If you’re British you’ve probably been watching American films and television since you were a kid. And that amount of media from another country instils a certain kind of natural familiarity within you over time – to the extent that when you visit a city like New York for the first time, there are a lot of bits of it that you somehow feel you’ve seen before. And you have, albeit only on a screen!
The fact that there’s no language barrier is undoubtedly a boost to the US expats in the UK and British expats in the US. There may of course initially be a barrier in terms of comprehension – especially if you have a strong British regional accent – but it’s much easier to get to a place of mutual understanding than it would be to learn a new language.
So, what are some of the top cities for expats from the UK? Let’s go on a short virtual tour of the USA to find out!
New York. The Big Apple is very much an expat city, with residents from all over the globe and a proud history of which expatriates play a big part. This cosmopolitan influence is seen everywhere in NYC, and there are plenty of UK nationals in the mix. In fact there are even meet-up groups for those who are new to New York or established expats who are looking to meet other people from the UK.
San Francisco. This Californian city is a world away from the UK in terms of the weather – all that sunshine is a welcome change for those brought up under greyer skies. In many ways SF almost has a European feel – and unlike many of the bigger cities in the US, it’s one that’s walkable (though hilly) and if you’re British enough to be pining for tea and scones, there’s even a perfect tea room – Lovejoy’s, where you can indulge your passion.
Boston. Perhaps better known as a town that shows an Irish influence, Boston’s populace also has a large percentage of people with English and Scots ancestry. And of course the state of Massachusetts is in the region of New England, further emphasising the historical UK connection. Famed for its Irish pubs, Boston is also a city of fun and vibrant nightlife – and if you seek them out, you’ll find the odd English bar and restaurant too. Weather-wise, Boston’s chilly winters may make UK expats feel at home – definitely not a place where you’re likely to see anyone having a Christmas sunbathing session on the beach!
Seattle. Rating highly among US cities for quality of life, Seattle is known for its laid-back and friendly atmosphere, as well as for big business, being the big business centre of the Pacific Northwest. The city is also known for being a bit rainy – something that’s unlikely to put anyone from the UK off going to live there – and in some months there is actually less precipitation in Seattle than there is in London.
