I’ll be moving from Germany to London for professional reasons for a year starting in October, the exact date still to be confirmed. I used to live in England for two years more than a decade ago and have had a liking for the country ever since, so I’m excited to go back, although in these post-Brexit times the paperwork to get there is considerably more complicated than it was back then.
I suppose there’s not enough of an SDMB population in London for a proper Dopefest, but perhaps there are dopers there who would be interested in getting together for a drink. In which case, just PM me.
I hope your “professional reasons” indicate an employer or similar organisation to help navigate the housing market! Renting here is very different from what I understand it to be in Germany.
If this American ever wins the lottery, I’d love to live for a year (or six months or however long they’ll let me) in the London suburbs. Just to experience another culture where language (mostly) won’t be a barrier. That and, you know, see what’s going on in London.
Housing is sorted out; I get an allowance to cover the cost of an apartment (or “flat” in British English), and I flew over a couple of weeks ago to view some and get a lease.
If your win is big enough (say $3m after tax) you can get a special exemption to move here.
You can apply for the UK Investor Visa if you invest at least £2 million into the British economy and you fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
You are over the age of 18.
You have a clean criminal record.
You can prove that the money you wish to invest belongs to you, or your spouse/partner.
You are not from an EEA country or from Switzerland.
You have opened a bank account in the UK to use for your funds. The bank must be a “regulated financial institution”.
Your money must be disposable in the UK (free to spend).
Actually, it’s a bargain ATM. £2 million is less than $2.2 million.
May I ask what part of London you’re moving to? I’m generally not in favour of meeting online people in real life but I am in London so I could be convinced, especially if there are a few of us.
I have spent the majority of my adult life moving from country to country, living in the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Egypt.
I have no regrets and feel that living in more than one country/culture enriches your existence. My advice: Delight in all the ways life differs between Germany and England (including the changes you see from your last time in the UK). Savor everything.
