A British woman has explained her family’s decision to uproot their lives in the UK and move across the pond to America’s sunshine state.

Julie Barnes, her husband and their five children are set to move from Bath in the south of England over to Florida in the US.

She’s explained her thinking through her TikTok account @livingthefloridadream7, labelling their home life as ‘depressing’ and saying that their move across the Atlantic has been a ‘dream’.

Everything’s already been sorted, from their new home to visas and work.

Julie’s husband, Sam, has obtained an E2 investment visa, allowing them to live in the country for at least five years while he sets up his landscaping business.

It looks a bit nicer than Bath, in all fairness (Getty Stock Photo)

The family have also switched out their three bedroom new build in the UK for a five-bedroom mansion with a swimming pool and much more space in the US.

In a video on social media, the mum explained the reasons for their relocation, saying: “The weather, It’s so cold, wet and grey most of the year with only a small glimpse of summer. It makes you feel so depressed,” a sentiment most of us can agree with.”

She also listed the cost of living crisis as a deciding factor, adding that ‘working stupid hours’ isn’t worth it at the end of the day and that ‘you’re better off not working’ when it comes down to it.

But that’s not all, as the TikToker also admitted that the family have annual passes to Disney World, which is one of the positives that they’ll enjoy while living in Florida.

She has also criticised the health system in the UK, complaining about how long it has taken to book a dentist appointment, as she claims it’s been over a year.

The content creator pointed out that she has children on the autistic spectrum that aren’t getting the help they need in the British education system.

Despite criticism from some viewers, she explained that they have regularly visited Florida, including during a hurricane, and is unfazed by the prospect of living there, having ‘done her research’.

She revealed in the comments of one of her video that there wasn’t ‘much difference’ between her home in the UK and her new house in the US.

She is adamant that it’s the right decision for her family (TikTok/livingthefloridadream7)

Julie even shared a comparison video of her street in Bath compared to Florida, with the change in weather being the main takeaway.

Users took to the comments to share what they thought, as one wrote: “Why is UK so grey man?”

Another said: “Moving to Florida at the moment is an insane choice.”

While a third added: “Aside from better weather it doesn’t really have any other positives for me.”

We all know the stress of waiting for your luggage at the airport – waiting impatiently for the conveyer belt to kick in, praying that your luggage comes out in one piece and ready to pounce incase someone else accidentally grabs it.

Getting your luggage on the other side of your travels is an expectation rather than a bonus, but data from the BBC indicates that in 2022, 26 million pieces of luggage were lost, delayed or damaged.

In turn, airlines have weighed in on the conundrum, advising customers to avoid certain colours when choosing their bags for the holiday season, as a lot of people make the same mistake which leads to them losing their belongings.

Airlines have highlighted how important luggage colour is. (Getty Stock Photo)

Passengers of budget airlines have already been warned about the positioning of their seats on planes, and how it links to the amount of turbulence you experience.

Ryanair has shared some advice about your choice of luggage this summer, highlighting that there are a few colours that you should avoid altogether.

If not, you risk getting your bag stolen or mistakenly picked up at baggage claim, leaving you with one of the biggest headaches of your life.

So it’s crucial that if you’re going shopping for a new check-in bag, you avoid these three colours, or if you are adamant your baggage must be one of these colours, you should make it stand out in a unique way using a bright luggage tag.

The airline explained: “Make it easier to spot your checked-in luggage on the carousel, especially if your luggage is black, navy or grey.

“Add a colourful luggage tag or ribbon to the handle so that there’s no confusion on arrival.”

These colours cause your bag to blend in with the majority, and heightens the chance of you missing out on it completely when it’s on the conveyor belt and you’re in a crowd of a few hundred people around it.

If it’s grey, navy or black, you’ll struggle to pick your bag out. (Getty Stock Photo)

It’s not just airlines that are warning passengers though, as Frankfurt Airport boss Stefan Schulte has urged people to avoid black luggage while travelling, as similar to Heathrow, his airport has struggled with baggage, as they are ‘hard to distinguish from each other’.

A Frankfurt Airport spokesperson highlighted: “Many people travel with black suitcases on wheels which makes identifying them very time-intensive.”

Along with its colour, travellers should be wary about the material their suitcase has, as hardcover suitcases – though thought to be stronger – are actually less durable than softcover suitcases.

You may as well put the extra bit in if it means you’re more likely to get your suitcase at your destination – let’s try not to be one of the 26 million, eh?

The British government has issued a fresh passport warning to anyone travelling to Spain from the United Kingdom.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regularly updates travel advice for countries around the world, issuing important information to those heading overseas. Just last month it issued a ‘strict’ warning to those travelling to Australia.

Advice ranges from warnings and insurance issues to entry requirements.

Today (17 May), the Foreign Office has issued an update to its official advice when it comes to visiting Spain – which is something we’re going to say is more important than most updates given Brits love to head to the country more than anywhere else in the world.

It comes after the European Union issues fresh guidance to Brits on new EU travel rules that could ban you from the mainland continent for three years if you fall foul.

More than 15 million of us jetted off to Spain in the last year; more than double the second most visited country on the list (sorry, France).

There’s already a good few warnings and advice in place when it comes to heading to Spain. For one, make sure you’re aware of the ‘six drink rule’. And more recently we have seen the introduction of a total booze ban between 9.30pm and 8.00am the next day on some of the country’s most popular islands.

Brits love a Spanish beach. (Getty Stock Images)

Well, the new advice from the Foreign Office has nothing to do with booze. But it could become extremely relevant if you have one too many.

Issuing an update to its safety and security page, it has highlighted an important piece of advice if you so happen to lose your passport or have it stolen.

It’ll happen to an unfortunate few, so it is best to be prepared as to what to do next.

The important point being stressed by the government is to make sure you have the appropriate documents to get back home.

The government has issued new advice. (Getty stock photo)

“You cannot use a police report to leave Spain,” the government said in the update.

“If your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document.”

If you have your passport stolen abroad, don’t panic. Make sure you report it to the local police where you should request a physical police report which you might need when communicating with the British Embassy when applying for a new passport.

Take note. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

For those losing their passport, you’ll need to sort out an emergency travel document. The Foreign Office says: “An emergency travel document lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your UK passport. It is usually only valid for one single or return journey. You can travel through a maximum of five countries.”

They come at a cost of £100 and then you’ll have to pay for a new passport when you get back, so it’s not ideal.

For years, Brits have been taking travel precautions in the horror event of losing your luggage.

Some of us, who are a slightly more superstitious than others, will even wack on a very colourful travel belt with the hopes that nothing awful will happen.

Meanwhile, more sensible people will put a travel tag with their name, number and address on it, so someone can get in touch if it gets misplaced.

However, passengers have actually been warned against doing so.

Leaving your address on your travel card might be doing more harm than good. (Getty Stock Images)

The danger of leaving your address on your luggage tag

“Don’t list your home address on luggage tags,” a travel expert told USA Today, reportsThe Sun.

“Play it safe by using electronic luggage tags, or by listing only your basic contact information on a luggage tag.

“Virtually everyone within an airport can see the information written on your suitcase tag, so limiting the personal information while providing enough for the airline to return lost luggage is key.”

The expert warned that you might lose a lot more than your luggage if you do so.

“Most experts agree that if you can avoid listing your home address, you will be less likely to be targeted for a robbery while you are away,” they added.

Lost luggage is always a pain. (Getty Stock Images)

Frequent flyer Richard Clive Rowlands also suggested: “Don’t put a residential address on luggage tags as it says ‘This house is empty, please burgle – and take your time’.

“Don’t put a friend’s house either because the burglars don’t know it’s a friend’s house and will still burgle it – ideally put a work address and mobile number on it.”

Instead, take a photo of your bag

By taking a photo of your bag, you can help the authorities locate your missing luggage.

Hachi Ko, who has visited more than 200 countries, said: “Take a photo of your luggage, then put it onto a word processor document with your contact details and the dimensions of your luggage.

“If you ever lose your luggage, you can hand this to lost luggage when you arrive and, even if they don’t speak your language they have everything they need to find your luggage.”

Use a business card

Former Royal Air Force Pilot Jonathan Breeze has suggested an alternative safety measure in the event of losing your luggage.

He said: “Always put at least one business card inside the case – that way, the airline can track you down and give you the bag back.

“Name, Number, Email and you are back in business.”