Tom Bateman, a 35-year-old father of four, has left his six-figure corporate marketing job in the United States to return to Yorkshire, accepting an 80% pay cut to work for his father teaching bike lessons for £30,000 a year. He said he missed British sarcasm and jokes and felt "trapped by success."
From $200,000 to £30,000
Bateman, originally from Yorkshire, lived in the US for 17 years with his wife Brittany, 36, a stay-at-home mother from America. At his peak, he earned over $200,000 (£150,000) annually in corporate marketing, including roles with major banks. The couple, who met in York in 2007 at Bible college, married and built their life in California, later moving to Idaho for a more affordable lifestyle. But Bateman increasingly longed for British life.
"I became more and more successful, but I also felt more trapped by that success," Bateman said. "You create these financial situations around yourself – a nicer car, bigger commitments – and they become reasons not to make a change. It wasn’t a mid-life crisis, but it felt like a crisis. I wanted to contribute more and be closer to family."
Craving British banter and culture
Bateman said he missed the nuanced aspects of British culture. "People say Britain has no culture, but I think it has a very nuanced culture. It’s the humour, the sarcasm, the social cues. It’s the little nods, looks and sighs in the pubs that everyone understands," he explained. "Unless you’ve grown up in it, it’s hard to explain."
The decision was also influenced by his older brother’s unexpected death at age 28 in 2016. "You realise time with family isn’t guaranteed," Bateman said. "I missed being around familiarity and I missed my home culture."
Family embraces slower lifestyle
Brittany, who home-schools their four children aged six to 12, is equally excited. "Every time we visit England, we end up going for walks. Everything is closer together and there are so many footpaths, villages and little shops to discover," she said. The family sold their furniture and cars in the US and will bring their two dogs, Charlie and Mabel, to England.
Bateman will work with his father Phil, 64, in Bradford teaching bike lessons for £30,000 a year. He looks forward to reconnecting with family and enjoying British favorites: "I’m excited for Greggs and proper curry... and a pint in the pub." The couple also plans to explore the Yorkshire Dales without holiday time pressure.
As moving day approaches, Bateman said the reality hasn't sunk in. "We’ve spent years visiting England for four or five weeks at a time. So I keep wondering whether it will feel like another long visit when we land. At some point we’ll realise we’re not going back to Idaho. That’s when it will probably start to feel real."
