Alright, this one is really special to me because I truly believe the UK is ultimately the place where I would like to raise my family. Now, I don't currently live there, so I want to be upfront with that. But of all the places I have traveled, the UK is where I have felt the most comfortable. I felt comfortable walking around with my daughters, I felt comfortable being alone, and I felt comfortable in my own skin being who I am. There are these intangible reasons why the UK is so welcoming to different types of people. I think because of that, there has been a bit of a campaign against Americans going to find out for themselves, but I am here to tell you that in many ways, they have solved issues that are still breaking us in the United States. They aren’t perfect. They have plenty of their own problems and political turmoil, but many of our hot-button social issues they overcame a long time ago and they don't even come up anymore. So from a dad’s perspective, I want to give you some boots on the ground insight into why I think it’s safe and why it might not be for you.
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So I want to start off with the fact that nowhere is perfect. It is easy to show up somewhere that feels different from home and put on rose-tinted glasses. I felt this way when I first arrived, and I was keenly aware that this fleeting feeling can affect your perspective. Most people will probably have a honeymoon when they arrive. If you are considering moving abroad, you are likely fed up with some aspect of your life back in the States, so getting away from that rat race will feel like a huge breath of fresh air. There are a lot of American immigrants in the UK. If you travel to London, you will see immigrants from all over, and if you understand why that diversity is beautiful, you will feel a sense of belonging that will help you acclimate. If you're planning your scouting trip to see for yourself, I'd highly recommend using Expedia to get your flights and stays sorted. Because most people speak English, it is not hard to start assimilating, and if you need a step-by-step plan, check out my guide to moving abroad with kids. As someone who lived in Mexico for a year and spent time in Spain, I can tell you that if you aren’t fluent, it can be extremely challenging to familiarize yourself with locals. Do not take for granted the fact that you are already fluent in the language here.
If you look at my previous article about 5 reasons Americans should move to London, you can get a sense of why I think American immigrants are so well-suited for that city. I do think Americans can fit in well in other places too, mostly based on qualifications and job availability. The clearest pathway to a visa is often a job sponsorship. Tech and finance industries are usually favored, but it isn't impossible to transfer other skills if you are creative with how you market yourself. One thing to know is the perception of British salaries. They appear quite low compared to American ones, but you have to look at the full picture of what is included. The NHS is a massive safety net that isn't inherently included in American pay, and privatized healthcare is one of the biggest scams back home. Also, there is a minimum of 28 days off for most companies, which is unheard of in the US where 21 days is executive level. If you are sends money internationally or sending it back to the States, Wise is the banking app we use to avoid those crazy fees. As a parent, most companies here have a parental grace structure that understands the nuances of parenting. There are allowances given to employees that simply do not exist in the American work ecosystem. If you need help navigating the logistics, you should book a call with Rebecca because she is the planning master in our house.
Lots of free musuems to explore with the kiddos on rainy days!
Once you are here and employed, one thing that will happen frequently is that adults will address your children independently. This manifested for us in a couple of ways. We have had people start playing with our children at restaurants, which is always appreciated, but we have also had many adults just start speaking to our daughters. This gives them agency in the conversation and helps them develop independence earlier than in the United States. Don't get me wrong, my kids still prefer me to order their food because they are children and that is how they function.
The last major thing you will notice is the park and play culture. There is a common phrase here: there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. And this is important because the weather is quite shit at times. There will be weeks where it is absolutely pissing down rain nonstop, so if that sounds unappealing, you may need to consider somewhere else. If you can tolerate it, the benefits outweigh the inconveniences. Weather is not a restricting factor in whether people go out and play. To make sure you're geared up properly for the moist weather, take a look at my Travel Essentials on Amazon. There are also these things called soft plays which are pretty essential for those extra rainy days when your kids need to move their bodies. They will develop summer-camp-style best friends for a day and go home completely wiped out for about five to ten pounds. This showcases how much more conducive to children's existence this culture is than ours. While the kids are playing, you can use NordVPN to keep up with your favorite shows from back home without any hassle.
As long as you and the fam get some good coats, you will be all set.
The biggest reason the UK might not be for you is probably the weather. While it gets an average of 159 days of rain and snow, most days are often quite light. It is not the sunniest place in Europe by far, so if that is very important to you, consider somewhere on the Mediterranean. Also, the salaries do not look good on paper, which acts as a deterrent for many Americans. It is culturally much more acceptable here to live a life of modesty and have a guaranteed pension rather than gambling with your retirement. I would be remiss not to mention that you will experience some culture shock. You aren't living in European America; this is a completely different society. Many things will seem like an uncanny valley of your old life and feel just off enough to be somewhat uncomfortable. You will acclimate, but it will take time, and you will always be an American in the UK to some degree. Make sure you have SafetyWing travel insurance sorted before you arrive to cover any unexpected issues while you settle in.
Like with anything, I would expect there to be some time to acclimate, but once you settle in, I think you can find a nice home here. If you want to keep following our journey, make sure to subscribe to my blog for more regular updates.
Zachary Lincoln
@ZachMovesAbroad
