Hey American Girls! AG wants to know- what is the most valuable tip you have been given/could give others about relocating from the US to the UK? Comment on this post with your tips- two lucky ladies will WIN a 20% discount coupon on any massage at Adamina Spa in Kensington! Contest ends Monday. Winners will be chosen at random.
Cheers! xx
Lynsey says
Just went on the Adamina Spa website – AMAZING! I hope I win! God knows I need a massage!
An American Girl in Chelsea says
Got to leave a tip in order to win Lynsey…
Lynsey says
Ooopps! Here is my tip – for those of you coming to visit, or for those of you with loved ones coming to visit, try Hotel 41 (next to the Reubens). Amazingly gorgeous rooms, the best staff, a true 5 star experience. Loved it.
Anne Taite says
So this is a really “dry” tip, but one I learned the hard way. When moving to UK bring ORIGINAL bank statements, pay stubs, electric bills from your US address for most recent 3 months. It will help you get your bank account set up if you aren't lucky enough to have one set up on your behalf. Many banks (I bank with HSBC) will open an account for you with your US passport and documentation if you can also supply a letter from your employer. Wish I had known! I was waiting on my first utility bill for my UK flat, so it was almost 6 weeks before I got an account set up. In the meantime, I was living off my US credit card and ATM card. On that note, Capital One is one of the only US card companies that does not charge an international fee/percentage on overseas charges. 1-3% can really add up over time, especially if making big purchases when furnishing a flat! 🙂
An American Girl in Chelsea says
Thanks Anne! I too have found banking in the UK an absolute nightmare! We are all grateful for the tip- anything to make that whole process easier!
I also found it is important to STAY ON TOP of the people you deal with. A couple years ago I tried to set up an account with NatWest, gave them all my paperwork, and three weeks later I walked in and they had literally lost it all.
Moral of the story- get your employer to help you as much as you can, and be prepared with all necessary documentation- usually including passport and proof of address (utility bill, etc.)
Bella says
Hi American Girls!
I have just recently moved to London from Aspen, Colorado. I have a Holistic Health and Healing Practice offering treatments from Myofascial Release Therapy to Hot Stone Massage to Essential Oil Detoxifying treatments to working on the deeper profound levels … the mind and emotions.
Wanted to let you all know that I am here. Which means you get music when you get a massage and your treatment is from a therapist trained in the US … the training is a bit different over here then in the States.
A tid-bit about me is I graduated from one of the leading programs in the US and trained with 3 Internationally acclaimed teachers. I have been in the Healing Arts for 10 years and have worked at several 5 Star Resorts, until happily starting my own business.
As I have just moved here and I am setting up my practice, I would love to offer a 20% discount to the fans of An American Girl in Chelsea.
You can check out my website for a more in depth look at my services: http://www.belladodds.com
My tip would be:
If you have not done so already, purchase and read immediately A Field Guide to the English. It was written by Sarah Lyall a New York Times reporter. It is an absolute gem. I was in hysterics while reading it. It is the best, especially if your Husband or Boyfriend happen to be British then this is a must read!
Nina says
I was once a New Yorker so can't believe I'm saying this, but get out of the city and into the countryside to appreciate England. Think Gosford Park with glamour. If you don't have friends with their own stately homes to visit, then get an annual National Trust membership for £50 so you can visit nearby places like Waddesdon Manor and the Rothchild Collection with a gorgeous wine cellar and restaurant, kids shop, easter and christmas events, etc. When you get back to Zone 1, London will shine even brighter! http://www.waddesdon.org.uk and http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main
Nina says
…almost forgot to say that to hedge one's bets and have every country manor covered, don't forget the English Heritage with annual membership at £44.
London has lots of parks but this can give you (and kids) access to some serious acreage and space to roam with some hidden gems like:
Chiswick House and Gardens
Eltham Palace near Grenwich
and Kenwood House in Hampstead.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
A reminder about London summers too.
If this summer gets as hot as they say it will, London is not an air conditioned city and is uncomfortable without fans and AC, especially if you have to ride the trains.
Momalades says
I have lived here for over 23 years. My advice tips: Keep you USA credit cards and bank account active. After living here 14 years my husband's company sent him (and the whole family) to the USA for a 2 year project. When we moved here he had given up his American credit cards and bank accounts (except for the joint one with me). I kept a US based VISA card active. It was easy for me to get credit even when I wasn't working. He on the other hand, couldn't even get a credit card from the bank we had remained with all those years.
Second tip: If you get paid in sterling – keep it in a sterling account. If you get paid in Dollars – get an account with Citibank. Open up separate Dollar and sterling accounts and it will be easy to change money between currencies. This was also an easy way to transfer US dollars from an American bank (into the dollar account) and then change it to sterling by transferring to the sterling account. It can take a week or two for a cheque to clear and longer for higher amounts. This is a good option if transferring a large amount say to buy a house. Just allow time for the funds to clear.
One more thing: if you are able to keep some US funds in the US and a US credit card to pay for things in dollars when you visit the USA you won't have to pay the currency charges by using a foreign visa card. Nationwide has a visa card that they say they don't charge these fees. I still prefer to pay in dollars when in the US and in sterling when in the UK and not have to change money.
Anonymous says
Best thing I ever did was keep my UK bank account open from the first time I was over here, so I did not have the hassle on the return.
Best advice though is that customer service over here is not the same in the US so if you ask someone in the UK whether they have something available or if you are able to do something and the response is no, ask someone else as you will likely get a completely different answer. This applies to banks, restaurants, shops and especially customer service on the phone. Don't know why but it always seems to work out that way.
Wendy says
Best advice I received:
Set up a Skype account to keep in touch with friends and family back home. I have a Skype number that is a US number that forwards calls to my UK mobile.
Also, keep an eye out for great deals. My friends and I love Cucumba's Pickled and Pampered parties where you can get numerous treatments for just one price. Also, get a Boots card asap so you can start raking up points!
Jennifer says
The first thing you should get yourself when you move here is the London A to Z. I moved here from NYC and thought I was a bona fide city girl, right? Wrong! I am a bona fide city girl, when that city happens to be on a grid system, which of course London is not! The A to Z, along with some helpful iPhone apps, will make you look like a Brit…if it weren't that that pesky accent of our 🙂
An American Girl in Chelsea says
CONGRATS NINA AND JENNIFER! Your posts were picked at random, and you've won. Please email AG with your full postal address so you can receive your massage voucher! Cheers! xx