A British father who quit London for a 'better' life in Germany has shared the highs and lows of his new lifestyle - though benefits include higher salaries, cheaper rent, safer streets, and just 'two-day waits' for doctor appointments.
Alex Ahom, 45, relocated to Hamburg 10 years ago with his wife and three children after becoming frustrated with the cost of living in the capital, as well as the lack of opportunities.
Since settling down in the northern port city, the father has enjoyed a safer, more affordable, and efficient lifestyle - despite experiencing some initial challenges.
He now benefits from various practical advantages, such as reliable healthcare, extended maternity leave, and lower costs for food and drink, including water for just 30p a litre.
The family moved into a sprawling 2,000-square-metre home located in a premier residential area, with monthly rent costing half of what they formerly paid for their small flat in Shepherd's Bush, which they currently rent out.
Speaking to South West News Service (SWNS), Ahom said: 'I think there is a trend of people leaving the UK because they are not happy with the government, Brexit, and a few people are unhappy with things like immigration.'
Since relocating to Hamburg (pictured), the family now enjoys a safer and cheaper lifestyle, including 30p litres of water, two-day waits for doctor appointments, and lower crime levels.
'We wanted to try something different. I felt that the opportunities in London were few and far between. We have a nice place here, two cars, a couple of holidays a year, because life is cheaper here so we can do that.'
According to Ahom, everyday expenses in Germany are much lower than in the UK, with a loaf of bread costing less than €1 (86p) and a one-litre bottle of water priced at around 30p.
The father - who previously worked for Apple - noted that salaries in Germany are generally higher, with women not being pressured to working and most firms providing at least one year of paid maternity leave.
But, most notably, Hamburg's safety stood out to Ahom, especially after a group of teenagers found his son's lost backpack and turned it into the police - a gesture he says he wouldn't have expected in the UK.
Although his children have few memories of their past, a trip to their former hometown left a lasting impression after their car was broken into.
According to Ahom, the family walked away viewing the city as 'scary and dirty'.
He added: 'If you get accustomed to living in a palace you are not going to want to go back to living in a shoebox.'
'I miss home, but it doesn't make sense moving back to a place where we couldn't afford half of what we have here.'
'You do feel safer. Women do talk about how they are more comfortable walking at night. When you have kids, you do consider these things more.'
Ahom's new life in Germany is a far cry from his former residency in Shepherd's Bush, London, which he left due to the cost of living and lack of opportunities.
However, his move hasn't been without challenges, with Ahom claiming the work culture in Hamburg is more isolating and there is still a lack of diversity and varied food options.
But one of the standout improvements from the big move is the waiting times for healthcare.
In the UK, Ahom noted how his family would wait up to two years for surgery, while a two-day wait for a doctor appointment is seen as the norm in Germany, and surgery is usually scheduled as soon as possible.
He explained: 'On my road there are more than 30 doctors, and it is very strange that you would have to wait more than a day or two for a doctor's appointment.'
'When you weigh up the practical things you start to wonder why you would stay in the UK.'
'The house is cheaper, the car is cheaper, healthcare is cheaper, all schools are free; university is free. People are moving to Germany because they want to provide for their families and it is easier to do that here.'
However, the family's move hasn't been without its setbacks, with Ahom admitting he was initially taken aback by the attitude of the German people, which he says distinctly differs from the 'polite' nature of Brits.
Describing dynamics at work, the father says colleagues often refer to one another by surname, adding that employees don't typically become friends.
Outside of work, Ahom says he struggled with some societal norms, recalling a time a stranger told off his visiting friend for failing to cover his mouth while sneezing, despite having no free hands to do so.
Most of all, however, the father misses the diversity that London is famed for, as well as its variety of food options, with non-pork meat dishes hard to come by in Germany.
He said: 'It was a big adjustment, much bigger than I had expected. English people have a reputation of being polite globally. German people are on the opposite side of that spectrum.'
'It is a very different culture. In the UK we just mind our business; you wouldn’t approach someone to call them out partly because I am from London and you might get stabbed.'
'We see things in a different light. It is a big culture shock. Some people I know can’t manage it; I have friends who have moved here from the UK and can’t handle it.'