CONSIDERING A MOVE TO ENGLAND?
By Glynn Burrows
Moving to a new home across the world isn’t as difficult as you may think and is not always that expensive either. Depending on where you want to live and the reason you want to relocate, it is amazing just how many options there are.
From a crash pad or small flat in a city centre, right up to a country house with its own estate, anything is possible and, if you want to have a place in the UK to live in for just a few months of the year, you may not even need to get a visa. You may need other permissions and there will be lots of box-ticking, so you will need expert legal advice regarding your own personal situation. (I can help you to find the correct legal advice.)
Looking at a few types of property and the different areas of the country will soon show you that there are opportunities for everyone.
The best thing to do if this idea appeals to you is to carry out some research to narrow down the possible areas you could consider moving to. Then, take a couple of weeks touring those areas with a local guide, staying in different types of accommodation to see if the way of life in the area suits you. Once you have settled on an area, you can then narrow it down a bit more by looking at properties. Obviously, price will be a big thing to consider, but, if the type of property you want is out of your price range, is it possible to buy a similar property in need of renovation? Could you consider losing a bedroom, but keeping the privacy? Would it be ok to buy a place without stables and barns, but there are some available to rent in the village?
Spending time in an area is always a good idea, as everywhere looks better in the sunshine! Go back on a wet and windy day and see if you still feel the same about it. You will be able to see if you like the area and if you could live in the UK. Although we speak the same language, we are not alike in all ways and it is often a good idea to spend time in an area to make sure that you like it before you buy a property.
Flats are often in the centre of towns and cities, but there are now more of the larger old village properties that are being split into units, so you may be able to find small apartments in the countryside too. In our towns and smaller cities, there are few tower blocks, or buildings over five or six floors high, so most flats will often be in large Victorian buildings that have been converted. You could even buy an old building and convert it yourself, as that will enable you to put in what you want and, by converting a large building, you will end up with a place for yourself and several others, to help towards the cost.
My daughter and I bought a large building that had been used as a seven-bedroom halfway house for people coming out of prison. It was a real mess, but we turned it into three self-contained flats: a one-bedroom and two two-bedroom, bringing in a good rental return which will pay for the purchase in ten years.
The next type of property, very popular with most people, is the old cottage or house, standing on its own ground and with outbuildings and scope for improvement. There are thousands of these types of property, from two-bedroom thatched cottages to five or six-bedroom properties with stables, barns, and several acres of land. It depends totally on what you want and what you want to do with it.
Do you want to retire here and need a small garden, sheds, and workshop, or do you want to relocate here to work from home or start your own business? If so, you will need a home office and, if you want to diversify, you could turn some of the outbuildings into bed & breakfast accommodation or use the stables and land as a livery or even turn it into a small farm, producing your own milk, cheese, meat, eggs, etc. The opportunities are endless! (Be aware that various permissions are required for changing use and obviously, food production or the provision of accommodation will require adherence to regulations and certification.)
The other type of property available for those who want to become the Lord of the Manor is a large country house or even a mansion. There are extremely large properties hitting the market all the time and, if you want to get totally away from it all, living on your own estate, that is totally possible. Only a couple of years ago, I helped a guest find his dream home and, after looking at around a dozen properties, building plots and renovation properties, we located his ideal place, sitting beside a river, in a dozen acres of woodland, water meadows and rough grassland (which he is turning into a nature reserve).
There are lots of things to consider: Is the mobile phone signal any good? What is the internet coverage like? Are there any sports clubs or teams nearby? Where are the local shops? Is there a local pub, bar, or restaurant?
Make a list of all the important things in your life and make sure you check out the area, so you don’t move in, only to find that there are no mains to water, or that it all comes from a bore that has run dry and needs to be re-drilled at a cost of £20,000.
The most important thing is to talk to locals and that’s where I can help. I can arrange everything for you, from airport pickup to airport drop off, taking you where you want and looking at the areas and properties you want to look at. I can make arrangements to view and even make appointments for you to talk to builders, solicitors, financial advisors, and anyone else you want to speak to. I arrange all the accommodation and meals, so you just have to sort out your flights.
Moving to the UK has never been easier!
Glynn provides customized, private tours and also helps his clients trace their English family history. Past guests have visited and experienced stately houses and gardens, castles and churches, ruins and villages, birding and wildlife, World War II airfields, and general area taster tours too. Accommodations can be in all types of establishment, from character buildings such as windmills, thatched cottages and castles, self-catering or five star luxury – just say what you want and it can be arranged. Nothing is too much trouble for Glynn! Visit www.Norfolk-Tours.co.uk
