Move to United Kingdom
4 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
United Kingdom at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
5 years
to permanent residency
6 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires B1 English and passing the Life in the UK test.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependants of Skilled Worker visa holders can work in any job, including self-employment.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in United Kingdom
4 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Edinburgh
72/100Manchester
71/100Brighton
64/100London
61/100Compare cities in United Kingdom
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$3,000
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 4 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$62,009
GDP per capita
4.7%
Unemployment
3.3%
Inflation
Moderate inequality — some neighborhoods will feel like different countries.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
8.54/10
🏛️ Full democracy
#30 of 163
Global Peace Index
Is United Kingdom safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Safest tracked city: Edinburgh (1.1 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
English
Primary language
English is the main language. One fewer excuse not to move.
❓ Moving to United Kingdom — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in United Kingdom?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Edinburgh ranks #1 in United Kingdom with a score of 72/100. City-centre rent starts around $1620/month.
How much does it cost to live in United Kingdom?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $1620 to $3000/month across our 4 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $4,479.
How do I get permanent residency in United Kingdom?▾
The path to permanent residency in United Kingdom typically takes 5 years. Citizenship is possible after 6 years. Note: Requires B1 English and passing the Life in the UK test.
Is United Kingdom a democracy?▾
United Kingdom scores 8.54/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Full democracy." It ranks #30 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is United Kingdom safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in United Kingdom is 1.1 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.