Toronto-born Matt Giffen moved to London over a year ago, and has formed some thoughts about life in the UK after exploring several areas. And there are some particular things he dislikes
It’s not always easy moving from one country to another. No matter how many positives there are, there will always be some home comforts you miss. Content creator Matt Giffen, 29,moved from Toronto, Canada to the UK last year with his British girlfriend Summer Fox after quitting his job in e-sports.
Matt, who now does social media full time and has over 326,000 followers on TikTok, has documented himself doing all sorts of things in London, from visiting classic British landmarks to eating staple dishes. Despite being many positive things to say about life in the UK, he admits there are a few things he really dislikes.
Since moving to the UK, Matt explained in a TikTok video that one of his most-asked questions is what he likes the least about living in the UK. However, he wanted to clarify that although he has travelled to different places, he’s specifically talking about things he dislikes about London.
Firstly, he explained he’s not impressed with the British weather. “For the most part it’s pretty cold, it’s pretty wet and it’s really grey,” he said. The content creator then thought back to summer 2024, when they moved to the UK, he was wearing trousers and a winter jacket in June.
Next was a specific gripe with London. Despite it being such a big city, he said the first six months of him living in the capital he felt the most lonely he ever have in his life. “A big part of that is definitely being self employed, so when I moved here I didn’t have a job or an office to go to where I could make friends, but I learned quickly the overall vibe of the majority of London is that people aren’t very friendly,” he explained.
However, since travelling around he has the impression that “the more north you go the friendlier people are,” but added: “Living in London, it’s hard to make friends and meet people, it just is. That’s the reality of it.”
However, the thing he dislikes the most about living in the UK is the cost of living, which he said is “mental,” adding: “I’ve never seen anything like it.” He claimed the price he and his girlfriend pay for renting their two-bedroom flat in London they could get a “five-bedroom mansion in Downton Toronto with a garden and driveway”.
In addition, he finds things like food and travel “Incredibly expensive”. Despite “making more money” in the UK than he would be doing in Canada, he doesn’t feel like he’s saving any, because it’s “so expensive” to live.
Even though there are downsides, Matt explained he’s “grateful” he’s been welcomed into the country and is having “such a good time exploring and diving into the culture”.
In the comment section people shared their opinions, with one person saying: “The north is way friendlier but the weather is even worse.” A second wrote: “As a British person I agree with everything you said.”
And a third said: “You need to move up north mate. So much more value for money with property. And it’s a known fact that we are a friendlier bunch!”
However, not everyone agreed with his view of London. One person wrote: “Interesting, I’ve been to London on my own twice now, and each time everyone was so friendly in pubs and invited me to their table etc.”
Another wrote: “The weather comment is odd because I’ve been in London for 18 years and this year has had the longest, hottest summer I’ve ever experienced here!”
And a thid said: “I’m honestly so confused about the cold thing! London’s annual rainfall is the same or less than Toronto’s every year, not even counting Ontario snow. Tropical plants overwinter outdoors in London fine. It’s warm, it’s just grey.”
