What Did You Learn in the First 5 Days of Moving into the UK

What Did You Learn in the First 5 Days of Moving into the UK? A Raw Relocation Diary

Being uprooted from your familiar surroundings and transplanted into an alien environment is not unlike being tossed into a pool and told either to sink or swim. The arrival in Britain after months of preparation was for me the realization of one dream and a shock of reality. The following five days can only be described as a period when every single waking hour provided me with new insights and lessons, some of them being quite humiliating. It is not possible to describe each individual moment because it will take too much time; however, here are the notes from my diary during those 120 hours in which I discovered many new things about life abroad.

Day 1: Jet Lag and the Transport Reality

Following a 24-hour journey from Australia, I stumbled my way out of the airport lugging around two suitcases, a backpack, and a brain full of cotton wool. My first realization came to me quickly – never, ever underestimate the exhaustion of traveling for a long period of time and crossing the time zone completely (GMT is 8-10 hours behind Australian Eastern Time). I thought I could navigate the London underground on my own, but my attempt to get to my accommodation via the Piccadilly line was an ordeal with all my luggage. Second lesson - pre-booking your transportation is crucial. On my first day, I realized how much value there was in getting a car service ready at arrivals. For instance, my booking of a Watford Taxi service through my mobile phone became a great help for me; he tracked my flight, helped me with my luggage and drove me straight to my Hertfordshire Airbnb without the hassle of train transfers. This half an hour journey gave me some time to relax and gather information about the place and mentally prepare myself.

Day 2: The Banking Catch-22

I spent my second day trying to get a bank account after waking up dazed. That is where I ran into the famous "Catch-22" that everyone coming here is warned about: you need a UK address to be able to open a bank account, but you need a bank account in order to rent a flat (as proof of funds). Neither Lloyds nor Barclays would accept my Airbnb confirmation email as a proof of address. What did I do then? I created a digital bank account with Monzo by using my Australian number and Airbnb address as correspondence details. In less than 10 minutes, I received a UK sort code and account number. One more lesson: a digital bank account is what you want in your first week in London. I understood that I had to have some cash since many corner stores and market stalls wouldn't accept cards for purchases under certain sums. I got £200 cash from the ATM by using my Australian debit card (a small foreign exchange fee will be taken).

Day 3: Registering with the NHS and Finding a GP

The third day was about healthcare. I had already paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of my visa application so I was covered by the National Health Service. Yet, what I didn't know was that you can't just go to any hospital or clinic; you must register with an NHS General Practitioner (GP) practice based in your postcode area. So, I went online to find "Find a GP" page of the NHS website and then called three GP practices. Two of those GP practices were on three-week waiting lists for registering new patients; the third practice was willing to register me right away. I showed my passport, visa sticker and proof of address (Airbnb booking) at the GP surgery. There, the receptionist gave me a GMS1 form to fill out. One of the lessons was that prescriptions in England cost £9.90 per item (except for certain exemptions), while in Australia there is the PBS program with lower prices for many drugs. Also, for any non-emergency medical assistance, it's 111, not 999. The 111 line called back to me within two hours with a registered nurse who offered advice. Recommendation: register with an NHS GP on the very first.

Day 4: Navigating Public Transport and Airport Logistics

By the fourth day, I had to go to Luton Airport in order to meet a relative who had traveled from Spain to UK. This was the first time I really had a chance to get to know the transport system in UK outside of London. I expected that the train service would be regular and easy, but I was wrong again. In order to reach Luton Airport Parkway Station from Watford Junction Station, one had to change trains at St Albans, which meant changing stations in 2 minutes and waiting another 45. The takeaway is that when there is urgency involved in reaching the airport, avoid using trains and buses, particularly if one has baggage or a time schedule to maintain. Local people mostly opt for private transport services when traveling to airports as they charge fixed prices, are available from door-to-door and give information regarding flights on time. I realized that booking private transportation service for my return journey such as Watford Airport Taxis proved to be more efficient; he had come in advance, knew shortcuts through which to reach the destination, avoiding the congestion on M1, and had a flat price that was almost equal to the train and bus fare to the airport. Hence, I have decided to take private transportation services for my future flights before 9 am and after 8 pm.

Day 5: The Cultural Nuances—Politeness, Queues, and "Sorry"

It took me until the fifth day to be past my jet lag and notice the culture in England. It was a fact that "sorry" was more than just a word that you say when you apologize. It is a word used to greet, ask for room, and to cool things off. On one instance, I had run into someone on the pavements and apologized three times, while he did it five times. Another thing that I learned was the art of queueing.Joining the queue is a social misdemeanor that would get you tut-tuts and reproachful looks. In the supermarket, I was made aware that you pack your items yourself and weight your own produce in the aisles since there are weighing scales available. In Tesco, you need a card for payment since the self-service checkout does not take any money. It is mandatory to carry your shopping bags, otherwise, you have to pay for each plastic carrier bag at 10p per bag. Most surprising of all is that most stores close very early, most of the supermarkets close at 10 PM, while others shut at 5:30 PM. Many of the supermarkets operate from 10 AM to 4 PM on Sundays. My recommendation is that you should do your shopping on Saturdays.

Also read: What Is It Like Living as a Foreigner in England

Bonus Lessons from the First Week

Apart from the above-mentioned daily learning points, here is a list of universal truths for all newcomers:

• Buy a UK SIM card. I purchased a pay-as-you-go SIM from Giffgaff from a local newsagent for £10, which provided me with 15GB data, unlimited text and UK calls. Otherwise, I couldn’t use Google Maps, Uber or even contact my Airbnb host.

• Download offline maps. Even having a SIM card, some Tube stations had no internet coverage. So, I downloaded the London Underground map and a local area map via Google Maps offline mode.

• Layer up. It rained, then it got cloudy and windy in just two hours. I wore T-shirt, fleece and a raincoat every day. An umbrella didn’t work well in the wind; so I bought a rainhat instead.

• Bring coins. In train station public toilets, there are charges ranging from 20p–50p. Also, certain old vending machines and parking meters will take coins only.

• Speak slowly and clearly. In my case, my Australian accent confused locals; they couldn’t understand words such as “water” (they say “wor-tah”). I had to speak more clearly and use simpler language for instructions.

• Join local Facebook communities. I joined Watford Community Forum and Expats in Hertfordshire within the second day. I found recommendations for a launderette, a furniture store, and an NHS dentist within a few hours.

• Be prepared to wait for the process. The National Insurance Number should come in 4–6 weeks; I understood that no matter how quickly you want it done, it’s pointless to hurry.

Reflections After 5 Days

Looking back on those first five days in the UK, I can say that they have been filled with frustration, discovery, and minor successes. It is a lesson that preparation is never enough and that it is important to be flexible and willing to ask for assistance. Everyone I have met here has been friendly and ready to help after I have asked them politely "excuse me, sorry to bother you." I have also realized that there is a different tempo of life here—it is slower and more formal, but it is so rich and interesting when one gets used to it. After those five days, I now have a bank account, a GP, a SIM card, a favorite coffee shop and know my way around the area where I live. In addition, I have come to terms with the fact that I will be making mistakes, such as using the escalator in the opposite direction from what is expected here (I stand on the left but walk on the right and get plenty of "excuse me"s).

Final Advice for Newcomers

If you are relocating to the UK, be kind to yourself. The first week will be all about surviving, not thriving. Focus on these three things: getting a UK SIM card, setting up a bank account (even online is good), and signing up for a GP. All the rest – furniture shopping, socializing, and exploring – can come later. Don’t forget, when you feel stressed out, just say “sorry” and line up for a tea.