Teaching abroad: Our 3-month relocation guide

Relocation is daunting, no matter how well-travelled you are or even if you’ve relocated before! Each time brings new experiences, mistakes that will be made, and a lot of planning. Many teachers from across the globe choose the UK as a stepping stone to start their teaching career or expand their existing skill set. We know just how incredible relocating to teach can be, which is why we wanted to put together a relocation guide for teachers who are looking to live and work in England.

3 months until move day

The most important things to consider in the early stages of relocation is ensuring that you are tying up your “life admin” as early as possible. Simple things such as:

• Ensuring subscriptions such as streaming services, your internet, and your phone are timed to finish as close to your move date as possible
• Creating a savings account specifically for relocation and calculating roughly how much things will cost so you have enough funds to move over with
• Double-checking passport validity and visa requirements. Make a note of when your passport and visa expires and set reminders so you are consistently up-to-date with this when you are living abroad

1 month until move day

When planning your relocation to the UK, you should consider arriving a minimum of 7–10 days before your contract start date. This will give you time to secure accommodation, set up your bank account and get acquainted with local services, mobile phone, and sleep off any jet-lag. 

Here are some things you can do:

• Start looking at accommodation to get a feel for the type of place you’d like to live in
• Say your goodbyes! Make sure that you get lots of quality time in with friends and family before you leave
• Start the packing process. This may sound extreme, but you want to assess what you do (and don’t) have before relocating. If you’re coming from a hotter climate, you’ll want to invest in good quality clothes for the seasonal weather we have in the UK. If you know you’re an over-packer, now is the time to assess what you can bring with your baggage allowance!
• Book in temporary accommodation or arrange to stay with friends (if you have contacts in the UK)

1 week until move day

With your move date fast approaching, the main thing we advise people to do is book viewings for accommodation. Depending on where you live in the UK, the rental market can either be very quick or very slow. Aim to get some viewings booked so when you land, you can have the option to “shop around” instead of rushing to find somewhere so close to your start date.

Some great websites are Spareroom, RoomGo, or Zoopla. 

You’ve arrived, now what?

Hopefully, you’ve arrived safely and you’re unpacked and settled in your temporary accommodation. Give yourself a couple of days to assess your surroundings and get comfortable! 

We recommend doing the following in the 7-10 days before starting your new role:

• Open your bank account.  You will not be able to open a UK bank account until you arrive in the UK, once you arrive, however the process is quick and easy. You need three things to set up a bank account in the UK:

• Proof of ID – Ideally your passport
• Proof of Address (might be helpful)

Often these banks will allow you to start the process online before you arrive and then complete in person once you get to the UK, with proper identification. We also recommend online banks such as Monzo, Revolut, Starling, or Wise.

• Go to rental viewings! Make sure to see a variety of properties and don’t rush into accepting the first place that you see. Try to find a lease that gives you a 6-month break clause just in case you decide you don’t like living there after that time period. Most leases in the UK will offer this but make sure you double-check.
• Apply for an ID card here.

And finally, soak up your surroundings and enjoy yourself! It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed for the first few weeks once you’ve relocated, and some people can take up to three months to feel like they’re in a routine. Be kind to yourself, focus on getting your “life admin” sorted as a priority, and the rest will follow.

Want to get started on your relocation journey?

Book a call or request a callback for more information here!