A father who left Britain for Germany a decade ago says he has no regrets, citing lower rent, better healthcare, and a safer environment. Alex Ahom, 45, moved to Hamburg from London with his wife and three children, driven by the high cost of living and limited opportunities in the UK.
Ahom reports that his 2,000-square-metre property in a desirable Hamburg area costs half the rent of his small Shepherd's Bush flat in London. He notes that grocery shopping is cheaper, with bread under one euro and water at 30p per litre, while wages are higher and maternity leave typically lasts at least a year.
Crime rates are low, and green spaces are abundant. Ahom recalls an incident where his son's backpack was left in a park and returned by teenagers via the police—a gesture he says would be unlikely in the UK. His children now view the UK as 'scary and dirty' after their car was broken into during a visit.
Healthcare is a major advantage: Ahom says Germans rarely wait more than two days for a doctor's appointment, while UK relatives face waits of up to two years for surgery. He adds that on his road alone there are over 30 doctors.
However, adapting to German culture was challenging. Ahom describes Germans as direct and less polite than Britons, with workplace formality and public confrontations. He misses London's multiculturalism and diverse cuisine, noting that pork dominates German menus.
Despite the culture shock, Ahom says he would not move back: 'It doesn't make sense moving back to a place where we couldn't afford half of what we have here.' He believes many Britons are leaving the UK due to dissatisfaction with the government, Brexit, and immigration policies.
