Are you moving to Manchester, England, from the US? If so, congratulations! You’re about to embark on an incredible adventure.
Manchester was the world’s first industrial city, very much the origin of the Industrial Revolution.
Moving to Manchester, England, from the US
Home to the industrial wonders we all enjoy today, some of the best rock bands, world-class football, and much more. Manchester is a city with a vibrant, unrivaled cultural heritage. It’s one of the UK‘s cultural, financial, and employment hubs. It’s a place where Americans can start fresh.
This guide will explore the most important things you need to know about moving to Manchester, England, from the US. Whether you’re moving for work or fun, it’s important that you understand how to make your transition as smooth as possible by approaching the process with a clear understanding of your options and expectations.
Armed with this knowledge, you can make the most informed decisions during the entire process.
Read More: Cost of Moving to the UK
Cost of moving to Manchester, England
On average, moving to the UK from the US will set you back anywhere between $2,000 to $7,000. However, things like the size of your home, your initial destination, and even the season of your move can affect this price.
Furthermore, factors like the traveling medium (air or sea), the season, packing and unpacking fees, and others will also influence the final price of your move to Manchester, England.
Here are some container costs for international relocation estimates to consider:
- 1 Bedroom Apartment: $2,925 via sea freight; $5,572 via air freight.
- 3 Bedroom House: $4,500 via sea freight; air freight not recommended.
- 5 Bedroom House: $6,750 via sea freight; air freight not recommended.
Also, check out: How much will it cost to move overseas?
Visa fees
Getting the correct visa can make or break an international move. Unless you already have British citizenship, you’ll need a long-term visa to work or live there.
It’s essential to research what kind of visa would work best for your needs and start the process way ahead of your move. Remember that visa processing times can range from a few weeks to several months, so consider this when planning your international move.
In addition to your visa fees, you’ll likely have to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, which gives you access to the British public health network. The fee is approximately £470 or $575 per year.
Securing a home in Manchester, England when moving
Manchester rent prices range from £900 ($1,100) to £1.100 ($1,345). Securing a Manchester home takes much more than just rent. You need to consider the cost of flights to Manchester, hotel stays, food and transportation in Manchester., and the security deposit for your new home.
Furnishing your new home in Manchester after Moving
If you manage to move over most of your belongings by air or sea, the costs of furnishing your new home will be significantly reduced. Furnishing costs could range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
Read Here : How to Save Money on an International Move
Miscellaneous costs
These are the various costs you’ll have to pay in handling essential moving processes, such as courier services for your visas, extra luggage during your final trip to Manchester, import taxes, and more.
Some of the most common unexpected expenses associated with international moves include:
- Pet transportation.
- Customs taxes and duties.
- Loading and unloading.
- Furniture assembling.
- Bank fees.
- Shipping your car.
- Document certifications.
Know More Here: Moving Pets Overseas
What to expect when moving to Manchester, England, from the US
Cost of living
You will not often find Manchester in lists of the most expensive cities in England or the UK. That’s because Manchester can be a very middle-of-the-road city. In 2020, Manchester was named the most affordable UK city for students.
The following costs will give you an idea of what you’ll spending every month once you’re settled (source: Expatistan):
- The average cost of a family of four is $5,057 (rent not included).
- The average cost of living for a single person is $2,709 (rent not included).
- The average rent price is $1,287.
- The price of 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas is $2.05.
- The cost of monthly public transport is $96.
Here are a few comparisons between Manchester, London, and a few big American cities (source: Numbeo). In all cases, Manchester is more affordable.
- You would need around $4,417 in Manchester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $6,482 in London. That’s almost 47% less.
- You would need around $4,391 in Manchester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $6,900 in Miami. Roughly 57% less.
- You would need around $4,408 in Manchester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $9,100 in New York. That’s a whopping 106% difference!
- You would need around $4,410 in Manchester to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $7,000 in Los Angeles. Around 59% less.
Climate in Manchester
Manchester has an oceanic climate, with cold winters and mild summers.
The summers are often comfortable and partly cloudy. On the other hand, the winters are long, very cold, windy, and overcast. Yearly temperatures vary from 37°F (3°C) to 69°F (20°C). The temperatures rarely go below 27°F (3°C) or above 78°F (25°C).
The warm season goes from May 28 to September 10. The average daily temperature is above 64°F (18°C) during this period. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 68°F (20°C) and low of 56°F (13°C).
The cool season goes from November 19 to March 17. The average daily temperature during this period is below 50°F (10°C). The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 37°F (3°C) and a high of 46°F (8°C).
Culture in Manchester
Manchester is a powerhouse of culture. It has given birth to great musicians, is home to two world-renowned professional football teams (Manchester United and Manchester City), and has a vibrant artistic history.
Moving past its gray-looking Industrial Revolution past, Manchester has reinvented itself to become the home of artists from all walks of life. Some of the cultural highlights of the city include, but are not limited to:
- The Science & Industry Museum: a museum that preserves the heritage of the Industrial Revolution and much more.
- Royal Exchange Theatre: the biggest theater in the UK.
- Manchester Art Gallery: a mostly-free gallery with some of the expositions in the world.
- The John Rylands Research Institute and Library: a library that looks more like a majestic castle or a cathedral than somewhere you’d go to sit and read.
- The Quays: a waterfront destination filled with brilliant architecture, vibrant museums, and world-class entertainment.
Safety in Manchester
Manchester has a slightly high crime rate compared to the UK average. It has 138% of the national crime rate. Certain sources claim Manchester has 380 crimes per 1,000, which is very high for its population.
The safest areas to live in Manchester are Didsbury and Chorlton.
How long does it take to ship my household goods to Manchester, England
Overall, transit times from the US to the UK vary depending on various factors such as the season, ocean tides, Atlantic weather, and other environmental variables. Your sea shipment should get to Manchester in 10 to 15 days. Keep in mind that shipments from cities farther from Manchester will naturally take more time.
Air freights will likely arrive between 1 and 3 days but may be delayed by weather conditions.
As you can see, air freights take significantly less. Still, they’re also considerably more expensive and often limited to moving fragile belongings like art pieces.
Timeline for your international move
While everyone’s timeline is different, this is a short guide to help you start planning your international relocation to Manchester.
1 year before the flight to Manchester
- Apply for visas.
- Start determining what you’ll sell and what you’ll move internationally.
- Determine whether you’ll need to sell your home, rent it out, or end the lease prematurely.
- Start researching international moving companies.
- Start researching pet import fees and processes if you have pets you plan to carry with you.
- Start considering your moving date.
6 months before the flight to Manchester
- Research neighborhoods and determine where you’ll live.
- Research and get the necessary insurance for the move.
- Start contacting international moving companies and make the final choice.
- Buy your flight tickets.
Know More Here: Do you need International Shipping Insurance?
2 months before the flight to Manchester
- Secure the home you’ll be living in once you get there.
- Confirm the final moving date with your international moving company.
- Secure medical and educational records.
- Sell or give away what you won’t be moving to Manchester.
1 month before the flight to Manchester
- Start packing everything you can.
- Cancel all subscriptions you won’t be using anymore.
- Redirect your mail to a relative or friend or your new address.
- Close your bank account if necessary.
1 week before the flight to Manchester
- Deep clean your home.
- Finalize packing everything you can.
1 day before the flight to Manchester
- Check-in for your flight.
- Make a final check on your luggage.
- Rest well during the night.
Day of the flight
- Get up early and make sure everything is ready.
- Get to the airport on time.
Bottom line
An international move is a big undertaking, and you’ll want to prepare ahead of time. Be sure to choose the right moving company for your needs, as they can increase your satisfaction and help ensure everything goes smoothly. If you have further questions about moving abroad, our international expert movers are here to help you with every step. Click here to get a quote from our team to learn more about our services.
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