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Moving to the UK from overseas can be a huge task, no matter where you’re coming from. When the move itself could be expensive, you don’t also want to find yourself paying lots of extra costs when you arrive. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save if you’re trying to live on a budget or just want to save some more money. Whether you’re planning to stay for a few years or the rest of your life, you can save money as an expat/immigrant in the UK. Take a look at these ideas for budgeting your money.
Choose the Right Location
Where you choose to live can make a big difference in how much it costs to live in the UK. If you’re in the UK for a job, it’s likely you can’t pick the region you’ll be living in, but you can still look at your options for commuting to work. For example, if you work in London, there are plenty of commuter towns outside of Greater London that are more affordable. If you have more control over where you’re going to live, you’ll generally find that the north of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are more affordable. However, you can still expect to pay more in some places, such as Edinburgh or expensive coastal locations.
Get the Legal Stuff Right
Moving to the UK can involve a number of legal issues, and now even EU/EEA citizens will need to deal with more paperwork. Some of the legal stuff can be expensive, but you can save money if you know how to navigate it all. Good legal representation when you’re sorting out your visa or you need to apply for ILR can save you a lot of trouble and help you with your finances too. Mistakes in the process could set you back and cost you more. So it helps to have the right legal help along the way.
Save on Money Transfers
When you relocate to another country, you often need to move money between two different countries. That could mean losing money because of a poor exchange rate or having to pay fees to move large amounts. Fortunately, there are ways to save money on transfers. One option is to use a service like Transferwise, which will match your transfer up with someone else who is sending money in the other direction. This helps you to get a rate and save money on your transfer.
Know When to Use Public Transport
The UK has plenty of options for public transport, which can be handy, although so look me rural areas aren’t as well-connected. However, the trick is to know when using public transport will be cheaper (and a better use of your time than driving) and when it will cost more. If you’re moving to London, chances are they you won’t really need a car. However, in some places, it makes more sense to drive than to try and get around by bus or train.
If you’re moving to the UK or settling down, you can save money by making the right choices.
