UK owners. relocation help...

obiparis · #1 06-18-2006, 12:05 AM

Hi,
I'm not sure if it's the correct forum to post. But I'm a X5 owner looking to relocate to UK for a few years. So it maybe okay?

but I apologize if I post in the wrong forum.

I have the opportunity to relocate to UK (Manchester in specific) for the next few years. My wife and I want to know more about UK and Manchester. If there's any UK owners out there and would like to provide us an idea of what we should expect in terms of housing, living style, costs, neighborhood, suggestion, etc (anything basically), we would really appreciate that.

You can post here or pm/email me. My email is [email protected]. Thank you very much for your help/comments. I know the weather can't compare to Southern California...by the way, my wife and I have no kids, late 20's.

oh, if I decide to relocate, I'll need to sell my X5 in a few months...

we still haven't enjoyed the X5 enough yet...

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avonside · #2 06-18-2006, 06:44 PM

Go for it, I think its great to get the oportunity to live in other parts of the world.My family and I have just come home to the UK after living in SoCal for nearly 5 years, it was a great time but it is also nice to be HOME.I am bringing my US X home with me,it was such a good saving over the UK list price, even though the steering wheel is on the wrong side !!!!!.Saving nearly $30,000 makes you feel a little better.

JCL · #3 06-19-2006, 01:26 AM

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

obiparis · #4 06-19-2006, 11:47 AM

Thanks, avonside/JCL. pm sent.
I will need to find out the office location. I just know it's somewhere in/around Manchester for now.
I think we can stay in apartments. The company should cover the housing expenses. I will provide more detailed info when I find out more later this week.
If there're other UK owners who would like to give me some inputs, please post or pm me. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

admins/mods, please move this to LOUNGE. thanks.

fuzzer · #5 06-19-2006, 12:05 PM

it costs an absolute fortune to live in the UK.

Going to the US for us is like winning the lottery , you almost feel like asking for 2 because everythings so cheap.

The UK is indirect tax mad , everything comes at a price. But , its a nice place to live

Zulu95 · #6 06-19-2006, 02:14 PM

Easy conversion for $ to £. What ever the $ price here the UK price is around the same figure in £.
e.g. $50 =£50. When you then convert the pound to dollars you'll understand just how much more they spend for UK stuff. (£1 = $1.75 or so)

Then there is the stuff you cannot get over there. I send a lot of different things to friends and family over there they have no access to in local shops.(Stores)

obiparis · #7 06-19-2006, 02:25 PM

Interesting and very helpful advice. I will definitely negotiate a better package to cover all the higher living costs.

Zulu95, can you give me some examples on what we can't get in UK? by the way, if we move to UK, we will definitely come back to So Cal once a year for the annual company meeting.

Scottie · #8 06-19-2006, 05:25 PM

well I'm going to say the UK is the best place to live but then I would I am from the UK.

Cost of living well I find it ok but then I reckon that depends on your income.

if your getting a relocation package then it should't be to much of a worry infact you may find your "quids" in (Scottish Slang).

you may find you will enjoy our way of life and not be in a hurry to return home,

X5 Sport · #9 06-19-2006, 05:48 PM

Have you lost your mind man ?

I know where I would rather be !

As the other posts said it is very expensive here your salary would have to double to get anywhere close to your lifestyle in the states.

When I went to the states last I took a empty suit case and filled it and bought another case as well

I will tell you some prices of stuff here so you get the picture.

1 bedromm flat in nice area £200,000
20 fags (Smokes ) £5.00
Petrol £ 0.96 litre will cost you a $160 to fill up the X5

If you want to know the price of anything else just ask ?

obiparis · #10 06-19-2006, 06:01 PM

what if the housing, car, gas are covered? I'm thinking the major expenses are covered, then it won't be that bad?

I want to know if it's expensive to buy grocery in the supermarket and cook at home? my wife likes to cook and we often do that here in US. that may save costs?

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