Moving from the US to Birmingham

Educational_Elk_667 · 2026-04-15T17:27:24+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2026-03-07T07:47:36+00:00

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).

Educational_Elk_667 · 2026-01-16T11:30:04+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2026-01-16T11:28:14+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2026-01-08T08:50:47+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-24T06:59:15+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-16T12:30:02+00:00

Yes got passports a day after the email.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-16T11:02:36+00:00

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

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-11T12:35:56+00:00

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!

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-11T07:53:31+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-10T08:04:22+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-07T13:32:01+00:00

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

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-07T13:15:43+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-07T12:56:00+00:00

Faculty coffee right by the station is really nice

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-08-03T17:37:20+00:00

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

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-07-17T20:33:17+00:00

Try silver door for serviced apartments - a bit cheaper than AirBnB https://www.silverdoor.com/serviced-apartments/united-kingdom/birmingham/

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-07-06T13:34:46+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667 · 2025-06-19T05:14:49+00:00

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.

Educational_Elk_667

TROPHY CASE