Asking Brits if they'd move to America

In this vox pop on the streets of Britain, we ask ordinary members of the public a simple question: Would you ever move to America? The answers we got were strikingly unanimous.

Despite America’s global image as the “land of opportunity,” most people we spoke to said they would not want to live in the United States. Their reasons reflect growing concerns about the state of American society and politics in 2025.

Many highlighted gun violence, pointing to America’s uniquely high levels of shootings and the constant fear that comes with it. Others raised concerns about the erosion of free speech and civil liberties, describing a climate where people feel less secure expressing their views openly. The recent shock surrounding the murder of Charlie Kirk looms large in the public consciousness, with interviewees citing it as a grim example of America’s deep political and cultural divisions spiralling into violence.

The general consensus? While Britain has its own challenges, those we interviewed felt that the US is no longer a safe, stable or desirable place to build a future. Issues like healthcare costs, social inequality, and political extremism only reinforce their conviction that life in the UK, for all its flaws, is preferable.

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