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Living in England as a foreigner: What is it really like?
Interested in living in England? We’ll tell you about the quality of life there and how the main sectors work.
Located in the United Kingdom, it is one of the most popular destinations for foreigners looking to advance their careers, study at a university, or learn English. Living in England in cities such as London, Manchester, or Birmingham is a major decision that should be carefully considered, taking into account what the quality of life is really like and how the country’s main sectors actually operate.
This article covers England’s education system and top universities, safety levels, the best places to live, and how the healthcare system works. We also cover job opportunities, the economy, and average salaries for foreigners, along with internet quality for digital nomads and connectivity across urban and rural areas. Finally, we weigh up the main pros and cons to give a clearer picture of what life in England is really like.
Quality of life in England
The United Kingdom is one of the most developed countries in terms of living standards and institutions, with strong education and job opportunities. Life in England is generally of high quality, but the cost of living is also high. Below, we’ll go over some of the most important things to know if you’re thinking about moving abroad.
The English education system
According to the OECD, England stands out for the quality of its education and its ability to attract international talent, with one of the most prestigious education systems in the world. Every year, many international students apply for available scholarships, as well as the European Erasmus exchange programme.
There are also visas specifically designed for international students who want to study at a university or take English courses in the country. To get into some of the most well-known institutions, you’ll need a strong academic record and a high level of English, as competition is very intense. These are the most sought-after ones:
- University of Oxford: Renowned for its academic excellence, research, and global prestige.
- University of Cambridge: Recognized for its scientific innovation and academic tradition.
- Imperial College London: A leader in science, technology, and engineering.
- London School of Economics: A global leader in economics and the social sciences.
The safest areas in England
Safety data, such as from Numbeo, rates London at around 55/100, making it less safe than Madrid or Lisbon and roughly comparable to Paris. While serious crime has declined in some areas, it tends to be more concentrated in larger cities. If you’re looking for a calm and safe place to live, these are some of the top recommendations from travellers:
- Richmond (London): Quiet, residential neighborhood with excellent security.
- Kensington & Chelsea (London): Upmarket area with excellent security.
- Greenwich (London): Good value for money and a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Didsbury (Manchester): Safe, residential neighborhood.
- Edgbaston (Birmingham): Quiet area with good public transportation links.
Here’s how their healthcare system works
England’s healthcare system is based on the NHS (National Health Service), a publicly funded system that provides free healthcare for residents. It’s known for high-quality professionals, but it can have long waiting times and pressure on services. Top hospitals include St Thomas’ in London and Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge. Access to the NHS depends on your immigration status.
- Legal residents: Full access to the NHS.
- Workers and students: You can access the NHS by paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which costs approximately $1,320 per year.
- Tourists or digital nomads: Emergency care is free, but all other services require payment, so private health insurance is essential.
The economy and job opportunities in England
Many foreigners choose to move to England to work, progress in their careers, and build international experience that strengthens their CV. To do so, you’ll need to apply for a work visa through the UK embassy in your home country and usually have a job offer from a local employer, or alternatively a digital nomad visa if you work remotely for overseas clients. The UK has one of the largest and most diverse economies in Europe, with strong sectors such as finance, services, technology, education, the creative industries, and trade.
Salaries in London are higher than in cities like Manchester or Birmingham, but so is the cost of living. The average annual salary is around $47,257–58,142, which is higher than in Spain, similar to Germany, but lower than in Switzerland. As for the main job opportunities available to foreigners, they include the following:
- Highly skilled: Technology, finance, education, engineering, and digital marketing.
- Mid-skilled: Customer service, administration, and sales.
- Quick entry without qualifications: Hospitality, retail, logistics, and warehousing.
How to connect to the internet in England
You can work or study remotely thanks to good internet coverage across the country, though speeds are a bit higher in cities than in rural areas (around 110–140 Mbps on average). The market is dominated by providers like BT, Sky, Vodafone, and Virgin Media, with plenty of plans to choose from. Online shopping and fast nationwide delivery are widely available, so you can easily get your usual products anywhere in England.
If you’re planning to live and work remotely in England as a digital nomad, Holafly’s monthly plans offer either 25 GB or unlimited data with no contracts, plus 5G coverage across the country and in over 160 destinations without needing to switch eSIMs or plans. You can also connect multiple devices at once, starting from $49.90 per month. If you only need internet for a short stay, Holafly’s UK eSIM provides unlimited, fast, and secure data from $3.90 per day.
5 benefits of living in England
In this article, we’ve seen many benefits of living in England, especially for work and study. If you want to grow your career, access high-quality services, and gain international experience in a diverse environment, it’s definitely a great option. Here are the main benefits:
- Wide range of job opportunities: The country has a highly dynamic job market, with London as one of the world’s leading financial hubs. Canary Wharf is home to major financial institutions, while areas like Shoreditch are known for their thriving tech startup scene.
- Internationally renowned education: Studying at some of the world’s top universities, such as Oxford or Cambridge, can significantly strengthen your academic profile, as employers tend to value it very highly.
- Multicultural environment: You’ll live in multicultural neighbourhoods like Camden, Brixton, or Kensington alongside other expats, giving you plenty of networking opportunities, and the chance to make new friends.
- Excellent public transportation network: You’ll have access to the Underground, 24-hour buses, and national rail services through major stations like King’s Cross, making it easy to travel quickly between cities. This means you typically won’t need a car for daily commuting.
- Cultural and recreational activities: Living in England also means you can enjoy free museums like the British Museum, catch musicals in the West End, and attend a wide range of sporting events and concerts.
5 disadvantages of living in England as a foreigner
Now that you’re aware of the main benefits of living in England, it’s also important to understand the key challenges and drawbacks before moving. Knowing these in advance will help you plan your stay more realistically and prepare better for the transition. Here’s how these downsides might affect you:
- High cost of living: Rent can easily exceed $2,000 per month in central areas. On top of that, you’ll also need to factor in transport and food costs. All of this can put a strain on your budget, and you may even need to share accommodation to make ends meet.
- Labor market competitiveness: If you’re going for a skilled job, you’ll need solid experience to compete with local candidates. It may also take some time to land the role you’re aiming for.
- Climate: This can be one of the biggest downsides if you come from a warm, sunny country. There are very few sunny days, and winters tend to be long, grey, and often rainy. It can even affect your mood until you get used to it.
- Cultural differences: Life in England, especially in the big cities, tends to be quite fast-paced. People place a strong emphasis on formality, punctuality, and politeness, so if you want to make local friends, you’ll need to be mindful of these social norms.
- Administrative barriers: Since leaving the EU, you now need a visa to study or work there, which can take time and requires extensive documentation.
Frequently asked questions about living in England
Yes, living in England, especially London, is expensive, particularly for rent, transport, and food. Cities like Manchester or Birmingham are generally more affordable and offer a better balance between income and costs.
Yes, England has a highly developed digital infrastructure for digital nomads, with reliable internet, plenty of coworking spaces, and coliving options in cities like London, Manchester, and Bristol.
English society is multicultural and generally open, especially in the big cities. How well you adapt will depend on your language skills, how involved you get in local life, and how well you understand local customs and norms.
It’s much higher than in Southern European countries like Spain, Portugal, or Italy, especially when it comes to housing and transport, although salaries are higher as well. On the other hand, it’s similar to France or Germany, and still below Switzerland.
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Hi! I'm a Spanish-English translator working with Holafly, helping bring travel content to life for curious travelers. As a digital nomad with a passion for exploring, I'm always adding new spots to my bucket list. If you love to travel like me, stick around because you're in the right place to find inspiration for your next trip! ✈️🌍
