You’ll need a place to live if you want to live in the UK for up to 6 months OR move here permanently.
I’ve put together the best resources for you to find the right place to stay here, including some housing options you may not be aware of.
If you’re moving here in stages – as I did – you may need flexible options for different reasons.
- short term accommodation while house shopping
- renting while exploring housing options
- checking out different areas to live
- waiting for a house sale to complete
- waiting for a visa to come through
Let’s see what’s available!
Find a Place to Live in the UK – Best Resources
Colorful street in Lyme Regis
Find a Place to Live as a Short Term Visitor
As a non-resident visitor, you’re not legally able to sign a lease/ letting agreement through a high street estate agency without proof of the “right to remain” or a British passport.
You can buy a home but you wouldn’t be able to live in it beyond the 6 month allowable period for visitors.
However if you’re looking for accommodation for up to 6 months you’ll find options through short term rental agencies and online booking services such as Airbnb or VRBO. I’ve also included some nationwide UK agencies that manage vacation rentals.
1. Short Term Rental
When you need a home from home by the week or month. Furnished short lets for up to 6 months may be available in certain areas especially during winter.
- Airbnb
- Cottages.com – agency that represents individual owners
- Original Cottages – agency that represents individual owners
- VRBO – vacation rental by owner
2. Rent a Room
If you’re traveling solo, then finding a room to rent through one of these sites may be an affordable option.
- SpareRoom – find rooms for rent, houseshares and flatmates
- Cohabitas – find house, flat or roomshares for over 40’s
- Gumtree – find private room shares, rooms, rentals
3. Home Swap
Do you have a home you’d like to swap for another in the UK? A la “The Holiday” movie. If you’re willing to swap, it could be a money saver!
- Love Home Swap – swap your home for one in the UK
- Guardian Home Exchange – home swap service
- Home Exchange – international home swap site
4. House Sitting/Caretaking
Although quite competitive, finding a house or pet sitting gig in the UK may be the ideal low cost way to try out life here especially if you’re experienced taking care of pets.
- Caretaker Gazette – mostly US but some international caretaking opportunities
- Trusted Housesitters – house and pet sitting service
- MindMyHouse – house and pet sitting service
5. Buy a Home
You can open a bank account and buy a home here without being a resident.
Find a Place to Live as a Permanent Resident
As a permanent resident or legal citizen of the UK, you have the right to live in any type of accommodation; your options are limited only by your budget and vision.
Use the national portals like Rightmove and Zoopla for renting and buying .
Check out OpenRent to rent directly from the landlord. Usually these listings get posted on Rightmove also.
Interestingly there are some options which may be unique to the UK, such as cohousing and living on a narrowboat.
Cohousing is a an opportunity to live sustainably, with others. You may share housing, a garden, land and a social connection.
Could you live on a narrowboat?
Living on a narrowboat or a floating home may not be for everyone but judging by how many boats I see cruising local canals, it might be fun to check it out if you’re handy and able to downsize!
1. Rent or Buy a Home in the UK
Set up search alerts on the property portals below to get first dibs in your target neighborhoods. There’s always a bit of a housing shortage here and it’s competitive. If you see something you like, jump on it.
- Rightmove
- Zoopla – UK rent or buy portal
- On the Market – UK rent or buy portal
- Gumtree – rent/buy classifieds private and agency
2. Build a Home in the UK
If you’ve got a vision and looking for a bespoke home, contact a local home builder to get started.
- Find House Builders – search for a UK home builder
- My Builder – search for a UK home builder
- Help to Build – UK government program
3. CoHousing in the UK
Cohousing means sharing the cost of a home and land with like minded others. Each community is different. Take a look to see if one fits your lifestyle.
- Cohousing Network – find cohousing connections
- Diggers and Dreamers – list of cohousing options in UK
4. Boat/Tiny Homes in the UK
Does living small or in a “tiny” appeal to you? Tiny homes have not taken off as they have in the US and may have limited locations but it’s worth a look.
- Living on a Narrowboat – How Much Does it Cost?
- Live on a Canal Boat
- Tiny Housing Co.
- Tiny Eco Homes
5. Caravan | Park Homes in the UK
Mobile homes are called caravans here and there are many mobile home parks. There can be restrictions on how many months a year you can live in one.
- Living in a Caravan Full Time – what is it like really?
- Residential Park Homes – park homes are non mobile homes
- Luxury Park Homes
Finding a home in England and the UK is the first step to enjoying life here to the fullest. I didn’t really feel like this was home until I signed my first lease.
Get started by booking a place to scout your new home from home.
If you’d like to live in the UK for up to 6 months, my guide gives you all the details you’ll need like where I recommend staying, what your options are for citizenship, how to bring your pet over and much much more. Get it here!
Also why not visit me on Youtube for Hip Places to Live!
