Ok, I see a lot of threads where the Guppans are asking for advice about moving to Pakistan from the european countries or US for that matter.
Well my situation is opposite. Born and bred in Pakistan, I have been to Europe (Germany France & Switzerland) but not UK. Am going to get married this year InshAllah after Eid ul Fitr (tentative). My husband to be is a doctor with an ILR visa status (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Am also planning to specialise there and take PLAB asap when I get there.
Questions:
How much of a hassle would the visa processing be? If I get married in Sept and plan to move in April '11. Would that much time be enough for the visa to process and come through?
What is life like in the UK? I would be moving to Manchester InshAllah.
Is finding halal food and restaurants esp the desi Pakistani ready to cook Masalas and recipies (Shan’s and National’s) easy enough there?
More importantly, how expensive things are there?
What things I would need to pack to take along with me?
The kind of clothes I would need. About all the coats tunics and the Western attire, would it be better to get it from here in Pak or buy it when I get there?
One major concern ladies for me is, are there any good Pakistani/Asian salons there which offer cheap waxing and threading services? I have heard that majority of them take about 10-15 GBP just for eyebrow threading??
What about the formal/casual eastern wear shalwar kameez etc? What kinds should I get stitched in Pak and bring them with me?
The thought of living alone with hubby at work all day is giving me the glooms. Tell me a little about social life out there
Shoes!? what should I bring and what could I get here at a reasonable cost for that matter
All the help would be appreciated. Thanks aloott girls
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
That should be more than enough time IF your husband makes sure he sends complete and more than sufficient necessary evidence. Filling in the form with their inane rules is a must too unless you want it chucked back at you.
I'm a British Citizen so it was more straightforward but I was anal about the evidence. Hubby's visa was granted 2 days after submission although it took them 10days to inform him. Most people we know waited months.
The fact that your fiance is a doctor with a stable job means yours should go through smoothly too i'A.
Desi life is a breeze here. Just don't worry about it. I live in Surrey in a majority white middle class area and all the local supermarkets stock desi products. There is one huge supermarket that even stocks aata, chawal (desi brands), all the brands of spices and stuff we're used to using.
Manchester will be the same.
Manchester is less expensive than London, however overall in the UK everything is quite expensive. It doesn't help that houses are so expensive so a lot of one's wage goes on the mortgage or rent or whatever. However, with just the 2 of you it should be comfortable on your hubby's salary.
Leave western clothes until you get here.
Yes, I'm sure someone can give you names of places in Manchester. Most 'Asian' areas have salons that charge £5 or so for brow threading and offer cheap waxing.
Bring some desi clothes if you will wear them. For casuals it depends on if you will wear them at home etc. For formals, it really depends how much socialisng you will do though so you'll have to find that out from your fiance.
Personally, I don't like shoes from Paksitan but each to their own. If you like the kind of sandals/heels you get over there a few staples to go with various outfits will do I guess.
as for eastern wear, I guess I would only need the formal ones or some of the favorite highlyy comfy worn out ones to wear at home. Otherwise I don't think I would need a lot of them.
About the western clothes, I too think it would be best to leave it till I get here. :)
Ok, I see a lot of threads where the Guppans are asking for advice about moving to Pakistan from the european countries or US for that matter.
Well my situation is opposite. Born and bred in Pakistan, I have been to Europe (Germany France & Switzerland) but not UK. Am going to get married this year InshAllah after Eid ul Fitr (tentative). My husband to be is a doctor with an ILR visa status (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Am also planning to specialise there and take PLAB asap when I get there.
Questions:
How much of a hassle would the visa processing be? If I get married in Sept and plan to move in April '11. Would that much time be enough for the visa to process and come through?
What is life like in the UK? I would be moving to Manchester InshAllah.
Is finding halal food and restaurants esp the desi Pakistani ready to cook Masalas and recipies (Shan's and National's) easy enough there?
More importantly, how expensive things are there?
What things I would need to pack to take along with me?
The kind of clothes I would need. About all the coats tunics and the Western attire, would it be better to get it from here in Pak or buy it when I get there?
One major concern ladies for me is, are there any good Pakistani/Asian salons there which offer cheap waxing and threading services? I have heard that majority of them take about 10-15 GBP just for eyebrow threading??
What about the formal/casual eastern wear shalwar kameez etc? What kinds should I get stitched in Pak and bring them with me?
The thought of living alone with hubby at work all day is giving me the glooms. Tell me a little about social life out there :)
Shoes!? what should I bring and what could I get here at a reasonable cost for that matter
All the help would be appreciated. Thanks aloott girls :D
5 - you can get pretty much anything here, so not sure what you should pack. maybe things of sentimental worth to you?
9-there is always something to do if you get out there and look. so once you're settled in, you can find out whats happening down at your local community centre or you could apply to do some voluntary work,both of these should help you to meet people and hopefully find friends.
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi
Manchester is awesome:champ:.. its truly desi in each and everyway and all ur masales and daaals are inundated in every desi supermarket…asian /desi wear is readily available whether its khulla material u want or designer suits… Im sure you will settle in easily and alhamdolilah Manchester is one BIG desi community.. Enigmata- u will be fine inshallah and many many congrats:k:..
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
Honest friendly advice, tone down your excitement a bit. The more excited you are coming here the bigger the disappointment. And i hope you really know your to be husband inside out because people do and will change. I'd recommend reading up on import spouse horror stories from the UK.
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
Ooohh im moving to manchestaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Manchester is AMAZING! Like sum1 else said their is literally a desi in every corner! Besides that manchester is fantastic. If you want city you got it, if you want country you got it.
I love manchester. INIT! :D
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
Thanks alot poppies and sazzie :)
^Cheegum ... I know what you mean but well excitement I do not feel at all. Am just downright anxious and scared. Moving to a total new place that too after you are married is quite intimidating :)
as for the horror import spouse stories.. well my fiance's entire family is in pakistan. He too just left 6 years for specialisation. so he's not an imported desi. rather an exported desi :) and my in laws are family friends since quite a long time.
But yes, getting to know my husband to be IS important. am going through that phase. Hopefully, I would manage to get to know him quite well. if not inside out :)
the thought of leaving my parents and family and everybody else here in Pak is well really gloomy :(
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
Agree with the others - Manchester is a great city! There's plenty to do and don't worry about finding halal meat, there are plenty of cash and carrys depending on the area you go to.
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
The UK is great in terms of desi foods. There are halal resturants and halal meat and Inian Pakistani grocery stores. As other people said, the Uk is expensive but with your husband being a doctor, it shouldn't be an issue. If you want to socialize it shouldn't be an issue, at all, there are a lot of desis in Manchester. Your local mosque or your husband's desi friends should be a good start. The Uk is great and lots of fun. At least I loved it. I am US based now but was born there.
Re: Moving to MANCHESTER from Pakistan after shadi :)
lol i actually quite like the accent!
Enigmatica, congrats on ur upcoming wedding! dont worry abt things like halal restaurants/meat shops etc because you can easily find muslim and pakistani shops around different areas in manchester, not to mention the countless beauty salons. just go down any asian shopping district and u will find everything u need.
to some of the questions asked.
.. well said mb!!!
