Living in the United Kingdom

England is perhaps the country most people first think of when they think of the United Kingdom. It borders both Scotland and Wales and almost 50 million people live in there, which is over 80% of the UK’s total population.

Major cities include London (the capital), Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, and Manchester.

London is one of the most well-known cities in the world and for many is representative of the whole of England, if not the whole of the UK.

Other icons include football, actors Jude Law and Kate Winslet, Bridget Jones, pubs and beer. But for most these represent the whole of the UK, not just England.

From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of past eras. But it also does modernity with a confidence and panache left over from its days in the never-setting sun. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping - England's rates with the world's best.

The UK is a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures, possessing a fascinating history and dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential in the wider world.

Climate

England's climate is mild and damp, with temperatures moderated by the light winds that blow in off its relatively warm seas. Temperatures inland don't get much below freezing in winter (December to February), or much above 30°C (86°F) in summer (June to August). The north is the coldest area; London, the southeast and the West Country are the warmest. Rainfall is greatest in hilly areas and in the West Country. You can expect cloudy weather and light drizzle in any part of England at any time.

Money

The currency throughout the UK is the pound (£) (more properly called the Pound Sterling, but this is not used in everyday speech), divided into 100 pence (p). Coins appear in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2 denominations, while notes come in £5, £10, £20 and £50. English notes depict the Queen on one side and famous historical figures on the other.

Accomodation

It is quite expensive to rent good quality housing in the UK, but rental prices do vary significantly between locations. It is very expensive to rent housing in central London. Properties vary in style greatly but are mainly constructed from brick and are types vary form terraced house, semi detached, link detached, detached and flats (apartments). To buy a home is becoming easier and easier for foreigners and there are lenders prepared to lend up to 95% of the mortgage. It is important to get a good mortgage broker who will compare what's available on the entire market. It is highly advisable to rent in area first before buying to get to know your neighbourhood. Places you can use to check accomodation are www.rightmove.co.uk, www.propertyfinder.co.uk and for more upmarket homes www.primelocation.com.

Cost of Living

Britain is an expensive country even for Britons, and due to the strong pound, even more so for foreigners. The high cost of basics such as transport, accommodation and food means that you'll spend around £50 (approximately US$100) per day as a budget traveller and more if you want to afford luxuries such as taxis, 3 star hotels, and meals in restaurants. London and the South East is up to three times as expensive as other parts of the country. Further North things are more reasonably priced.

Shopping

Although shopping in Britain can be expensive, it is generally regarded as a world-class destination for shoppers both in terms of variety and quality of products, depending on where and what you buy. Fierce competition has brought prices down considerably in the food, clothing and electronic sectors. Prices do vary and it is always worth visiting the various retail stores as bargains can often be found. Avoid buying from the tourist areas and stick to the High Street shops or the many 'out-of-town' retail parks where prices will be considerably cheaper.

VAT (Value Added Tax - a mandatory tax on many goods and services in the UK) is 17.5%. For most High Street shopping, VAT is included in the sale price.

Culture

The UK has an extraordinarily rich and diverse artistic heritage. British poets, playwrights, musicians, painters and filmmakers have left works that continue to be enjoyed and admired all over the world.

British comedians make fun of conventions, traditions, religions, fashions, pretensions – but most of all, of themselves.London is the comedy club centre of Europe and many famous names of modern British comedy have gained recognition and moved to television and film from variety and night club audiences.

The UK music industry is built on talent. London leads the world for the range of music available throughout the year. In classical music alone London has four symphony orchestras, as well as two major international opera houses. The UK is also home to international events such as the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and the biennial Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.The UK continues its leading status in pop and rock music, from long-established musicians, such as the Rolling Stones and Elton John, to younger artists in genres such as rap and Asian fusion. UK music festivals, such as Glastonbury and WOMAD, bring together the best new music and draw large international crowds.

Sport

Sport is central to life in the UK. Some 36 million people - well over half the British population - take part in a sport or physical recreation at least once a month. UK sportsmen and women hold over 50 world titles in a variety of sports, including professional boxing, rowing, snooker, squash and motorcycle sports. A number of major international sports started in the UK, at least in their modern form, including rugby, football (soccer), cricket, golf, tennis and boxing. They all have a big following, particularly football which is the national game.

Links

If you are considering a move to the United Kingdom the following sites should be of interest:

www.nhs.uk - the official gateway to National Health Service organisations on the Internet.

www.homeoffice.gov.uk - information on the UK and immigration

www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk - information on UK taxation.

www.visitbritain.com.au - information and FAQ's about England