Moving to Wales – Finding a Synagogue in Cardiff

Posted by shipping UK on November 7, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

When moving to Wales with IntlMOVE UK, you may be looking for a local synagogue to find a Jewish community with whom you can continue to grow in your religious beliefs. Wales is a predominantly Christian nation, but finding a Jewish community is possible.

Judaism has had a presence in Wales, which dates back to 1730. In the early 1900s, the Jewish population was between 4,000 and 5,000 people. Today, the Jewish population hovers somewhere around 2,000 people.

Depending on where you live, you may have to drive a short distance to one of the larger cities in Wales, but finding a synagogue is relatively easy.

The majority of Wales’s Jewish population lives in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. There are smaller Jewish communities in Swansea and Newport. Not all synagogues hold weekly services, but most of them hold services during the High Holidays. The larger Jewish communities in Cardiff hold regular services, some of which take place daily.

Joining a religious community is a great way to meet new people who share your same beliefs after moving to Wales. Getting involved in the community will help you make friends to make Wales feel more like home.

IntlMOVE UK has put together a list of active synagogues in Wales to help you when moving to the UK.

Synagogues in Cardiff

The Cardiff Reform Synagogue, which was founded in 1948, is located on Moira Terrace in Adamstown. There are Friday evening services, Shabbat morning services and High Holiday services.

The Cardiff United Synagogue is located on Cyncoed Road in Cyncoed Gardens. This synagogue has daily services, Friday evening services, Shabbat morning services, High Holiday events and even welcomes tourist visits.

Synagogues in Swansea

When moving to Swansea, there is one synagogue in this area. The Swansea Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1780, is located off of Ffynone Road in Swansea. This synagogue has Friday evening services, Shabbat morning services and High Holiday services and events.

Other Synagogues in Wales

The Llandudno Synagogue is located in Llanduno, Wales. This synagogue is not as active as it once was and there are not regular weekly services. However, services are held, especially for holidays and special events.

The Newport Mon Hebrew Congregation, founded in 1871, is located at 3 Queens Hill Crescent in Newport, Wales. The synagogue does not hold regular services, so call this location to determine when services or events are being held.

When you are moving to Wales, IntlMOVE UK is a trusted source when shipping your household goods from the U.S. to Wales.

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Moving to Ireland – Moving to Cork City

Posted by shipping UK on November 3, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

Cork City is a stunning place in Ireland built on the River Lee, where the population of the metropolitan area is just under 400,000. When you are moving to Ireland with IntlMOVE Ireland, you will love the openness and friendliness of the locals who refer to themselves as “rebels.”

Climate

Ship your rain boots along with your household goods when moving to Ireland because the rain is abundant with an average of about four feet per year. There are roughly 150 days of rainfall per year, with half of the rainy days providing heavy rainfall. Despite the heavy rainfall, the average temperature in Ireland is relatively mild. In the wintertime, temperatures rarely fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summertime, temperatures rarely reach the high 80s.

Culture

Performing arts are prominent in Cork City’s culture. The Cork School of Music and Crawford College of Art and Design host many student events throughout the year. If you like events, check out the Cork Film Festival and the Cork Jazz Festival to entertain you. If you enjoy plays, there are many theatres that put on live performances, including the Everyman Palace Theatre. Watch your favorite operas at the Cork Opera House. Art lovers will flock to the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery and the Lewis Glucksman Gallery.

Cuisine

Cork City is culturally diverse and is home to restaurants of all different types. Whether you enjoy, Thai, Indian, Italian or American food, Cork City has it all. If you are up for trying some local specialties, sample crubeens, tripe or drisheen if you can stomach them. Crubeens are boiled pig’s feet, tripe is made from the stomach of an animal and drisheen is made from a mixture of cow’s, pig’s and sheep’s blood, milk, salt, fat and breadcrumbs.

Things to See

Cork City is built with modern buildings, but has many buildings and architecturally interesting sites that date back hundreds of years. The Red Abbey, although not fully intact, is a 14th century Augustinian abbey. St. Mary’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral build in the early 1800s. A protestant cathedral, St. Finbarre’s Cathedral, was completed in 1879. The most famous building in Cork City is the Church of Saint Anne (Shandon). The church is most famous for its eight bells, which each weight six tons.

Transportation

When traveling by Air, you will fly out of Cork Airport, which is one of the three international airports in Ireland.

If you are shipping your car overseas to Ireland, IntlMOVE UK will ship it along with the rest of your household goods. If you are moving to Ireland without a car, Cork City has a well-developed public transportation system. Busses provide service around the city and to some of Cork City’s suburbs. Busses are also available that will take you to other destinations throughout Ireland. There are eight train stations in Cork City, which will help you get where you need to go.

Sports

The Irish are known for loving their sports. Rugby, hurling and soccer (football) are the most popular sports with the locals. Cork City has won 30 All-Ireland Championships in hurling. Cork City FC is the main association football team. If you are more of a rugby fan, your local teams will be Cork Constitution and Dolphin R.F.C.

When moving to Cork City, Ireland is on your agenda, IntlMOVE UK will provide you with a free online international shipping quote.

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Moving to Scotland – Getting Health Insurance

Posted by shipping UK on November 3, 2011 · 1 Comment 

When moving to Scotland with IntlMOVE UK, you may not be eligible for the publicly funded healthcare (NHS). If you are moving to Scotland for a job, talk to your employer about healthcare benefits provided by your company. If healthcare is unavailable through your company, there are international healthcare plans that are reasonably priced. In many cases, the international healthcare plans are less expensive than plans in the United States.

Receiving Free Healthcare from NHS

Medical treatment for emergencies is always free. For non-emergency treatment, register with a general practitioner. To receive free medical treatment from a general practitioner in a non-emergency situation, there are a few requirements you must meet. These requirements may include: living legally in the UK for six months or more, prove you are in the UK for a settled purpose or you have to be a temporary resident. Even if you do not qualify, a general practitioner can still treat you, but you will be charged. Before arriving in the UK, speak to someone at the National Health Service offices in Scotland to find out whether or not you are eligible for free healthcare. There are more requirements for free treatments from hospitals. Requirements for free hospital treatments may include: living it the UK for at least 12 months, you are working in the UK legally, permanent residence is approved, studying in the UK for at least six months or other requirements outlined by the NHS.

Information is subject to change at any time, so check the National Health Service for the most up-to-date and accurate information. You can also contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for help on medical treatment in the UK.

International Healthcare Plan Costs

International healthcare plans costs are based on many things, which may include: age, preexisting conditions, medical history and place of residence. Policies usually consist of worldwide coverage or worldwide excluding the United States. Aetna and Clements International are just two companies who provide international healthcare policies. In some cases, these healthcare plans will not cover individuals once they return to their home country. If you are moving to Scotland for an extended period of time, it is worthwhile to look into these types of plans. An insurance broker can help you find the best deal. Go over your plan thoroughly before signing anything to make certain you know exactly what is covered. This is especially true when you need urgent medical care because the costs can add up quickly.

Private Insurance Plans in the UK

Not all UK residents rely on the free healthcare provided by NHS. Some people choose to have private medical insurance, which may make it easier to see different doctors and specialists. There are some employers who provide private health insurance. If you are moving to the UK for a job, or if your spouse is already employed in Scotland, check with the place of employment for private health care insurance availability. Private healthcare plans specific to the UK are also available if you are not eligible for NHS and do not want to purchase an international plan.

When moving to Scotland, research your eligibility for free healthcare before moving overseas. If you need health insurance, make sure to plan ahead and secure health insurance before you arrival.

When moving to Scotland is in your foreseeable future, IntlMOVE UK will provide you with a free shipping quote to ship your household goods from the U.S. to the UK.

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Moving to England – Public holidays in England

Posted by shipping UK on November 2, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

When you are moving to England with IntlMOVE UK, you will want to know the public holidays you will celebrate. These public holidays, or bank holidays, typically give you a day off of work if you work in an office setting. Even if you don’t have the day off of work, many businesses, banks and other government institutions are closed.  Although there are local or regional holidays that vary throughout England, there are some holidays that are recognized by the entire country.

January

New Year’s Day takes place on January 1 annually. This holiday is celebrated throughout the United Kingdom and many other countries across the world. New Year’s Eve is typically spent with friends and family as you count down to midnight and the New Year. New Year’s Day is typically spent with friends and family or relaxing at home. There may even be parades or other events to mark the New Year. If you are moving to Scotland, January 2 is also considered a public holiday.

February

Unfortunately, there are no public holidays in February.

March and April

Easter is a Christian holiday that takes place in March or April, depending on the year. If you are moving to England, Good Friday, which is the Friday before Easter, is a public holiday. The Monday after Easter is also considered a public holiday, unless you are moving to Scotland. However, Scotland declared March 17, which is St. Patrick’s Day, a public holiday.

May

May Day is a spring celebration, which takes place on May 1. It is celebrated throughout the United Kingdom. For May Day, most offices are closed the first Monday in May.

The spring bank holiday is another day you will have off of work, which is the last Monday in May.

June, July and August

Unfortunately, there are no public holidays in June. If you are moving to Northern Ireland, July 12 is a public holiday, which is Orangeman’s Day. Moving to Scotland? You will celebrate a summer bank holiday the first Monday in August. If you are moving to England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the last Monday in August is a bank holiday.

October and November

October is another month without public holidays. St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated on November 30 in Scotland, but not in other United Kingdom countries.

December

Christmas, which takes place on December 25, is a bank holiday in England and the other countries in the United Kingdom. Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26, is celebrated throughout the United Kingdom. Although it is not considered an official holiday, many businesses close early on December 31.

When you are ready to move to the United Kingdom, contact IntlMOVE UK for all of your international shipping needs. IntlMOVE UK has a successful history of shipping household goods from the U.S. to the England.

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