685,000 brits living in america A recent study shows that 5.5m Brits born at home now live abroad, approximately 10% of the overall population. That is a phenomenal number that has doubled since 2001 and it is estimated that 2,000 people a week leave the British Isles to seek adventure in a foreign clime, the largest immigration from the country since 1066.

Most people head to Australia (1.3m) and Spain (990,000) with the USA the next most popular destination; although over 40 countries around the world have at least 10,000 ex-pats living there. A full list is here.

The number in the USA is made up mainly of either retiree’s with Florida being the most popular destination or folk like me who leave for work advancement. Nonetheless the one common bond is that Brits whether young, students, professional or retired leave Britain to chase the dream seeking opportunity, excitement and a better life to the one they had at home. I personally don’t buy into the old mantra that ‘Britain’s gone to the dogs,’ although rather contradictorily I worry about immigration in Britain. The rise in serious crime and the change of values is another factor but if I was looking to avoid these behavioural trends then I wouldn’t be living in the USA.

My reason for coming here was simple – to build a better life for myself, not that my life back at home was bad, its just that I have always strived for more and had an opportunity.

The report lists things that Brits abroad miss such as HP sauce, proper biscuits and chocolate, television and twiglets. For me though it is two great British institutions – football and a sense of humour.  ¶ 11:46