Britain is one of the world’s most multicultural countries. London alone is estimated to be home to more than 270 different nationalities. However, all four countries that make up the UK – England, Scotland, Wales and, to a lesser extent, Northern Ireland – have significant expat populations, especially in the larger cities. There are many other reasons why the UK has long been viewed an attractive destination for both expats and overseas property investors. The UK’s education system is of a high standard and some of the world’s best universities are located in the country. The excellent (yet much maligned) and mostly free healthcare system provided by the National Health Service (NHS) is the envy of many other countries, while the UK boasts some of the world’s best infrastructure throughout all areas of the country. Brits are, on the whole, extremely welcoming towards foreign residents; and while you shouldn’t expect any of the locals to converse with you in anything other than English – call it a hangover from the days of the Empire – most expats are free to enjoy and celebrate their own cultures. On the subject of language, one point to note is that regional accents do vary wildly throughout the UK and some expats may have trouble understanding some of the stronger dialects; indeed, even some Brits do!