What are some reasons not to move to UK?
Posted by fuzzy_dice_99@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 68 comments
Currently in the United States and thinking of moving for obvious reasons. From outside in, things definitely look more stable than here. Obviously not worrying about medical bankruptcies and gun violence is a huge place.
But are there things an outsider should consider? Is London better or countryside? FWIW I currently live in NYC but grew up in a small town so have experience living in both environments.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
Significantly lower wages across the board
And someone is going to chip in and mention that we don’t pay for healthcare, but even taking that into account, British workers make significantly less money than Americans.
Also, you can’t just move to UK, unless you’re in very specific professions, sponsorship for a visa is very hard to come by right now: very few companies see a benefit to additional expense relative to hiring locally.
TPWilder@reddit
I'm curious - would an American with a decent retirement savings do well to move? I'm a dual citizen, I have a UK passport, and I am currently 15+ years away from retirement. It sounds like I make significantly more money here but my retirement money would go a lot farther in the UK.
snarkycrumpet@reddit
you can't move to the UK as a retiree, there's no golden visa. UK is very immigration unfriendly.
TPWilder@reddit
I'm a dual citizen. I don't need a visa.
Mechanic-Grouchy@reddit
Have you paid any National insurance here? Housing in cities is mental, cheaper places are that for good reasons.
michuneo@reddit
National Insurance? I thought British healthcare is unconditionally free? As long as you’re here - BTW legally or not… - the NHS will try to save your life? Please correct me if I’m wrong?
Traditional-Man77691@reddit
Not to migrants trying there luck for a free operation though,
michuneo@reddit
Check out BBC Radio 4 „inside a migrant hotel” from last year.
Quite unbiased IMHO (if such a controversial topic can be covered unbiased) but still kinda contradicts to what you say.
Traditional-Man77691@reddit
There are free stuff like emergencies. but you get people coming here to use the NHS for free operations, they have departments in hospitals looking through peoples claims, and they do charge you if you aren't qualified.
RadicalTherapy@reddit
National Insurance contributions go towards a wide variety of public services, not just healthcare. If you’re here not as a resident, you have to pay an NHS surcharge at every visa application or renewal to use the services. You’ll have no recourse to public funding, so no benefits access if needed. And yes, if you needed truly life or death medical care, the NHS would cover it, but you would be expected to figure out payment or repatriation for anything else.
vros1607@reddit
That’s correct, it is free at the point of use as long as you are ordinarily resident in the UK.
Just-Standard-992@reddit
This. Coming over just to retire having never contributed to the social care system, does put an even greater strain on whatever local council OP lands into, specially at a time when all council budgets are super stretched trying to provide adult social care and covering SEND needs.
It basically gentrifying social care.
snarkycrumpet@reddit
omg how did I miss that?!
I go back and forth, if I could choose I'd retire in the UK because I prefer the weather. but I hate the general decline in education and arts, and the constant sense of aggro from even the youth in posh areas. I hate the guns in the US and I'm sick to the back teeth of the political situation on both sides.
your money would have gone so much further in the UK a few years ago but even in the last 5 years I've seen prices really climb and the fecking nickle and diming for everything you do there (pay and display in a layby!) is grinding. Food has gone up and as the gulf widens between those who can afford and those who can't, crime goes up too. The cost of gas and electric in UK is nuts.
TPWilder@reddit
Yeah, like everything I've read tells me its not some magical paradise cost wise. I have some climate concerns where I am at (southwest USA). I also don't think the political situation is going to get better here. On the other hand, it does seem like the UK is having similar problems politically... not sure if I'd be jumping from one fire to another.
The health care issue is big - I have insurance now but the job isn't terribly stable. But like every american, I'm one medical crisis away from bankruptcy.... On the other hand, I am very realistic about how I am only technically British and the UK isn't terribly welcoming. But it does seem like when I run my current savings into the pounds sterling converter that I am not bad off if I did move....
Its a lot to think about.
Ok_Shirt983@reddit
The irony of you getting downvotes for saying the UK isn't terribly welcoming.
TPWilder@reddit
Hehehe true but in fairness, it likely reflects the general sentiment that immigrants mooch off benefits, and I can't deny that isn't in my mind as a reason to go.
I wouldn't be penniless if I did make the move and I would be looking for work. The question is whether its worth a move.
Amazingbuttplug@reddit
Figured I’d add for this! I am also a dual citizen of both countries. I would prefer UK for retirement moslty for walkability and lower crime. Weather is really region dependent for the US. Los Angeles or San Diego will have (in my view) far better weather than the UK but New York is worse than UK because of harsh winters.
I also feel the UK has more accessible public spaces. Like people walk to spoons and have cheap drinks together. In the US this seems generally less readily available. I can afford to go out for pints in the US but it’s a “nice day” expense where at spoons it’s something I can do without thinking about it.
When I retire I will probably be in the UK if I have a decent amount of money. Or Eastern Europe/South America if I need to budget.
I spend about 4 months a year in Glasgow currently. I think it’s still cheaper than the US equivalent city but not by that much.
TPWilder@reddit
Thats interesting, thank you for your perspective. I used to live in upstate NY and I don't mind a little snow but when I check the weather it doesn't seem as harsh in England (just chillier over all)
Amazingbuttplug@reddit
Yeah in Glasgow for example it never really gets super cold. It gets to the point where you need a coat but it’s not Nebraska or Canada. The temperature is nice in the UK for me the main issue is overcast.
As a future retiree you might want the walkability. Also I found the community was much stronger in the UK. Like I’ll go to pubs in random towns in Scotland, meet an old man there we talk for a bit then one of his friends shows up and joins us. It seems a stronger social scene for especially for older people.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
No idea what counts as “decent retirement savings” to a foreigner: I’m British and not a financial planner.
TPWilder@reddit
Fair enough.
FornyHucker22@reddit
USA minimum wage is £5.33
not to mention paid time off and various other employment rights.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
Go look at statistics for average salaries, purchasing power. Go look at salaries (and adjustments for purchasing power) for any profession or industry you care to look at: Americans make more money than us 🤷♂️
Our wages have barely grown in real terms since 2008. Americans make significantly more money.
FornyHucker22@reddit
lower minimum wage, 0 days required pto compared to our 28 days pto. That’s like a month and a half of working days.
swings and roundabouts, the average isn’t that much different and doesn’t take into account a month and a half’s pay for nothing.
im thankful for the securities and guarantees we have here preventing people being exploited and worked to death like in America.
FornyHucker22@reddit
Lmao they do and blocked me because I made a valid point, sad cunt 😂😂😭
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
That’s nice, but when someone asks for drawbacks to moving to the UK from the USA, “significantly lower wages” are a big one, regardless of how grateful you personally feel.
And the average is significantly different btw. Personally I consider two decades of essentially zero wage growth pretty exploitative myself 🤷♂️
Tea_Spartan@reddit
I'm not trying to argue against your point, it definitely stands, but it's very industry specific.
For example, higher education and the NHS hire from overseas all the time even though there are plenty of locally based people to fill those positions.
In those industries, the UK is a lot less protective of British citizens and I'm not sure why.
Zealousideal-Low3388@reddit
Why in your mind would any organisation do more work (and therefore expense) to hire rather than hire locally?
Much of the NHS in on a hiring freeze, not a “hiring freeze unless they’re foreign”
No-Assignment-5287@reddit
[ Removed by Reddit ]
Tea_Spartan@reddit
There was a junior doctors crisis recently regarding lack of placements for local doctors. Almost half the NHS workforce qualified overseas and in 2025 the government told the NHS to drastically reduce the number of overseas hires and focus more on local hires.
In higher education hiring committees have broad authority to hire whomever the like, often catering to people from overseas for reasons related to funding. The current system is: more diverse workforce = more funding.
Crafty-Strength1626@reddit
Unless you have a particular set of skills ?
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
For what it's worth, I moved from NYC and am having a great time. I miss the bagels and the dispensaries, but apart from that it's great.
colbysnumberonefan@reddit
Wdym when you say you miss the dispensaries? We have pharmacies over here, what’s the difference?
Current_Mongoose_844@reddit
A dispensary is a legal cannabis shop. It's legal in NY.
Since the switch its a bit TOO much now. Everyone's high like, all the time. That being said its better than the drug war.
CptCaramack@reddit
Boots doesn't sell weed yet unfortunately
WGD23@reddit
Get on medical
Traditional-Man77691@reddit
I have lived in London all of the 90's I was young and it was just fine. Went back the live 2008-2009 it wasn't so much fun anymore, too many people and the traffic and I don't enjoy the hustle and bustle for me now. Counrtyside or a nicer city like Norwich would be my choice. Depends if you are going to buy a house as prices vary a lot on location. Up north there are nice cities like Newcastle, and Durham is a nice town too and great value, but there will be lots of choices if you can afford the area, but some far from London. Also depends on your age if you like going out to pubs in a vibrant town or you like somewhere for older people a quiet village or town.
SpunkSacks@reddit
London got to me in the end. 45 years to be precise. Now I don’t even like being there. Same main reason.
dwhite21787@reddit
American - We got hooked on “Escape to the Country” right before Covid and seeing the prices jump as everyone else got the idea was wild, and pretty much put the idea of moving there out of the picture.
The grass may not be green elsewhere but it’s better than the scorched earth here. Funny enough, we’re considering Iceland.
MycologistEuphoric@reddit
Hopefully not Greenland..
dwhite21787@reddit
LOL that door’s nailed shut
Kapika96@reddit
Can you move? Unless you're a UK/Irish citizen you'd need a work visa to do so. The UK's getting more strict on immigration too, so that's harder than it used to be. If you're highly qualified, you should be able to get a job that would sponsor a visa. But if you're not...
So yeah, that's the first reason. There are other countries it would be easier to move to.
It's also expensive. Prices in the UK aren't great at the moment. Better than some places in the US, yeah, but again you'd be better off in other countries.
It's not just London vs countryside. There are plenty of cities in the country that aren't London. I'd recommend those actually. Countryside can be pretty boring. I just don't like London. Somewhere like Manchester, Leeds, Southampton, Bristol etc. however are all nice places to go. Although bear in mind the above about work visas, you'll have a much tougher time finding a job willing to sponsor a visa outside London.
If you really want to move to Europe, IMO there are better options than the UK. Even if you specifically want an English speaking country, have a look at Ireland instead.
Ok_Shirt983@reddit
Southampton, really?
Kapika96@reddit
As opposed to London? Yes, absolutely!
Easy-Plant-8783@reddit
Tax and weather
Affectionate_Oven610@reddit
Note the immigration health surcharge if you would be entering on a visa. Still better than bankruptcy risk, but not free healthcare while on a visa.
wildrift91@reddit
You hate literacy.
Significant_Rip_3137@reddit
It really depends on your circumstances. What is your profession and what can you expect to earn here? Single, married, kids? Anywhere north of £100k as a couple is generally do-able and even better outside of London.
friendlypetshark@reddit
We don’t have enough houses and infrastructure for the people already here.
Just-Standard-992@reddit
This. Plus coming over just to retire having never contributed to the social care system, does put an even greater strain on whatever local council OP lands, specially at a time when all council budgets are super stretched trying to provide adult social care and covering SEND needs.
WGD23@reddit
There's a vast array of different options between London and small town, including other cities large & small,, regions, counties, main & small market towns etc. Then there are villages, then there is rural. Hell, the UK is 4 different countries.
Corona21@reddit
Germany/other European countries might be easier to emigrate to than the UK.
colbysnumberonefan@reddit
Gonna go out on a limb and guess he might not speak German…
Corona21@reddit
Lots of people don’t and get by.
colbysnumberonefan@reddit
If “getting by” is good enough for you then go ahead. Sounds like a miserable life to me.
Corona21@reddit
What does? Getting by isn’t scraping by. You can get along just fine. Plenty of people do it. English isn’t a rare language.
But yeah sure having a willingness to learn the local language helps if we are thinking integration and long term, but you don’t need it on day one.
OP asked for a reason not to move to the UK. Plenty of other European options and language need not be a blocker.
SallyYoung1@reddit
Can you even move? Do you qualify for a work visa? Chances are that you don't. And if you do, the enormous costs of moving would be a big reason against moving, adding up to 20k plus when you factor visa plus IHS fees. The UK has the most expensive immigration system.
Blue_wine_sloth@reddit
Check out r/IWantOut to see if you’d be eligible. We don’t just accept people because they’re from the great USA. I do hope you manage to escape.
Blazured@reddit
I wouldn't move to London or the country if I were you. I'd choose a city cheaper than London and not as remote as the country.
Dizzy-Abroad323@reddit
You’ll be shocked with just how low the salaries are here compared to the U.S.
Crafty-Strength1626@reddit
Depends what your pay grade is, lower paid UK edge's it
ambergriswoldo@reddit
The weather is ridiculous and utility bills (namely electricity at the moment) is insanely high, but nothing compared to having to pay for basic medical care or worrying about guns
snarkycrumpet@reddit
the UK is not easy to move to. they aren't stupid and have locked down most routes Americans would use. plus they are about to vote in a hopelessly inept, right wing, bigoted political party that's harbouring a good number of domestic violence perpetrators under the guise of being the way to "save" the country from "foreigners".
I'm a dual UK/US citizen but I'm actually embarrassed every time I chance upon an American assuming it's somehow going to be easy for them to move to the UK. it's incredibly difficult for me to even bring my spouse to the UK. why would someone with no ties at all be able to just stroll over? why not fix the absolute shit show we've created here in the Americas instead of bailing?
finally, salaries are low low low. if you live commuting distance from nyc you need to understand that a high salary in UK is like £38k and while that used to be fine and dandy it's now very much not and you'll struggle to keep your flat heated and your car full of petrol on that. forget about enjoying your life.
throwawayyyyy9897@reddit
Lower salaries is fhe biggest one
palmwick48@reddit
A lady on tiktok called Georgia Peach does a bunch of lighthearted informative videos on living in America vs UK. She’s from Georgia then moved to Yorkshire in England and has lived here for like 10 years now and raises talks about raising her two kids here
MattDubh@reddit
You've visited already, haven't you?
fuzzy_dice_99@reddit (OP)
Yes but visiting as a tourist vs day to day living aren’t the same
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