UK visitor entry hassle

[AngelaKK]

Hi, I'm a US citizen planning a 4-6 month visit with some friends in the UK. I will not work while there, or even look for work, as I know that's illegal, but if I adapt to living there, I would come back to the US and investigate ways to return long-term.

My concern is how much hassle I'm going to get upon entry. I will be staying with my friends and helping around the house in return for room and board, and while they don't have a ton of extra money, I will have about $5000 in my bank account to support myself. I will purchase a round-trip ticket, so when asked how long I'm staying, if I say 5 months or whatever, are they going to ask me a million questions? How much money is "enough" to have? I do not currently have a job in the US as I was just laid off, but I do have a year lease that I've signed on an apartment (someone is subletting it while I'm away). I can probably get a letter from my former company stating that I'm eligible for rehire if I want to apply for something new there (I'd worked there for ten years and my position was eliminated, I wasn't fired) if that would help.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice?

[Marco 72]

When my girlfriend (as she then was) came over from the US she was asked how long she was planning to stay. When she said 5-6 months they asked her if she was going to spend this whole time in the UK. She said no, she might be travelling around in Europe. She notices that this seemed to reassure them. She was admitted with no further questions.

[AngelaKK]

That's a great point, as I will be doing some traveling to visit friends in other places outside the UK. Thanks for that tip!