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A Life Away

Did I really call the UK "Europoor"?

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

Hi there!

A few weeks ago I had a surreal couple of days. I got an email from a reporter with The Telegraph, asking if I could spare 15 minutes to talk about my experience in the UK as an American.

At the end of our 30-minute call, she asked if

  1. She could use my full name for her story (sure)
  2. She could use a photo for the story

I told her I'd send over a photo, but she asked if I could meet up with one of their photographers instead (um, sure?). So, that's how I found myself doing a mini photo shoot with a super nice photographer on Westminster Bridge by Parliament. I've never felt so much like a celebrity as people kept glancing to see if I was was someone important (um, no).

At any rate, I could tell from the discussion with the reporter that the article would be about lower salaries in the UK compared to the US, with an angle to say that quality of life makes up for it.

This wasn't a hard conversation for me because I agree with both points. My husband took a big pay cut to move here, and is still earning less than he made in the US. I'm a weirder example because the work I'm doing now is very different to what I did in the US, but I'm also earning far less than I did there.

So what gives? For us, the ability to live on a smaller income is a combination of downgrading our lifestyle and adapting to a different cost of living. We live in a smaller home. Groceries are far less expensive. We own one car and only drive as necessary.

With that said, I could still afford a more affluent lifestyle in the US, and sometimes it's a drag to see friends back home living in a way I can no longer afford. I know, this is major first world problems, but I wanted to give a little more context in case you're considering a move.

Anyway, no I didn't call anyone "Europoor". If you'd like to check out the article, you can find it here.

Lodging Discounts for Fall/Winter Travel

Booking.com just announced their Late Escape Deals promotion, which gives at least 15% off select hotel and vacation home properties for stays between October 1, 2026, and January 7, 2027.

I did some poking around, and found a great deal at the Radisson Blu on Tottenham Court Road in London for mid-November. If you're planning travel to the UK (or anywhere) between now and the new year, it's worth a look!

That's all for now, but I'll see you next week!

Victoria

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A Life Away

Thinking of traveling to the UK, or even moving here someday? I'm here to help. I’m Victoria, an American who’s made the leap across the pond not once, but twice. I created A Life Away to help fellow Americans experience the UK more confidently, whether you're planning a dream trip, a scouting visit, or a full-on relocation. This newsletter is for you if you want real-life advice, honest insights, and inspiration for your UK adventure.

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