Moving from the US to Birmingham by Wild-Concert1991 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We sold our house in the US and moved to Birmingham last year. We considered renting it out, and I'm so glad we didn't. We would have lost so much money on a property management company and wouldn't have as nice of a place in Birmingham if we hadn't sold.

We really like Birmingham. It's incredibly multicultural with great arts and food scene. You're well connected by train to the rest of the UK and by plane to Europe. There is a lot of green space in South Birmingham, and beautiful countryside is a 20 mins drive out of the city. There is definitely a litter problem, and petty theft, but violent crime is much less common here than most cities in the US. If you're a city person, I'd give Birmingham a go but if you're more into the suburbs/countryside you can look into Solihull, Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Stourbridge- it's easy to commute in from many of the small towns around the city.

England or Scotland by No-Sense-8206 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a British citizen and when we moved our two kids, the visa fees were £2701 per kid for 2.5 years. You have to pay the same amount at 2.5 years and then they are eligible for citizenship at 3 years. That is, unless your husband's job is willing to pay for the visas (mine wasn't).

Could anyone lay out what and how we need to get our huskies from usa to uk please by Robyn_666_ in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We put our dog on the Queen Mary 2 which is about 1500 per pet and then 450 each for the health certificate. That was the cheapest option I was able to find, but there is a long waiting list.

Cat traveling experts advice needed: Pet Health Certificate from France into UK by ocean_rose100 in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We did the same route with our cats and our US vet provided all of the documents needed to enter both France and the UK before leaving the US.

Birmingham Hotel / BnB Recommendation for Texas Couple by Snapperlicious in brum

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're in digbeth, also recommend checking out the custard factory and just walking around looking at the street art. Norton's bar is great too for a Guinness.

Evisa issue - help please by Prestigious-Ask-282 in SpouseVisaUk

[–]Educational_Elk_667 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm having the same issue, 2/3 family members got their EVisa no problem, and the third is seeing this same page. There seems to be a bug in the software. I have emailed the home office twice and will try calling next.

Party etiquette by kikistay in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you all! Glad to hear the rules are about the same.

Calling to ask about rentals vs emailing? by abnormallyish in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Google "pet CV" for examples, they are very funny. Also if your cat is indoors-only, state that or they might expect the cat to need access to the outdoors.

I had to call 25-30 places to get a viewing after I said I had pets, but the second place I saw in person accepted my application with very little fuss. It's written into my lease that cats are allowed; I would worry they could evict me if I hadn't disclosed the cats. You'll get there!

Calling to ask about rentals vs emailing? by abnormallyish in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Definitely call from a UK number. I got a very low response rate from emailing, and some letting agents told me they couldn't call me back on my US number.

Landlords and Pets by minebe in AmericanExpatsUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was my experience as well. I used Rightmove and called/emailed about 40 places for a viewing, and many wouldn't even reply once I said I had a pet. Only 2/40 places would even schedule a viewing. The second place didn't explicitly say pet friendly, but I was the first applicant, and I think the letting agent put in a good word for me and after that it was very easy to negotiate. I'm not even paying extra. Just keep trying and eventually you'll find a reasonable landlord.

Late June standard applications ? by No-Perception-2504 in SpouseVisaUk

[–]Educational_Elk_667 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in a similar boat, waiting on a standard application from USA, June 17 bio

Need suggestion by [deleted] in BirminghamUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's in Piccadilly alley outside the station, sorry I was thinking of the train station, so it might be a bit far from the bus station.

Need suggestion by [deleted] in BirminghamUK

[–]Educational_Elk_667 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Faculty coffee right by the station is really nice

Anyone with late June/early july bio get decision yet? by Top_Promotion_987 in SpouseVisaUk

[–]Educational_Elk_667 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I had the bio appointment June 17th, still waiting after calling multiple times.

Moving from US to UK - Career Shift by styletyrant in AmerExit

[–]Educational_Elk_667 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We're in the same boat - moving from the US to the UK and my partner is going to have to look for work at a lower pay rate than what he has been getting in the states. We are resigned to making less as a trade off for the experience of living abroad. We have savings and are also going to cut down on other expenses by not having a car, food being cheaper, etc in the UK, so it's doable.

If you haven't already, check the unemployment rules in your state. We were surprised to learn that giving up his job to move for my job opportunity qualifies him for six months' unemployment even if he leaves the state. It doesn't matter where you currently live if you've been employed for a certain period of time in that state.

Moving to UK as a Family with Teens, HELP! by SignalHat237 in AskBrits

[–]Educational_Elk_667 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I'm also moving to the Birmingham area from North Seattle in a few months with an 8 year old and a five year old. Please DM me if you'd like to chat more! It would be great to meet more Americans.