What Are Some General Things You Can Tell Us About Living in England, Especially If You're a Foreigner (Outside London)?
For many foreigners who conjure up visions of England, red double-decker buses, the River Thames, and the dazzling lights of Piccadilly Circus come to mind. Yet the England where millions of people call home exists beyond the boundaries of the M25 Motorway. The countryside of the Cotswolds, the industry of Manchester, and the seaside ambiance of Brighton offer a very different picture compared to the hustle and bustle of London. And while it is a place that is far less expensive and even more welcoming than the English capital, living outside London has its own particular pitfalls. In this article, I will share my own experiences as a foreigner living away from London as well as provide useful tips on all aspects of living in England.
The First Surprise: Transport Is Different Here
One of the first things that become obvious after arrival at any place outside Zone 6 in England is the transportation situation. Within Zone 6, including the area of the capital, tube trains run several times every minute throughout seven days of the week. But for the rest of the territory of England, public transport is very rare, relatively expensive, and, besides, unreliable. The villages have one bus every day or even once or twice a week. Often, railroads are substituted with the rail replacement buses at weekends. Therefore, in case of moving to places situated outside Zone 6, the necessity of having one's own car becomes almost indispensable. However, if it is required to get to the airport, leave home for work at night, or go out late in the evening, one should consider hiring cars from companies offering chauffeur service. For instance, if one lives in any Hertfordshire towns, including Watford, a professional Chauffeur Service Watford can become helpful while getting somewhere at a business or social gathering during winter months, which may be quite dangerous because of the icy road surface.
The Cost of Living: A Pleasant Surprise
Most importantly, one lives outside of London to reduce cost of living. It is impossible to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the central parts of London at less than £2,000; the same apartment costs just £800-£1,200 in places such as Watford, Reading or Sheffield. Everything is more affordable, from eating out to having your hair done. A glass of beer in a London pub costs from £6 to £8; however, in the rest of England, one can purchase a drink for £4-5. The prices of houses fall significantly: the average price of the house in London is over £500,000, whereas in most northern cities it is below £250,000. To foreigners who live in Britain on a visa or scholarship, this makes a tremendous difference; suddenly, it becomes possible to have a garden, a spare room, or even buy a car. At the same time, salaries outside of London are usually lower.
The Weather: It's Not Just Rain
It is no secret that the British people have always joked about the weather in their country. Indeed, it rains very often but never pours. What makes it difficult is its unpredictability. On one day alone, it can shine, hail, be windy and foggy. It is especially true when it comes to the north and the Midlands. The tip of the life in England is the ability to layer your clothes, meaning wearing a raincoat, warm sweater and even a scarf is compulsory. Summers are moderate (maximum temperatures do not go beyond 25°C), which means the lack of heatwave is a great advantage of the weather, whereas winters are cold and rainy with 4 pm being the time of sunset in winter months. There is such an issue as the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). One should purchase a lamp against this problem; it is important to take Vitamin D during winter months (it is recommended by the NHS) and live a hygge life of cozy indoor days.
The Social Etiquette: Politeness and Reserve
Social standards in England apart from London tend to be more conservative and community-oriented. Strangers will greet you with a good morning when you meet each other on country paths, and actual introductions between neighbors will take place. Nevertheless, the legendary reticence of the English makes all these social interactions polite rather than friendly. Establishing close relationships with people does not happen overnight; courtesy is not synonymous with friendship. An invitation to someone’s house is an indicator of trustworthiness. The most important thing about English life is "pub culture": attending a quiz night or Sunday roast at the local pub will help you fit in the fastest way possible. Remember to queue, to apologize all the time, and avoid talking about religion, politics, and salaries. In addition, remember that every part of Britain has its own accent, which differs significantly from one place to another. Do not be afraid to ask the speaker to repeat themselves.
The Healthcare System: NHS Realities
The National Health Service (NHS) is free-of-cost to the citizens, with funding by the means of tax. Except for London, the waiting periods at the family doctors’ office are less outside the city, but even then, there is a "triage" method where you have to dial at 8 AM for getting an appointment. For emergencies, you can dial the number 111 and visit the Walk-in Centre; otherwise, you will have to wait for days before meeting the consultant. Non-UK citizens are usually shocked by the fact that they have to pay £9.90 for each prescription unless they fall under the exempt category, which is being a person who earns very little or is on some sort of government assistance. Eye care and dentistry services are not covered by the national health service, so make sure to get yourself insured.
Transport Beyond the City: What You Really Need to Know
Out of London, railway stations spread out from the capital city, leading to long and costly rail routes even for travels from one nearby northern town to another (Manchester to Leeds). The cost of a return journey via railway from one town to another is estimated at around £30–£50. If you have a Railcard (either 16-25, Two Together or Network Railcard), you will receive 1/3 discount for your tickets. Public bus is a major way of moving around in the countryside, yet it's very rarely that buses arrive more often than twice a day. That's why everyone owns a car. Parking fees are lower, and there is less congestion outside of London, except for the motorway M25 or rush hours in large cities. Traveling to the airport is another popular mode of transport among those who fly home from abroad; in such cases, people book their own transport in advance to avoid any inconveniences. For example, traveling by budget flights Taxi to Luton Airport from Watford is possible via an earlier booked taxi, saving money on the road and avoiding heavy traffic of M1 motorway.
The Food Scene: Beyond Fish and Chips
While many foreigners tend to think that the English cuisine is rather boring, you will notice that the food scene outside of London is very dynamic. Numerous farmers’ markets are available offering artisanal cheeses, game, and seasonal vegetables. Local delicacies differ from area to area such as Cornish pasties, Yorkshire puddings, Lancashire hotpot, or Devonshire clotted cream. The quality ready-made meals in supermarket chains Waitrose or M&S are excellent. Budget supermarket chains such as Aldi and Lidl can help you keep expenses to a minimum. Dining outside of London is cheaper compared to London, where a three course dinner at a pub costs £25-35. However, a foreigner would be disappointed with the variety of cuisine offered since there is no diversity when it comes to Thai, Ethiopian or authentic Mexican cuisines. In addition, be aware of smaller shops closing after 5 pm and staying closed on Sundays.
The Community Feel: A Double-Edged Sword
Community is probably the best part about not living in London. People take care of their neighbors; local newspapers write about events happening in villages; people actually feel part of the place they live in. Yet for a foreigner, this can be quite inward. Everybody knows everybody, and you will probably always be "the new one," regardless of how long you have been in the place already. You may receive questions like "Where are you really from?" every now and then because in small towns, even the difference in your accent or clothes is something to be curious about. Use it as an opportunity to teach people about yourself. Participate in local activities: cricket clubs, flower growing circles, amateur theaters, and walks are some good choices. After all, unlike in anonymous London, you have no choice but to participate in order to get integrated faster.
Final Thoughts: Patience and Perspective
Being an expatriate living outside London can be difficult at times. Everything moves slowly, there are fewer lights at night, and there is no comfort of being in a huge city. It is, however, less dangerous, cleaner, and more genuine. You will begin to love the peace, the view of the stars, and even taking walks on Sunday afternoons. Six months should be enough time for you to adapt, stop comparing everything to how it was in your home country, and accept every single invitation. Living in the rest of England will be a new and better experience. If anything, you only have an hour's train journey back to London.
