A Yorkshire native who relocated to the United States at 22 recently shared how a life-changing incident prompted her to reassess everything. Kari Wells, known for her work on the American cable channel Bravo, moved to Aspen, Colorado, where she met her now husband, Duncan, and started a family.
The turning point came when they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and Kari fell victim to a robbery by two armed individuals in October 2019. Despite surviving the ordeal, the traumatic experience led her to seek treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), ultimately inspiring her to write the book ‘From Attitude to Gratitude’.
Reflecting on the incident, she described it as a profound awakening, forcing her to pause and reevaluate her hectic lifestyle. The aftermath of the incident, according to Kari, was more distressing than the event itself, plunging her into an indescribable state of being.
During her recovery, she and her husband implemented security measures at their home, including parking their car strategically with cable ties. They eventually decided to return to Aspen, where they first met, as a coping mechanism. The incident also shed light on the issue of gun violence in the USA, further impacting Wells.
While Kari’s story is not unique among UK and European expats in the USA, recent trends show a shift with more Americans relocating to the UK and Europe. Data from the Brookings Institution, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, indicates a historic negative net migration in 2025, marking the first time since 1935 that more people left the USA than arrived.
The migration patterns have been influenced by various factors, including economic changes, the rise of remote work, and concerns over gun violence. A Texas real estate professional based in Berlin highlighted the stark contrast in safety measures between the USA and European countries, emphasizing the higher quality of life in Europe despite lower wages.
The phenomenon, dubbed ‘The Donald Dash’ by some, coincides with the second term of President Donald Trump but is attributed to a more complex interplay of factors beyond leadership changes. This shift underscores the evolving landscape of global migration patterns and individual preferences in response to societal challenges.
