Life in the UK
Beautiful landscapes. Mouth-watering cuisine. World-class education. There’s nowhere quite like the UK to call home.
Lifestyle
Healthcare
Moving to the UK
Our safe and supportive communities have warmly welcomed people from all over the world, meaning we’re now home to people speaking over 300 different languages like Arabic, Mandarin, Brazilian Portuguese and Polish.
In the UK, you can enjoy the perfect work life balance. You can collaborate with world leading talent and be on the forefront of innovation; and have the time to explore all the UK has to offer with your friends and family. With an affordable cost of living and a healthy work-life balance you can enjoy an exciting career and a varied social life.
Cost of living
The UK offers affordable cost of living in comparison to other global markets
| Living expenses (excluding rent) | London | Manchester | Edinburgh | Cardiff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single person, per month | £919 | £728 | £678 | £680 |
| Single person, per year | £11,028 | £8,736 | £8,136 | £8,160 |
| 4 person family, per month | £3,196 | £2,508 | £2,380 | £2,319 |
| 4 person family, per year | £38,352 | £30,096 | £28,560 | £27,828 |
Source; wise.com data collected and correct as of 12/2/24
Introducing the UK
Warm and friendly people, a healthy work life balance, bustling cities, historic towns, contemporary nightlife and epic national parks: these are just some of the reasons that people around the world choose to live in the UK
Live, work and explore the four nations that make up the UK. Each with their own distinctive characters, customs, foods and of course, accents!
UK at a glance
Live, work and explore each of the UK’s four nations with their own distinctive characters, customs, foods and accents.
Click the map to the right for more information on Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England.
England
Few countries inspire quite like England, home to iconic landmarks such as Big Ben and even bigger expanses of gorgeous natural landscape.
Scotland
Culturally diverse, architecturally stunning and historically rich, Scotland is a dynamic country where you get the best of both city and countryside life.
Living in Scotland
Wales
Discover epic landscapes, fairy-tale castles, cracking and diverse culture and one of the oldest languages in Europe.
Visit Wales
Northern Ireland
Explore the buzz and vibrancy of cities, such as Belfast, whilst enjoying the rural retreats of Northern Ireland.
National parks
Britain contains beautiful and inspiring landscapes. You’ll find some of our best walking and cycling routes in our National Parks – we’ve highlighted six here, but in total, there are 15 exciting parks throughout the UK for you to explore.
Explore all of Britain's National Parks
Wales
Pembrokeshire Coast
Where new adventures are waiting. There are 240 spectacular square miles just waiting to be discovered
Find out moreEngland
Exmoor National
With breathtaking landscapes, Exmoor National Park is recognised as one of the best locations for walking in Europe.
Find out moreEngland
Lake District
From 16 sparkling lakes and England’s highest mountains, to sheltered valleys and salty seascapes, the Lake District has inspired and captivated generations.
Find out moreScotland
Cairngorms National Park
Explore one of the last real wildernesses of Europe, home to red deer, osprey and golden eagle.
Find out moreEngland
South Downs
Stretching 100 miles, South Downs is famous for its rolling downlands that lead to the white, sheer cliffs at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.
Find out moreHeritage sites
The UK has a rich history and is full of impressive heritage sites. We’ve highlighted five here, but there are many more scattered across the UK.
Discover more
Northern Ireland
Giant Causeway
Made up of about 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea, the Giant Causeway has been shrouded in myth and legend for centuries.
Find out moreEngland
Bath
With over 2000 years of history to explore, discover the Roman Baths, walk on the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva.
Find out moreEngland
Stonehenge
Walk in the footsteps of the Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge – one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.
Find out moreScotland
Edinburgh: Old and New Town
Explore the cobbled alleyways of the Old Town topped by Edinburgh Castle and admire the Georgian splendour of the New Town.
Find out moreWales
Conwy Castle
Discover one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe, built over 700 years ago
Find out moreThings to see, do and eat
The UK prioritises a great work-life balance, which gives you time to enjoy a good day’s work and doing the things you and your family want to do.
There are so many amazing things to do in the UK: from exploring London’s iconic landmarks, to uncovering centuries of history in castles and museums, to devouring the mouth-watering diverse cuisine in over 160 Michelin starred restaurants – the possibilities are endless.
World class education and schooling
If you have children, finding a good school and getting them settled in will be a priority for you. Fortunately, you can feel confident about the UK’s world leading education system.
Education is a vitally important aspect of society, and the UK is home to first-class, world-leading education. Not only are we home to world-class learning facilities, but we’re also renowned for the quality of our teaching and are a world-leader in many different research sectors
The UK’s education institutions are all held to strict standards by the government, so you know your children are getting the best teaching, support and resources available.
The UK continues to invest in schools and education to develop world class teachers through high-quality training and support. In 2021, the government confirmed reforms to the training provided to drive up standards, create world class teachers and ensure your children can be taught by a brilliant teacher.
Healthcare in the UK
The UK healthcare system remains world-leading in providing easily accessible and high quality health services.
When you live in the UK, you and your family will be able to access top quality health services from the National Health Service (NHS) in England, Scotland and Wales, or the Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. Many of the healthcare services are free.
You may need to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your immigration application. Whether you need to pay depends on the immigration status you’re applying for.
Find out more information on this surcharge hereThe UK is truly multicultural, welcoming people from across the globe, creating great cultural diversity throughout all four countries.
The UK is proud to be home to a world-class education system, preparing students for challenging and rewarding careers within thriving industries. And the NHS system remains world-leading in providing easily accessible and high-quality health services.
You’ll also enjoy an affordable cost of living and rewarding work-life balance – allowing you to enjoy the cultural and physical landscape. It’s a nation full of history and beauty, with interesting heritage spots to discover and many National Parks to enjoy.
