What’s internet?

@@briisokay Indeed.

I fear the day he does 😮‍💨

he’s such a ham 🙄

finally some respect on his name

distract the barkeep while he grabs the goods from the kitchen 🫡

this is a perilous mission, he’s at least level 2

that’s Sir Toots to you traveler

he is very trustworthy and would never sell you out for biscuits 🤫

@@briisokay ok i agree

good choice traveler 🧙🏻

oh thank you 🪿🥹

Thanks so much. It’s hard to know what areas to tour/research as outsiders. The options are overwhelming! I’m happy to get to experience London but in the future I suspect we will look further out for something more sustainable

@@briisokay Yep, it's an interesting connundrum, squaring the circle of higher income and more job availability against better work life balance, lower income and higher living standards. Without delving into rent and personal details, my last two bed apartment in London was £1200 per calendar month (pcm) and that was a 45 minute tube train ride to get to the centre. The time was 1991. The last time I looked at similar, I was quoted £4,000 and when I enquired if it was pcm, I was told no... that was the weekly rent! If you are paying a lot for your rent, you may find a mortgage via your bank more useful. Additionally, first time buyers get additional assistance and you may be able to get a part of a shared ownership scheme (government overseen) where you pay for 70% of the property and the partner pays the 30%. If you come to a point of selling, the partner gets the whole 30%, not just the amount they put up. Lots of information online. Any online address with a .gov ending will have reliable information. Do check on whether your tenancy is a 'serviced tenancy' or not. There is a legal difference between unfurnished rentals and a rental for a furnished/part furnished property. It was the 1971 rent act that gave unfurnished tenants more rights. www.gov.uk/shared-ownership-scheme/apply It should not need saying but any official information can be obtained through the .gov portal. With your National Insurance number (a bit like the USA social security number) all brits get this when they reach the age of 16. It will permit you to access the governnment gateway for tax affairs, jury service and so on. Tax in the UK is simpler than the USA. If you work on PAYE (pay as you earn) your tax is deducted at source by the employer. If you work for yourself, you will have to complete an annual self assessment form for HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs similar to your IRS) but it should not be too difficult because HMRC insist on self employed folk using an HMRC approved accountancy package, which will work out your tax liability for a year. Before anything happens, all people are entitled to earn an amount tax free. The .gov portal explains the allowance and the tax bands. The standard annual allowance is £12,570 and any earnings after that are taxed at 20% up to £50,270. The tax system is explained at the link below. Do not worry if you have been placed on emergency tax and it looks like too much has been taken. It may take a week or so to resolve but the HMRC will always refund overpayments to you. If you have been overcharged, they will refund the amount to you without any consultation. www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates Any how, there is always information to clarify your best options in any situation and you can always contact Citizens Advice at the following link and they will provide answers and advice for many commonly asked questions: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ Welcome to the UK/England, relax and have a great time.

Thanks so much, a lesson learned for sure