Mixed‑race Brit feeling unsafe after recent violence. Looking for advice on safe countries to relocate to.
Posted by Trapped-in-boredom@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I’m posting here because I don’t know where else to ask this.
Over the past few years in the UK, I’ve had a series of experiences that have left me genuinely afraid to live here. During the recent race riots, I was targeted multiple times, including people trying to run me over and being assaulted by groups of teenagers who singled me out because of how I look. I’m mixed race and have never really “fit” into any group here, which seems to make me a target rather than invisible.
I’ve also been assaulted on separate occasions by Muslim individuals who took issue with me saying I’m not religious. I'm constantly feeling like I need to look over my shoulder. I don’t feel safe walking alone anymore, even in daytime. I spend more money than I should on taxis because nowhere is safe to travel to.
My living situation has become unbearable. I live above an Indian shop run by a family who have openly expressed strong Hindu nationalist views and have made comments about me that felt racially charged. They also create excessive noise at all hours, and it’s hard not to interpret it as deliberate after the way they’ve spoken to me. It’s become a major source of stress and I don’t feel safe or respected even in my own home. They also have no regard for how they dispose of the waste their shop generates, and the local council doesn't seem to care despite the photo evidence I've given them.
I’ve never really had a social circle here, and I’ve always felt like an outsider. At this point, I want to leave the UK altogether and start over somewhere safer. I want to move somewhere where not fitting neatly into a category doesn’t automatically put me at risk.
I have substantial savings, so I’m not starting from zero, but I’m stuck waiting about two years before I can apply for a passport because I need my dentist to countersign it. In the meantime, I want to research realistic destinations.
For someone like me, what countries have you found to be genuinely safe, welcoming, and low‑conflict? I’m open to any country. Anywhere with low violent crime and a culture where people generally leave you alone if you’re different.
I’m not looking for political debates or culture‑war arguments. I just want practical advice from people who’ve actually lived abroad and can speak to safety, social acceptance, and day‑to‑day life. Any guidance would mean a lot.
jarvischrist@reddit
Focus on figuring out where you can move to (regarding visas, mostly dependent on your skills and profession) and then narrow it down if there are options. There's no use getting your hopes up about moving abroad if there's no visa option for you.
zylenxh@reddit
It's also possible to work online and move between places. That's what I've been doing for 3 years. Settling down isn't for everyone, nor is it necessary in this day and age. With a British passport you have visa free entry to many places for 3 months, often extendable to 6 months
unwilling_viewer@reddit
Just be careful with where you are and aren't allowed to do it. Tax evasion is a cruel mistress!
unwilling_viewer@reddit
Especially due to recent changes with the whole Brexit debacle and recent changes in the geopolitical situation.
All those "visa available" jobs across Europe are disappearing. Unemployment is on the rise and likely to get worse too.
MF-Geuze@reddit
There's loads of places British people can move to relatively easily. Ireland, Canada, Australia, Singapore - loads
Admirable_Safe_7551@reddit
R/blacktravel is setting a lot of variations to this question recently.
Afrolatina. Not a Brit. Lived in London. Currently leaving SE Asia as the world is about to change a lot. It's a hunker down kind of situation. Wherever you decide to go, there will be new difficulties.
Stay safe, connected, and organising
Alaskan-Whiskey907@reddit
Nope. I’m staying in south east Asia. No issues. If you don’t have money 💰 then it’s gonna be an issue. Western nations are too high in price today. There’s no where else to run. Plus it’s safe in Asia.
Admirable_Safe_7551@reddit
Your picture looks like a Black man, so you know already that money isn't the issue for Black female digital nomads in SE Asia
Competitive_Fruit298@reddit
Ok, I’m also mixed race, used to live in the UK a long time ago.. I think things have gotten worse there though, even though it wasn’t too great in the 80’s/90’s either.
I left to the Netherlands when I was 18. It’s not perfect here but when it comes to race relations it’s slightly better than the UK, though right wing parties and sentiments seem to be popping up everywhere and it sometimes feels like 1938..
However, for now, you usually only have issues here if you are an asylum seeker that looks non-western, or if you’re a Moroccan. Other groups are also stigmatised but less so. If you’re British speaking (even though visibly foreign) they are usually very accepting. If you learn to speak Dutch then race is normally not an issue (unless you live in rural areas).
I’ve not had a single problem here in the 30 years I’ve been here, in comparison to the daily experiences I had in the UK.
MF-Geuze@reddit
There is no reason for you to be waiting two years to apply for a passport, dude. I guarantee there is some other way of doing it.
Trapped-in-boredom@reddit (OP)
I've already tried looking for another way but none exists.
unwilling_viewer@reddit
I got a mate from work to sign one of my applications. Why would your dentist need to do it? And now to the point, even if they did, why wait 2 years?
Trapped-in-boredom@reddit (OP)
You need to know some of high social standing for at least two years to countersign the passport application.
unwilling_viewer@reddit
"good" social standing. You went to school? You have a job? (And held it for 2 years plus?) You have any friends in professional fields (engineering, accountancy, medicine, law).
All of these sort of people are eligible to sign.
Hot-Bison5904@reddit
What about an old teacher of yours?
MF-Geuze@reddit
There is. Like - I bet you £100.
If you're not able to figure out applying for a passport in the UK, I would worry about you being able to navigate life in a foreign country, even one where you speak the language. I'm not having a go, but I encourage you to speak to your GP about an autism diagnosis if you have never done so (probably they can stand in for your dentist on whatever that passport issue is, too)
Georgie_Pillson1@reddit
Yeah that made no sense. Does his dentist have a two year probation period before they’ll sign?
Trapped-in-boredom@reddit (OP)
The passport website states you need someone of high social standing who has known you for two years to countersign your passport application. I recently registered with a local dentist because I want them to sign my passport application in two years. I will have regular appointments with them to ensure they know me to a reasonable extent before I ask them to assist me with my passport application.
MF-Geuze@reddit
Figure out another way - teachers who taught you in school. If you can't navigate this fairly simple first step of moving abroad, I'm worried you will struggle in.an entirely unfamiliar place
Trapped-in-boredom@reddit (OP)
The passport website says I need to know someone of high social standing for at least two years to countersign my passport. I don't know anyone like that personally. I recently registered with a dentist for this purpose.
expats-ModTeam@reddit
If you are currently not an expat, and are looking for information about emigrating, you are required to ask specific questions about a specific destination or set of destinations. This means you should have already put some thought and research into where you might want—and be able—to go.
You must provide context for your questions which may be relevant. No one is an expert in your eligibility to emigrate, so it’s expected that you will have already done some research to get an idea of what countries you might be able to get a visa for.
r/iwantout may be a better sub for you to post in. Make sure you abide by their rules as well.
SignalOptions@reddit
A mixed race secular person would be accepted as normal in southern Indian metropolitan cities like Bangalore. English mostly works. Likely even places in Kerala and Andhra.
It’s hard to categorize an entire country as safe/unsafe. None are really safe all over.
ItsReemAlBlahBlahDee@reddit
Unfortunately being mixed race and Muslim makes you a target regardless. Have you considered moving elsewhere in the UK?
Trapped-in-boredom@reddit (OP)
I'm not Muslim. I said I was attacked by Muslims for not being religious.
ItsReemAlBlahBlahDee@reddit
Well no country is without racist or conflict or crime. You need to figure out what skills you have that’ll allow you to migrate and start there.
emgeehammer@reddit
Singapore. That’s about it. Otherwise your best bet is to move to a very diverse, progressive major city in the US or UK, or move to where you’d be part of the majority.
My advice: stop reading the news.
Forward-Rub-8187@reddit
leave UK, go somewhere else
Jolly_Conflict@reddit
… that’s what they’re coming to get advice on
Georgie_Pillson1@reddit
You haven’t given any indication that you’d qualify for a visa to move anywhere else. You can’t just turn up somewhere and start living there.
muwurder@reddit
what’s your actual ethnicity? i’m guessing arab but knowing that changes the answer pretty significantly.