Returning to the UK - what do i need to know
Discussion
So, we are returning to the UK to live next month after living for many years in SE Asia, what do i need to know, what will have changed, what websites should i look at, what apps do i need on my phone, what should i avoid.
- When i left his Holyness Emperor Tony was half way through his reign
- a Nokia E71 was the most advanced telephone you could have and apple was almost bankrupt
- Netflix and Amazon didn't exist, online shopping was in its infancy and eBay was king
- Petrol was 89pence per litre and the Porsche 996 / Audi TT / Range Rover P38 was the car to have in the city.
- An actual flat bed on an airplane only existed on a Gulfstream or learjet
- Climate change was called Global Warming
- the biggest immigration issue was an influx of Poles and other nationals from the Newly EEC'ed eastern Bloc countries.
It's still mostly cold...damp and generally miserable.
But, lotsa good too! Albeit I needed Sun so left.
Amazon is great. Netflix is great. Online everything is good, broadband speeds excellent. You can stay warm indoors and have everything delivered to you, including your groceries.
Politically, an utter mess. Culturally, more openly divided than before; Brexit has taken a Toll.
Still, depending upon where you live, it is still a great place to live if the weather doesn't bother you much.
But, lotsa good too! Albeit I needed Sun so left.
Amazon is great. Netflix is great. Online everything is good, broadband speeds excellent. You can stay warm indoors and have everything delivered to you, including your groceries.
Politically, an utter mess. Culturally, more openly divided than before; Brexit has taken a Toll.
Still, depending upon where you live, it is still a great place to live if the weather doesn't bother you much.
You basically cannot say anything or do anything in case someone, somewhere finds it offensive.
Homosexuality is almost compulsory now.
There are multiple sexes, not just the two.
If you want a job in the media you need a uterus, or plan to have an operation to get you one.
If adverts were to be believed, 94% of couples are mixed race.
The road to wealth is either inherited money from dead people or taxpayers' money by producing lots of your own and "working" for 16 hours each week in a nail bar.
On the plus side broadband is quite fast and you can get a kebab delivered by a chap on a motorbike.
Homosexuality is almost compulsory now.
There are multiple sexes, not just the two.
If you want a job in the media you need a uterus, or plan to have an operation to get you one.
If adverts were to be believed, 94% of couples are mixed race.
The road to wealth is either inherited money from dead people or taxpayers' money by producing lots of your own and "working" for 16 hours each week in a nail bar.
On the plus side broadband is quite fast and you can get a kebab delivered by a chap on a motorbike.
SCEtoAUX said:
You basically cannot say anything or do anything in case someone, somewhere finds it offensive.
I better STFU then/SCEtoAUX said:
Homosexuality is almost compulsory now.
There are multiple sexes, not just the two.
Been living in SE Asia, used to Kathoeys and other wierdo'sThere are multiple sexes, not just the two.
SCEtoAUX said:
If you want a job in the media you need a uterus, or plan to have an operation to get you one.
thats ok not a Meja typeSCEtoAUX said:
If adverts were to be believed, 94% of couples are mixed race.
Check
SCEtoAUX said:
The road to wealth is either inherited money from dead people or taxpayers' money by producing lots of your own and "working" for 16 hours each week in a nail bar.
French Polish or some dangly bits luv?SCEtoAUX said:
On the plus side broadband is quite fast and you can get a kebab delivered by a chap on a motorbike.
Good Good!
SCEtoAUX said:
You basically cannot say anything or do anything in case someone, somewhere finds it offensive.
Homosexuality is almost compulsory now.
There are multiple sexes, not just the two.
If you want a job in the media you need a uterus, or plan to have an operation to get you one.
If adverts were to be believed, 94% of couples are mixed race.
The road to wealth is either inherited money from dead people or taxpayers' money by producing lots of your own and "working" for 16 hours each week in a nail bar.
On the plus side broadband is quite fast and you can get a kebab delivered by a chap on a motorbike.
That sums it up very nicely. Homosexuality is almost compulsory now.
There are multiple sexes, not just the two.
If you want a job in the media you need a uterus, or plan to have an operation to get you one.
If adverts were to be believed, 94% of couples are mixed race.
The road to wealth is either inherited money from dead people or taxpayers' money by producing lots of your own and "working" for 16 hours each week in a nail bar.
On the plus side broadband is quite fast and you can get a kebab delivered by a chap on a motorbike.
I guess first things first,
Register for / check valid:
Voters register
Bank account
Doctors
Dentist
Driving licence
Passport
Create Govt Gateway ID, you will need this for almost everything.
Check SP forecast for a laugh...
Probably a good idea to do a free credit check, most utility companies / mobile phone companies do a credit check so you may struggle to get credit to start with so might have to go with PAYG for a few months.
If you are going to be working make sure you know your NI number.
Register for / check valid:
Voters register
Bank account
Doctors
Dentist
Driving licence
Passport
Create Govt Gateway ID, you will need this for almost everything.
Check SP forecast for a laugh...
Probably a good idea to do a free credit check, most utility companies / mobile phone companies do a credit check so you may struggle to get credit to start with so might have to go with PAYG for a few months.
If you are going to be working make sure you know your NI number.
Register for / check valid:
Voters register - good point
Bank account - got
Doctors - good point
Dentist - good point
Driving licence - got
Passport - need that to get in!
red_slr said:
ICreate Govt Gateway ID, you will need this for almost everything.
Check SP forecast for a laugh...
Been told about this, its on the list of jobs for next week, but cheers for reitterating itCheck SP forecast for a laugh...
red_slr said:
IProbably a good idea to do a free credit check, most utility companies / mobile phone companies do a credit check so you may struggle to get credit to start with so might have to go with PAYG for a few months.
Been told this by others - basically any credit record i had will have long gone and i will be starting from scratch with a PAYG and my old CitiBank current account. Any tips from anyone on fast ways to get ones credit rating up fast?red_slr said:
IIf you are going to be working make sure you know your NI number.
Strangely that seems to have been burnt into my memory from many moons ago!
We now drive on the right.
It's become normal to kiss people on both cheeks when you meet them, particularly blokes in the pub who you've never met.
You must The Daily Mail if you want to know the truth.
The Government is doing a great job negotiating Brexit.
No one's been able to identify the mystery car yet (Classic Cars and Yesterdays Heros section)
I think that's all you need to know.
It's become normal to kiss people on both cheeks when you meet them, particularly blokes in the pub who you've never met.
You must The Daily Mail if you want to know the truth.
The Government is doing a great job negotiating Brexit.
No one's been able to identify the mystery car yet (Classic Cars and Yesterdays Heros section)
I think that's all you need to know.
Main thing for basic credit is the voters register at the address you are going to live.
Then try and get a basic credit card, of any kind, ideally with your own bank easiest and use that for 3-6 months. Make the payment do not miss even by a day!
After that you will probably find you will have credit for normal stuff, phone, bank accounts, credit cards.
If you intend to get more hefty finance, car or larger retail items you may need to wait 6-12 months while doing the above.
For mortgage you are probably going to need a specialist broker if you want one, speak to Sarnie in the finance section on here.
Then try and get a basic credit card, of any kind, ideally with your own bank easiest and use that for 3-6 months. Make the payment do not miss even by a day!
After that you will probably find you will have credit for normal stuff, phone, bank accounts, credit cards.
If you intend to get more hefty finance, car or larger retail items you may need to wait 6-12 months while doing the above.
For mortgage you are probably going to need a specialist broker if you want one, speak to Sarnie in the finance section on here.
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