Gazumping and surveys and chains–oh my! Buying a house in the UK as an American is quite confusing, even if you’ve owned a home before.

Gazumping and surveys and chains–oh my! Buying a house in the UK as an American is quite confusing, even if you’ve owned a home before.

Expats buying property in the UK face a unique set of challenges. From harsher lending rules to stamp duty woes, it feels like an uphill battle until you finally get the keys.

Curious about the differences between British vs American houses? There are more than you’d think!

If you scroll through any forum or Facebook group for US expats in Britain, I guarantee the most discussed topic will be things Americans miss while living in the UK. While you’ll find the usual suspects–like adjusting to driving on the left–there are some American things not in the UK that may surprise you.

From national healthcare to the side of the road you drive on, there are some pretty well-known differences between living in the US vs UK. But what about the things you discover only after moving?

Experiencing a new country’s cuisine is one of the great joys of expat life. I spent months sampling curries, pies, and crisps after moving to England from the US. But once the novelty of eating scones and tikka masala wore off, I found myself wondering where to buy American food in the UK.

Most Americans in the UK don’t expect there to be a language barrier with the locals. It is an English-speaking country, after all. But there are more differences between British vs American words and slang than you might realize.

Moving to the UK with pets was by far the most stressful part of our relocation to London from the US. It’s also the topic I get asked about most frequently, which isn’t surprising.

It’s no secret that London life is expensive. Having a bunch of Michelin-starred restaurants, world class museums, and trendy shops just a moment away comes at a price. But with the help of these tips to save money living in London, you can make that price a bit less eye-watering.

I’m going to break the golden rule of blogging and tell you straight away what you came here to find out. Our total cost of moving to the UK was about $21,000 USD. Wondering what expenses that amount includes? Keep reading.
