Living in England

[Mr.Money]

Just a quick question. When I graduate from college (when I get there, actually) I wanted to move to England. I'm sick of living in Canada, but I've heard some stories about England being extremely expensive, so I've a couple of questions:

1. If you're from Canada and you intend on living in England, you have to pass a test to become an English citizen, correct?

2. If you're from Canada and you DONT have an english citizenship, can you still work there?

3. Is rent expensive for a flat?

4. I heard food is extremely expensive there. Is this true?

Thanks. Feel free to talk about your experiences living in England.

[Loony BoB]

You could say it's expensive to live here, but it really depends on where in England you live - and, as with all countries, the amount you earn and the amount you spend stays pretty much relative.

[Iceglow]

ok well to answer some questions, you must hold a visa that allows you to work or live in the uk or brittish citizenship (passport) to work in the UK.

rent for a flat is generally around £200+ dependant on size of flat also the area in london a studio can cost £600 per month in canadian dollars should you find a flat at £200 per month your looking at 502.18 Canadian dollars per month 600 well times that figure by 3 on top of this you pay concil tax which is dependant on the area you live in in my area its around £1500 per year (3,766.35 canadian).

I don't know about passing a test to become a citizen like in the USA but I know you have to apply and the security services of the government check out your details and if you fail you generally get deported to another country either the one you came from or the nearest friendly country.

Food is relative to the currency over here on £150 a person with a big appetite can eat comfortably for a week or two but average minimum wages are 4.50 a hour so watch out if you think working in blockbuster will pay the bills on a 10 hour contract guess again

[gokufusionss1]

1. If you're from Canada and you intend on living in England, you have to pass a test to become an English citizen, correct?

You have to apply but it's a lot easier if you have a commonwealth passport or direct British parentage

2. If you're from Canada and you DONT have an english citizenship, can you still work there?

You can apply for a work permit.

[crono_logical]

<div style="text-align: justify;">£150 for food? That's extravagant to me, I'd think £50 would be more than enough for a week, though I don't usually spend more than £25-£30 a week.</div>

[escobert]

I spend $150 a week on food. geeze.

[crono_logical]

Feel free to feed the fat American stereotype around the rest of the world

I'm guessing it's probably alcohol people spend too much on though, really, it certainly seem that way here in the case of some people - not drinking does wonders on your bank account compared to others

[Peegee]

If I don't eat out, I probably would spend about 10-15$ a week on food.

[Maxico]

I think we spend about 70-90 quid on food. I know that a one bedroom flat in west londond can cost £280 a month. And PG if you didn't go out you would spend more on food at home. Unless you were counting that. Or you fast.

[Rainecloud]

1. If you're from Canada and you intend on living in England, you have to pass a test to become an English citizen, correct?
I certainly hope not. If there is a test, I'm not aware of one.

2. If you're from Canada and you DONT have an english citizenship, can you still work there?
As far as I know, yes.

3. Is rent expensive for a flat?
Oh, absolutely. You'll be searching for money on the streets.

4. I heard food is extremely expensive there. Is this true?
If you want to live on junk food, then no. There's one main thing you need to know about England, and that is: everything's expensive.

To be quite honest, you'd probably enjoy it more if you relocated to hell.

[Harmless Pigeon]

Everything is expensive here-but it's relative to how much you get paid. MY advice is to alway use public transport - petrol is far more expensive here.
You do get better holidays in England though.

[Baloki]

Originally posted by Harmless Pigeon
Everything is expensive here-but it's relative to how much you get paid. MY advice is to alway use public transport - petrol is far more expensive here.
You do get better holidays in England though.

My advice is don't use public transport, it never works, walk, its far safer.

Ok, to move here you have two options, (a) get a job before you move here (a job in the UK of course) and then apply for a work Visa, therefore you can prove you'll have the means to live. (b) Do a family tree of your past, if you have english relations (within 3/4 generations I think it is) then you can apply for a British Passport.

If you get a job in the UK, then it won't matter if the UK is more expensive then Canada because you will earn more. It sounds silly I know, but as you'll be earning pounds not dollars it will work out. So you'll find your not poor.

It is a well known fact that it is cheaper to live up north. But flat prices range massivly, so when you move here, don't pick a flat straight away, book yourself into a B&B and search out the cheapest, but nicest flat you can afford within your budget. Also when you get your job, see if the company you work for has any plans or benefits that will go towards helping you cover the cost of your rent.

Food, well its not that expensive if you shop around. For all your main food needs, goto the three main super markets, Tescos, Asda and Sainsburys, look for the bargins then have, always a cheap source of food. FOr all your fruit and vegitables goto the local markets, its fresh and relativly cheap.

The one food item you will find expensive is Chocolate, so try to give it up before you move over. Also cigeretes and booze are some of the most expensive in the world, so if you want to buy either book a cheap ryanair flight (£1 is the usual plus £20 air tax) to spain or Italy, stay the night and pick up all your fag and drink needs. Remember Pubs are the most expensive place to eat, never eat there, go to a nice cafe or resturant.

I think I covered all the points, hope it helps

[Adeselna]

I'm tired of living in Portugal! You don't know how awfull it is! I want to live in England, with he red buses, people talking british, the underground! And shopping! Everything in England is really beautiful! Here in Oporto you only cars and cars and buldings, it's do unfunny!:freak:

[Baloki]

Originally posted by Adeselna
I'm tired of living in Portugal! You don't know how awfull it is! I want to live in England, with he red buses, people talking british, the underground! And shopping! Everything in England is really beautiful! Here in Oporto you only cars and cars and buldings, it's do unfunny!:freak:

Well, your part of the EU, you can just move over whenever you feel like it.

[crono_logical]

The underground sucks. Well, maybe the speed is good, when it's actually going