1.1 million Brits already call the United States home. Every year, thousands more make the move, drawn by career opportunities, more space for the money, and a pace of life that suits ambition without punishing it. Nearly half say quality of life is the main reason: room to breathe, bigger homes, year-round sun.
Strong British communities already exist across New York, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, and California. If you are considering the move, you are not starting from scratch. You are joining something already built.
That community includes agents all across America and I am proud to be one of them, representing Menlo Park and Atherton in California.
The Language Is Familiar. The Culture Takes a Guide.
Everyone told me the same thing when I moved here from London: "You will be fine, they speak English." They do. But American English and British English are not quite the same thing, and neither are the cultures underneath them.
The nuances are real. What counts as direct versus rude, how quickly people get to the point, what a "yard" means to your house versus your garden, even how estate agents (sorry, realtors) actually work here. None of it is difficult once someone walks you through it. But it helps enormously to have someone who already has.
I have lived both sides of that gap. When a fellow Brit is moving to California, I am not just their agent. I am someone who already knows what home used to feel like, and can help make this one feel that way too.
What This Means for Your Move
Moving countries is not just a real estate transaction, it is a full transition: a new tax system, a new way of buying a home, and a new set of everyday expectations. Having someone in your corner who has already made that exact adjustment can save you from the small missteps that otherwise take a year to learn on your own.
Let's get you settled in California. Welcome home.
Mary Murphy | DRE# 00675838 | 650-773-4999 | [email protected]
FAQs
How many British expats currently live in the United States?
- Estimates put the figure at around 1.1 million, based on relocation and expat data. The true number is difficult to pin down precisely since not all British citizens abroad register with local authorities.
Why do most British expats say they moved to the US?
- Quality of life is consistently cited as a top reason, alongside career opportunities and more space for the money compared to London.
Is the home buying process in California different from the UK?
- Yes, meaningfully so. The offer process, financing, disclosures, and closing timeline all work differently than in the UK. This is one of the areas where local guidance matters most, and where a mismatch in expectations can cause real frustration if no one walks you through it in advance.
Do I need to be a US citizen or green card holder to buy property in California?
- No. Foreign nationals can buy property in the US, including California, without citizenship or permanent residency. Financing options and requirements can differ from what a US citizen would qualify for, so it is worth discussing your specific situation early.
What is Brits of Compass?
- Brits of Compass is a network connecting British-born Compass agents across major US markets so that Brits relocating to the US have a familiar, experienced guide wherever they land.
How is Mary positioned to help specifically?
- Mary Murphy moved to California from London herself and has more than 35 years of real estate experience on the San Francisco Peninsula. She understands both the practical mechanics of a Bay Area home purchase and the cultural adjustment of relocating from the UK, and works with buyers and sellers across Menlo Park, Atherton, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.