Transferring your international driver's license to the US: step-by-step
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11 things Brits living in the U.S. will miss from home
British in the U.S.? You are not alone, as there are more than 683,000 Brits living in America who were born in the UK.
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However, no matter how much you enjoy living in a different country, there’s always certain things that you’ll miss about home.
So, Wise rounded up a list of things that Brits living in the U.S. might miss the most.
The BBC
While most people seem to be sentimental about their own national broadcasting, the BBC really is the best.
After all, the BBC is the world’s largest and oldest national broadcasting organization and is responsible for bringing us David Attenborough.
Free cash withdrawals from the ATMs
Paying a five dollar fee every time you need to withdraw money from the most convenient ATM, solely because it isn’t your particular bank is absolute rubbish.
Especially if you’re from the UK and not used to paying the bank exorbitant fees just to get your own money back.
Sunday roasts
In the U.S., you might get sentimental reminiscing about that warm plate of roast beef, roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and all the gravy.
This traditional meal, well, isn't much of a tradition in the U.S. So, come Sundays, don't be surprised when you find yourself wondering where your plate of meat and potatoes has gone.
Watching football on the telly
Soccer? This term might take some getting used to.
Village pubs
The place where everyone knows your name.
James, a Brit living in New York City, explains.
“For me, there’s nothing like going home to my small town of Haywards Heath in England and posting up at the bar on a sunday. I watch the football match, enjoy pub food and run into just about everyone I know.”
Universal health care
If you’re a Brit living in America, then chances are at some point you’ll need to go to the hospital.
Just don’t be surprised when they hand you an enormous bill at the end. Unlike England, not everyone has access to universal health care and sometimes have to pay out of pocket to see a doctor.
Full English breakfasts
Because avocado on rye with an egg white just can’t compare to bacon, eggs, sausage, baked beans, black pudding, hashbrowns and a tomato sliced in half.
Marks & Spencer
In the U.S. getting your favorite clothes and great food in the same place can be rather tough.
Instead, a few trips might have to be made to your local retail store, then a stop over to a supermarket. And if you want some home goods, kitchen appliances or furniture? You might want to head over to a Macy's or IKEA.
Christmas pudding
When the holidays come around, the most popular Christmas dessert in the UK might be sorely missed, as for a Brit, Christmas dinner isn’t Christmas dinner until you finish it with Christmas pudding.
Kate, a British emigrant living in Miami, let us know:
“I always look forward to my Mum's figgy pudding over the holidays. It’s not too sweet, not too filling and it brings me right back to my childhood, whenever I take a bite. It’s also impossible to find in Florida!”
Sticking to the left side of the street
Even though it's on the right, does that make it right?
Americans drive on the right side of the road, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy transition to make when you move there.
Especially since freeways, turnpikes and driving in general in any major U.S. city can be overwhelming (think Los Angeles or New York City.) Learning how to navigate the chaos while driving on the opposite side of the road won't seem to help.
Optional tipping
While the British are also used to tipping at restaurants (though slightly less than in the U.S.), they are not used to tipping for every service under the sun - such as to hotel receptionists or taxi drivers, or even bartenders.
In the U.S. you’ll get more aware that the man at the gas station offering to help wipe your windows is not just being friendly.
Moving money back to the UK or over to the U.S.? Save money with Wise
Your bank might say it's "free" or offer a "fixed fee" to send money to the UK but they hit you with as much as 3% or more on the exchange rate mark-up they use. That's on top of the fee they told you about.
Wise charges just 0.85% or 0.6% over $10,000 with no mark-up - that means you get a far better exchange rate.
What do we mean by a mark-up? Take a look:
Want to see how we calculate this? Click here.
Find out how much you can save in the calculator below.
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