With the cost of living in the U.K. skyrocketing, increasing numbers of people, ranging from students to families and retirees, are researching relocating to the U.S. from the U.K. Online searches about moving abroad have soared, and over 20,000 Britons are taking the plunge, and relocating to America from the U.K. a year.
Many British people want to relocate to the U.S. for the American Dream. However, there’s a lot to consider, such as your ability to study or work in the U.S., your healthcare options, the cost of living, and whether you can access your pension once you are there.
This article will discuss everything you need to know before relocating to the U.S. from the U.K.
Why Move to the U.S.?
The United States has long been known as the land of opportunity, with the rise of global enterprise and remote working helping relocate from the U.K. more accessible than ever. It is a vast country with something for everyone, from the hustle and bustle of New York and other major cities to the wilderness of the Rockies and the relaxed pace of life in the southern states.
In addition, there’s no language barrier for English speakers, and other than driving on the opposite side of the road, day-to-day home and work life can feel similar. Here are fifteen things to know before relocating to the U.S. from the U.K.
1. Patriotism is a significant
The national anthem is no joke over there. There’s even something called ‘The Flag Code,’ which tells citizens how to behave when the national anthem is played, though you won’t be penalized for breaching it.
The significant things include standing up, facing the flag (if you can see one), and putting your right hand on your heart. Furthermore, there’s no mention of singing, but most Americans join in enthusiastically.
According to YouGov, more than 40% of U.S. citizens think America is the best place in the world — more than any other country.
2. The national parks are breathtaking
The United States’ expansive size means it comes with incredible natural beauty. Generally, the U.S. cities get all the global attention, but the country also has some of the world’s most spectacular views.
Four hundred and twelve national parks across America cover 84 million acres, ranging from the soaring mountains of Yosemite to the vibrant forests of the Everglades. The Yanks love their national parks, paying them 13.5 billion visits in the past century.
Look at any of the parks, and you’ll understand their morale.
3. The healthcare isn’t free
In the United Kingdom, there’s no joint healthcare agreement with the United States, so after moving to the U.S. from the U.K., you will be responsible for the total cost of any care you need, including prescriptions. Also, you must check that any existing medication you have been prescribed in the U.K. is legal in America, as some U.K. medications are not approved in other countries.
Importantly, always purchase complete travel and medical insurance before you leave home; as such, you will be covered both in transit and once you arrive in the U.S.
4. College sports are significant
This one could be clearer to get your head around. Why do Americans care so much about sports played by their local students? Nowhere else in the world takes so much interest in amateur-level sport.
The culture is enormous, with most colleges and universities boasting big venues filled with spectators every weekend. This is particularly the case with American football.
For college teams, there’s much less corporate money and more history than professional clubs nationwide, making them a more attractive option for local fans.
5 None of the states are identical
In a country of 3.8 million square miles, it’s no surprise that there are some severe regional differences. Across the fifty states, you’ll find significant variations in everything from accents and dialects to laws and politics.
Hop on a plane from Rhode Island to Utah, and you will wonder if you’re still in the same country. For instance, cannabis is perfectly legal in Oregon, but it’s strictly prohibited in Louisiana.
Nearly 90% of people in Mississippi think religion is essential to their lives, while less than half of people in Vermont do. The coldest month in Miami, Florida, is warmer than the warmest month in San Francisco, California. Now, you get the idea!
6. Always remember to tip
Restaurant meals will always be more expensive than the price on the menu. Serving staff are not paid well in America, so they see tipping as an essential income source.
Leave any less than 15-20%; your smiley waiter or waitress might get cold. Tipping is still a choice, but it’s an option we thoroughly recommend you take. It’s the same deal for taxis and hotel porters, so always have some cash handy.
7. Guns are necessary for them
Hundreds of years ago, Americans were given “the right to keep and bear arms” and haven’t let go ever since. The level of gun ownership across the country is excessive, with nearly 90 firearms per 100 people.
Many of them see free access to guns and total freedom as pretty much the same thing, so the movement for greater gun control is proving rather challenging.
8. Americans drive on the right
This one’s quick to explain and essential to remember. If you relocate to the U.S., you’ll join the 75% of the world that drives on the right-hand side. This also means they build their vehicles with the steering wheel on the left-hand side, so if you bring your UK-made car, you might need help finding things.
9. They still use the imperial system
Welcome to the land of pounds, feet, and inches! The United States is in an honored club of countries (with Myanmar and Liberia) that don’t use the metric system. They would instead use the relatively bizarre imperial system inherited from the British all those years ago.
The conversion rates are counterintuitive, so getting your head around them requires much work. For instance, one mile is 1.6 km, and one pound is about 453.5 grams. Yes, it could be more sociable.
10. They use pumpkins for everything
Who knew pumpkins tasted so good? Well, most of America. The tradition of carving a pumpkin on Halloween and putting it in your front yard is no longer enough for Americans. They want it in everything, from alcohol and hot drinks to snacks and desserts.
You can pop into most supermarkets and grab some pumpkin ale, pumpkin tea, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin donuts, and pumpkin pies; the list goes on! It’s not even exclusive to Halloween anymore – in America, every month is Pumpkin Month.
11. They use a knife and fork separately
Do you usually hold your knife and fork at the same time while you eat? That’s weird over there. Americans tend to use a knife and fork to slice their food, but after that, they only use a fork to eat with.
This frees the other hand for high-fives, thumbs-ups, and other super-American things. While this fork-only style is standard across the country, there’s no official Knife and Fork Code to worry about. You can still eat a burger with your hands.
12. Thanksgiving is a big thing there
Many people worldwide can spend their whole lives hearing about Thanksgiving without knowing what it is or what it means. Back in 1621, some British pilgrims invited some Native Americans for a feast to thank them for their help with the harvest, and since then, America has been mad about it.
They celebrate every year on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving in America is highly valued than Christmas, with the country’s two busiest travel days each year happening the day before Thanksgiving and the first Sunday after.
In addition, turkey is essential in any Thanksgiving meal, although we’re surprised America has yet to make it pumpkin-flavored.
13. They love their television
More than any other country in the world, the average person in the U.S. watches nearly five hours of T.V. daily! Considering its demand, it’s no surprise that people will make a T.V. career in America.
The range of things on offer is phenomenal, from the hugely popular late-night talk shows and sitcoms to sports, documentaries, and 24-hour news channels. Acronyms rule television, with C.B.S., N.B.C., A.B.C., and HBO dominating people’s viewing time.
14. Drinking can wait
America doesn’t mess around when it comes to alcohol laws; you aren’t allowed to start drinking over there until you’re 21. It can get even more extreme in certain states, with places like Indiana preventing the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
15. Sales tax gets added at the end
Don’t be deceived by the prices in the shops; they’re higher than you think. Across the U.S., retail sales tax is added once you pay at the counter. It’s printed on the receipt so you can see how much has been added.
The rate differs from state to state, ranging from 2.9% in Colorado (the country’s lowest) to 7.25% in California (the country’s highest). Buying your clothes in Colorado sounds like a good idea.
