A Practical Guide to the Way of Life in the UK

Jump right in:

• Pros & cons of living in the UK
• Practical information
• Culture & social etiquette
• Driving in the UK
• Public transportation in the UK

Benefits of living in the UK

• The job market: In the UK, most people are employed and the job market is large. Additionally, you can get away with only knowing English, therefore you will be able to find plenty of opportunities. However, there is a lot of competition that might become an obstacle when getting your dream job.
• Access to Europe: living in the UK provides easy access to the rest of Europe. So, if you feel you need a break from it, expats can travel for short stays to most European destinations, since flight operators like Ryanair offer cheap tickets to several destinations.
• Higher education: The standard of teaching and research at UK universities and colleges is routinely assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in order to ensure that all the benchmarks are met. However, keep in mind that annual tuition fees in the UK are high.

Disadvantages of living in the UK

- Quality of life: In our yearly Expat Insider Survey, the United Kingdom ranked 38th out of 46 countries when it came to quality of life. The key aspects that were evaluated were travel & transit, climate, leisure options, healthcare, and safety.

• High cost of living: The UK’s capital, London, is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Accommodation prices drive up overall spending, but everyday life is costly too. On top of costly housing, there is relatively expensive electricity. However, rent prices vary depending on the region, the prices.
• Moving from EU: Since free movement ended on 31 December 2020, EU citizens who do not already have UK immigration status will need a visa or other eligible permission to live and work in the UK.

Emergency numbers in the UK

The main emergency number is 999. If you need medical assistance fast, but it’s not an emergency, you should call the NHS Number 111.

• Ambulance: 999 or 112
• Fire: 999 or 112
• Police: 999 or 112
• Gas emergency: 0800 111 999

Embassies in the UK

The main embassies in the UK:

• United States
• India:
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Australia

The London Diplomatic List contains all the addresses and contact details of all embassies and high commissions in the UK.

Useful websites

• UK Visa Portal
• Government services
• Public healthcare services
• Sign in to HMRC (tax, payments and customs authority

Is it expensive to live in the UK?

Yes, living in the UK is expensive. Especially, when costs of housing, taxes, groceries, utilities, and transport add up. Minimum wage is considered not enough to survive in bigger cities therefore; there is such thing as a Real Living Wage that is calculated on the real cost of living. However, only 1% of employers pay the real living wage voluntarily.

Minimum wage and average salaries in the UK The nationwide minimum wage for individuals 21 years old and over is 12.71 GBP (USD) per hour. It is set based on the economic conditions, cost of living, and median earning.

The average monthly salary in the UK is around 2,600 GBP (USD).

Average cost of living in the UK

• A handshake is the most common way of greeting someone, especially if you’ve never met them.
• This is a golden rule: do not cut the line! If there is a line, always queue and wait for your turn.
• Don’t be alarmed when you notice that people keep apologizing to you. The word “sorry” generally has a different connotation in the UK. People don’t use this word only for when they feel sadness or regret. It is very typically used as a way of being polite.
• Greeting cards are still very popular in the UK. British people send more cards than any other nationality worldwide.
• The British don’t shy away from token gifts: chocolates, mugs, flowers, etc. It’s not considered rude or careless to make these gift choices, especially if you don’t know the person the well.
• Punctuality is important in British culture. People go to great lengths to arrive on time, so it is viewed as impolite to be late; therefore, it is best to plan well, especially in London, where there is always traffic.
• Indirect communication: You will quickly pick up on it and learn how to read between the lines. For example, if someone at work asks you to have a look at something “when you have a minute,” they might actually be asking you to get it done quickly.
• Humor: The British enjoy self-deprecating humor and sarcasm. They are very good at it and sometimes it can be quite subtle and hard to detect by people who are not accustomed to it.
• Listening: The British are polite listeners, so they will probably not talk over you or interrupt you unless they need clarification.
• Personal Space: make sure to not stand or sit extremely close to people. For instance, if you sit next to someone, never lean your body against theirs.
• Patience: British people are patient and waiting in line is second nature to them. You should respect this as it’s ingrained in British culture and will be considered rude if you don’t follow this social norm.

If you hold a valid licence issued outside the EU/EEA, you can usually drive with it for up to 12 months. After that, you must either exchange it for a GB licence or pass the GB theory and practical driving tests.

Driving in the UK your EU/EEA or US license

Driving in the UK with your EU or EEA license is possible as long as it is valid. If you want, you can exchange your license for a GB license.

Use this tool to check if you are allowed to drive in the UK with your non-GB driving licence.

Theoretical and driving tests

You can find all the relevant information regarding changes to driving standards, and book both your theoretical and practical test through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The Driver and Vehicle Licensing agency (DVLA) issues the license once you complete and pass your test.

Your English proficiency must be sufficient to pass the test.

How to get a UK Driving License

Steps on how to get a UK driving license

• You will need to apply a Provisional Driving License.
• You will have to pass a theory test.
•  Book and take your practical test. If you are taking your test in Northern Ireland, you will need to book it through a different service.

Driving in the UK rules

Basic rules about driving in the UK:

• Drive on the left side of the road.
• The UK uses miles per hour (mph), not kilometers per hour (kmph).
• The speed limit on highways is usually 70 mph (113 kmh), but on country roads it’s about 40 (65 kmh), or 50 mph (80 kmh). Once you enter a village, a city center, or a built-up residential area, the speed limit is never over 30 mph (48 kmh) and may even be 20 mph (33 kmh) or less.
• Speed cameras are widely used, so respect the speed limits.
• Drivers are allowed to do a U-turn or three-point-turn on any UK road where it can be carried out safely, and it is not expressly forbidden. You will know when U-turns are prohibited because you will see a sign with an upside-down “U” crossed out with a red line.
• Road signs are fairly uniform to international standards; however, there are some that are pretty unique, so you might be unfamiliar with them. It’s a good idea to get to know your local traffic signs.
• It is mandatory to wear a seatbelt, otherwise you could be fined up to 500 GBP (670 USD).
• The legal blood alcohol limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is 0.08 percent blood alcohol content-BAC. Scotland is stricter, with a limit of 0.05 percent BAC. For traffic updates, real-time routings, and speed limits, you can use Waze app.

Renting a car

If you intend to drive a rental car in the UK, you will have plenty of choice in terms of rental companies. Here are some online rental options:

• Rental Radar
• Sixt
• Turo
• Hiyacar
• Getaround

How is public transportation in the UK?

It sometimes faces criticism about network delays and peak-hour overcrowding, but you will generally find that public transport in the UK is widely connected and extensive, it is quite expensive.

Public transport apps & websites in the UK

• Citymapper
• UK Bus Checker
• National Rail
• Transport for London (Tfl)

What is the cost of public transport in the UK?

Public transport costs in the UK differ between cities because each area has its own ticketing system, transport modes and fare zones. Bigger cities have monthly or four-week travel passes for regular passengers.

• London: An adult bus and tram pass costs 95 GBP (130 USD) per month. A monthly Travelcard for unlimited Tube, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line, bus, and tram travel costs 172 GBP (230 USD) for Zones 1–2 and 314 GBP (420 USD)1 for Zones 1–6. You can also only pay for the journey you take with an Oyster card.
• Manchester:  An adult pass allowing unlimited travel on all buses and trams across all four tram zones costs 136 GBP (183 USD) for 28 days. Use Bee network app to acess tickets and plan your journeys.
• Birmingham and the West Midlands:  An adult metro monthly app pass for all tram zones costs 94 GBP (126 USD) . A four-week network pass covering buses, trains, and trams costs 147 GBP (200 USD).
• Edinburgh: The adult Ridacard costs 80 GBP (107 USD) for four weeks and provides unlimited travel on Edinburgh trams, Lothian buses, Nightbus, and selected surrounding bus services.
• Glasgow:  An adult Subway 28-day ticket costs 54 GBP (73 USD) when purchased online.** Multi-mode ZoneCard tickets are also available for travel on the subway, ScotRail, and most buses, with prices depending on the zones selected. Monthly travel passes are generally most suitable for people who commute regularly and use public transport several days each week

National rail

(National Rail tickets](https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-and-offers/buying-a-ticket/) are easy to purchase either online or at the train station, but you will find cheaper prices if you book in advance and online. There are also discount cards.

• The Senior Rail Card (for those over 60 years)
• The 16-25 Rail Card (for students aged 16-25)

If you find yourself frequently using National Rail, it is recommended to purchase either a weekly, monthly or yearly pass in order to save money. Prices will vary depending on the routes you use.

Buses and coaches in the UK

• Buses operate as part of a service that drops off and picks up at various and frequent intervals (e.g. public transportation bus).
• Coaches make infrequent stops and drive long distances, such as between towns, cities, or even countries.

Main services for coaches:

• National Express – serving all major destinations with frequency.
• Megabus – covers a limited number of destinations at a discounted price, popular with students.
• Flixbus: offers cheap fares for long distance travels around the country.

Coach services are not usually fully-booked and are quite comfortable, making them a great alternative means of transport. They often cost less than half of what you would pay for a similar train journey.

Taxis in the UK

Here are some popular taxi apps that operate in the UK:

• Uber
• Bolt
• Gett
• Free Now
• Addison Lee

Ferries in the UK

Tickets are usually best bought directly from the operator, either online or at local ferry terminals, but you can find an overview of the various ferry companies and travel routes on websites, such as Discover Ferries.

Public transportation resources for the disabled

Most trains in the UK carry a wheelchair access ramp, and buses are often able to tilt down to meet the sidewalk. If you look at the London Tube map, you’ll also notice that stations with disabled access are clearly marked. Gov.uk. [Transport for London]3(http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/transportaccessibility/1167.aspx) also provides more specific local advice on the accessibility of trains, buses, and the Tube in the capital. Finally, Disabled Travel Advice offers lots of useful tips on public transportation in the UK for expats and travelers alike.