Moving to London: 5 Surprises for Your Wallet
Moving to another country, let’s say London, is already a whirlwind. But it seems like every step I take drains my wallet bit by bit, mostly from costs I didn’t anticipate.
Firstly, nothing prepared me for the health surcharge I saw on my visa fees. As someone living in the UK, you’re required to pay a health surcharge for using the National Health Service (NHS). I don’t mind this; my healthcare costs are less than they were in the US and the care itself is pretty decent. But it did come as a shock when I had to cough up 4 years’ worth of healthcare fees upfront – a surprising $5,500!
Another sneaky expense for me relates to SMS verification texts. It’s great for safety, sure, but needing to receive verification codes on my American number while in England isn’t exactly cheap. Each time it costs me $10, adding up to around $100 a year if I get locked out from important accounts.
Next up is my gas bill. It’s like playing a guessing game each month as they randomly decide what I owe, ranging from £24.00 to £119.00 without much explanation. Then, whether I’ve overpaid or underpaid, I have to settle the bill or request the excess back. It’s a bit of a mess to say the least.
Even the basic act of using the restroom isn’t free. Some public toilets can cost between 50 pence and a pound. It’s not a huge amount, but it isn’t something I expected.
Driving in London springs its own set of surprises too. Browsing the city in a rental car, you may find yourself needing to pay ‘congestion charges’ for using certain roads. Worse off is the ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’ (ULEZ) fee of £12.50 if you drive on any day other than Christmas. If you aren’t aware of these charges and forget to pay, then be prepared to face fines.
A funny thing I managed to sidestep was TV licenses. In the UK, you need a license for watching live television. But since I only use Netflix and Prime, I’ve been able to avoid this. Still, it’s amusing when a person comes every year to check if I’m tuning into any live stations.
So, if you’re thinking of moving to London, be prepared for these curveballs. There’s no doubt that the city has its charms, but boy does it know how to sneak up on your wallet!