How to Move to London from the US in 2026 (from an American Expat)
Looking for how to move to London from the US? Here’s my personalised guide for getting across the pond (from an American living in London since 2016!)
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If you’ve ever wondered how to move to London as an American, you’re in the right place.
I was just 18 when I decided to take the leap and move to London from the US – nearly 10 years later I can easily say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
To simplify the in’s and outs, here’s everything you need to know about how to move to London as an American.
📚 Moving to London? Grab Your Copy of Across the Pond:
Filled with over 200 pages of everything (and I do mean everything) you need to know about moving and living in London, UK. From a 10 year London expat!
About the Author
Hi! I’m Candace, I moved to London at 18 from the US to study (without ever having visited) and have built my life in the UK ever since.
On this blog, I share the best London, UK and Europe travel tips & itineraries to help you experience destinations to the fullest. Happy you’re here 🌏🇬🇧
P.S. – For more London & travel adventures be sure to follow along on Youtube, Instagram or TikTok!
Why Move to London
There’s a famous quote that says….
“When a man is bored of London, he is bored of life” – Samuel Johnson
After nine years of living in the Big Smoke, I can truly say it’s a city that has it all.
And, you’re right Johnson, I’ve never been bored.
Although no city’s perfect, London is a great place to call home, at least for a little while.
But if you’re moving to London from the US it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into, which leads me to…
Why Move to London? (Pros and Cons of Moving to London)
If you’re still stuck in the middle, then it helps to know the pros and cons of making the move to London.
In my personal opinion, the pros definitely outweigh the cons in a city like London – but I’ll let you be the judge.
The Pros
1. Amazing transport system – read more ‘how to get around London‘
2. You get ALL the seasons
3. Diversity (as in over 270 nationalities and 300 languages spoken in the capital alone!)
4. Loads of concerts & music festivals
5. Proximity to traveling around the rest of Europe
6. Essentially living in a dozen cities at once – read more ‘London Neighbourhood Guides’
7. Unbeatable London market scene
8. Don’t forget pubs
9. You get the best of city in nature (in fact, London is 40% green space!) – read more ‘the best parks and gardens in London‘
10. Opportunities and Networking – read more ‘how to get a job in London as an American‘
Bonus: Christmas in London!
The Cons
1. London is expensive – read more ‘how to save money in London‘
2. The weather – read more – ‘what’s the weather like in London?‘
3. The flat sizes (like most big cities!)
4. London rush hour….in the summer
5. Overcrowding Tourists
6. Pollution, but it’s getting a lot better
7. Living in a transient city (i.e fleeting friends)
Like I said, the pros outweigh the cons for me, as I see them more as things to be prepared to adjust for.
But, if you’re moving to London I highly suggest making your own pros and cons list to help guide you through you decision!
Tips on Moving to London Alone?
One of the biggest cons you may tell yourself is moving to London alone.
As someone who moved to London with nothing more than a suitcase and a dream, I had to learn how to navigate solo life in London fast.
But luckily I turned out okay.
All that to say if you’re moving to London you may experience more stress than say someone coming over with a partner or their family.
But if you make an effort to make friends in London and enjoy all the solo things there are to do in London I promise you’ll be just fine.
What Visa Do You Need To Move to London From the US?
If you want to move to London from the US you need to have a visa, i.e, a purpose for being in the U.K.
As an American you can legally visit the U.K for up to six months however, be aware you’re not allowed to work during this period as you are technically a tourist.
Here’s a few other common routes for moving to London and the U.K in general.
Student Visa
A Student Visa gives you full rights to live, work, and study in the U.K. This is by far the easiest route if you want your move to London as an American to be as straightforward as possible.
Doing your Bachelor’s, Masters or PhD in London will definitely open possibilities for you in the future, as it’s an amazing city to find new opportunities and network.
My Visa Journey in the UK
I moved to London on a Tier 4 visa in 2016 that lasted three years.
I moved back on a Tier 4 for my masters followed by a Graduate Visa which enables you to work and live in the UK for 2 years after your studies.
Then I went onto a Family Visa with my British partner (who I’d lived with in London for years) and eventually will get Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Graduate Visa
As of 2020 if you’ve studied at a qualifying UK university you may be eligible for the post work grad or Graduate Visa Route.
This allows you to work, live and start a business in the UK for 2 years after your studies and can be a great way to network and find more permanent ways to stay in the UK before it expires.
P.S – If you recently graduated from a qualifying university in the US you may also be eligible for the The High Potential Visa
Skilled Worker Visa
If you have a skilled job, you may be able to move to London on a Skilled Worker Visa.
This route requires a U.K company to “sponsor” your stay in the U.K essentially.
Be sure to check the Registered Sponsor List for companies eligible for this scheme.
Some industries in the U.K are in urgent need of new employees which puts them on the shortage occupation list.
This allows for a lot less bureaucracy and faster visa processing as they are trying to fill these jobs ASAP.
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
If you’re already working for a company that has a UK branch, you’re in luck!
If you can smooth talk your way into getting a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you could effectively keep your job and move to London – win win!
On episode 4 of Abroad & Co (my old podcast) I spoke to Nathalie Goldstein, a San Fran turned Austrian expat who spilled that the best the way to get to an intra-company transfer is to, wait for it, ask!
Marrying or Partner Visa with a U.K citizen
If you do happen to fall in love with a Brit, you can move, live and work in U.K.
Be prepared to prove the genuineness of your relationship, provide tons of documents and down the line, apply for citizenship.
P.S. – Outside of this blog post – please use Gov.UK for all the latest visa updates
Finding Accommodation in London
P.S – I’ve now got a whole blog post on where to live in London!
One of the first things you’ll be tasked with before your move is finding a flat.
Now before you stress out *cue moving to a city of 9 million and no idea how the housing system works (don’t worry, I’ve got you!) I highly suggest breaking down your options.
Moving to London? Grab my Renting in London Guide!
First, it’s important to know London is broken up into roughly 32 boroughs, i.e neighbourhoods in North, East, West and South London. Why am I telling you this?
Well, when you’re choosing a place to live, I definitely suggest looking via the area first.
From there you can filter by London neighbourhood to find the best fit for you.
The next thing you’ll want to think about is cost.
There’s no getting around it, London is expensive.
But when it comes to housing, flat sharing is a great way to bring down your rent costs.
Best Sites to Find Flatmates in London
Spareroom
Easy Roommate
Room Buddies
Ideal Flatmate
Now of course, in this scenario you probably won’t have met your flatmates before you move.
If you’re someone like me that values good energy in your space it’s uber important to find roommates living a similar lifestyle as you.
Before you go all in I suggest staying in short-term accommodation in London while you do your search for the best roommate.
Healthcare
One of the best parts about moving to the U.K? *Free healthcare! Or should I say, publicly funded healthcare.
Although the NHS has its fault, healthcare is free for all residents and visa holders in the U.K. (excluding prescriptions and dental care) making it extremely affordable compared to the U.S.
During your visa application you will have to pay immigration health surcharge.
This is basically your entry to having the same health rights as a citizen during your time in the U.K.
This can range from £470 – £1,035 per year depending on your visa status.
However, not paying $800 for an ambulance ride makes it worth every penny.
📚 Moving to London? Grab Your Copy of Across the Pond:
Taxes
If you’re living in the U.K you’ll have to pay taxes.
Although slightly higher than the US, it’s the primary funding of the NHS, so it makes sense.
Bear in mind if you’re an American you’ll have to file your taxes every year, no matter where you live in the world.
However with something called the Foreign Earned Income Inclusion you won’t have to pay taxes to the US while you’re living and earning abroad.
But, this is a subject I’m definitely not an expert on so I’m going to hand it over to…
To Read: Simple Tax Guide for Americans in the U.K
How to Transfer Money Between Your US & UK Accounts
Although I essentially gave up my US account when I moved to London (Ah to be 18 with no recurring bills – the life!) I’ve been using my US account a lot more now, and frequently transferring to my U.K account.
I personally use and recommend Wise and haven’t had any problems with it so far.
This is the perfect fit for travellers, expats and freelancers, and definitely something I wish I found and started using sooner rather than later.
It also allows you to hold up to 40 currencies on a single card with exchange rates 4x cheaper than US banks!
What to Pack for Moving to London/UK
Alrighty, you’re ready to move…now what do you wear?
Packing for London means being prepared for anything and everything.
Layers
Ever-changing weather means layers are your best bet for everyday wear.
I never leave the house without a jacket of some sort (even in summer) but throughout the ebb and flow of the seasons, these are my wardrobe staples…
- Cardigans
- Scarfs
- Hats
- Gloves
- Tights
- Light Jackets
- Waterproof shoes
Outfits to take on the night
Between some of the best nightlife in the world, you won’t want to miss out on any impromptu outings that may come your way. I tend to always have a cocktail dress or two on standby, one pair of heels (you can’t get in many clubs without them!), and a small crossbody.
Other
Make sure you have a portable charger for your flight over and U.K travel adapter so you don’t get caught jamming your US charger in random airport sockets – guilty as charged.
Umbrellas
Before you go or at least in your first week, it’s worth to buy a reliable umbrella.
This should be durable and compact.
A good umbrella in my opinion, is the best investment you can make for London life. So be sure to buy one before you go!
How to Move to London as an American: Further Reading : Ultimate London Packing List: What to Wear in Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
How to Make Friends in London
If you’re moving to London alone, you might feel anxious about making new friends.
Big cities tend to do this to you. But trust me, it gets better!
Moving to a city of millions and not knowing a single person is going to be your reality when you move to a new country but there are plenty of ways to get friendly with your city and the people in it from the very start.
Use my guide below to make your ‘making friends in London plan’ and take action on it as soon you move.
Read More: How to Make Friends in London
Fire Round Tips for Moving to London
Woo-hoo! If you’ve made it this far, you’re officially ready to become a Londoner.
It doesn’t need to be said, but make sure you do your independent research before making your final decision on your move.
With that said, here are a few bits & final fire round tips on moving to London as an American…
- Download WhatsApp as you’ll use it a lot in the U.K!
- Yes, royalty is a thing. But locals definitely don’t take it as seriously as tourists, at least the younger generation
- Try not to be the “loud American on the tube”
- Make your phone is unlocked to easily get a UK SIM card when you get here (or use a digital SIM)
- If possible sell as much of your belonging before you go! Trust me, you won’t want to see that storage bill in a couple of months!
- “Are you alright?” means “How are you?” in US English, I used to think something looked off with me for the longest!
- And other British slang that will definitely confuse you
Best of luck with your move and Happy Londoning 🇬🇧
Cheers!
Thanks for Reading my How to Move to London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
Read More:
- Ultimate London Packing List: What to Wear in Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- 5 Etiquette Tips for Taking the Tube (from a local)
- The Best Bus Routes for Sightseeing in London (for £1.65!)
- Top 10 London Attractions: 10 Famous Places to See & Visit
- 10+ Unique Experiences in London You Have to Try for Yourself
- 10 Tips for Tourists in London (Tourist Mistakes and How to Avoid Them)
- The Best Affordable Afternoon Teas in London
