The Big Move to the States..

[Linababe 0]

Im sorry all I am really really confused etc and worried that I may forget something etc. I was wondering those of you that have moved or are moving and planning to move to america... can you help me please?

I wanted to start a thread where maybe we can start liasting things to do before you leave for the states.

- I know I need to let inland revenue know that I will be moving etc

- I know we can still have a bank account here in the UK - mine is a current account with the Nat West so I can do online banking.

- Another thread I read mentions about not paying tax when selling my property if I am a non-tax payer - I am on disability allowance, income support and incapacity benefit so I hope that applys to me ( I will have to ring IR for confirmation)

- Use someone's address as contact for things like doctors etc (My doctor told me to do this so If I ever come back to UK and need to see him I still can as I am a citizen and will kepp UK citizenship) - this is strange cuz I get two stories - my doc said I can still get NHS as I am a citizen and the nurse there said I wont as I am immigrating... does anyone else know this?

- Redirect my mail from my current address to the address in America - I know this can be done as I did it for a few months before.

This is all I can think of right now, please let me know if there is anything major I need to do before leaving. I am not much for doing lists but I think I do need to do one this time as I cant afford to forget something and my mind is so stressed right now as I have a million and one things rolling over and over in my mind:( Pluss I found out today that my sister-in-law died yesterday and I am so sad and cant think right:(

Thanking in advance... Lina

[Jaylen Brit 1]

Tell the DHSS, and the Council so they take you off the voting list - these arent vital though and could wait (not sure if the DSS liase with NHS eithr - so you might wanna hang fire on that til you get the Doc situation clarified)

*hugs* for your sad news

[sadie33138 0]

Hi Lina,

I can think of a few maybe.

Get copies of all your prescriptions (meds & eyes if you wear contacts or glasses) Get refills before you leave for as long as they will allow you until you can find a new doc in the US.

Transfer utilities out of your name and give forwarding address for final bills

Get your hair cut, etc. so you won't have that to worry about for a bit

Same for nails--manicure/pedicure

Stock up on the treats you love and you won't find easily in the US (marmite/cadbury,etc)

Having your UK bank account is good but ask them if you decide to close it, how can you do that from overseas? (We asked our bank here in NZ and they gave us a form to use if we decide to close later)

Sorry to hear of your loss.

[Jaylen Brit 1]

Sadie excellent tips!

Dentist check up - have one done before you go - another thing you won't need to worry about for a few months.

Stock up on yr fave beauty products! And sunscreen! In the USA they don't have the UVA/UVB ones only UVB, which aren't as effective so get your faves before you go - I already did that one

Leave behind things like hairdryers etc - you CAN get adapters but the machines don't work nearly as well and new ones arent that pricey, and will work at optimum voltage.

Ditto towels - Walmart sell very cheap towels so don't use up valuable suitcase space / shipping space with them unless you're using them to wrap stuff.

[Lou Lou 1]

With regard to the NHS treatment your doctor is wrong but since you're under him on disability and incapacity he is seeing you a a 'special' case for him? Anyone who has emigrated and lived out of the UK for over 6 months loses the right to have free routine care with a GP. Of course as a citizen visiting your own country and needing emergency care you will not be denied but going back for prescriptions and other care is not allowed. I know plenty of expats do it but I guess that depends on which side of the fence your ethics lay.

Good tip on getting your hair cut. I had a horrible time finding a decent hairdresser!

Bring your fave foods before you get so desperate you'll pay $5 for a pack of digestives.

Dental check up is good too. Again, you will not entitled to go back for NHS dental care but I actually go back and pay for private care with my UK dentist as he's so much cheaper than my US one. My insurance company still pays for half the UK bill so it's worth checking out if your insurance will do that too if you so wished.

[ajames79 0]

With regard to the NHS treatment your doctor is wrong but since you're under him on disability and incapacity he is seeing you a a 'special' case for him? Anyone who has emigrated and lived out of the UK for over 6 months loses the right to have free routine care with a GP. Of course as a citizen visiting your own country and needing emergency care you will not be denied but going back for prescriptions and other care is not allowed. I know plenty of expats do it but I guess that depends on which side of the fence your ethics lay.

Good tip on getting your hair cut. I had a horrible time finding a decent hairdresser!

Bring your fave foods before you get so desperate you'll pay $5 for a pack of digestives.

Dental check up is good too. Again, you will not entitled to go back for NHS dental care but I actually go back and pay for private care with my UK dentist as he's so much cheaper than my US one. My insurance company still pays for half the UK bill so it's worth checking out if your insurance will do that too if you so wished.

Good advice Lou, can I ask what insurence you have state side for future reference!! Thanks in advance!

[Linababe 0]

With regard to the NHS treatment your doctor is wrong but since you're under him on disability and incapacity he is seeing you a a 'special' case for him? Anyone who has emigrated and lived out of the UK for over 6 months loses the right to have free routine care with a GP. Of course as a citizen visiting your own country and needing emergency care you will not be denied but going back for prescriptions and other care is not allowed. I know plenty of expats do it but I guess that depends on which side of the fence your ethics lay.

Good tip on getting your hair cut. I had a horrible time finding a decent hairdresser!

Bring your fave foods before you get so desperate you'll pay $5 for a pack of digestives.

Dental check up is good too. Again, you will not entitled to go back for NHS dental care but I actually go back and pay for private care with my UK dentist as he's so much cheaper than my US one. My insurance company still pays for half the UK bill so it's worth checking out if your insurance will do that too if you so wished.

Good advice Lou, can I ask what insurence you have state side for future reference!! Thanks in advance!

Yes I havent worked out what would be best as for health insurance, should i just get a 3 month travel insurance to cover any health issues if they occur? My fiance doesnt have health insurance with his company so we will be looking at buying private health insurance - once I am in the US and married but in the meatime anyone have any ideas what do in the short term - plus I am concerned about prescriptions - I am on Paroxitine which is for anxiety and depression - I cant ween myself off it right now as with all the stress of the immigration stuff and family not backing me I cant seem to get off it - my doc suggestes that e will give me enough (possibly 6 months supply) and when I move to america and am settled there i should ween myself off it then - but what if I need more? I know I would have to get a doctor over there in the states - but will this be covered with health insurance or is it preexhisting? I get so confused with all this - plus I am on pills for vertig - which I need all the time mostly my doc again can give me a supply but I may need more:( I am so lost:(

Lina

Ohh yes I am also gonna ship a crate of baked beans with the stuff I ship over lol I love my baked beans on toast:)

[Miss_USA 0]

Hi Lou Lou,

My name is nina, I was just reading your thread...You were saying something about health insurance and that you can still go to the dentist to the UK because it is much cheaper...could you please tell me what health insurance you using in the U.S?!

My problem is that my fiance has no health insurance and I defenitly want to get one...I know they are really expensive but I would be to worried without one...Maybe you can help me with that!

Thanks in advanced

Nina from Germany

[Joey559 1]

Just so everyone knows at least in the Midwest you can get UVA/UVB. Lina I know you're going to be just to the south of us in Ohio...Meijer store has a great brand of UVA/UVB sport sunscreen (i'm wearing right now after planting flowers all day) AND they have a british food section that carries all the necessities like beans and digestives. They also stock some great curry sauces. Check with your fiance if you're close to a Meijer, they have them in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

All the best!

Joey

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

All the sunscreen in Utah has UVA and UVB in it, too.

[Euro 3]

Just so everyone knows at least in the Midwest you can get UVA/UVB. Lina I know you're going to be just to the south of us in Ohio...Meijer store has a great brand of UVA/UVB sport sunscreen (i'm wearing right now after planting flowers all day) AND they have a british food section that carries all the necessities like beans and digestives. They also stock some great curry sauces. Check with your fiance if you're close to a Meijer, they have them in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

All the best!

Joey

Uh huh Meijer has English stuff, but its expensive......................

[Joey559 1]

Just so everyone knows at least in the Midwest you can get UVA/UVB. Lina I know you're going to be just to the south of us in Ohio...Meijer store has a great brand of UVA/UVB sport sunscreen (i'm wearing right now after planting flowers all day) AND they have a british food section that carries all the necessities like beans and digestives. They also stock some great curry sauces. Check with your fiance if you're close to a Meijer, they have them in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

All the best!

Joey

Uh huh Meijer has English stuff, but its expensive......................

It is. But after living over there I've found that all of groceries here are more expensive than in the UK (fresh meat, produce, etc.) while our fast food is dead cheap in comparsion. It's sort of wrong when you think about it but it is what it is. The british section is expensive and the Tikka Masala sauce I buy there is like $4 a jar but I'll happily pay it, my fiance is giving up a lot more than just the food to come live with me after all...I'll whip up a bean and cheese jacket potato with a drifter bar for afters any time he wants. Luckily we have a great wine/imported food store here in Midland where I live that carries curly wurlies, drifters and a lot of other things he can't get anywhere else. Whew.

[Euro 3]

Just so everyone knows at least in the Midwest you can get UVA/UVB. Lina I know you're going to be just to the south of us in Ohio...Meijer store has a great brand of UVA/UVB sport sunscreen (i'm wearing right now after planting flowers all day) AND they have a british food section that carries all the necessities like beans and digestives. They also stock some great curry sauces. Check with your fiance if you're close to a Meijer, they have them in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

All the best!

Joey

Uh huh Meijer has English stuff, but its expensive......................

It is. But after living over there I've found that all of groceries here are more expensive than in the UK (fresh meat, produce, etc.) while our fast food is dead cheap in comparsion. It's sort of wrong when you think about it but it is what it is. The british section is expensive and the Tikka Masala sauce I buy there is like $4 a jar but I'll happily pay it, my fiance is giving up a lot more than just the food to come live with me after all...I'll whip up a bean and cheese jacket potato with a drifter bar for afters any time he wants. Luckily we have a great wine/imported food store here in Midland where I live that carries curly wurlies, drifters and a lot of other things he can't get anywhere else. Whew.

YES your right, it is expensive grocery shopping here, & now after Mark visited the UK & tasted Galaxy, we have to get that too

[ajames79 0]

we have a local store that sells a few british items but they are SOOO pricey!

I will just keep having Chris' most send stuff from Yorkshire.

I have about 4 bottles of HP sauce, a few birds custards, and gravy granuels so I can make Yorkshire puds with gravy while he is here!

Still want to know about the cheap health insurence!

[Euro 3]

we have a local store that sells a few british items but they are SOOO pricey!

I will just keep having Chris' most send stuff from Yorkshire.

I have about 4 bottles of HP sauce, a few birds custards, and gravy granuels so I can make Yorkshire puds with gravy while he is here!

Still want to know about the cheap health insurence!

Cool. I want HP sauce too....................i'm a Yorkshire lass, & should beable to make Yorkshire puds, BUT the temps on the ovens here is hard to get used to, so out of the times i have made them , only twice did they turn out right