If you're on the fence about whether to set up a home in the UK, these lines will help you in your decision-making process. Through it, you will learn the top reasons to move to the country. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations despite Brexit. According to statistics, the number of tourists is expected to reach nearly 40 million in 2024. We understand that completely as the UK has a lot to offer. As well as being famous as the home of football, cricket, rugby, boxing, and golf, it is also renowned as the home of notable writers, including William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and J. К. Rowling. And when it comes to the traditional speciality of fish and chips, we certainly can't help but be impressed. The conclusion? The island country charms its visitors with its rich culture and history, as well as with a host of interesting leisure activities. But why you should turn your two-week holiday into a permanent move to the UK, we'll tell you now.
Moving to the UK: Overview
Speaking of which are the top reasons to move to the UK, we should mention that life there is known for its high standard. According to 2024 numbers, those living in the country set aside between £490 and £960 per month for renting a home. Prices vary depending on the type of accommodation rented: public (the price is linked to the tenant's income and landlords are specialist housing associations and councils) or private (the home is rented from a private landlord). Public housing rents are two times lower than private rents.
Another aspect of moving to the UK is the possibility of finding a promising job. Areas such as marketing and sales, IT, communications, finance, and education are promising. People of different nationalities such as Poles, Indians, Italians, Romanians, and Portuguese live and work in the country. In fact, over the last 10 years, the population has not stopped increasing - data that testifies to the positives of living in the United Kingdom. When it comes to education in the country, tipping the scales in favour of family relocation, it is among the most highly regarded globally (especially in terms of higher education).
Top reasons to relocate to the UK: Job Market
Some useful data
Among the top reasons for moving to the UK is the job market. The number of vacancies is now higher than before COVID-19 broke out, with both regular gross salaries and bonuses rising. As of April 2024, the employment rate in the country stands at nearly 75 per cent, lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Top industries where you can find work
Currently, the UK's most prosperous industries include those related to renewable energy generation (the UK is among the leaders in clean energy generation), e-commerce, education technology (Edtech), healthcare, construction, and information technology.
Hourly work is an excellent opportunity
There are several opportunities for part-time work in the UK. The average monthly salary for an hourly job works out at around £2,270, making this type of employment suitable for students, mothers with children or those working two jobs. Vacancies cover a variety of fields such as medical care, teaching, marketing, sales, and even engineering.
Telecommuting
As you uncover the top reasons to move to the UK, it's worth mentioning that remote positions are also increasingly prevalent in the country's job market. While the percentage of people working from home was 4.7% in 2019, data from May 2024 shows that more people are opting to work entirely remotely (14%) or in a hybrid mode (26%). According to those working from home, telecommuting improves work-life balance, has a positive effect on concentration, allows work tasks to be completed faster, and improves overall well-being.
Career opportunities for expats
Finding a promising job as a top reason for moving to the UK should also be linked to the specifics that expats need to consider regarding their career. One of the requirements for relocating to the UK post-Brexit is for you to have been offered a job by a UK-based employer, your annual salary should be a minimum of £38,700, and you should be able to certify that you are proficient in English (usually through a language test). With these criteria in mind, we advise you to look for a job before you plan and carry out the actual relocation. This can be done through online advertisements or through your employer if you work for an international company with a UK branch.
Quality of life as a reason for living in the UK
Quality of life is based on many factors such as wealth, career opportunities, social and community belonging, physical and mental health, security, education, health, and so on. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's current Better Life Index, the UK performs well on indicators such as income, work, safety, and life satisfaction. More than 80% of people living in the country have completed secondary education. Life expectancy is high at 81 years. Residents rate their satisfaction with life in the country at 6.8 on a ten-point scale. Among the reasons for the relatively high levels of happiness we should highlight:
Community belonging
93% of UK residents believe they have someone to rely on in times of need. A sense of strong community belonging in the island nation is fostered by a number of initiatives in areas such as:
- Improvement
- Integration of immigrants
- Support for parents
- Initiatives for children
- Sustainability initiatives
Information about the various public initiatives bringing together people with similar interests and attitudes is published on dedicated online platforms and anyone is free to get involved with just a few clicks. As far as UK movers are concerned, it is this type of initiative that would encourage successful social adaptation and the rediscovery of new hobbies that benefit society and those in need.
The environment
Factor related to the development of the country. According to the Government's Green Infrastructure Development Framework, published in 2023, citizens should have access to green (parks or woodlands) or blue (rivers) space within a maximum of 15 minutes of their home.
Health care
Permanent residents (including working expats) in the UK have access to free healthcare through the National Health Service, one of the world's leading healthcare systems, with over one and a half million employees. The country is a leader in terms of medicine and research in the field, boasting some of the most reputable health institutions and highly qualified health experts. In recent years, the National Health Service has undergone some significant changes, including the demarcation of networks of medical professionals based on their location (so-called neigbourhoods), which aim to exchange best practices, share resources and optimize the quality of health services at the local level.
Top reasons for moving to the UK related to education
In this guide on what are the top reasons to move to the UK, education undoubtedly has a place. The education system in the UK is considered one of the most prestigious in the world and is ranked top in a number of rankings. Among the island's most famous educational institutions are the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews, and University College London (UCL).
Internationally recognised universities
Degrees from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and St. Andrews are internationally recognised, opening doors for students in different parts of the world.
Shorter duration of educational programmes
Traditionally, training programmes in the country have been intensive but shorter in duration— Bachelor's programmes usually last three years and Master's programmes go on for one or two years. Financially, this is a plus, since education in the UK is not only of good quality but also expensive.
Help for international students
The UK is more than welcoming to international students, with the UK Council for International Student Affairs working to support them, advising them on their rights and offering resources on a variety of topics such as jobs, finding a home, mental health, etc. According to 2024 figures, there are over 440,000 international students in the country—a prerequisite for the country's significant cultural diversity.
Scholarships
There are two types of scholarships: government-funded and provided by the universities themselves (covering part or all of the tuition fees). It is through scholarships that the UK attracts many ambitious young people who later become successful in the local labour market.
Diversity and Culture as a reason for moving to the UK
The UK fascinates with its rich and diverse culture, influenced by the four constituent countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. At leisure time you can find locals in traditional pubs serving drinks such as ale, wine, and cider and themed according to the music they play and the events they organise (quizz and sports nights). Pub culture is a wonderful way to socialise, especially when it comes to recent movers to the country. Fortunately, the UK's cultural diversity doesn't stop there. There are a multitude:
Museums and art galleries
A variety of museums await you, the most popular of which are The British Museum (history and culture), the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, and the V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum (art and design). In addition to their magnificent architecture and extensive collections of artworks and historical artefacts, museums in the UK attract visitors with the opportunity to visit the main museum compositions for free.
Theatres
In London alone, the number of theatres exceeds 240. The city is known as the theatre capital of the world, a fact that eloquently demonstrates its well-established traditions in theatre (and film). As many as 14% of the population, or over 9 million people, go to the theatre at least twice a year. Although less frequently attended, musicals are also hugely popular.
Festivals
Over 800 music festivals are organised in the UK each year. Some of the best known and attended are the Edinburgh International Festival, the BBC Proms, the Glastonbury Festival, Radio 1's Big Weekend, and the Reading and Leeds Festival. It's also worth mentioning the festivals dedicated to traditional food, exceeding 100 a year.
Sport events
As already mentioned, the UK is home to some of the most iconic sports in the world. Traditionally, London hosts landmark sporting forums, with the Women's Rugby World Cup taking place there in 2025 and the World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2026.
Here, we've revealed the top reasons to move to the UK. And we're sure we've managed to convince you to consider moving to the country with the sixth largest economy. The experts at Movega Removals know the importance of attention to detail when planning a relocation. With more than 1,200 satisfied customers in 33 countries, we will offer you expert services accompanied by accurate and timely communication. You can reach us through our contact form or our chatbot feature. And you can find more information about the different aspects of relocating to an island country in our UK relocation guide.
