Wealthy Americans Flock to Cotswolds Post-Election
The picturesque Cotswolds region of England is experiencing a significant influx of wealthy Americans seeking refuge from political uncertainty following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, local real estate agents and business owners report.
This rural exodus has transformed parts of the bucolic countryside into what some locals now call “the Hamptons of England,” with American applications for UK citizenship hitting record highs and property inquiries from across the Atlantic soaring.
Record Citizenship Applications Follow Election
U.S. applications for UK citizenship reached an unprecedented 6,100 in the past year, marking a 26% increase from 2023, according to recent reports.
The trend accelerated dramatically during the final three months of 2024, with a 40% year-on-year rise coinciding with Trump’s November re-election, suggesting a direct correlation between political developments in the U.S. and interest in relocating to Britain.
“Since the re-election of Trump there has been a big rise in Americans looking at the UK as a place to anchor themselves,” said Harry Gladwin from the Buying Solution estate agency, noting that his client base now includes significant numbers of Americans from technology, finance, and media industries.
Rural Retreats For America’s Elite
The rolling limestone hills and honey-colored stone villages of the Cotswolds have particular appeal to Americans seeking an idyllic countryside lifestyle with easy access to London, approximately a 90-minute drive away.
Jesse D’Ambrosi, an American chef who owns D’Ambrosi Fine Foods in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, told reporters that Thanksgiving and Fourth of July food hampers have become highly coveted among the growing American community.
“I’ve seen a lot of Americans scoping and checking out the area,” D’Ambrosi said. “Obviously it’s political. Why wouldn’t you want to leave where that guy is in action? It is very scary times, especially for women.”
High-Profile Escapees Lead The Way
Former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, were among the first high-profile Americans to relocate to the Cotswolds following Trump’s election victory, according to City A.M..
Fashion designer Tom Ford chose a more urban setting, reportedly purchasing an £80 million residence in London’s Chelsea neighborhood, though he shares with DeGeneres the distinction of having publicly expressed concerns about Trump’s presidency.
These celebrity relocations appear to be inspiring wealthy but less-famous Americans to consider similar moves, with estate agents reporting unprecedented interest in both rural Cotswolds properties and luxury London residences.
Economic Impacts On Local Communities
The American influx has prompted luxury brands and lifestyle businesses to expand their presence in the region, with establishments like Soho Farmhouse, Daylesford Organic, and Estelle Manor country club catering to affluent newcomers.
Local property markets have experienced significant impacts, with rising prices potentially making housing less affordable for long-time residents, while creating new business opportunities for those serving the incoming American clientele.
UK wealth management firms are also benefiting from the trend, with a reported surge in American clients moving substantial assets to British financial institutions as a hedge against political and economic uncertainty.
Immigration Pathways Expanding
The growing desire among some Americans to relocate to the UK has prompted discussion about potential new visa pathways specifically designed to attract skilled U.S. citizens and their investment capital.
Despite the UK’s recent abolition of “non-dom” tax benefits for wealthy foreigners, interest from Americans remains strong, with existing immigration routes still allowing newcomers to avoid tax on foreign income for up to four years under certain conditions.
This trans-Atlantic migration pattern marks a significant reversal from historical trends, as Britain—once a major source of emigrants to America—becomes a destination for wealthy Americans seeking political refuge and a different quality of life.
