Expat Britain
Britain is one of the top destinations for American expats; it is part of the United Kingdom which includes Britain, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. For the most part Britain extends from the English Channel all the way up North to Scotland; it includes London, Liverpool, Manchester and many other large cities. While Britain is part of the larger UK, for the most part expats usually choose large cities in Britain such as London to live.
Britain is perhaps the top destination for American expats due to its high quality of living standards, rich culture, incredible architecture, university system and thriving economy. Besides sharing the language of English with America, it is fairly easy to get to for many Americans living on the east coast.
Climate
The climate in Britain is classified as being temperate. For those looking for lots of sun, Britain is not the place; however you will enjoy very mild temperatures usually year round with the winters being a little chilly at times. The winter can sometimes be cold with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. Snow is common in Britain, but not in huge amounts such as many parts of the US. During the summertime, temperatures can reach into the 80's, but generally are cooler with highs in the 70's. Overcast clouds are very common and precipitation is very common, with rain almost occurring daily. It should be noted that the west part of Britain is more prone to rain due to the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The east part of Britain is somewhat dryer.
Government
Britain is part of the United Kingdom, which is classified as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary component. The prime minister is in charge of the executive branch. Britain does not have a written constitution, one of only a few countries in the world that rely upon tradition and various laws handed down over the years.
Britain is the major powerhouse of the UK in both population and economy. Britain includes cities such as London and Manchester and has an extensive industrial infrastructure. Britain also has wonderful culture, amazing architecture, museums and a long, interesting history and traditions.
For those Americans looking to live in Britain, the process is very straightforward and simple. There are no visa requirements and only a passport is necessary to gain entry into the UK. The visa length is very generous and those that come to the UK (Britain) can stay for up to 6 months as a tourist. If you would like to come to Britain as a student, to work for a company or for entrepreneurial reasons, the process is usually very straightforward without a lot of red tape. You can find out more information about visa requirements for Britain and the UK at the British Embassy in the United States or the United States Embassy in London.
Tax System
The taxes in Britain are extremely high and are ranked as one of the highest in the world. The individual income tax in Britain has a top tax rate of 40 percent. Corporate taxes are high as well, with a top tax rate of 30 percent.
In addition to income taxes, there are other taxes that are extremely high such as a Value Added Tax (VAT), a tax on insurance contracts and a vehicle tax. In London, there are also lots of taxes that one should be aware of; in fact just driving your vehicle into the center of London will require you to pay several pounds.
Medical Care
For expats living in Britain, the health care system is regarded as being above average. In fact, Britain usually ranks at the top in regards to medical facilities, training of health care professionals and access to healthcare by its citizens.
If you are a resident of Britain, you can access the health care system via the NHS (National Healthcare Service). The NHS is a universal healthcare system that is paid for predominantly through taxes. For those that are on NHS, usually the cost of care is free at point of service. There are however private doctors and facilities and many residents do purchase private medical insurance, but these types of insurance are usually only used to top off their already comprehensive coverage.
For expats that are under the classification of tourist, you should look into purchasing healthcare from private insurance agencies or you can opt for travel insurance that has a healthcare component. For those expats that work for a company in the UK, are entrepreneurs and pay taxes to the UK and students on exchange, you should be able to receive medical coverage through NHS.
Real Estate
Real estate in Britain is notoriously high. Expect some of the highest prices in the world in certain neighborhoods in London. For instance a one room apartment in a high demand area in London will cost several hundred thousand US dollars. In other areas of Britain, prices are moderate, but still considered high for many US markets. Most apartment and home prices will be comparable to top real estate markets in the US such as New York City, San Francisco and Orange County, California.
If you are renting an apartment, you will see some relief, but not that much. Rent and lease rates are extremely high as well, mainly due to the strength of the British Pound, which is the currency of Britain and the UK. It has been steady at about 2 to 1 against the US dollar for a couple of years. If you are on a small budget, your best bet is to share a room with some friends, even with a few flat mates, expect your share to cost from $400 to $500 per month in US dollars.
Shopping
Shopping in Britain is a pure joy. No matter what you are looking for, you can usually find it with ease in Britain. If you are looking for top names and luxury products, London should be your first stop, but other parts of Britain are well stocked as well.
As entertainment goes, you will be happy to know that London nightlife and entertainment ranks as one of the world's best. You can find plenty of restaurants, cafes, night clubs and pubs. If you are a young expat, the youth culture is extremely predominant in Britain and you will find a party going on each and every night.
For those that love the arts, there are plenty of museums, architecture, interesting landmarks and theaters to make the most of your free time. For instance, the theater district in London rivals even that of Broadway and many of the museums in London are free of charge. Even walking the streets can be a tremendous treat with so many landmarks. London has a reputation for being extremely cosmopolitan and many expats find out quickly that most of the people in London are not native to this city, but come from many places around the world.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Britain is among the highest in the world. The reason for such a high cost of living is the strength of the British Pound, the currency of Britain and the UK. Generally speaking the British Pound is twice as strong as the US dollar which means that prices are twice as much.
In addition to the British Pound, real estate costs and high taxes add to the cost of living making it very difficult for those on a fixed income from the US or those that have savings and looking to live in Britain for a long period of time. However, if you live and work in Britain, salaries are generally much higher than in the states, making the cost of living more moderate.
Blogs of Expats in Britain
Amusing blog from Monica, a slightly daft post-graduate student in London.