A plain-English guide to help you adjust, answer the questions that come up, and point out the things you may not have considered yet. Thinking of moving, or moving back to the UK? We cover that too.
Where are you on the journey?
Every section keeps things simple and points you to trustworthy, mostly official sources. Dip into whichever one matches where you are right now.
The first-weeks checklist, in the order that works best: Social Security number, bank account, phone, driver's license, healthcare and building US credit.
The practical first-weeks checklist: Social Security number, driver's license, phone, utilities, healthcare, housing, and building US credit.
Settled for years? Renewing your British passport, whether your US-born children are British, voting in UK elections, your UK licence, the NHS on visits, and bringing parents over.
Still in the UK? Visa routes in plain English, shipping your life over, bringing the dog or cat, and what to sort before you leave.
Your UK pension and National Insurance, tax in both countries, US banking, mortgages, health and insurance, and cross-border estate planning.
Where to buy proper British food in the US, online shops that ship to your door, and mainstream stores that stock UK brands.
British shops, pubs and restaurants, expat groups, meetups and social events, city by city, in the metros with the most Brits.
Coming up
Bonfire Night, Remembrance, Christmas and the Boxing Day football all feel a bit different over here. Here is how to mark them the British way from the US.
Thursday 5 November. Where to find a party, the US fireworks rules, and where to get treacle toffee, parkin and bangers.
Sunday 8 November. Getting a poppy in the US, services near you, the silence in US time, and watching the Cenotaph live.
Crackers, mince pies, Christmas pudding and chipolatas, plus pantos, carol services and the King's speech in US time.
Where to watch the Premier League, Championship, FA Cup, rugby, cricket and darts, plus Boxing Day kick-offs in US time.
Moving countries throws up the same questions again and again. Which visa do I need? Can I open a bank account before I have a Social Security number? How do I get a phone, a car, a doctor? Where on earth do I find a decent sausage roll? And how do I meet other Brits so it starts to feel like home?
We answer those in plain English and then point you to the people who set the rules, usually official sources like USCIS, the IRS, the Social Security Administration, GOV.UK and HMRC. We start US-wide with a UK focus, and the site is built to keep growing.
What it is not:
Guidance links reviewed July 2026. Rules change often, so always check the date and current wording on the official page you land on.