I swapped a UK council house for a huge pad in Florida – the homes are beautiful but there’s 2 major issues


A BRITISH mum who upped sticks and moved to Florida has revealed the two things she can’t stand about her new neighbourhood.

Megan Gulyard, 25, grew up on a council estate in the UK and now raises her family in a huge house in the US.

Woman in a black jacket standing on a sidewalk in a Florida neighborhood.
Megan left the UK for Florida
TikTok / @megangulyard
Florida houses with palm trees in the front yard.
She said she’s not keen on the lack of fencing in her new neighbourhood
TikTok / @megangulyard

Since living in her new home, she’s noticed some unusual differences to the UK and took to TikTok to voice her least favourite.

Megan posted a video to her account @megangulyard, which has since racked up over 54,000 views.

In her clip, she can be seen taking a leisurely stroll around her neighbourhood with her children and dog.

Megan described her new home as a “middle class basic neighbourhood,” and showed off some of the gorgeous houses around her.

“Big difference to me that I don’t actually like is that American houses, especially my neighbourhood, they don’t have front gardens and there’s no fence separating the houses,” she said. “And the reason why I don’t like that most of the houses don’t have fences is because we have a dog.”

Panning the camera to some of the gigantic houses surrounding her, Megan pointed out the lack of fencing at both the front and the back of the properties.

While hunting for their home, she said she and her partner had managed to find a house with a fence and that it was one of the key reasons they chose to live there.

The second thing that Megan doesn’t like is that she “has to drive everywhere” as none of the local amenities are close by.

“Something else that I loved about living on a council estate was I could literally cross the road and in two minutes I’ll now be at a corner shop. But here, if I was to walk to a shop, it would take me 25 minutes.

“Back where I used to live, I could literally walk to the dentist, walk to the doctors, walk to the shop. Um, at the end of the road, there’s a bus stop, like, several bus stops that take you to several places. Um, here where I live in Florida, it’s just non existent.”


Despite the lack of local shops or transport, Megan insisted that she still loves her neighbourhood – and her neighbours.

She described her new home as “beautiful.”

Shocked viewers react

Users were flummoxed in the comments.

One person wrote: “I find the no fences mad! Especially for the back garden.. just so public, no privacy.”

A second person wrote: “Why, just why?? No fencing – how do you know where the boundaries are?”

While a third commented: “Nobody walks anywhere in Florida.”

But not everybody appreciated Megan’s comparison.

One annoyed viewer wrote: “You know you have to pay to put a fence in. Nobody fences the front of their house unless it’s a dangerous neighborhood. You know your home is huge compared to what you came from. Stop complaining.”

To which she replied: “Yes my house is ‘huge’ from what I came from & I am beyond proud of where I am now.”

Moving house hacks

1. Declutter Before You Pack

Sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Donate, sell, or recycle items to lighten your load.

2. Create an Inventory

Make a list of all your items. This helps keep track of everything and ensures nothing gets lost in the move.

3. Use Quality Packing Materials

Invest in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape. This will protect your belongings during the move.

4. Label Everything

Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to. This makes unpacking much easier and more organized.

5. Pack a ‘First Day’ Box

Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and important documents. This will keep you from rummaging through boxes on your first day.

6. Take Photos of Electronics Setup

Before unplugging your electronics, take photos of the wiring setup. This will make it easier to reconnect everything at your new place.

7. Use Suitcases for Heavy Items

Pack books and other heavy items in rolling suitcases. This makes them easier to transport and reduces the risk of injury.

8. Colour-Code Your Boxes

Use different coloured stickers or markers for each room. This will help movers quickly identify where each box should go in your new home.

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