Where Are the Most Americans in the UK? Top Cities and Neighborhoods

More than 200,000 Americans live in the UK right now. That’s not just tourists passing through - these are people who moved for jobs, relationships, or just a change of pace. And they’re not scattered evenly. If you’re wondering where to find the biggest crowds of U.S. expats, the answer isn’t random. It’s tied to jobs, culture, and history.

London is the undisputed hub

Over 80,000 Americans call London home. That’s more than the entire population of some U.S. cities. You’ll find them in zones 1 and 2 - places like Kensington, Chelsea, and Islington. These neighborhoods aren’t just popular because they’re pretty. They’re close to international companies, U.S. embassies, and American-style grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s (yes, they have one in Hammersmith).

Many Americans in London work in finance, tech, or media. Companies like Google, Apple, and Goldman Sachs have big offices here. If you walk through Canary Wharf on a weekday morning, you’ll hear more English accents - but also plenty of Texas drawls and New York fast-talking. The American Club in Mayfair hosts events, holiday parties, and even Thanksgiving dinners with turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s not just a club - it’s a lifeline for people missing home.

Edinburgh has a quieter, academic vibe

While London buzzes, Edinburgh hums. Around 10,000 Americans live here, drawn by the University of Edinburgh, which has strong ties to U.S. universities. Many are researchers, grad students, or professors. You’ll spot them at the Edinburgh International Book Festival or sipping coffee in the historic cafes on the Royal Mile.

Unlike London, there’s no huge American expat district here. But there’s a tight-knit community. The American Women’s Club of Edinburgh meets monthly. There’s a U.S. Independence Day barbecue every July at Holyrood Park. And if you need a slice of apple pie or a box of Pop-Tarts, the American Store on Leith Walk has you covered.

Manchester and Bristol are rising

Manchester and Bristol used to be quiet on the expat map. Now? They’re growing fast. Manchester has over 7,000 Americans, mostly in the tech and creative sectors. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft have expanded their UK offices here. The Northern Quarter has American-style bars with craft beer on tap and burger joints that serve bacon cheeseburgers with sweet potato fries.

Bristol has about 5,000. It’s smaller, greener, and cheaper than London. Families love it. The American School of Bristol serves K-12 students. There’s a monthly potluck at the Bristol American Community Center. People here don’t just survive - they build lives. You’ll find Americans running yoga studios, opening coffee shops, and teaching English to locals.

Why these places? It’s not just about jobs

It’s easy to think Americans move to the UK for work alone. But it’s more than that. The healthcare system, even with its flaws, feels more stable to some. The public transport is reliable. The schools are good. And for many, the history feels real - walking through Roman ruins in Bath or standing where Shakespeare once performed in Stratford-upon-Avon.

There’s also a cultural pull. British TV, music, and literature have shaped American tastes for decades. Moving here isn’t just a change of address - it’s a homecoming for some. You’ll meet Americans who grew up watching Doctor Who, listening to The Beatles, or reading Harry Potter. They didn’t just choose the UK. They already felt connected to it.

The hidden spots: smaller towns with big American presence

Not everyone wants the city. Some Americans head to places like Oxford, Cambridge, or even the Cotswolds. Oxford has a small but steady group - mostly academics and their families. There’s a U.S. Embassy-sponsored book club that meets at the Bodleian Library. Cambridge has a similar vibe, with Americans working at the university or in biotech startups.

And then there’s Bath. Around 3,000 Americans live here. It’s quiet. It’s beautiful. And it’s got a surprising number of American-owned businesses - from a bakery that makes peanut butter cookies to a bookstore that stocks only U.S. authors. The annual Fourth of July parade down the Royal Crescent draws locals and expats alike. It’s not flashy. But it’s heartfelt.

What Americans miss - and what they don’t

Most Americans in the UK miss certain things. Fast food chains like Chick-fil-A or In-N-Out? Still not here. The lack of drive-thrus is a real complaint. Grocery prices for American snacks can be crazy - a box of Pop-Tarts costs nearly £5. And yes, they miss the size of their cars. British roads are narrow. American SUVs? Not practical.

But they don’t miss a lot, either. No need to argue about healthcare bills. No property taxes in most places. Free public libraries with free Wi-Fi and coffee. The ability to hop on a train and be in Paris by dinner. The weather? Yeah, it’s damp. But people adapt. They buy good raincoats. They learn to love pub culture. And they start saying ‘cheers’ instead of ‘thanks’ without even thinking.

What it’s really like to live here

Living as an American in the UK isn’t about fitting in. It’s about finding your space. Some stay in expat bubbles. Others dive in - learning the local slang, joining community choirs, even voting in local elections if they have dual citizenship.

There’s no single American experience here. One person might be a Silicon Valley engineer working remotely for a San Francisco startup. Another might be a retired teacher who moved to Cornwall after her husband got a job at a university. A third might be a musician who came for a gig and never left.

The common thread? They all found a way to belong - even if it’s not the way they imagined.

Where to connect if you’re moving

If you’re planning a move, start with the U.S. Embassy’s expat resources. They list local groups, legal advice, and even language classes. Facebook has dozens of active expat groups - ‘Americans in London,’ ‘US Expats in Manchester,’ etc. They’re full of tips: where to get a UK SIM card, how to open a bank account, which dentists accept American insurance.

Don’t wait until you arrive. Join a virtual meetup first. Talk to people who’ve been there. Ask about the paperwork. Ask about the loneliness. Ask what surprised them. Most will tell you the same thing: it’s harder than they thought. But better than they expected.

You don’t need to live in London to be an American in the UK. But if you want to find others like you - people who still say ‘elevator’ instead of ‘lift’ - you’ll find them in the same places. And they’re waiting.