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Considering moving to the UK!

lucienpajnic
July 23, 2010 3:59:10 AM CEST

Heyo, folks.

I've been considering moving to UK for a while now, but never really got around to it since I've been busy with other things - like moving to the Netherlands, which has, alas, proved to be quite depressing. I'm originally from Croatia but have Italian citizenship and an Italian passport due to my family originating from there ( despite my father's surname suggesting otherwise ).

But I digress... After yet another disastrous event that was served to me here - I'm being kicked out of my apartment with a 1,5 month notice due to my flatmate moving out, and have no way to ''buy time'' or get assistance with it due to the fact that my contract specifies that I have, plainly speaking, no rights whatsoever as a foreigner ( something my Dutch flatmate conveniently omitted, even though we've only received one contract, which was in Dutch ) - and a plethora of cultural differences ( overly-direct approach to conversations, spitting/belching on the streets, yelling in the middle of town, refusal to communicate in any language except Dutch etc. ) I've started re-considering my options.

To make the long story short:
I've always been an Anglophile, for lack of a less posh-y term, and spending a year or two in the UK is something I've always wanted to do. What I wonder, however, is whether it's worth it, as opinions differ from person to person with a lot of people being delighted to have moved to the UK and a nearly equal lot not being satisfied at all - so what better place to ask than right here?

So tell me, please, how is the UK for you? Do you find the people to be amicable enough, willing to ''hang out'' and interact? Did you have a lot of trouble finding a place to live?
jessy
October 16, 2010 10:41:13 PM CEST

Did you ever move?

A couple of thoughts on the Dutch. They are very direct, but are generally also very friendly and helpful (though they do have a bit of an I'm minding my life, you need to mind yours belief sometimes). Me thinks you got a bad impression from your flatmate.

All Dutch speak excellent English, however, it's a second language to them and among themselves they will speak Dutch - they are after all, Dutch. To expect them to speak something other than their native language is expecting too much. How much Dutch did you learn while there?
lillly
- 123 posts
October 30, 2010 6:45:02 PM CEST

lucienpajnic (Jul 23 2010, 12:59 AM) said: > original post
Heyo, folks.

I've been considering moving to UK for a while now, but never really got around to it since I've been busy with other things - like moving to the Netherlands, which has, alas, proved to be quite depressing. I'm originally from Croatia but have Italian citizenship and an Italian passport due to my family originating from there ( despite my father's surname suggesting otherwise ).

But I digress... After yet another disastrous event that was served to me here - I'm being kicked out of my apartment with a 1,5 month notice due to my flatmate moving out, and have no way to ''buy time'' or get assistance with it due to the fact that my contract specifies that I have, plainly speaking, no rights whatsoever as a foreigner ( something my Dutch flatmate conveniently omitted, even though we've only received one contract, which was in Dutch ) - and a plethora of cultural differences ( overly-direct approach to conversations, spitting/belching on the streets, yelling in the middle of town, refusal to communicate in any language except Dutch etc. ) I've started re-considering my options.

To make the long story short:
I've always been an Anglophile, for lack of a less posh-y term, and spending a year or two in the UK is something I've always wanted to do. What I wonder, however, is whether it's worth it, as opinions differ from person to person with a lot of people being delighted to have moved to the UK and a nearly equal lot not being satisfied at all - so what better place to ask than right here?

So tell me, please, how is the UK for you? Do you find the people to be amicable enough, willing to ''hang out'' and interact? Did you have a lot of trouble finding a place to live?

I am a UK citizen but long term I plan to head off to NL. I read your posts on there too and I suspect you have made the decision to give NL another shot.
I think you will always find people who are not happy in any country and the NL expatica site will have indicated that.

NL is heavily beaurocratic there is no doubt about that! My partner moved there in August and is still cutting through red tape. I think however once you get all that sorted its probably straightforward.

The UK is less beaurocratic but we are facing hard times where the job market is concerned. People who have had jobs for years and years are facing the fear of redundancy. Social security is being cut right back. Housing costs are going up and housing benefits is reducing.
That all sounds pretty depressing but then things like that just are... It might affect you or it might not.

UK has lots of positives and yes people are on the whole friendly... we don't tend to spit (although I have seen it done from time to time!) It will also depend where you chose to live in UK. You might find regional differences are more obvious than in NL. We move around in friendship circles more than the dutch perhaps so you should find easy to make friends.
I suspect you are staying in NL and if so its a good plan. get yourself somewhere to live where you don't depend on others. Do all the things you need to do... register with the council get health insurance (don't leave it and hope to get away with it as they will find you and ask for backpay!) Learn dutch and even if its only basic it will help.

You might find NL is actually pretty OK and give the UK a few years to pull back its economy (yes I am an optimist! ) visit and check things out (its easy and reasonable cost from NL if you plan ahead ) then come and see what you think!

Good luck Lucien and nothing is irreversible!
fortuner
- 10421 posts
November 13, 2010 7:32:56 AM CET

jessy (Oct 16 2010, 07:41 PM) said: > original post
All Dutch speak excellent English,

NO, they certainly do NOT ALL speak excellent English, some are unable to speak English at all...
pegasusdba
December 19, 2010 9:08:23 PM CET

wesleynl (Nov 13 2010, 06:32 AM) said: > original post
NO, they certainly do NOT ALL speak excellent English, some are unable to speak English at all...

Hi, I'm considering an employment opportunity in Eastleigh, near Southampton. I am leaving the US in for a higher quality of life (now and in the future), better education and social system. Possibilities in Germany, but I don't speak German yet so that's an issue for me and my daughter(12).
Please offer your insights (positive and/or negative). I would be very grateful.
Thanks,
Michael (EU citizen)
lillly
- 123 posts
December 30, 2010 12:33:51 PM CET

pegasusdba (Dec 19 2010, 08:08 PM) said: > original post
Hi, I'm considering an employment opportunity in Eastleigh, near Southampton. I am leaving the US in for a higher quality of life (now and in the future), better education and social system. Possibilities in Germany, but I don't speak German yet so that's an issue for me and my daughter(12).
Please offer your insights (positive and/or negative). I would be very grateful.
Thanks,
Michael (EU citizen)

UK sounds like a good option for your daughter as she will be able to attend a High School so no high costs for an international school. I live in the UK but I am in the north so I don't know much about Southampton. If you job is secure and well paid you should be OK but it really is tough here. If you are likely to need social security benefits then it could be difficult.

Your daughter should find a friendship group easily enough. She is at a good age to settle in High school. The UK has OK education but it is very target driven. It doesn't stand out as particularly brilliant. There is a focus on getting academic qualifications which works well for bright kids but less so for practical kids. I have two children in High School who are doing OK but its not inspirational learning. Check out schools carefully.

I stand by the comments I made to Lucien really.... economically the UK has problems right now. People are edgy about their futures and secure jobs dont feel all that safe anymore. Have a back up plan in case it doesn't suit you.

The fact you are an EU citizen is helpful as there won't be miles of red tape.
If you have specific questions ask away and I will answer if I can.

Good luck!
phpesenti
- 1 posts
November 14, 2011 11:53:20 AM CET

lucienpajnic said:
Heyo, folks.

london cheap hotels london luxury hotels I've been considering moving to UK for a while now, but never really got around to it since I've been busy with other things - like moving to the Netherlands, which has, alas, proved to be quite depressing. I'm originally from Croatia but have Italian citizenship and an Italian passport due to my family originating from there ( despite my father's surname suggesting otherwise ).

But I digress... After yet another disastrous event that was served to me here - I'm being kicked out of my apartment with a 1,5 month notice due to my flatmate moving out, and have no way to ''buy time'' or get assistance with it due to the fact that my contract specifies that I have, plainly speaking, no rights whatsoever as a foreigner ( something my Dutch flatmate conveniently omitted, even though we've only received one contract, which was in Dutch ) - and a plethora of cultural differences ( overly-direct approach to conversations, spitting/belching on the streets, yelling in the middle of town, refusal to communicate in any language except Dutch etc. ) I've started re-considering my options.

To make the long story short:
I've always been an Anglophile, for lack of a less posh-y term, and spending a year or two in the UK is something I've always wanted to do. What I wonder, however, is whether it's worth it, as opinions differ from person to person with a lot of people being delighted to have moved to the UK and a nearly equal lot not being satisfied at all - so what better place to ask than right here?

So tell me, please, how is the UK for you? Do you find the people to be amicable enough, willing to ''hang out'' and interact? Did you have a lot of trouble finding a place to live?

have you moved to london yet?
This post was edited by phpesenti at November 14, 2011 11:53:57 AM CET
lloyd123
- 2 posts
February 17, 2012 3:19:17 PM CET

Global Visas
GreenGirl
- 8 posts
August 3, 2012 4:54:18 PM CEST

lloyd123 said:

Global Visas

Income Protection Insurance
dandm
- 4 posts
December 11, 2012 5:06:39 PM CET

I'm Australian and lived in the Netherlands for 3 years before moving to the UK. UK wins no contest. Beautiful landscape, friendlier people, diverse food, people with manners...

NL is somewhere to avoid, I feel.
RachelDooley
- 1 posts
February 7, 2013 9:48:23 AM CET

Which city are you all considering to move in the UK? I have been in the London before 2 years and stayed there for 8 months. I just loved the city and the people are really friendly. Just make sure that you all take proper guidance from the local immigration attorneys so that the process can be smoothen.