My name is Jeremy and I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois. Currently I live in London with my fiancé. We both moved about a year ago and have been exploring and getting to know the city and country
ever since.

1. Why did you move abroad?
I've wanted to live abroad since I was around 19 and did a study abroad program.  It sounds cliche, but it really developed my interest for travel and exploration.  After graduating from college and working in Chicago for a while, I saw that some companies opened up opportunities to move people internally all over the world.  I knew that I wanted to do that.

2. How do you make a living?
I do eCommerce and marketing for my company.  This means SEO, PPC, and all your favorite digital marketing buzzwords.  I put in the request to transfer abroad and my company made it happen. My job hasn't really changed much but there have been some things getting used to.  I live in London now so the language isn't much of an issue!

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
Whatsapp and Skype are lifesavers.  I don't know how I did a study abroad without a cell phone or Internet in the past.  I'd say I whatsapp my parents pretty regularly and skype about once a month or so.

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in the UK?
Being in such close proximity to dozens of other countries and cultures! Seriously, this is insane how easy it is to travel around when you live in the UK. People criticize Americans for not getting around much, but really, fly 4 hours in America and you're in another state.  Doing so from here lands you in any number of other worlds.

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in the UK?
Not being able to keep up with people back home so easily.  You talk frequently but you miss out on day to day interactions and things affecting their lives.  The time zone difference makes this especially hard. Life
goes on for people back home as it does for you, but you almost expect things to be the same when you go back. But they never are.

6. What do you miss most?
I miss the variety of fast food and places being open past 11PM. Seriously! Places here close down so early.

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
Considering most of UK culture has influenced early US culture it isn't too different so integration is somewhat easy.  You'll always stick out though because of your accent and some things you won't have grown up with so some jokes you'll completely miss.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
Not tipping!  It felt so weird at first like I was cheating bartenders or waiters if I didn't.

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
That everybody walks around very formal and stiff.  Many people are relaxed and easily have a good time, joking around with each other.

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
Cost of living is so high compared to Chicago!  We used to live in the middle of vibrant areas in Chicago for a decent price, but the same would be unthinkable without spending upward of $2kUSD for a decent sized flat.
This has meant, while we do have a good location, it's not nearly the epicenter of activity.  We've also had to pair down the size of our flat too.

11. What advice would you give other expats?
Don't expect it to be easy, or non-stop adventure.  It's basically periods of excitement followed by periods of anxiety and boredom followed by thrills again.  Setting up in another country takes you away for a while. But the same sorts of things rear their heads once more.  Bills, taxes, jobs, money, people.  Often times the issue is compounded by the fact that their system is different.  So while it's exhilarating, you have to accept the lows.

12. When and why did you start your blog?
Primarily as a way to document our experiences but that quickly evolved into creating a hub we could build to.  We want to be a source for people to have fun diversions from their routine and share their experiences and tips with as well.

Jeremy's blog, Escapist Atlas

To find out more about living in UK, refer to our

Guide to London

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