Matt Davies

Cat Deeley said she moved from Los Angeles to London in 2020 so her sons could be educated in the UK and grow up around people from diverse backgrounds. She also recalled struggling with London’s weather and described earlier fears after Patrick Kielty and their son were caught up in a mall shooting in the United States. Deeley, who has since separated from Kielty, said her sons are flourishing in the UK, although the family misses Los Angeles’s outdoor lifestyle and may return to the US for shorter periods.

A woman in Uxbridge said she was shocked when a neighbour demanded proof that she was exempt from the area's newly implemented hosepipe ban. She stopped using the hose after learning about the restriction. The incident comes as drought and a forecast heatwave affect much of England and Wales, with temperatures in London potentially reaching 36°C and breaches of the ban carrying fines of up to £1,000.

During a record-breaking UK and European heatwave, temperatures reached 36.1°C in Hampshire and were forecast to reach 36°C in London. Heating specialist Adam Chapman recommends spraying roof tiles with water because they absorb and radiate heat into homes, although the method may be unsafe for some residents and restricted during hosepipe bans. Other advice includes closing blinds and windows during the hottest part of the day, ventilating homes when outdoor temperatures fall, focusing cooling efforts on one room, avoiding heat-generating rooms, and using fans safely.

Shabaz Khan, a 31-year-old charity worker from Kilmarnock, launched SnackZone Vending after researching ways to supplement his income amid rising living costs. He bought a refurbished vending machine for £2,400, added £400 in stock, and expanded from one machine to six after generating £854 in his first month. Khan says the business takes about four to five hours a week to run, generated more than £10,000 in turnover from its first machine, and could produce £43,000 in annual revenue and £20,000 in profit across six machines. He plans to reinvest the profits and retain his full-time job.

Travel YouTuber Mark Wolters outlines six unwritten rules for visitors to British pubs: order and pay at the bar, respect the informal queue, take turns buying rounds, be cautious about the quality of pub food, check for narrow or steep stairs, and leave promptly and quietly at closing time. He also advises travelers with accessibility needs to research venues in advance.

American expatriate Ashley Baker described UK grocery shopping as dramatically cheaper than in the United States, recounting her surprise at Waitrose prices before praising Tesco for offering similar products at about two-thirds the cost. She highlighted discounted produce, Clubcard deals, Little Moons mochi, inexpensive Jaffa Cakes, free parking and a low-cost car wash. The piece also recounts another American expatriate’s frustration with UK businesses treating closing time as the point when staff leave, rather than the latest time customers can enter.

Kate Ferdinand says moving from Bromley to Dubai with Rio Ferdinand and their younger children has been emotionally difficult because she misses her family, friends, older stepsons and life in England. She believes Dubai is safe and beneficial for the children, while Rio has gained a better work-life balance and is more present at home. Their older sons remained in the UK to pursue football careers, making the relocation a major family adjustment, although Kate says she is settling in and does not dislike Dubai.

Chris D Brown, a former British Army serviceman who has visited more than 140 countries, returns to Spain every year and has done so for the past 15 years. He praises the country’s food, history, festivals, affordable public transport and cultural attractions, including pintxos in San Sebastián, pimientos de padrón in Madrid, Granada’s Alhambra and museums connected with Picasso and Guernica. Seville is his favourite European city, with its flamenco, art, architecture and especially its friendly residents, while Alfarería 21 Casa Montalván is his favourite restaurant.

American writer and copy editor Jennifer Burns, who has lived in Wales for 20 years, recommends Cardiff to visitors from the United States. She praises the city’s affordability, welcoming atmosphere, compact size, green spaces, cultural heritage and friendly residents. Highlights include Cardiff Castle, Principality Stadium, Caroline Street, Bute Park, Victorian and Edwardian arcades, and Cardiff Market.

American YouTuber Jon Barr visited London with a local taxi driver, Tom, to sample popular British food establishments. Nando's and Wetherspoons were the two standout venues, both receiving S-tier ratings, while Greggs, Tesco Express and German Doner Kebab earned A grades. Tortilla received a B, and Wimpy and Leon were placed in the C tier. Barr was particularly impressed by Nando's grilled peri-peri chicken, Wetherspoons' combination of inexpensive food, beer and atmosphere, and the value of Tesco's meal deal.

Jamal Robinson, a former Microsoft generative AI executive, retired at 40 in 2024 and moved from the United States to Dubai with nearly $4 million in savings and investments. He gives himself about $15,400 per month but typically spends around $9,000, including approximately $2,000 on food, £3,300 on rent and £2,100 on health and wellness in an unusual December 2024 budget. Robinson says Dubai offers the safety, services and lifestyle he wanted at a lower cost than major US cities, although expats must pay for medical insurance and face significant housing costs.

Mike Conner bought the abandoned Napoleonic fort on Thorne Island near Milford Haven for £555,000 in 2017 and spent five years restoring it under extremely difficult conditions. The remote property now has a nightclub, 40 beds and four en-suite bathrooms, and is being offered for £3 million. Conner hopes the restored fort will attract tourists to Wales and become a venue for major parties and raves.