5 Must-Read Books for Anyone Moving to the UK
When you first start dreaming of moving to England, it feels new and exciting. But the reality of what it takes to actually make it happen can feel completely overwhelming.
Each of these 5 books kept me motivated and inspired in different ways on my journey. I highly recommend these reads to anyone hoping to move to England.
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1. Moving to England by Juliette Wilder
The Ultimate Guide to Moving Overseas and Living Your Best Life in the UK
To put it plainly, this is book that I wish I had before, during, and after my move to England. Written over two years, this guide contains everything that I learned about:
- Visas
- Searching for Jobs
- Healthcare
- Working for the NHS
- Getting Your Kids into British Schools
- Going to University
- Buying/Renting a Home
- Learning to Drive
- Shipping Your Belongings
- And So Much More!
Moving to England is a best-seller in it’s category on Amazon and has 5-star reviews from its readers!
2. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Adventures of an American in Britain
Bill Bryson moved to England in his early 20s and lived for 20 years before writing his classic Notes from a Small Island. It has sold millions of copies since it was published in 1998, and continues to be one of the best books on moving to England from the United States. He has also written about his experience moving back to America with his British wife and teenagers before eventually settling back across the pond.
I’ve been a Bryson fan for years and read this book long before we were considering moving to England.
More than just a travel memoir. it’s filled with British history and brilliant insights delivered with Bryson’s trademark wit and humor.
3. Watching the English by Kate Fox
The Hidden Rules of English Behavior
British social anthropologist Kate Fox has written the unofficial guidebook for anyone hoping to understand the English. In this charming book, Kate unpacks English customs, social norms, and unwritten rules of behavior.
Many American expats will tell you that it can take years to crack the code of English social behavior. Reading Watching the English helped me understand my new neighbors and coworkers, and probably saved me from putting my foot in my mouth more than once!
4. The Paris Letters by Janet MacLeod
One Woman’s Journey from the Fast Lane to a Slow Stroll in Paris
This is the inspirational story of Janice MacLeod’s journey from working a 9-5 that she hated to living her dream life in Paris.
Janice moved to France and not England, but what’s important about this book is that we could all be Janice. She was unhappy in her life and wanted something different. She set a goal of saving enough to take a year off in Paris and worked on it every, single day.
Our whole family read The Paris Letters and have passed it on to others who needed a little inspiration to reach their goals. It’s worth mentioning that Janice worked the program from The Artist’s Way during her transformation.
5. British English from A to Zed
A Definitive Guide to the Queen’s English
George Bernard Shaw said that the British and Americans are “two peoples separated by a common language.”
It’s true to that basic communication in the UK is generally easy. If you ask someone where the bathroom is, they will likely know you mean the toilet. (Even though “bathroom” in the UK is a term reserved for a room with an actual bathtub). But there are still times when it can feel like we aren’t speaking the same language at all.
In addition to being a primer for common British terms, British English A to Zed is a fun and entertaining introduction to British culture.
These were the books that helped me during my move to England from the US. Each one of these books inspired me in a different way, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
These were my top 5 must-read books for moving to the UK. Is there something that is inspiring you on your journey across the pond? Please share in the comments below!
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