Things to consider when relocating

[narocks6892]

I'm new to the forum (thanks for being here!) and considering the possibility of relocating from the US to Surrey, specifically the Chertsey area. I'm trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row in anticipation of an offer from my employer and thought it would be wise to put a note on this forum.

Just a quick bit about my situation - I've got a family of 4, and my older son will be 6 in September. My wife & I had a visit to the area recently and found a school we believe will be suitable - so that part is out of the way.

We don't plan to have a car and will be setting our lives up to accommodate that. With that in mind, here are the financial things I've got on my list:

• Housing
• Internet/phone
• Mobile phone
• Council tax
• Gas/electricity
• Water/sewer
• TV tax
• Travel costs (train, tube if in London)

Since this is a work relocation, all the visa/government paperwork stuff will be taken care of. So beyond that, other than food & "entertainment", is there anything else that you folks can see that I've missed?

Thanks for the feedback!

[Bevdeforges]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If this will be a transfer within your present company, is there any possibility of them offering an "expat package"? That could potentially include tax equalization and/or tax assistance (i.e. someone to do your UK and US taxes), home visit allowance and underwriting of some or all of your housing costs.

If you're going over on "local payroll" (i.e. without expat benefits), it's all on you - which actually has some advantages. But in that case, you may want to include something in the budget for periodic visits back to the US, especially for the wife and kids. (Some spend most of the summer school holidays back in the US - depends on family ties and traditions, I guess.) Since you will be living abroad, however, don't forget to include travel budget for holidays exploring UK and the "Continent".
Cheers,
Bev

[narocks6892]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm very interested to hear from others, even if it's to say "yeah, that sounds right". Moving my whole family over to a new country is a daunting proposition, and while it's certainly exciting, I want to make sure I've considered everything.

Thanks!

[Ken Wong]

narocksa6892:

I am in total agreement with you, as I am relocating my family of six to Surrey as well. Although they say that once you get past the housing costs, which can be extraordinary by US standards, everything is costly, in my opinion. We'll be in Horsell within a month.

This forum has provided me with great topics of interest. Good luck to you.