Thanks to all those people who completed the survey below.
I’ve decided to spread my blogging wings and meet some more Canadian and American bloggers in the UK. I’ll ask them what life is like where they are, how they got there, what they advise others to do and any other questions that spring to mind.
So, if you know an American or Canadian in the UK and want them to be featured here, please let me know by leaving a comment below. If you have any specific questions you’d like to see answered, please share those as well.
Watch this space…
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Victoria Westcott
kikimoo
Just wanted to drop a line and tell you I love your blog! I wish I had found it BEFORE I stressed out about visa information, bank accounts, looking for flats etc. Everything I’ve read so far would have saved me a great deal of stress, however I found some great posts with info I still need. So I have my visa, setting up my bank tomorrow with Lloyds TSB, (refreshed to hear you approve,) and will be relocating from Toronto area to Liverpool in a few weeks! Anyways, just wanted to say great work! This is the best source of information I’ve found in one place.
WoW! Thanks so much! I’m so happy to hear that. Please keep me posted on how you get on in Liverpool!
Cheers
Victoria
PS) If you want to support this lil’ blog, please mention 222320 when you go to Lloyd’s tomorrow and I’ll get a bit of a referral bonus. Thanks! (But that’s not why I tell you to use them of course
)
Hey Victoria!
I leave for the UK in 6 days, getting a little stressed out…I gave that number when I sent my application with Lloyds so I hope you get a little bonus
. Since my application I’ve read a few horror stories about the International Account and am starting to worry. Probably just paranoia, but was wondering if you experienced any delays with receiving your account info/debit card?
Hi Sean
Congrats on being almost there! How exciting!
Thanks for using our referral number – it will help for sure.
I wouldn’t worry – let’s face it, a bank is a bank is a bank. But you need the account to get an apartment, and once you have that all sorted, then just shop around. Find the best UK account for your needs (no fees, high interest, etc) and shut down your Lloyd’s one. Most people won’t bother to shut their first bank account down, and then complain when they don’t get the same service as a local account. An offshore account is what it is – an overseas account that helps you get set up in the UK.
I have a Natwest account as well (but don’t recommend them over the others), and I know plenty of people use HSBC. I just wouldn’t pay their high fees for their offshore accounts, and since Lloyd’s are the only other option, that’s the best you can do for now.
You can also just call the guys in the Toronto office & ask them how long everything should take. They should be able to tell you a branch in Liverpool where you can pick up your card, PIN number, and paperwork & set up your internet & phone banking – that’s what they do when someone departs sooner than the bank can get them the doc’s.
Good luck! Have fun in Liverpool. If you blog about your experience, please let me know the site.
Thanks!