Anyway, you’re super resourceful, you have savings, etc. It shouldn’t be a problem. I sometimes tell people “Oh, it would be nice to move to England…” and they tell me “London’s expensive.” … Like I don’t know that. Like there aren’t loads of other places I could live, lol. Everything’s, what? A 3 hour drive from London anyway? Like I couldn’t do THAT once a week if I had to. ;)

I’m from the UK and I say go for it! I love the mixing of cultures and learning something new. I also believe in immigration, as it is necessary to maintain the style of life we want.

Xenophobia is mostly perpretatred through the media, as are a lot of things, who are quick to sell a story about immigration to sell papers and make people watch their news. Most people don’t realise that it’s sort of a shield for irrational fears over security and, as widely reported, racism.

Like your cheap veg from Lidl/Tesco/[insert supermarket here]? It’s because of cheap labour. Also, most immigrants take jobs that not many people want if they want a job badly enough. I live with a Polish guy, and he speaks better English than I do (and I was born here!)

I’m originally from near Manchester (also an amazing city in the most part) and now I live in Cardiff (fantastic place – capital city of Wales. [I believe it may turn into a bidding war from the cities of the UK to get you to come and live there!!]

My boyfriend is currently struggling to find a job, but that isn’t because of the number of immigrants, it’s because he isn’t trained in a field which has a need for jobs. And because of this? He’s taking a job in a fast food place. Yes, it’s minimum wage, but it’s better than living off the dole, at least in his mind. If someone wants a job badly enough, they will get one. It’s just a case of stepping out of the comfort zone and being willing to travel further, work harder and in an industry that isn’t your first choice. If you have the skills, you’ll have no problem (to be honest, you could probably do anything you put your mind to).

Different cities have different living costs, I personally wouldn’t advise living in London. My mother lives there. It’s overly expensive. However, it is a very cosmopolitan city, as is Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham. :D

I love Australians. The accent is amazing. I hope everything works out for you!!

I have a friend who moved to London from the US. She doesn’t like it very much (because the culture is different in ways she doesn’t really like), but financially she’s doing fine. She has a great job and her own place. So, if you put your mind to it, I’m sure you can find a good job etc.

One thing you have going for you also, is the language, so many people move to countries on the other side of the world without speaking the language, how they plan to survive over there without being able to communicate with the locals isn’t even on their mind. You don’t have to worry about that ;)

Ryanair is cheap, and good, from my experiences anyway. I fly to London regularly and generally always with Ryanair.

Good luck preparing, just remember that a lot can happen in a year and you might have changed your mind by the time you are about to move. Just go with whatever feels right at that point, don’t push it through because of all the work you put in.

I would love to just move somewhere (anywhere), but my financial situation doesn’t allow it at the moment. But best of luck on planning your move out. I’m sure it’ll be both exciting and challenging.

And you do sound like you’re really planning this out. Most people just move because they feel like it but I think it’s really impressive that you’re researching a lot about the place.

Regardless, I wish you all the best, and I’m sure everything will work out in the end (with or without the 10 million dollar heart surgeon :D)