Frenchie moving to Scotland - Questions

[mryaha]

Hi everyone !

I am actually living in France, and i plan to move in Scotland in few weeks (end of May).

I have some questions about some details (I already called the french consulate but they asked me to do a to google shearch, without giving me any information ).

The first point is about MONEY . I know my salary before taxes, but I would like to calulate it after taxes. I found some website doing this, but i have heard about special rules for expats - I did not find anything enough explicit about this on the web, could you help me ?.

The second part is more for french people : Is there specific things to do, to avoid double tax payment (both in France and Scotland) ? It here any other formalities ?

Finally, if there is some others expats around Glasgow (I'll work and probably live in Motherwell) let me know, we could have a beer when i'll be there.

Thanks a lot,

Yann

PS : If someone has a room to rent in a flatshare in Glasgow ro Motherwell, let me know

[Bevdeforges]

Hi Yann (or should I say "bienvenue"?)

With luck, someone with the details will wander by here, but in the meantime, I think those "special rules for expats" in the UK refer to wealthy Russians who are living in the UK, but who do not work in or get their income from the UK, but from "back home."

If you're going to be working in Scotland, I think you're subject to the same old tax laws as everyone else. Though, because the tax year in the UK runs from April 6th to April 5th (I think it is), there may be some complications in filing your first year away from France, since you may wind up being "resident" in both France and the UK based on the timing of your move.

As far as I know, you don't have to file French taxes if you are considered "resident" in the UK - which usually means if you are there more than half the tax year - unless you have income coming from France, like investments or if you are renting out your house while you're gone.

Anyhow, with luck someone well versed in the UK tax situation will come along with some more details for you.
Cheers,
Bev

[oddball]

You plan to move to Scotland in a few weeks and you are asking questions on very pertinant and important factors in your life ? A few months ago would have been more appropriate , do you realize how many people post 'After the fact' crying in thier beer ? je nous comprenez pas mes ami , bon soir , Colin

[Wils & Nance]

Hi Mryaha,
We are originally from Glasgow, and we left, cos if it's not nailed down, it's gone by morning !
We both grew up in the western surbs of Glasgow, considered one of the best areas of the city, but we got so fed up with our cars and motorbikes getting nicked ! Vehicle insurance is sky high, house insurance is also very expensive.
And Motherwell doesn't have a good rep !In fact, in the 70's it was the 'not so nice peeps who got re-housed from the tenements to motherwell, cumbernauld,' etc. I know that has changed a bit now, with private houses being built......before anyone slates me for being honest !!
As for tax, you will be taxed on your wages, no matter what, and you will have to pay national insurance.
It's also probably one of the worst places in the world for keeping the fued between catholics & protestants(rangers & celtic) alive and certain pubs, and there are lots.....are best avoided on match days !
Put it this way.......we would never return.....!!!
They don't call it "no mean city" for nothing !
If I can give you anymore info, just let me know.
Wils & Nance

[mryaha]

Hi everyone, and thanks for your answers.

@ oddball : That's true it's a bit late, but I was awaiting for an answer from my employer, and this answer came only 2 days ago - to begin on the 2nd of june. This is late but it was even worse when I had to move from south of France to Amsterdam (I worked 15 months here)... i had to move in two weeks .

@ Wils & Nance : Your description of the city is quite freaky, but I guess it's better to know these things before moving. Maybe you know a nice city to live, close to Motherwell ?

Thanks again and have a nice afternoon,

Yann

[Wils & Nance]

Hi again, sorry if I put you off, but I would much rather know the truth about a place........as for nice city next to Motherwell, no such thing ! Motherwell itself is a better option to anything nearby.....Uddingston is not bad !, But avoid Bellshill and Hamilton at all costs !
I was in Glasgow at the weekend and I just couldn't wait to get home !
It's great for shopping and has lots of nightlife, but it really is turning into a very unfriendly place.
I hope you find a nice place, but please be careful where you choose !

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Wils & Nance

Hi again, sorry if I put you off, but I would much rather know the truth about a place........as for nice city next to Motherwell, no such thing ! Motherwell itself is a better option to anything nearby.....Uddingston is not bad !, But avoid Bellshill and Hamilton at all costs !
I was in Glasgow at the weekend and I just couldn't wait to get home !
It's great for shopping and has lots of nightlife, but it really is turning into a very unfriendly place.
I hope you find a nice place, but please be careful where you choose !

Isnt there anywhere to the North that she could live and commute? My recollection is that the North of Glasgow is very nice, or am I just halucinating

[Wils & Nance]

Yes, there are but you are talking quite a commute !
I am from Knightswood which is still a nice area, but completely the opposite end of the city, the outskirts in fact !
To give you an idea, I worked in Glasgow city center when i lived there and it was 7 miles from where I lived, driving it took anything from 40 mins to an hour to do that distance........trains weren't an option...and buses took as long as driving, but i still had a walk at each end !
As for the East end of Glasgow, I would not even consider it.
North....Milngavie, Lenzie, Kirkintilloch, Newton Mearns, very nice places, but also very costly, getting somewhere to rent would be pretty difficult !

[BankGrad]

Is there any place that is somewhat cheap to live in the UK?

[pelocha]

Wils & Nance i wish i found someone like you to tell me those things when i arrived in glasgow a couple of months ago...it would have been much better for me.