Immigrating to the UK

Hamish McPanji said:
The insurer marshmallow accepts foreign no claims discount, so used my Malawi and SA letters.
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Aviva also accept the foreign no claim provided it’s not too old. Quite happy with them, their rate and ease of adding vehicles via their app. Their rate dropped substantially from year 1 to year 2 but still quite hefty compared to South African insurance.
 
Paul Kemp said:
Aviva also accept the foreign no claim provided it’s not too old. Quite happy with them, their rate and ease of adding vehicles via their app. Their rate dropped substantially from year 1 to year 2 but still quite hefty compared to South African insurance.
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Renewals never seem to be really competitive, I've even ended up staying with the same company in the past but refusing the renewal and signing up with them again via Compare the Market for a much cheaper price. Insurance companies are idiotic like that.
 
I currently work in the IT industry doing a variety of things (SQL DBA, Cloud services (AWS), infrastructure and application support) all at the same level as someone mid-senior in the individual fields.
Do I sell up everything I have here to pay for the costs of moving over my family of 4 on an Ancestral Visa or stay put?
 
PsYTraNc3 said:
Do I sell up everything I have here to pay for the costs of moving over my family of 4 on an Ancestral Visa or stay put?
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No one can answer that for you - there are so many factors to take into account when moving, but what you do need to do it evaulate all the factors before moving. Failing this you might have some unrealistic expectations and not be happy once you've moved.

Moving over is a VERY expensive business and not for the faint of heart. Financially you will be starting from scratch so you need to take this into consideration, especially if you are getting older.

A few things to ponder.
What are you reasons for moving over? What does SO think? How old are you? Where in UK do you want to settle? Have you been to the UK before? Do you have any familty/friends in the UK?

It's not all green grass over here - sure we have some issues but it's a lot greener than in SA :)

Having said that it was the best decision I've made in my life and don't regret it for a second.
 
Paul Kemp said:
Aviva also accept the foreign no claim provided it’s not too old. Quite happy with them, their rate and ease of adding vehicles via their app. Their rate dropped substantially from year 1 to year 2 but still quite hefty compared to South African insurance.
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Will be higher because unlike SA insurance is mandatory here - they know you have to have it so can charge what they want.
 
gregmcc said:
No one can answer that for you - there are so many factors to take into account when moving, but what you do need to do it evaulate all the factors before moving. Failing this you might have some unrealistic expectations and not be happy once you've moved.

Moving over is a VERY expensive business and not for the faint of heart. Financially you will be starting from scratch so you need to take this into consideration, especially if you are getting older.

A few things to ponder.
What are you reasons for moving over? What does SO think? How old are you? Where in UK do you want to settle? Have you been to the UK before? Do you have any familty/friends in the UK?
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Thanks for the feedback!

gregmcc said:
What are you reasons for moving over? What does SO think? How old are you? Where in UK do you want to settle? Have you been to the UK before? Do you have any familty/friends in the UK?
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Some reasons I have for wanting to move:
- I have quite a few siblings who have moved over
- My kids cousins their age are all in Scotland
- My eldest will be starting school in 2025 and already, looking at schooling here is stressful. Especially with mostly expensive private schools in my area
- I've been to visit a few times and love it
- SO is afraid of starting over but wants to move
- I don't mind starting over
- Both of us are early 30s so the age thing wouldn't be an issue
 
PsYTraNc3 said:
Thanks for the feedback!


Some reasons I have for wanting to move:
- I have quite a few siblings who have moved over
- My kids cousins their age are all in Scotland
- My eldest will be starting school in 2025 and already, looking at schooling here is stressful. Especially with mostly expensive private schools in my area
- I've been to visit a few times and love it
- SO is afraid of starting over but wants to move
- I don't mind starting over
- Both of us are early 30s so the age thing wouldn't be an issue
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As already mentioned, it will be an expensive exercise. Given the reasons above with the family support system I think it will be a viable option, if you have the financial means. I am in my mid 30's and did the move last year, also on an ancestral visa and havent looked back (I have no kids tho - I am sure that adds a layer of complexity).

Other factors you can consider is:

Weather - Scotland's weather is mega kak. I had family that lived in Edinburgh for 5 years (with kids). After 5 years they got their British passports and moved to AUS of all places (the weather wasn't THE deciding factor, but they took the opportunity to move when presented.
Schools - are you looking at public or private? Do your research about quality of education in different areas. Private schooling is not cheap.
 
Tman* said:
As already mentioned, it will be an expensive exercise. Given the reasons above with the family support system I think it will be a viable option, if you have the financial means. I am in my mid 30's and did the move last year, also on an ancestral visa and havent looked back (I have no kids tho - I am sure that adds a layer of complexity).

Other factors you can consider is:

Weather - Scotland's weather is mega kak. I had family that lived in Edinburgh for 5 years (with kids). After 5 years they got their British passports and moved to AUS of all places (the weather wasn't THE deciding factor, but they took the opportunity to move when presented.
Schools - are you looking at public or private? Do your research about quality of education in different areas. Private schooling is not cheap.
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I'd definitely go public over there.
Private is what I was considering over here since the public schools in my area are not great and the one good one is extremely hard to get in to.

Adding another reason to go:
No more hot summer days! I hate it.
 
PsYTraNc3 said:
Some reasons I have for wanting to move:
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Sounds like your mind is made up. Best start the paper work - it can take months. Good luck.

I moved over in my late 30's and even though started off from scratch, financially doing very well already. (Also in IT)

I also hate the summer days which is a change from SA. Sitting at 29C today - can't wait for winter!! Hope it's a cold one this year :)
 
Tman* said:
As already mentioned, it will be an expensive exercise. Given the reasons above with the family support system I think it will be a viable option, if you have the financial means. I am in my mid 30's and did the move last year, also on an ancestral visa and havent looked back (I have no kids tho - I am sure that adds a layer of complexity).

Other factors you can consider is:

Weather - Scotland's weather is mega kak. I had family that lived in Edinburgh for 5 years (with kids). After 5 years they got their British passports and moved to AUS of all places (the weather wasn't THE deciding factor, but they took the opportunity to move when presented.
Schools - are you looking at public or private? Do your research about quality of education in different areas. Private schooling is not cheap.
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as an aside, looking at schools, bear in mind a UK public school is an SA private school! :D

Otherwise sounds like the decision is made already.
 
PsYTraNc3 said:
I'd definitely go public over there.
Private is what I was considering over here since the public schools in my area are not great and the one good one is extremely hard to get in to.
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Ofsted ratings are a fairly accurate gauge for public schools here. Our kids went from a really good private school in ZA to public here and they rate it as better. And it costs us next to nothing to school them which is a bonus.

Weather is still the most difficult thing for me personally. Just mindset though. I like being outside.

Anyone else got fat over here? Asking for a friend :ROFL:
 
Paul Kemp said:
Ofsted ratings are a fairly accurate gauge for public schools here. Our kids went from a really good private school in ZA to public here and they rate it as better. And it costs us next to nothing to school them which is a bonus.

Weather is still the most difficult thing for me personally. Just mindset though. I like being outside.

Anyone else got fat over here? Asking for a friend :ROFL:
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Heathrow Injection claims another victim ...
 
Dave said:
You must be loving this week then...
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Yes and no. I don’t love the heat, if anything I miss the ZA winter. I was really nervous about getting into the ocean. Real fear of not being able to deal with the temps because I really do love the ocean but it turns out that you can adapt just fine which was a relief. It’s purely mindset and dressing correctly.
 
Too easy to get chunky over here, yeesh, lol. Flip side is, it's also affordable to eat healthy or diet so. I've just hit 30kg lost since May .... 2 too good Christmases :laugh:
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Too easy to get chunky over here, yeesh, lol. Flip side is, it's also affordable to eat healthy or diet so. I've just hit 30kg lost since May .... 2 too good Christmases :laugh:
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Two meals a day has brought me back to my normal weight. I attribute the weight gain to less heat, less activity and possibly less stress.
 
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