Milton Keynes, a city frequently branded as 'soulless' and mocked for its countless roundabouts, is fighting back against its critics. A local resident has come forward to explain why the Buckinghamshire city's much-discussed American vibe is not only accurate but also a significant part of what makes it a fantastic place to live.
Tom Winterton, 39, moved from London to Milton Keynes in January 2021 with his wife and their young son. He acknowledges the transatlantic comparisons but argues they stem from a forward-thinking urban design that prioritises liveability.
Beyond the Roundabouts: An American Feel with a Futuristic Heart
Constructed in the 1960s, Milton Keynes was deliberately planned as a modern contrast to the UK's historic towns. Visitors often note its US-like characteristics: wide gridded roads, futuristic buildings, and street signs bearing names like 'avenue' and 'boulevard'. An Instagram post highlighting these similarities recently went viral, amassing over 18,000 likes.
Tom understands the perspective. 'You come out of the station, and you start walking up a boulevard, which you don't get a huge amount of in the UK,' he explained. 'You walk past a lot of car parks and quite a lot of nondescript business buildings. You then arrive at the shopping centre, and if you carry on up to the theatre district, you get to Lower 10th Street, and it's all very New York-y.'
However, Tom insists the comparison runs deeper than mere aesthetics. The city is a hub for major brands like Red Bull, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. It was also the first UK city to introduce Lime bikes and the Starship robot delivery service, aligning it more with the innovation of California's Silicon Valley than generic American suburbs.
The Genius of Design: Why Life is 'Dead Easy' in MK
According to Tom, the city's true brilliance is revealed not to visitors, but to those who call it home. He describes the grid road system as the 'genius of the city', not for cars, but for people.
'You don't see many people when you drive around because they're all on the red ways and they're all separate from the traffic,' Tom said, referring to the city's extensive network of dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths. This efficient system allows him and his five-year-old son to cycle across the city to his grandmother's house without ever crossing a road.
'It's an odd place to visit, but an amazing place to live,' he stated. 'When you need to drive, it's dead easy... you can't really get lost. But when you live there, you're away from the roads, it's you and your family, you're cycling, it's safe, and it's surprisingly green.' He estimates you can get anywhere in Milton Keynes within 10 to 15 minutes thanks to the efficient roundabouts and wide roads.
Dispelling an 'Outdated' Reputation
In response to the persistent criticism of the city being a concrete jungle, Tom is dismissive. 'I think it's a really dated take on the city, if I'm honest,' he shared. 'Maybe when it was first built and there weren't many people or things, that might have been the case, but since I moved there in 2021, I've found it to be a great place for a young family.'
He believes the 'soulless' label is an outdated joke that fails to recognise how the city's thoughtful, 50-year-old design has matured into a highly functional and pleasant urban environment. For Tom and his family, Milton Keynes is not a failed imitation of America, but a uniquely livable and forward-looking British success story.
