Moving to the U.K. could mark the beginning of an incredibly exciting chapter in your life. From the internationally renowned cities of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham to the rolling countryside of rural England, Wales and Scotland, there are plenty of reasons to be excited to move to the U.K. The U.K. holds massive potential for opportunity, kickstarting career prospects or simply just settling into a new life. E.U. citizens can exercise the right to live and work in the U.K. fairly and easily. However, a lot of planning and budgeting before, during and after your move will be required.
The cost of living in the U.K. is comparatively high to other countries, but these costs are somewhat offset by higher wages. Following Brexit, the pound is falling which may mean that your home currency will get you more sterling for your buck. If you’re moving to London – one of the most expensive cities in the world – saving and budgeting needs to be a priority. Thankfully, we’ve got plenty of tips to help you save money before and during your move to the U.K.
Travel
Obviously, you’ll need to work out how you’re moving (and all of your belongings) over to the U.K. If you decide to fly, check SkyScanner out for comparing costs. If you book far enough in advance, flights from all over Europe can be found for a very small cost.
However, do remember that this cost saving can be offset by baggage allowance. Paying for extra luggage can be extremely expensive.
If you’re traveling light and don’t have a lot of personal belongings to bring to the U.K, then flying can be a cheap and quick method of moving. If you want to bring extra luggage and do not want to pay airline prices, it might be more cost efficient to get the coach from Poland to the U.K. Travelling by coach can take far longer than flying, but you should be able to bring more luggage with you. If you can factor in a couple of days for travel and have a lot of luggage, then grabbing the coach could be a great way to save money during your move.
Accommodation
Choosing what type of accommodation to go for when you’re moving is a huge decision. While it may be appealing to get your own place, this can be incredibly costly especially in London. If you’re moving by yourself, becoming part of a house share is a wise thing to do.
Many rental websites offer to search by house shares, and spareroom.co.uk is designed for individuals looking to for a bedroom in a shared home. Getting involved with a house share will save you a huge amount of money. If you initially take part in a house share and find you’re not enjoying it, it can be easy to find online credit for Poles in the U.K and get a deposit for your own place secured quickly with no fuss.
Bills
Utility bills are the second most important payment you’ll need to be making, after rent. Shop around U.K. sites to find the cheapest provider for your gas, water, and electricity. You’ll also need to factor in internet access if it is not already provided by your accommodation. Better deals can be found by not settling for the first or default provider offered by your place of residence. Be careful not to fall behind on utility payments – not paying, or paying late can lead to your credit score declining. If your credit score declines, it’ll be harder to access loans or online credit for Poles in the U.K.
Cut back on Luxuries
It is very easy to spend a lot of money on luxuries in the U.K. Big cities offer plenty of high-end shops and restaurants and while a one-off treat is fine, frequently going out for meals will add unnecessary costs to your everyday living. Head to the supermarket reduced section and get good quality food items for less. Skip the takeaway and cook a meal at home. Big cities such as London or Manchester have lots of free museums, galleries, and exhibitions. During the summer, park areas thrive as a free way to enjoy a weekend.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to save money when you move to the U.K. From cutting down on travel costs, choosing accommodation on your budget, and deciding against unnecessary luxuries are all steps you can take to save money when you move. If you are struggling to make ends meet despite all of this, it is incredibly easy to secure quick online credit for Poles – just make sure you can afford the repayments on time and in full.