I moved from the USA to Scotland less than 1 year after you did and I generally agree with your suggestions, but would add a few caveats. Instead of "throw away", I would suggest "get rid of" nearly everything you own. When I moved, the majority of my stuff was given away to friends on the basis that when they use it, they will think of me, maintaining that connection. It certainly was more practical to replace most possessions here rather than to transport it. Nearly all of the things that got moved were things that could fit in suitcases and I just happened to be in case where I could take multiple trips and leave items in storage between trips so I didn't need to ship anything.
The “throw away” bit was really for comedic effect. In reality anything that is still useful and works you should either give it to someone or sell it! Even the little things that you can sell, adds up to a fair amount of extra money when it’s all said and done.
@peterkonradort I didn't make the decision to move until about 6 months before it happened, so I ended up on a super tight time scale. I rapidly discovered that the time and effort to sell things was not worth the money I would get back. I still shudder at how much value of things I gave away, but I do not regret the decision at all. Those items provide a connection back to friends and family who still live there far more valuable than the items themselves.
You don’t necessarily need to do all of this a year in advance! I just wanted to split it up into a few videos so people who do have more time to plan might have a few less things to do right before the move. But to be fair, no matter how much you try to prepare it is going to be very hectic in the end 😂
FYI on pensions in the UK, you can usually transfer from one pension scheme into another. It's not necessarily always worth it, some might be better than others and there are potential advantages to having a few, but it's worth knowing that if you have a bunch you can transfer some into others. If you have a lot of short term employment, you can easily rack up dozens of pension schemes, which are not a problem in themselves but can be easy to lose track of. It's worth checking them every couple of years as some perform better than others.
You had perfect timing leaving the States, the attitudes here keep escalating and some of these nuts are talking civil war but I don’t really think that would happen . I may take a vacation to Scotland around election time just in case mister t wins. In your general area what are rentals costing for a mid priced 1 or 2 bedroom? Enjoy your videos.
Hi Peter. I am moving to Scotland from US - towards the end of this year. End of September or end of year - TBD. I have dual citizenship. Will most likely retire, or get part time job. My mum was English and all my family lives in England, but I fell in love with Scotland about 10 years ago and decided almost from my first visit that I would move. After my mum died from Covid in 2021, there is really no reason for me not to make the move.
Thank you, Peter. What advise can you give either here or via video about finances and getting an account in order to buy property. Do I have to get an Offshore account (which has a lot of restrictions or high minimums), or can I use an on line service like Wise to hold money in GBP, then transfer to the seller or seller's bank? I find there is a lot of confusion about how best to do this. I don't plan on getting a mortgage if I can manage it. Thanks.@@peterkonradort
Unfortunately the UK does not offer a retirement visa. You can check the government website for available routes but in general, the main visas that Americans could get would be work visas or student visas!
I moved from the USA to Scotland less than 1 year after you did and I generally agree with your suggestions, but would add a few caveats.
Instead of "throw away", I would suggest "get rid of" nearly everything you own. When I moved, the majority of my stuff was given away to friends on the basis that when they use it, they will think of me, maintaining that connection. It certainly was more practical to replace most possessions here rather than to transport it. Nearly all of the things that got moved were things that could fit in suitcases and I just happened to be in case where I could take multiple trips and leave items in storage between trips so I didn't need to ship anything.
The “throw away” bit was really for comedic effect. In reality anything that is still useful and works you should either give it to someone or sell it! Even the little things that you can sell, adds up to a fair amount of extra money when it’s all said and done.
@peterkonradort I didn't make the decision to move until about 6 months before it happened, so I ended up on a super tight time scale. I rapidly discovered that the time and effort to sell things was not worth the money I would get back. I still shudder at how much value of things I gave away, but I do not regret the decision at all. Those items provide a connection back to friends and family who still live there far more valuable than the items themselves.
so basically i’m waaaay behind schedule. damn. solid synopsis though. bring on the next steps so
i can feel even more overwhelmed (and behind)!
You don’t necessarily need to do all of this a year in advance! I just wanted to split it up into a few videos so people who do have more time to plan might have a few less things to do right before the move. But to be fair, no matter how much you try to prepare it is going to be very hectic in the end 😂
FYI on pensions in the UK, you can usually transfer from one pension scheme into another. It's not necessarily always worth it, some might be better than others and there are potential advantages to having a few, but it's worth knowing that if you have a bunch you can transfer some into others.
If you have a lot of short term employment, you can easily rack up dozens of pension schemes, which are not a problem in themselves but can be easy to lose track of. It's worth checking them every couple of years as some perform better than others.
Yeah I did have that option but it was interesting to me that there was no option to withdraw any of it
@@peterkonradort yeah that's a thing
You had perfect timing leaving the States, the attitudes here keep escalating and some of these nuts are talking civil war but I don’t really think that would happen . I may take a vacation to Scotland around election time just in case mister t wins. In your general area what are rentals costing for a mid priced 1 or 2 bedroom? Enjoy your videos.
If Mr T does not win the USA and the world are in serious trouble, I am leaving because Mr. B has ruined the country.
Hi Peter. I am moving to Scotland from US - towards the end of this year. End of September or end of year - TBD. I have dual citizenship. Will most likely retire, or get part time job. My mum was English and all my family lives in England, but I fell in love with Scotland about 10 years ago and decided almost from my first visit that I would move. After my mum died from Covid in 2021, there is really no reason for me not to make the move.
Sorry for your loss! Good luck with the move, if you are a dual citizen it will definitely make it easier.
Thank you, Peter. What advise can you give either here or via video about finances and getting an account in order to buy property. Do I have to get an Offshore account (which has a lot of restrictions or high minimums), or can I use an on line service like Wise to hold money in GBP, then transfer to the seller or seller's bank? I find there is a lot of confusion about how best to do this. I don't plan on getting a mortgage if I can manage it. Thanks.@@peterkonradort
Thanks I asked my company if I retire to another country they told me thaNKS
I will be retiring in 2 years and want to move to Scottland, how do you apply for a visa
Unfortunately the UK does not offer a retirement visa. You can check the government website for available routes but in general, the main visas that Americans could get would be work visas or student visas!
Thank you so much
@@peterkonradort
Ancestry visa is an option
I’m from Seattle and looking to split my year between the uk and the states
6 months to renew a passport??! Takes about 3 weeks (often less) here!