanned. Then they take your passport for weeks – even with an expedited Visa.
So plan ahead if you want to move to the UK. And start saving for the Visa!
Easy Access to Europe This is the main benefit of living in the UK that made me think I’d want to settle here: you can go to Europe so easily!
The UK is an incredibly accessible area. With Heathrow as a major hub for worldwide travel and the myriad of cheap airlines, it is so easy to pop over to Europe whenever you feel like it.
Cute british cottages that are a pro of living in England Adorable Cottage Homes The UK is full of adorable villages with tudor cottage homes. When I first moved to the UK, I couldn’t understand why people would call a house a cottage. In Canada, a cottage is a lakehouse. Now I’ve come to appreciate the subtle splendor of an adorable country cottage. These are the kinds of homes that inspired the Hobbit. Stop by the Cotswolds to visit the prettiest cottages – and maybe consider moving into one of them while you’re there.
Lots of Paid Time Off I love the UK for their holiday leave. Every job gets a minimum of 4 weeks off – even if you work somewhere like McDonalds! As long as you are on a salaried position, you’re ensured a ton of vacation time. As you advance in your business, you’ll get even more time off! As a Canadian who gets 2 weeks off with the maximum option of 4 weeks per year, this sounds like heaven. It’s no wonder there are so many UK travel bloggers out there able to see the world while working a full-time job in the city.
Easy Train Travel When I lived in England and Scotland, I took the train constantly. It’s the easiest way to travel! You don’t even have to worry about how much luggage you have. Getting around England by train is very doable. Their rail signs are easy to understand and Google Maps will help you figure out your transfers if you need them. The train costs about the same as flying, but has the benefit of you not needing to get to the station hours early.
Why is UK better than other countries?
Compared to other countries, the living and health- care costs are reasonable in the UK. UK student visa is easier to obtain than for other countries. UK has a multi- cultural atmosphere that is difficult to find in any other country. Meet people from all over the world and experience a diverse culture.