By a Humble Realtor Associate Helping You Find Home—Whether You’re Moving to Jamaica or Beyond
I was born in the United Kingdom. It was meant to be home — the land where my identity was forged, my children born, my memories made. But after years of enduring grey skies, societal shifts, and a deep sense of cultural erosion, I decided to make a life-changing move.
I left the UK for Jamaica — not out of anger, but out of love. Love for my children. Love for community. Love for a more grounded way of life. And while I still respect much about the UK and hold many fond memories, I knew it was time to realign my life with deeper values.
Here are five reasons I left — woven into the broader history of both the UK and Jamaica, the societal issues we face today, and recommendations for a better tomorrow.
1. The Weather: More Than Just Rain and Cold
People often laugh when I start with the weather. But if you’ve ever scraped frost off your windshield in the dark at 6 a.m., you’ll understand.
Winters in the UK are relentless — dark when you leave home, dark when you return. Grey days stretch into months, and snow is more of a media headline than a real occurrence. What we mostly get is bone-chilling dampness.
In contrast, Jamaica greets you with sun-drenched mornings, vibrant green hills, and the freedom to live outdoors. But it’s not just about sunlight — it’s about the effect climate has on your mind, your mood, your family life. Being able to rise with the sun and cook outdoors while my children run barefoot in the yard? That’s freedom.
The weather, while seemingly small, affects your mental health, productivity, and sense of peace. In the UK, seasonal depression is common. In Jamaica, I feel alive.
2. A Culture of Disrespect and Over-Sexualization
Another reason I left? The cultural climate — particularly in how it shapes children and teens.
In the UK, I watched a generation of young girls idolize social media influencers, wearing clothing that seemed more fit for nightclubs than classrooms. Botox, cosmetic surgery, and hyper-sexualization are now seen as "normal" — even aspirational.
I didn't want my daughter to believe that this is the standard of beauty or womanhood. And it’s not just the girls. Many boys are equally lost, drawn into toxic digital spaces where respect is mocked, and violence is glamorized.
In Jamaica, children are still expected to greet elders with respect. School uniforms are mandatory. There’s a cultural emphasis on manners, discipline, and community upbringing — even if resources are lacking.
Of course, Jamaica has its challenges, too. But the cultural norms still reflect respect — for family, for elders, for identity. I wanted my children to grow up in an environment where dignity is not outdated, but expected.
3. The Disappearance of Community
Once upon a time, the UK’s Black communities were close-knit. We had Afro-Caribbean centres, local associations, and a sense of belonging. We supported each other. We celebrated our culture together.
But over time, many of those centres have been closed or defunded. The sense of togetherness that defined the Windrush generation is no longer the norm. People are isolated, disconnected, and struggling to find unity in a society that too often marginalizes them.
The Windrush Scandal was a national disgrace. Citizens — who had worked, lived, and built families in the UK for decades — were suddenly deported or denied services due to “lost paperwork.” A so-called progressive country sent elderly Black citizens “back” to Jamaica, even when they had no family or home there.
If the UK is truly our home, why did so many of us feel like strangers?
In Jamaica, even amid economic challenges, there's a sense of belonging. Neighbours greet each other. Children play outside. Churches still serve as community hubs. It's not perfect — but it’s connected.
4. Food and Health: Processed and Profitable vs. Fresh and Fulfilling
Let’s talk about something that affects every household — food.
In the UK, even eating out feels like a risk. Meals are often microwaved, over-processed, and expensive. For a small family to dine at a mid-level restaurant, you’ll easily spend £100 — and you’re still unsure what’s actually in the food.
Grocery bills? Expect to spend £150 a week or more just for basic essentials. And despite this, the nutritional quality is poor. Sugars, preservatives, additives — our children are being fed substances our grandparents wouldn't recognize as food.
In Jamaica, I go to the market and see food picked the same morning. Yams, bananas, mangoes, callaloo, fish straight from the sea. Yes, costs are rising here too — but real food still exists. The connection between the land and the plate remains.
Our diet directly influences our health, behaviour, and lifespan. I chose a society where food is life — not a business experiment.
5. The Silent Retreat of Racial Progress
Finally, and most heartbreakingly, I left because I saw racial progress being quietly rolled back.
The Race Relations Act — hard-won through protests, lobbying, and community mobilization — has been diluted into the broader, weaker Equality Act. Now, instead of addressing racial discrimination head-on, we’ve lumped all issues together under a generic umbrella, where race is often overlooked.
Workplace discrimination is alive and well. Hate crimes have surged. And accountability is difficult to pursue.
Brexit didn’t help. The national mood became more hostile, more isolationist. And for many of us — especially Black Britons — it felt like a message: You’re no longer welcome.
Jamaica has its own race-related issues, especially colourism and class division. But at least here, I don’t feel like a second-class citizen for simply existing.
A Shared History: Jamaica and the UK
To understand this journey, we must look back.
Jamaica was a British colony for over 300 years. Our language, our education system, our legal framework — all British imports. The scars of colonization run deep, and the economic disparities it created are still being healed.
The UK, on the other hand, has benefited enormously from the labour and culture of Caribbean immigrants. From the NHS to transportation, Windrush arrivals laid the foundation for modern Britain.
Yet, while the UK grew in wealth and infrastructure, many of us were left behind — economically, socially, and emotionally. Our contributions were forgotten, and in some cases, criminalized.
But we cannot only dwell in history. We must chart a path forward.
Where Do We Go From Here? A Vision for a Better Tomorrow
Whether you're thinking of relocating to Jamaica or considering returning to the UK, there are lessons we can carry forward.
1. Rebuild Community Spaces
We need to invest in local centres, youth hubs, and cultural programs that keep our people connected. Whether in Brixton or Montego Bay, community is the glue that holds us together.
2. Promote Holistic Education
Children need more than academics — they need character building, cultural pride, and digital literacy to navigate the modern world with self-worth and discipline.
3. Demand Food Justice
Support fresh markets, local farmers, and food cooperatives. Let’s reject the dominance of processed food giants and prioritize health over convenience.
4. Strengthen Legal Protections
The UK must revisit its equality framework and give race-specific protections the attention they deserve. It’s time to honour the battles of our ancestors by restoring what’s been lost.
5. Choose Environments That Support Your Values
Whether in Jamaica, the UK, or elsewhere, seek spaces that align with your vision for your family. Sometimes that means taking a financial risk, starting fresh, or following your heart.
Final Thoughts: A Humble Invitation
I’m not saying Jamaica is perfect. We have crime, corruption, and our own complex struggles. But what I’ve gained here — sunlight, culture, connection, peace — outweighs what I left behind.
And as a realtor associate, I’ve made it my mission to help others find home. Whether you're looking to leave the UK or return to it, I understand the journey you're on — because I’ve walked it myself.
Let’s talk. Let’s plan. Let’s build futures rooted in purpose. Contact me on 1-876-418-2524
Because no matter where you go, the goal is the same: to live with dignity, peace, and belonging.