We escaped US for the UK – it was an immediate sense of relief

A family who swapped the US for life in the UK over fears of gun violence have said their new home is 'a lot less stressful and safer'. Cate and Will Hunter, both 39, relocated from Denver, Colorado, to Tunbridge Wells in Kent earlier this year after deciding they did not want their five-year-old daughter to face the reality of school shooting drills in the US. They also wanted to be closer to Will's family, as despite being born in California he has British citizenship. And the couple have been quick to point out the differences they've noticed since upping sticks and arriving in Blighty (Picture: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

Cate admitted some of the phrases had caught her by surprise, saying: 'My sister-in-law said the word "numpty" and I thought that's an interesting one. Someone said "that's the badger" and I thought "that's the what now?" Everyone is always asking if I'm alright. My sister-in-law told me I need to offer tea when people come over. I didn't know people would be offended if I didn't do that.' But despite having to learn all the new words, she admits she loves the slower pace of life in the UK and felt an 'immediate sense of relief' upon arriving. 'Knowing when you're walking through a crowded area no one is going to take a gun out,' the stay-at-home mum explained. 'There is not going to be a random crazed man shooting up with a gun' (Picture: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

Cate, who has worked as a special education teacher, has had to teach shooting drills during her career. added: 'The thought of putting [our daughter] in the school system in the states - we knew she'd be doing gun drills. I couldn't imagine a five year old doing that.' She even recalled a terrifying experience at one place of work. 'I was teaching in Oakland, California, and there was a gunman shooting directly in front of the school. We had glass windows and there was nowhere to hide - we had to pull the blinds down. Having a kid opens your eyes up to the dangers around you. There were situations I was willing to put myself in but not my daughter' (Picture: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

The current political landscape was also a factor in their decision to move. 'There are some schools taking away books that I buy for my daughter - anything about inclusivity,' she said. 'We fear for kids' futures.' Will, who works as a senior director at an advertising company, subsequently applied for a promotion and a transfer to the London office - and it was granted, with the couple moving to the UK in May. They currently live in a rented property which costs around £2,600 a month - although have kept their home in Colorado and rented it out (Credits: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

Cate has admitted she prefers the 'quaint, cosy' vibes of her British property as opposed to the 'brand new and shiny' American houses, commenting also on how much heavier the doors are here. 'It feels like a solid house,' she said. 'In the US they throw up houses in a few months - it feels like cardboard walls' Happily, she added that her daughter has settled into reception at her new school, and the family is also benefitting from the difference in food here, as it generally has fewer additives (Picture: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

Although Cate admits she misses shopping at Whole Foods she spends less on the food shop - around £100 in supermarkets compared to around $250 (£183) a week at Whole Foods - and tops it up with trips to local farm shops and butchers. 'Things expire here a lot quicker than they do in the States,' she admitted. 'The hummus has to be eaten in four days. It lasts a month in the US.' But she added: 'My daughter's tummy is a lot happier' (Picture: Cate Hunter / SWNS)

Having embraced life in Tunbridge Wells, the family now plans to stay on this side of the Atlantic for the foreseeable future. 'Everything is a lot less stressful and safer,' Cate said. 'It fits my personality more with what I'm interested in - a slow pace of life, cosy, and walks' (Picture: Getty Images)