How much savings do you need to move to UK?

Okay, so you’re thinking about moving to the UK? Exciting times! One of the biggest questions, and believe me, I remember this feeling, is “How much money do I actually NEED?” It’s not a small thing, right?

Well, here’s the thing, and this is from my own slightly-sweaty-palms experience of moving to London a few years back: you really want to aim for at least enough to cover you for two months. And what does “cover you” actually mean? Good question!

Think about it this way: you need to factor in rent (and maybe a deposit, depending on how things work out), food (we’re not talking Michelin-star dining here, more like “surviving” mode!), the basic bills – electricity, gas, water, the stuff that keeps the lights on and the kettle boiling for that much-needed cuppa. Oh, and public transport! Because unless you’re planning on walking everywhere (which, let’s be honest, isn’t super practical, especially in winter!), you’ll need to get around. London’s tube, or buses? They all cost.

Why two months? Well, that’s your financial safety net. Imagine, just imagine, you lose your job (touch wood, it won’t happen!). Those two months buy you time. Time to breathe, time to dust yourself off, and, crucially, time to find new work without completely freaking out about how you’re going to pay rent. It’s peace of mind, basically.

I remember when I first moved, I hadn’t quite saved enough, and let me tell you, the stress was REAL. I was constantly checking my bank balance, eating way too much pasta, and basically living on my nerves. It’s not fun, and it’s definitely not how you want to start your UK adventure. So, save as much as you possibly can, really. You’ll thank yourself later. Trust me on this one.