Nowadays, among young and wealthy people, the tendency to immigrate abroad is becoming increasingly common. As a rule, immigrants try to move to developed countries, where foreigners have opportunities for career growth and personal development. In the light latest events In world politics, many Russians move to Japan, China and other exotic corners of the planet. Others prefer not to take risks and follow the classic model regarding immigration - move to the UK. It is this country that is popular both among ambitious young people who seek to obtain a prestigious education abroad, and among other categories of immigrants, because every person, if they have the means and desire, will be able to adapt to the country and become a harmonious part of the local society.

Great Britain: what are the features of the country

When moving to another country, it is worth considering many factors: ecology, economic and political components, quality of life of citizens of this state, and much more. In order to have a full understanding of what moving to the UK can entail for a Russian person, it is necessary to consider each aspect of life in the United Kingdom in particular.

Many foreigners identify Great Britain with England. Indeed, England is part of Great Britain, which consists of three more provinces: Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please note that in different provinces the standard of living, mentality and economic indicators may differ significantly.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is an island country in the northwest of continental Europe

Quality of life in the country

One of the most famous ratings reflecting the quality of life of the population in different countries, is the result of research by the authoritative The Legatum Institute. According to it, in 2016 the UK ranked 15th in the world in terms of quality of life. It must be said that during the study many components were taken into account:

• quality of medical care;
• the population's sense of security;
• economic data (how much the population receives and whether this money is enough for everything they need, the level of GDP, the stability of exchange rates, and so on);
• political situation (do people support government actions, political stability, and so on);
• level of infrastructure development;
• cultural side of life of the population;
• personal freedom;
• the degree of satisfaction of the country's citizens with their life in the state.

Overall, the UK was a leader in all indicators. For comparison: the Russian Federation was awarded only 58th place in the same ranking. It must be said that in light of such differences between countries, the choice of Russian immigrants is not at all surprising.

However, many Britons still look at this rating with a degree of undisguised irony and are more inclined to the data provided in 2013 by switch.com. According to research results, the country took almost the last place in terms of living standards among European countries, and these conclusions, if you think about it, are very justified. For example, local residents are dissatisfied with salaries, which are significantly inferior to European ones. For us Russians, this may seem surprising, but many specialists are forced to move abroad in order to receive decent wages for their work. People are also outraged by short vacations, in contrast to those established in other European countries, and by the retirement age threshold, which is higher than in many neighboring countries. Prices in the UK can also unpleasantly surprise even fairly wealthy foreigners. For example, the local population spends more than a third of their monthly earnings on housing maintenance, which is considered an expensive pleasure in Europe. Nevertheless, for the majority of British citizens, their homeland is an ideal place to live, because the reserved British are quite impressed by the political and economic stability in the country.

If you compare prices in the UK with Russian salaries, the cost of services and essential goods in the United Kingdom seems prohibitive. However, Britons on average earn about 2,100 euros, and Londoners generally earn more than 3,400 euros. It turns out that if there is a stable job, UK residents have the opportunity not only to pay for essential goods and services, but also to provide themselves with cultural leisure and often travel around the world.

Climate and ecology

When moving to the UK, Russian people are first of all surprised by the local climate. Long rains and humidity become a difficult test for Russians who are accustomed to hot summers and abundant sunshine. However, local residents are philosophical about rain, finding its charm in frequent precipitation. In general, the climate of Great Britain pleases the inhabitants of the country with moderation, because the country is located close to the Gulf Stream.

The British are proud of the good ecology in the country and try to protect the environment as much as possible from waste.

The environmental situation is also pleasing. Despite large number enterprises and factories in the country, the level of pollution environment here the minimum is 12.7 μg/m3, while in Russia this figure reaches more than 16 μg/m3, and the average for Europe is 21 μg/m3. It must be admitted that constant measures against environmental pollution are the merit of the local Green Party, which has serious influence in the country. It is the coordinated actions of representatives of this association that force the government to annually review a set of measures to correct the consequences of human activity on nature and prevent new pollution.

Mentality and way of life of local residents

Residents of the country differ in many ways from Russians in their worldview and attitude towards others. For example, the British always strive for tolerance and try to express their emotions in a calm and cultural manner, so they are more restrained than Russians. Probably because of this, the British sometimes react with some negativity to Russians, who can easily flare up or demonstrate a lack of good upbringing. The facial expressions and vocabulary of local residents are generally not expressive, but this does not prevent the British from expressing themselves clearly. For example, they can quite transparently hint about their dislike for their interlocutor, without resorting to rudeness, but they will not want to continue any further communication.

Gardening is the typical Brit's favorite pastime.

For local residents, the house is considered almost a shrine. Most likely, you will not find a British home that is not fenced off from prying eyes. Citizens of the country are sensitive to their homes, investing a fortune in its construction and decoration.

Great Britain is a country of contrasts. Many aspects of local life are very different from what Russians are used to. For example, the country drives on the left. In the first days after the move, this factor can make Russian drivers sweat a lot. A Russian license in the UK is valid for a year from the date of arrival, but despite this, it is recommended to immediately attend a driving course to ensure that you can join local traffic without incident.

In different regions of the country, residents can be completely different from each other. People from some autonomies treat not only foreigners, but also their compatriots with some hostility. The English are the most disliked. Those, in turn, without at all trying to offend residents of other parts of the country, consider themselves a little higher in position. It is difficult to name the true reason for this behavior. The British respect centuries-old traditions, which to this day represent an integral part of the life of the population. They try to speak standard English correctly. Perhaps, because of the purity of speech, many foreigners who want to learn English move here.

But Scotland is considered the homeland of some of the funniest and friendliest people on the planet. Local residents can always tell many humorous stories; they try to endure all troubles with a smile. Scots can be distinguished by their specific accent. Many foreigners highlight medical care as a striking feature of life in this kingdom. The fact is that local doctors are surprisingly polite and kind to their patients, but you shouldn’t expect any help from them as such. Doctors often prescribe pills to people without understanding the causes of the disease, or even send patients home, assuring them that there are no health problems.

People in Wales call themselves Welsh, not British.

Separately, we can distinguish the Welsh - residents of Wales. They don't consider themselves English at all. Foreigners who move to Wales are faced with the need to learn the Welsh language, which, in principle, is not used in everyday communication. The Welsh language, as migrants say, is not difficult to learn, but the learning process takes quite a long time. It is the waste of time on a language that is unnecessary, in the opinion of foreigners, that makes many immigrants refuse to move to the provinces, choosing England as a refuge, where people who speak English will not have to learn another language.

The country has a special attitude towards dental health. The fact is that dental services here are tens of times more expensive than in Russia. For example, for the money that specialists ask for dental treatment, you can rent a house for more than one month or buy a used car. Among foreigners you can even hear jokes that the British choose their life partners based on their teeth, like horses. Well, perhaps there is some truth in this irony after all.

In England, dental tourism is flourishing: a two-week trip to Budapest for a beautiful smile, taking into account flights, accommodation and intermediary services, costs on average three times more affordable than the same procedures on site.
With the same quality, of course.

English humor is not understandable to all visitors, but it is considered business card nation

The country is actively fighting for women's rights. In the summer of 2017, British workers began to express dissatisfaction with the fact that women's salaries were inferior to those of men working in the same positions by about 13%. In addition, residents are outraged that more than two-thirds of management positions in companies are held by men. Women workers are vowing to go on strike if nothing is done to resolve the situation. Out of solidarity, men also speak out for equality, trying to support the fair half of the country’s population.

Yours free time The British love to devote themselves to relaxing holidays. For example, instead of going to noisy establishments, locals prefer to garden or sit in a cozy pub. Many English people attend church on Sundays. It cannot be said that all Englishmen are believers, but the church is an integral part of everyday life, and local residents treat culture and traditions with great respect.

Surely many of you have heard about terrible London traffic jams, although in general the traffic situation in London is still much better than in Moscow. None of the motorists spend 2-3 hours a day on the road from work to home, and the majority of residents of the British capital prefer a comfortable car. public transport. Certain traffic difficulties during rush hours undoubtedly occur, but they cannot be compared with the traffic collapses in the Mother See.

Russians in Great Britain

On at the moment About 35 thousand Russians live in the UK (data excluding students, illegal immigrants, refugees). In total, the Russian-speaking population reaches almost three hundred thousand people. Thus, when moving to a country, a Russian person will most likely be able to meet compatriots and hear native speech. However, the settlement of Russians in Great Britain is uneven. For example, about 5% of all migrants from Russia moved to Scotland and Wales. Most of the newcomers settled in England (about 20 thousand in London alone).

Video: how England lives

Which Russians are moving to the UK?

The bulk of immigrants from Russia to the UK are students and labor migrants. However, many wealthy people also choose this country as a place for permanent residence.

Most often, labor migrants belong to the middle class of the population. They have to work to ensure their life in the country. As a rule, qualified workers in the field are in demand on the local labor market. computer technology, doctors, engineers, economists. It is for specialists of these profiles that it is easier for others to find work in the UK.

England fascinates with its centuries-old traditions and majestic architecture

Local legislation provides the best living conditions for investors who can invest from 1 to 10 million pounds sterling in the state economy.

Wealthy migrant businessmen can be called a separate caste. Most influential people moved to the UK in the mid-90s, when they were simply afraid to do business and simply live richer than the majority of the country’s population. Now, of course, they don’t have to worry about their business in their homeland, but many Russian oligarchs still buy houses in England and immigrate there with their families. In short, immigration to the UK is considered prestigious not only for the middle strata of the population, but also among very wealthy Russians.

Students go to the country to get a prestigious education. The most popular are Oxford and Cambridge universities. Studying here becomes the key to successful employment and further career growth of young specialists. But getting into these educational institutions is not easy, because the competition can reach several dozen applicants for one place.

Many famous and wealthy Russians send their children to study in the UK. However, it is not only Russians who respect English educational institutions so much. For example, influential Ukrainians are increasingly trying to send their children to study in London. Among them are the famous Ukrainian singer Tina Karol and many others.

The UK provides decent working conditions for scientists and researchers. It is not surprising that scientists are often ready to leave their jobs in Russia in favor of vacancies in famous institutes in England and Scotland. However, for recent years The immigration of bright minds of humanity began to decline. The resettlement of scientists reached its greatest peak during the collapse of the USSR, when it became almost impossible for scientists to support their living through professional activities.

Video: the pros and cons of living in England

Where do Russians live?

It cannot be said that Russian diasporas live in certain areas of the country, because there are no Russian settlements in Great Britain. However, there is still a certain pattern in the settlement of Russian-speaking immigrants, especially in London, a city where a significant portion of immigrants are concentrated. For example, students most often settle in the Bloomsbury and Soho areas. Workers in the field of economics and computer technology mainly settle in the areas of the City, South Bank, Battersea, Docklands, Eslington. Many Russians also choose Hyde Park, Hempstead and others to live. By the way, the latter areas are more suitable for people who prefer to lead a quiet and measured life.

Russians are settling in Britain unevenly

By the way, about London. There are fewer and fewer native Englishmen in the legendary city. Instead, you are likely to meet immigrants from literally all corners of the planet. Russian people feel quite comfortable here, because in the city you can find Russian streets, restaurants with Russian national food and shops with familiar products. Also, for Russian believers, a positive aspect of life in London will be the presence of Orthodox churches. All these factors help visiting Russians quickly adapt to local life and feel the atmosphere of their homeland even far beyond its borders.

According to data provided by The Guardian newspaper, London is included in the ranking of the most expensive cities on the planet in terms of purchasing real estate. Housing here costs an average of £600,625. However, not big cities country, you can find yourself a completely acceptable house for 40–50 thousand.

Scottish Edinburgh is especially revered among students. However, the city is attractive not only for students. Due to the demand for highly qualified workers at local enterprises, there is a need to attract labor from abroad.

Video: about apartments in London

In total, there are about 4 thousand Russians in Northern Ireland. Most of them settled in the capital of the country - several hundred Russians officially live in Belfast.

Most often, Russian immigrants choose large cities for permanent residence, while only a few settle in rural areas.

Among the provinces of Wales, the majority of immigrants settle in the cities of Cardiff and Newport. However, throughout Wales you can hardly count more than a thousand Russians. By the way, here Russian-speaking foreigners often leave for the suburbs and rural areas.

When it comes to housing, buying your own property in the UK is an expensive proposition. For this reason, most immigrants who do not have significant savings and do not have wealthy parents are forced to rent housing or stay in hostels. Students are a completely different matter. As a rule, they are given the right to move into dormitories, where living conditions are noticeably better than in Russian housing for students. Children of wealthy parents are often able to rent or buy spacious apartments close to their place of study.

Russian communities in Great Britain

Russian diaspora in in every sense this word doesn't exist yet. However, the more Russian people move to the country, the idea of ​​creating Russian communities, associations, and so on becomes more relevant.

Russian communities try to preserve their national values ​​even far beyond the borders of their homeland

Public forums are regularly held in the UK, where Russians gather to resolve issues important to immigrants. One of these events was held in March 2016. Participants discussed the need to promote the Russian language as official language European Community. During the forum, the committees “Association of Russian-language schools in Great Britain” and “Russian population in Great Britain” were presented. The organizers emphasized the importance of coordinating the work of Russian-language educational institutions for maximum efficiency in the education of students.

2016 in Great Britain was declared the year of Russian language and literature. By the way, many institutions throughout the country offer to get acquainted with the Russian cultural heritage. "Pushkin House" is one of the most famous cultural centers, which is located in London and receives thousands of visitors every year.

Peculiarities of Russians' adaptation to life in the UK

No matter what country you look at the features of adaptation, you will invariably come to the conclusion that young people quickly manage to adapt to life in a new state. It is young people who have greater potential for learning foreign language, without knowledge of which integration into local society is virtually impossible.

Students integrate into society faster than others

However, even perfect knowledge of English does not guarantee that life in the UK will not cause you difficulties. The fact is that depending on the region of the country, you can hear completely different dialects. For example, the Irish and Scots may pronounce words in their own way, and older Londoners often use outdated words that are not taught as part of basic educational programs in the territory Russian Federation.

Labor immigrants, who are looking for work while moving, are sometimes forced to agree to offers that do not arouse interest among local residents due to insufficient wages or other factors. However, you shouldn’t be too upset about this, because sometimes an ordinary cleaner in England can boast of a salary no lower than that of a Russian engineer.

Where do Russians usually work?

Immigrants to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales usually find work in larger cities. Most often, our compatriots work in low-paid positions (waiters, cleaners, assistants, nurses). However, highly qualified specialists in the field of medicine, computer technology and other areas can count on decent work in local corporations.

To get a job in the UK, you first need to withstand competition in the labor market

As already mentioned, a significant number of immigrants are settling in London. There is little surprise here, because wages in this metropolis are significantly higher than in other provinces. Many migrant workers move to the capitals of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where wages, although they lag behind those in London, are still very decent compared to other regions of the country.

Over the past 8–10 years, there has been a trend among British people to study Russian. Because of this, Russian-speaking teachers are becoming increasingly in demand. By the way, by teaching in the UK, you can accumulate impressive sums, because Russian language lessons are taken mainly by wealthy Britons who are willing to pay well for the knowledge they receive.

How do pensioners live in the UK?

Unlike countries where Russian pensioners can move, receiving only a Russian pension and small money from renting housing in their homeland (China, for example), England, due to high prices for housing and food, as well as the lack of social benefits for foreign pensioners without experience work in the UK is unlikely to be affordable for older immigrants. Of course, pensioners can move with their able-bodied children, officially being supported by them. If you are planning to grow old in the UK, without relying on the help of relatives, you need to worry about moving and getting the necessary work experience in advance. For example, to receive the minimum pension in the country, you need to have at least ten years of work in the UK. In this case, the payment will be £44 per week. The usual pension in the country is £155, but to receive it a person must have at least thirty-five years of work experience. Only a few immigrants can boast of working in the UK for such a long time. So it turns out that pensioners who receive the minimum amount are forced to either move to rural areas, where prices are an order of magnitude lower than in big cities, or even leave the country and return to their homeland.

The retirement age in the country for both men (born after 04/05/1951) and women (born after 04/05/1953) is 65 years

How are Russian immigrants treated?

In the UK, attitudes towards Russia are not always positive. As a rule, local news reports about events in Russia either from a negative point of view or say nothing. However, the British themselves do not distinguish Russian immigrants from other visitors. If a foreigner speaks good English, behaves decently and tries to be welcoming and friendly, no one will be confused by the fact of his nationality. If immigrants also understand English humor, then there will definitely be no problems communicating with local residents.

The attitude of the British towards Russians cannot be called biased

Russian students integrate into local society more easily than other categories of migrants. Firstly, there are more and more students from Russia in the UK, and the fact that they study in the country does not surprise anyone at all, and secondly, in British universities, as a rule, students from all corners of the globe study, so no one focuses on about who came from where.

Perhaps a loyal attitude towards immigrants from Russia was formed during historical events, because waves of Russian immigrants moved to British soil three hundred years ago. Nowadays, Russian speech on the streets of big cities surprises few people, and seeing Russian names of shops or cafes has already become commonplace.

Comparison of Russia and Great Britain: where is it better to live?

It is difficult to compare Russia and the UK only on indicators such as economic development, quality of infrastructure and others, because not only ratings distinguish two great countries.

Education

Young Britons gain deeper knowledge of elementary school. In addition to the standard set of subjects, parents have the right to choose technical courses for their children aimed at preparing them for a future specialty.

It’s interesting that little British people can go to school from the age of five. For immigrant children, this opportunity is available only from the age of seven.

We must pay tribute to the legislation of the country, because training in high school for young immigrants, as a rule, takes place within the framework of boarding schools. In this case, students have the right not only to receive education, but also to live on the territory of the institution. However, upon completion of the training courses, immigrants must pass a special exam. If the results are below the established level, a foreigner cannot enter higher education institutions.

Video: private school in the UK

Education at universities in the UK takes place according to the Bologna education system, which Russian authorities are actively being introduced into Russian universities.

In general, the quality of education in the UK is considered one of the best in the world. From year to year, Cambridge and Oxford universities take first place in the world rankings of higher education institutions. educational institutions. From Russian universities The ranking usually includes Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov and MSTU named after. N.E. Bauman, however, they also noticeably lag behind British universities in positions.

From year to year, Cambridge and Oxford universities consistently occupy the top lines of world rankings among universities

In many ways, our own decision to emigrate was fueled by the thought of a quality education for our child. Plus I don't like it Russian system teaching, and British methods of teaching and approaching children seem much more balanced.

http://www.ru-uk.net/zhizn-v-anglii/item/159-r

However, opinions often differ regarding the quality of education. Many consider education in Russia better than the West due to accessibility and good educational program. Well, it is impossible to generalize the conclusions, because the quality of knowledge directly depends not only on the country, but also on a particular university and the aspirations of the student himself.

You can adopt the Bologna system and other Unified State Exams as much as you like, but the fact remains: the average Russian secondary education is much better and more accessible than the average Western one. The best (and most expensive) schools are open to the upper classes in the West, and God grant to the lower classes that they can add two and eight in their heads.

http://rassenia.info/index.php?q=http%3A%2F%2Fru-an.info%2Fn%2F51474%2F

Medicine

In terms of the healthcare system, there are only four operating healthcare systems in the UK. Each of them belongs to a separate autonomy.

The British healthcare system employs many workers and small institutions. It is rightfully considered the largest employer in the world.

Medical institutions report directly to the authorities of the region in which they are located, and in many respects the quality of local medicine is noticeably ahead of Russian medicine.

According to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in the UK is 83 years for women and 79.4 for men.

For example, infant mortality is almost two times lower than the Russian figure, and services are provided mostly free of charge (in emergency situations, no fee is charged to immigrants). By the way, the average life expectancy in the UK is 13 years higher than in the Russian Federation - this is a huge merit of local doctors who provide high-quality medical care. Also greatly influenced by the peculiarities of the British mentality, due to which residents of the country turn to doctors for help at the first symptoms of the disease, and not when the patient’s condition becomes critical.

It is worth noting that emergency cases in the UK are dealt with immediately. In addition, corruption in medical institutions is not as widespread as in Russia. Perhaps in our country this phenomenon is caused by the extremely low level of wages for doctors, in contrast to wages for the same positions in the UK.

Economic indicators

Another important point is the significant difference in salaries between citizens of Great Britain and Russia. According to Rosstat, in 2015 the average salary of a Russian was 23,548 rubles per month (£275). UK residents received £27,600 per year (£2,300 per month). The difference is colossal. Despite the high cost of food and housing in the country, British residents have enough income from official work to meet all their needs (while two-thirds of Russians plan to look for sources of additional income or admit that they would not give up them).

Tax deductions depend solely on the income of the British. People who earn from 20 thousand to 38 thousand pounds a year must give 20% to the state, with a salary from 38 thousand to 70 thousand - 35%. If you earn more than 300 thousand a year, the income tax will be half of the amount.

Video: about salaries in the UK

Table: cost of goods and services in the UK

I constantly discover new, previously unknown foods and add them to my diet. The only thing that really upsets us is the lack of our native herring and real black bread (although, according to rumors, they can still be found in specialized Russian stores).

http://www.ru-uk.net/zhizn-v-anglii/item/159-r

Table: pros and cons of living in the UK

Chances of immigration

Unfortunately, not everyone can move to the UK. Some cannot provide the state with reasons to move, while others cannot cope with immigration financially. However, if you wish, you can become a resident of the United Kingdom. First of all you will need:

• Knowledge of the language is a prerequisite for successful immigration. If you do not speak English, you cannot find a normal job or enter a university;
• starting capital. Before moving, keep in mind that for the first months in the country you will have to live on the money you brought with you, since finding a job sometimes takes a lot of time, and you will have to buy the necessary products and rent housing in any case;
• understanding the mentality of local residents. You shouldn’t move if you don’t understand the people around you. If you find common language With the British, you will have a better chance of making useful contacts and adapting faster to a new country.

It is important to choose the right immigration method. For example, students, workers and relatives of local residents have the best chance of gaining a foothold in the country. Refugees have the least chance of gaining favor with the authorities.

Great Britain is not a country for everyone. The local climate and mentality of the indigenous people will not appeal to everyone. You shouldn’t be deluded by films about alluring England either, because life abroad can turn into a difficult test for an immigrant. If you are sure that this is the country you want to connect your life with, then you will have to stock up on an impressive amount and patience. Believe in yourself - only then will you succeed!

Russians in England include numerous immigrants from the former CIS and Baltic countries. There are especially many Russians in Great Britain from Latvia And Lithuania, since these countries are members of the EU and their citizens have the right to free movement throughout the European Union, which, to the displeasure of the titular nation, includes Great Britain. The number of those Russians who called their homeland Russia, constitutes only a small part of the total number of Russians in England: according to the 2001 census, there were only 15 thousand people. A new study by the UK Office for National Statistics in 2009 corrected this figure to 32 thousand.

In addition to Russians living legally in the UK and calling it their home, Russian students, refugees and illegal immigrants, including those with expired visas, can also be found on its territory.

Russians in London

In the photo: a line of Russians at the casting of the film "Anna Karenina".
Photo from the site
https://sites.google.com/site/annakareninablogdrama/home.

Naturally, there are especially many Russians living in the London area. For this reason, London is jokingly called "Londongrad" or "Moscow-on-the-Thames". Here’s what a participant in the casting for director Joe Wright’s film “Anna Karenina” says: “Having arrived, as advised, at three o’clock in the afternoon, I found the following picture. On a quiet London street there was a gigantic line of compatriots stretching beyond the horizon. There were, by my calculations, about one and a half thousand people. People stood in dense rows of 4 people "wide". The queue was about 200 meters long - it curved around the corner of the street and even stretched halfway across the neighboring one.”

There are several in London Russian schools, including the Russian school at the Russian Embassy in the UK (unfortunately, recently only children of employees of the Russian Embassy have been accepted into the school).

There are two in London Russians orthodox churches : Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Royal Martyrs, located in the Chiswick area at 57 Harvard Rd, London W4 4ED, as well as Cathedral Dormition of the Mother of God and All Saints, located in the Knightsbridge area at 67 Ennismore Gardens, London, SW7 1NH.

Available in Londongrad and Russian restaurants: Restaurants serving Russian cuisine are especially popular among the Russian-speaking segment of London’s population. Mari Vanna ", the brainchild of the Ginza Project, and a restaurant of Italian-Asian cuisine with the modest name " Novikov ", belonging to it is easy to guess who.

Russian oligarchs in London

Russian oligarchs families and other wealthy Russians happily settle in London and invest in local real estate, which is why housing prices in London are constantly rising by leaps and bounds, to the delight of numerous real estate agencies (and to the chagrin of the indigenous population, which is being pushed further and further from central London) . Back in 1999, the daughter of Boris Yeltsin Tatiana Dyachenko I bought a house in the Art Deco style near London, in the town of St. George's Hill. And the most famous Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, even before his purchase of the Chelsea football club in 2003, acquired the Fyning Hill estate in the village of Rogate total area 420 acres and two luxury apartments in London. Slowly, from the beginning of the 2000s, people began to move to the UK Russian entrepreneurs who were looking for peace and security here.

London's most expensive apartment is rumored to be a hotel penthouse Bulgari in the area Knightsbridge worth £150 million – was acquired by a Russian client. Wealthy Russians tend to settle in such prestigious areas of London as Knightsbridge, Kensington, Belgravia, Chelsea and Notting Hill. Favorite area for Russians Chelsea– the patrimony of the Chelsea football team, an asset of Roman Abramovich, even received the nickname “Chelski” from Londoners: the British think that such a name sounds quite Russian.

In the photo: disgraced Russian oligarch Evgeny Chichvarkin in his wine boutique in London. Photo from forbes.ru.

It was thanks to the first super-rich Russians that the British formed an opinion of the entire Russian nation as upstart spendthrifts - this was greatly facilitated by the flashy British tabloids, in an eternal search for scandalous facts, and such “reliable” imperishables as “ Londongrad. From Russia with cash by Stuart Lansley and Mark Hollingsworth, which chronicles the incredibly lavish lifestyles of Russia's rich. From similar sources, the British learned that a fifth of all London houses worth over 8 million pounds were bought by Russians, which is why luxury real estate prices soared to the skies. Luxury shops and boutiques in the West End have begun hiring Russian-speaking staff to cater to the needs of wealthy Russian clients and their non-English speaking lovers. Russians have become desirable clients of luxury jewelry and automobile brands.

What kind of Russians live in the UK?

However, with all this, few people thought that not all Russians lead such a “glamorous” lifestyle, drinking Cristal champagne at the Mahiki nightclub in Mayfair for 400 pounds a bottle. And what most Russians in England- these are not nouveau riche upstarts, but professionals, high-class specialists - lawyers, programmers, scientists, financiers, creative workers, who are in the UK on work visas. Many of them came to Britain to receive higher education and stayed here to live and work after graduation. This is usually ambitious young people with work experience and good education, but without millions in the bank account. They are actively interested in the culture and art of their host country. Another layer of Russians - entrepreneurs who are taking their families out of Russia and moving their businesses to Britain. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, the attitude towards Russians in England is quite friendly, and there are plenty of opportunities for honest business.

Reality show about Russians in England "Meet the Russians"

In the photo: The quintessence of the stereotyped ideas of the British about Russians - the reality show "Meet the Russians". Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk.

The strengthened stereotype about the untold wealth of Russians led to the appearance of a scandalous reality show on British television in the fall of 2013. Meet the Russians ” (literally translated as “Meet the Russians”), dedicated, in the words of the Daily Mail, to “the vulgarest reality stars who are buying up Britain.” It is noteworthy that not all the heroes of the show are Russian: for example, the heroine of “Meet the Russians” singer Kamaliya is Ukrainian by origin, and her husband, businessman Mohammad Zahoor, is Pakistani. But, apparently, this does not matter at all to the British, since their lifestyle in fabulously expensive, but tastelessly furnished houses, with wasteful shopping at Harrods and Selfridges, fits perfectly into the stereotyped ideas Englishmen about Russians. And no one thinks about the fact that all Russians in Britain cannot be judged by only a few hundred super-wealthy people.

Russian diaspora in England

As such, organized Russian diaspora there are no regular meetings in the UK, however, according to my own observations, contrary to popular myth, Russian speakers enjoy communicating and help each other whenever possible. Never once, while in the UK, have I encountered rudeness or rejection from Russians. On the contrary: Russians living in Great Britain leave an extremely pleasant impression of themselves. Therefore, if you are thinking about moving to the UK, you should hardly fear a lack of communication in Russian: Russians in England will be happy to help you with advice and will be happy to tell you where to get Russian food over a glass of ale in the local pub.

England, London, City - these words are familiar even to children all over the world.

World famous brands and investment banks all have their main offices in London and this is far from an accident. That is why London is rightly called the capital of the world.

300,000 Russians in the UK, a thriving place "Londongrad"
It has long been known that London is a magnet for Russian dissidents and billionaires. London and the United Kingdom have been a destination for the elite and wealthy for centuries.
London is 31% foreign, including extremely wealthy American bankers, Arab sheikhs and Hong Kong Japanese who generate income for the city. In the 1970s there was a serious influx from Arab countries, and in the 1980s from Japan. Americans came and went from time to time. Their numbers have recently increased sharply due to the current stability of the European economy.
Londongrad
However, current estimates suggest that 300,000 Russians currently call London home. This is a significant increase from 100,000 in the past two years.
For those who have been paying attention, the nicknames “Londongrad” and “Moscow on Thames” are both well known. They represent several hundred million dollars in cash that flowed into the British economy during that time period. Between 1998 and 2004, $102 billion, according to estimates by investment fund Hermitage Capital, left Russia.
An entire subculture has emerged—several, in fact—in which specialty stores and restaurants are becoming increasingly prominent. Several weeklies are also published in Russian and small communities are formed.
London promotes four Russian-language newspapers and one glossy magazine, which advertises jewelry, kitchens of various decors and provides articles on cars priced at $200,000 or more, comparing their merits.
Despite the fact that the rich have attracted attention, their percentage in general is very small. According to recent estimates, 600,000 settlers and immigrants from Eastern Europe have come to the UK in the past two years. It should be noted that more than 15% are citizens from Russia.
Most often they come in search of prospects and freedom. While some came to spend their wealth, others' goal was to expand their wealth. Highly educated professionals who did not receive an income commensurate with their abilities in their home countries find work here.
A large Russian-speaking community from Eastern Europe is looking for ways to help the underserved class. Lithuanian, Polish and Czech workers, maids and nannies find work here with pay much higher than in their country.
For the rich
Some people buy houses in London for their families; the richer can optionally travel to work in Russia every week, since Moscow is only a 3.5-hour flight away.
“Germany is good for the thrifty, London is good for the spendthrift,” said Russian film director Andrei Nekrasov, 48, who lived for many years in London but now lives in Berlin. According to him, Russian business representatives in London are partly attracted by the “flexibility associated with banking operations.” "Many of them are considered big bourgeoisie by Western standards," he says. “If in London they can buy apartments for a couple of million dollars in cash, then by Russian standards, they are middle class and a Russian would pay by credit card.”
“The Russians have bought up almost a quarter of London houses, worth more than $15 million, and that’s just for last year" says Laem Bailey, a real estate broker. According to some estimates, the level of purchases of luxury homes is even higher. According to Gulnar Long, a real estate consultant, Russians buy about 60% of homes priced at $20 million or more.
While many of these richest Russians have also bought homes in France, New York or Israel, London offers plenty of choice.
This influx of Russians has "changed property prices, it has changed restaurant reservations, where you now hear a different language," says Geordie Greig, editor of the society magazine Tatler.
There are plenty of Russian VIPs in London. Roman Abramovich, the second richest man in Britain, hit the jackpot in the oil industry, as well as by buying the Chelsea football club in 2003.
Compared to the rest of Europe, the UK is a bureaucracy-free country where it is easy to start a business. It is considered a safe, cultural and wonderful place to raise children.
Tax benefits
Russian rich people are very happy with London's financial freedoms and tax code. People who have been in another country for a long time receive significant benefits. The UK generally does not tax the income of foreign residents if they make profits outside the country.
The United Kingdom offers tax benefits to shareholders of companies registered in an offshore zone. Most countries tax their citizens and foreigners according to their worldwide income and capital gains.
According to Joel McDonald, a lawyer at law firm Salans in London, UK residents can open offshore accounts to legally avoid these taxes. Consequently, a person could own millions or billions of shares in an offshore fund, sell them and use the proceeds to buy a mansion in London. And all this without paying income taxes.
The UK government considered closing this loophole in the tax code, but did not enact it. This would lead to stagnation in the real estate market, reducing the salaries of international lawyers and accountants. Professions of a tax lawyer or tax consultant in London are very lucrative.
The best hotels, jewelry stores and fashion houses are always open to those who can afford it. A recent status symbol was the ability to rent a banquet hall in Princess Diana's old house for her evening parties in London. Its rent costs approximately $50,000, not including the cost of hosting the event itself.

For ordinary citizens
Meanwhile, Russian dissidents and émigré artists praise London for its political freedoms and adherence to the rule of law. The Russian judicial system is completely different from the British one, which provides extraordinary protection from corrupt judicial investigators.
Akhmed Zakayev, who is known in the Kremlin as a terrorist, is a former Shakespearean actor and exiled rebel against the Chechen government who, “thanks to the laws of this country,” as he said in an interview, received refuge here three years ago.
Concert pianist Ekaterina Lebedeva, 37, who arrived here 12 years ago, agrees: “One thing I really like about London is the sense of possibility, the sense of creative freedom.”
It is obvious that interest in the United Kingdom among Russians is constantly growing. In 2000, 114,000 visas were issued to Russians; by 2003, this number had risen to 52%.
At the end of 2005 it was estimated that there were 250,000 Russians living in the United Kingdom. By December there were 300,000.

One of the most popular developed countries for immigration among Russians is England (or Great Britain, or the United Kingdom - whichever you prefer, but for some reason everyone goes to England). There are three main reasons for this: high level life (and salary), a rich, well-advertised culture, and of course, the English language - no one wants to learn French or German from scratch.

About whether it’s so cool to live in Britain, Reconomica I talked to a Russian immigrant who has been living and working in London for a long time. You will learn about salaries, taxes, housing and food prices, bureaucracy and many other problems of visitors, about which there is very little information in the media.

My name is Alexey. The other day I turned 37 years old, most of which I lived abroad. After graduating from the Faculty of Journalism at St. Petersburg State University, when the idea of ​​emigrating to Europe finally took shape and the decision was made to go to the UK, I was faced with a question:

Is it so expensive to live abroad?

Many of you have heard more than once about incredibly high prices, high taxes and much more that would ruin your life common man. So let's figure out how much life in Europe actually costs.

in 2016, over 50 thousand people left Russia forever. Many of them leave for work, many to visit relatives, but there are also adventurers who risked leaving their native lands in the hope of a life “over the hill.” I was one of these adventurers. It's not easy to leave the places where you grew up, but the thirst for adventure often turns out to be stronger. So I found myself in the arrival terminal of Heathrow International Airport.

What awaits you in the UK

According to statistics, about 35% of people arriving in the UK from outside do not stay longer than a year. The reasons are different: from homesickness to lack of money. The well-known myth - Russians are not liked in the EU, fueled by hundreds of reviews from our emigrants - is not entirely true. Europe does not like those who are not ready to work and those who live on social benefits for a long time. Regardless of your nationality, appearance, or the country you come to, you will always have to work.

Anyone who comes for permanent residence will probably face financial difficulties. Rent, income and property taxes, buying or renting a car, cost of food. And you also want to have fun, don’t you? But here’s the question: there’s almost no money! What to do if you find yourself in such a situation?

What to live on in another country? We provide sources of income

Well, I'll write it down point by point. The first thing you need is a work permit.

Work Permit. Types of work permits in the UK

My main income was wages provided by my employer. To obtain a work permit, it was necessary to submit the correct set of documents for a work visa. There are 3 types in total: Tier 1 (for highly qualified, rare and experienced specialists), Tier 2 (For mid-level specialists), Tier 5 (for low-skilled or seasonal workers). I was eligible for a Tier 2 visa, which I received, albeit not without problems.

Average salary in the UK for visitors

For an hour of work, the average specialist receives 6.5 pounds, which approximately equals 510 rubles. Thus, the average salary is 1500 - 1800 pounds (about 125 thousand rubles). But you shouldn’t delude yourself. Firstly, not everyone receives such a salary, and the expenses will be considerable. Personally, my profit at first was only 900 pounds a month for a full-time correspondent. For comparison, this is around £475 in 2017.

Types of social benefits in England. Is it realistic to come to Europe and live on benefits?

There are more than a hundred different benefits in England. Among them there are Child Benefit(payments to parents of a child working more than 30 hours), Jobseeker's Allowance(unemployment benefits), Housing Benefit(benefits for the poor covering the cost of housing), Income support(general support) and others.

But you shouldn't count on them. Both at the time of my arrival and now, in Social Centers Long-term queues are formed to receive this or that payment. However, you still won’t listen to me, and you are interested in the list of documents for receiving benefits, right?

The registration procedure is simple; it only requires a set of documents:

1. Passport
2. Document confirming immigration status
3. Letter from employer confirming employment
4. Tax forms P45 and P60
5. Letter from the employment agency stating that you are looking for a job
6. Dismissal, in case of leaving work
7. Letter from school if you have children
8. ...and a lot, a lot of patience.

Lotteries

The UK has an interesting national lottery system. The total prize fund is quite large, sometimes reaching millions of pounds. But, as in any lottery, you have to rely only on luck. I must admit, sometimes I spent my last money on participation, but fortune did not like me. Not a single ticket brought me luck. Any resident of the United Kingdom over 16 years of age can purchase the right to participate. If you are passing through England, ask any boy to buy a ticket. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Cost of living in UK. Basic expenses

It is clear that in general you need to rely only on your salary and sources of income in Russia, if you have any left (you rent out an apartment while you are away, for example). Now about the sad thing - about the cost of living in Europe.

Rental prices in London

Renting a home is incredibly expensive. Now the average cost of renting an apartment in London reaches 700 pounds per week, 2800 per month, which equals 220 thousand rubles.

When I was just starting to explore this topic, I found a woman renting a two-bedroom apartment for £90 a week. Bureaus working with tourists - and there are about 10 of them - are ready to provide accommodation of any class for quite decent money. If everything is not very good with your finances, try searching through Social Centers for old women who are ready to rent it out cheaper. Also a small note, if you want to rent an apartment with children, try to explain to them in advance that making noise in the evening and at night is a bad idea. Neighbors are likely to call the police, who will impose a hefty fine (up to £500) and issue a record. If you only have a residence permit, this may be a reason for denial of citizenship.

Buying a home in the UK

There is a whole network of brokerage and real estate companies throughout Britain. When buying an apartment, it is better to trust them, but only if you have money. An Acquisition Agent will help you quickly find housing, but also ask for a rather large percentage. Otherwise, the seller will choose the realtor. You have all seen “For Sale” signs next to houses in the movies more than once. This means that the seller has turned to a company that is ready to help sell the home. My advice is, don’t be fooled by the exterior of the house and the brokers’ stories. Check every detail carefully and do not hesitate to ask questions on each item. This can save you from unintended costs in the future. Prices for economy housing vary from 13 to 90 thousand pounds (about 4 million rubles at the current exchange rate).

Nutrition. Cost of groceries in England

Food supply is carried out by several large companies that own a chain of stores and supermarkets. London is a tourist city, and therefore filled with shops for tourists. Such outlets should be avoided. Prices are way too high for the same selection. The best solution would be to choose one of the “For Your Own” supermarket chains. Such stores are hidden in the centers of residential and shopping areas and in any non-tourist places. Distinctive feature is the lack of bright signs and advertising banners designed for inexperienced tourists.

It is better to go to the store with your own grocery bag. This tip will significantly improve the cashier's attitude towards you. The British authorities are now pursuing a policy of preserving the environment, getting rid of bags and plastic containers.

The average bill per person is a little more than 120 - 200 pounds per week when buying meat, dairy products and vegetables. For a family of three, the amount will increase to £400-450.

Many stores operate a “cashback” system, but more about it below.

Taxes in the UK

The profit of every person living in the Kingdom is taxed. Income tax (ranging from 10 to 45%) is levied annually. Income tax rates in the United Kingdom in 2017:

• 20% on income from £0 to £43,000
• 40% on income from £43,001 to £150,000
• 3.45% on income above £150,000

Also, taxes are imposed on inheritances exceeding 150 thousand pounds (40%), purchase and sale of real estate and securities(from 0.5 to 2%), capital gain (up to 40%).

My annual income is £18,472, which puts me in the first category. I pay the government £3,694 a year (20%).

Connection. Tariffs of European operators are a robbery

UK communications are also not characterized by low prices. The largest operator, covering the entire country with its network, is Vodofone. Vodofon's tariffs, however, are very undemocratic. For £9.5, 250 minutes (+ roaming) and 250 mb of mobile internet are offered. If the tariff limits are exceeded, the same amount is automatically debited. In my opinion, the best option is the Extra category tariffs, which provide unlimited calls. The cost of such tariffs exceeds £18.

I spend on communications: £18 for a personal phone and £25 for a work one.

Transport in London (public, forget about the car)

Having a car is becoming less and less profitable. The government is increasing taxes, gasoline is becoming more expensive, and repairs are rising in price. The business part of the city is completely switching to taxis, of which there are quite a few here. Unlike Russia, there are almost no private owners here, which ensures low prices and little competition.

Public transport deserves special attention. The famous double-decker buses and the subway are familiar to many. Yes, but they are not convenient to use. Over 1,300 people get on the metro every hour, but only 800 get off. Minibus taxis are also overcrowded, delivering more than 4,000 people a day.
The best option is Car Sharing Systems, which allow you to quickly rent a car anywhere in the city.

How can an immigrant survive with such prices? Sharing my life experience

Yes, you understood correctly, everything is expensive in London. But people live! And I live normally. I have developed several rules from everyday observations, and I will be happy to share them.

St Paul's Cathedral

Bank accounts and cashbacks

A bank account is an essential item. Without it, you can’t get paid, you can’t pay your realtor. But becoming a bank client is not easy. This requires a voluminous package of documents, knowledge of the language and a clear understanding of the work of British banks. The opening procedure takes from 3 to 14 business days and often ends in refusal. Be patient, because rudeness spoken in a fit of emotion can forever close the entrance to this bank.

Cashback is very popular now. This is a refund system for purchases in certain stores. Typically, it ranges from 3 to 10%. Cashback is issued at the bank that issued the card.

1. Save money and resources. They are very expensive and often irreplaceable.
2. Smile when talking to government officials. A simple smile increases your chances of getting what you want.
3. Keep track of expenses and income. This will help you avoid being left with empty pockets in the middle of the month.
4. Don't take out a loan. Under no circumstances. Interest rates will ruin you faster than you can pay them off
5. Use cashback. Your expenses will significantly decrease.

Conclusions

Life in the EU, and especially Britain, is extremely expensive. Remember this when emigrating.

It is believed that the character of the English nation was greatly influenced by numerous conquering tribes: the Angles, Romans, Celts, Normans, Scandinavian Vikings, Jutes and Saxons. It is precisely this multifaceted intervention in the life and history of England that explains the special character of the native English: it combines Celtic dreaminess, Anglo-Saxon practicality, Viking courage and Norman discipline.

More than 300 thousand Russian emigrants currently live in Great Britain, and this figure can be increased to one million if we take into account Belarusians, Ukrainians, emigrants from Latvia and Lithuania and some others who prefer their own native language(due to lack of demand) Russian is more than English.

What Russians say about Great Britain

At first glance, this country is very welcoming and friendly - even people smile on the streets strangers, every careless action is answered only with “excuse me” or “sorry” and it seems that everyone treats you incredibly kindly.

But such impressions very quickly give way to the true state of affairs: the cordiality of the British does not exist, it is imitated by a polite mask, complemented by endless apologies that fly out of the mouth automatically and do not carry any emotional load. Who even compared the English “sori” with the “red” Russian word, bursting out if, for example, a hammer lands directly on a finger instead of a nail head.

There is an opinion that the majority of Englishmen treat all foreigners with a rather partial attitude: some with sympathy, some with disgust, some even with contempt, while considering their nation the best in the world. As one of the bloggers put it in his judgment about the British, “among British subjects, Russians occupy a place in the ranking of nations next to people from Eastern European countries, perhaps giving way only to representatives of African countries and Indians.”

Russians often become the object of irony - a kind of English humor, which is sometimes expressed in very unpleasant moments: for example, in banks you can encounter a mocking offer to cash a check in Russia, and instead of an apartment approved after viewing, you end up renting the wrong one at all.

By the way, about a sense of humor - in England its presence is considered one of the most important human virtues, and therefore everyone in this country tries to show themselves as a person with an excellent sense of humor, which often looks quite ridiculous. The British often plunge foreigners into sincere bewilderment with their penchant for physiological jokes, such as greasy, falling trousers and so on. At the same time, most jokes do not imply a particularly deep context, but rather serve as a kind of outlet for accumulated feelings and emotions. Many English people not only love to make fun of others, but also often laugh at themselves, which contrasts greatly with their stiffness and arrogance.

If we return to the topic of the fact that in the UK Russians are not very favored, then it is worth mentioning that active anti-propaganda about Russia in the media plays a big role in this. Many Russian emigrants living here complain that the news broadcast is entirely negative, portraying the Russian person as an ignorant "barbarian" who prefers to earn money through illegal means.

Vladimir Milovanov, who has lived in the UK since 2003, says that in ten years he has not heard anything good about Russia on official TV or read anything good about Russia in official sources. “The minimum information that can be found,” he writes, “is always negative. At the same time, they manage not to talk about what it is impossible to remain silent about.”

All of the above does not mean at all that a Russian emigrant will be an outcast in the UK, although, of course, one cannot count on a warm welcome. At the same time, it is within the power of the person himself to form a kind and positive attitude towards himself, albeit not immediately, but over time. And first of all, you will have to start with a good knowledge of the English language - until the ability to speak and understand is brought to the point of perfection, it is almost useless to expect respectful attitude towards yourself.

Despite the fact that the British are a rather closed and delicate people who do not openly demonstrate their emotions, especially negative ones, their attitude towards an educated foreigner is quite acceptable. By the way, the education of the Englishman himself also plays a role: if among the middle class and above it is difficult to find an ardent Russophile, then among the less educated you can find those who believe that the Russians (meaning the hardworking Baltic people) have captured all the jobs.

By the way, among immigrants there is an opinion that Russians in Great Britain are treated with sympathy, which is explained by Russian non-aggression, law-abidingness, hard work and rapid assimilation in this country. But the attitude towards other emigration ethnic groups is much more restless.

About life in the UK for Russians

The majority of Russians in England are middle class, with an apartment or house on credit near the center, work in middle management, a vacation to Europe once a year, and children attending an English public school.

In general, one can speak quite positively about life in the UK - there are a lot of jobs with low earnings and that do not require special qualifications. In this case, the funds received are usually enough to rent a room and food. For many Russians from the Baltic states, especially those who are older, this is quite enough - if you live up to 60 years, you can hope for a pension, which is due even to a person in the UK who has not officially worked a day in his life. Such a pension gives the right to free travel, a free apartment somewhere in a disadvantaged social reservation and benefits.

About the English mentality

Main feature English character is a commitment to tradition. Moreover, the British strive to leave some of their traditions, habits and rituals in their original form in order to retain all the features of gentlemanly behavior. It is interesting that the British find it extremely difficult to part with the past - for them the process of getting rid of old furniture is a certain difficulty, they strive to plant gardens in the same style as their ancestors, and a restrained manner of dressing is characteristic of most British people - regardless of their financial situation.

As for the famous English coldness, it is actually just a special ability of the British to self-control. It is this coldness that is considered the basis of “gentlemanly behavior” and is characteristic feature English mentality. In order to control oneself and wear a mask of equanimity, every Englishman from childhood has to struggle with his own temperament and accustom himself to strict self-control. By the way, an open or uninhibited display of feelings in public is considered in Great Britain a sign of bad manners and greatly affects every British person in foreigners (especially the emotional French and passionate Spaniards).

This is precisely what explains the excessive severity of the British when raising children - they are convinced that gentleness in relation to their offspring does not benefit them. As in everything else, the British treat children with restraint, thus trying to form in them the habit of curbing their own feelings. It is customary for children in Great Britain to be sent to study at a direct distance from their parents’ home in order to instill in them independence and responsibility (often in boarding houses and eminent schools, where British children are taught fairly strict rules and strict discipline, in the opinion of parents, which contributes to the education of a true Englishman).

In general, the British are a special nation. In this country, every self-respecting Englishman is obliged to have a hobby - it doesn’t matter in what form, the main thing is that this hobby is brought to perfection. They say: “My home is my castle.” They are characterized by snobbery, arrogance towards other nations and stiffness. They don't share problems or difficulties because it's not accepted. And their main tradition is unwavering loyalty to the monarchy, although the queen has long become simply a symbol of Great Britain.