I recently moved to a country side (North Yorkshire) and this is my take on what life looks like here.

As an immigrant and a person of colour who has lived only in London, it was a daunting feeling for me before moving; and my worries are "what if I am not liked ?" what if I feel isolated?" These were the questions on my mind while I searched on google for the number of coloured people living in North Yorkshire, guess what? The result increased my worries.

But can I burst your bubbles? It was a relief that my worries never materialised. I can sincerely tell you that people in North Yorkshire are the most friendly and kindest people I have ever met. The first day I moved in, I had two neighbours who came to meet with me and introduced themselves, telling me to come around if I do need anything at all. I felt so at ease talking to these women, before I could say Jack Robinson, a wonderful aged man walked towards me with a wheelie bin, and he said " are you the new tenant?" I nodded Yes. He continued " oh great, this wheelie bin is yours, I found it down the alley". I was so grateful and immediately felt really at home.

On one sunny day, I was on my way to the beach, oh did I mention how the beaches are so clean? I mean, compared to the beaches down south. The first time I saw Saltburn Beach, it felt like I was staring at an artwork. The colour of waves seemed different for the sea, the waves looked so much like snow and the sea, a crystal clear glass. Oh pardon the digression, so, on my way to the beach one day, while trying to get down from a taxi, I met this woman, she gazed at me with a smile and I smiled back. Then I proceeded to get the kids out of the taxi, while trying to do this; the woman rushed towards me to help out as she could see I was struggling with my toddler while still trying to put the buggy together. I was shocked and amazed at the same time. The fact that people here are readily on a standby to be of help says a lot about their personalities.

Although I find this place very peaceful with its beautiful sea views and serene nature, I can categorically also tell you that the people in North Yorkshire are as peaceful as the environment. Contrary to the views that the North of England is deprived, I am not so sure what the word ‘deprived’ means to the people down south because what I see here is different. I am not so knowledgeable about car brands but I can tell how expensive and vintage they are when I see one. Practically half of the community ride expensive cars and I mean very demure and vintage. And they are mostly ridden by aged men and women. I cannot say the same for the aged men and women down south, this is not throwing shades but telling facts, so, the impression I had about this place completely changed just because I experienced it. And it's not just about driving expensive cars, people look happier here, or could it be that the air they breathe in is healthier? I really do not know and cannot think of anything that makes them look happier but what I can definitely say is, they are not deprived.

You may be thinking to yourself "this writer has definitely not visited the whole of North Yorkshire” to answer your curiosity, yes you are right. I have not visited the whole of North Yorkshire even though I live here now. But I will say, I have seen the bad side as well but I choose to write about the good side. And you know why? This is because there are good and bad everywhere even in the most sophisticated places. The bad side I experienced is like a pinch of salt compared to the impression I have about the North or what I may have envisaged.

I can not end this write up without mentioning that the people here also love God and go to church. I do not want to sound religious but I have seen how God Fearing they are and how much they talk about God. And those who do not go to church, have very high moral standards; this just makes me feel even more comfortable living here because I am a mom of two children and who would not want their kids to grow up in such an environment.

This is my personal view and I hope you enjoyed reading this. You can share your own experience in North Yorkshire or in any new environment in the comments section; I'd love to read your thoughts.