The post by avonside mentions the significant downside: it is expensive to live in the UK, if you want to live the same lifestyle you lived in North America. We spent three years in the UK (Staffordshire, 45 minutes south of Manchester). Expensive, but we enjoyed it, it was a chance to see another country. Schools were a bit of a hassle, but you won't have that problem (catchment zones depend on address, and there is a very limited rent-for-profit housing market, so choices were limited)

Income taxes were the same as we pay in Canada, which is to say higher than you likely pay in the US. Find out if your employer has a policy designed to 'keep you whole'.

The best tip is to not expect things to be just as they are at home (if they were, it wouldn't be a foreign country, and this applies to all ex-pat assignments, not just the UK)

Best research tip is to search on the phrase expat (or ex-pat). That will be you, an ex-patriate. The expat community is pretty strong in London, not so much outside of London.

Manchester is large, with a lot of different areas. Recommendations depend where you will be working, as you will want to live somewhat nearby. Some of our UK members can be more specific. You need to decide on basics like a city flat (apartment) vs a country cottage, and then go from there.

PM me with any specific questions.

Good luck.

Jeff

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
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2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
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