If you have decided to move to the UK, you must be pretty exciting. After all, this is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and what’s more, London attracts people from all around the world. However, moving anywhere, especially to a new country, can be quite stressful. This is true regardless of whether it is a permanent move or just a temporary one.
To decrease those stress levels, you should do online research and try to learn as much as you can about the culture, finances, and everyday life. After all, you have to prepare yourself, and this is the only way to do that. Due to this reason, in this article, we are going to introduce you to some things that you should know before you move to the UK.
1. Apps will become your best friend
It might seem like we are exaggerating, but everything you need, at any moment, you can get via an app. First of all, there are those that will enable you to find the shortest route from point A to point B. If you are moving to London, you are probably a bit worried since it is an enormous city. The first app that you should install as soon as you touch the ground is the one that shows your exact location, and also the one that contains all the information regarding public transportation.
Next, you can order a taxi ride via your phone or schedule one in advance. Most of these companies use apps, so you just have to figure out which one works the best for you. When it comes to payment, you don’t have to worry whether you have enough cash on you, since all of them can be made via your credit card.
Lastly, as it is to be expected, there are numerous delivery apps meaning that you can order anything to be delivered to your front door, everything from fast food and groceries to any other product you might need.
2. Get the Oyster Card
If you have done any kind of research, surely the importance of this card has come up. When it comes to public transportation in London, it functions non-stop, 24/7. The whole city is divided into six zones that are connected by the London Tube and numerous bus lines. This means that you have a lot of choices regardless of your location and the time of the day.
However, since you have to pay for every single ride, everyone will advise you to purchase the Oyster Card. You can either get it online or at any metro station. The main advantage of this card is the fact that it is going to save you a lot of money in the long run. This is true even if you will be staying in London just for a week. Due to this reason, this is the first purchase that you should make.
3. You will hear a lot of accents
Okay, we are all aware of the British accent, we hear it on TV, and you might even know a British person. Still, many foreigners are shocked by the variety of accents when they arrive in the UK. No, no, we are not only talking about the accents from different parts of the country. Just like you, people from all corners of the world come to London, so can you even imagine how many accents you will hear? No, no one can. Due to this reason, it will be a challenge to understand what some people are saying to you. It will take some time to get used to these accents, but after a while, you will be alright.
4. What about health care?
Well, the UK takes pride in its health care system since it is available to everyone. Their public service will be at your disposal at any moment and all you have to do it register with a local practice. Actually, this is one of the first things that you have to do upon your move.
Once you get a place to stay i.e. proof of residence and an address, you should complete this process. Yes, you have the option of opting for private health insurance, but it can quite costly, and as you can see, it is not necessary. Still, this might be the perfect option for you if you want to avoid waiting in line and scheduling a doctor’s visit way in advance.
5. Enjoy the history and architecture
One of the things that people love about the UK is the fact of how old the buildings are. There are numerous castles, monuments, palaces, fortresses, and so on. Our advice is to go and visit as many of these as you can. You can’t really spend a lot of time in any country without actually exploring it, right? Plus, this is the best way to enjoy your stay in the UK.
What’s more, when it comes to old buildings, this isn’t only true for some rural areas or monuments that are considered to be cultural heritage. You will see that wherever you go, you will find plaques that will inform you about the significance of a certain building. It almost like living in a museum.
6. Being polite is important
No, English politeness isn’t a false stereotype. They are that polite. This can be quite odd for foreigners, but you have to do your best do adapt. They won’t apologize just because they were taught that saying ‘sorry’ is the right thing to do, but they will actually mean it. This is true for even frivolous situations like bumping into someone on the street.
7. A pub is everyone’s favorite place
We cannot stress enough how important and what’s more, loved pubs are in the UK. Most people think of them as their second home. Due to this reason, there is a pub in every street and at every corner. There is always a lot of people in them, who have dropped by for a quick drink or are meeting their friends to enjoy the unique atmosphere. People will gather at pubs to play darts or pool, engage in a quiz night, or watch some important game on TV. This actually means that you will be able to quickly find your favorite place. If you don’t know which ones you should visit first, you can find a list of the best pubs in every area of the UK on Kev’s Best.
