“Nobody Warned Me”: American Expat Baffled by Britain’s Green Obsession

Melissa admits nothing prepared her for England’s natural landscape.

A Beautiful Suprise

After moving from sunny Florida to the UK, Melissa Mendez thought she was prepared for British life.

But one thing caught her completely off guard, just how green everything is.

Sharing her surprise on TikTok, she revealed that “nobody warned” her about the sheer amount of lush, natural landscape she’d encounter.

“Everything Is Green”

In her now-viral video, Melissa confessed she “had no idea how green England is.”

What she expected from London turned into a love affair with rolling hills, gardens, and countryside.

“Green is definitely the colour of the UK,” she joked, as fellow expats and Brits chimed in with agreement—and gardening tips.

From British School to British Soil

Though she attended a school called The British School back in the U.S., Melissa admits nothing prepared her for England’s natural landscape.

“We learned the history, the food, the tea—but not this. No one said it’s basically a giant garden.”

Now Obsessed With Gardening

Melissa says she’s fully embraced British green culture, literally.

“Now I’m into gardening and I’m just shocked by how well everything grows,” she said. In Florida’s harsh climate, she struggled to keep anything alive. “Here, even my houseplants thrive. It’s like magic.”

Brits Suggest Their Greenest Spots

The comments section lit up with recommendations. From the Lake District to Savernake Forest, users shared their favourite “green havens.”

One wrote, “Visit Cumbria, the greens will amaze you.” Another added, “You need to see a cloud inversion in the north!”

One of Europe’s Least Natural Countries

While Melissa marvels at Britain’s greenery, conservationists point out a paradox: the UK is actually one of Europe’s most nature-depleted nations.

Still, for someone used to Florida’s palm trees and flat suburbs, the rolling English hills are a botanical dream.

“It’s Like Living in a Greenhouse”

Despite England’s reputation for drizzle and grey skies, Melissa now sees it differently.

“The rain, the wind, even the cool summers, it’s perfect for flowers, herbs, and everything in between.”

She says her dream of having a garden has finally come true: “This was all I ever wanted.”