From Durham, To Durham — Chris Kilgour

Just in case you’re slightly confused, I didn’t change my mind about moving. I’ve actually moved from Durham, England to Durham in North Carolina, USA!

This time last year we both had open minds as to where we’d want to live when we both moved to the US, and it just so happened that my lovely wife was given a job opportunity at Duke University in Durham that she couldn’t turn down. So we’re now living in the same city, just on a different continent, 4,000 miles away. We both agreed that when we moved to the US that we wouldn’t end up somewhere cold (sorry Alaska), and as much as I love Disneyworld, we wouldn’t want to live somewhere that was 10,000 degrees year-round (although I reckon I’d be fantastic at being Gaston!). North Carolina has actually ended up being perfect for us, with comfortably cold winters and much warmer weather throughout the year than back in England. As I’m typing this we’re comfortably hovering around highs of 28°C leading up to Easter and it feels amazing!

I landed here in mid-January but the last couple of months have been nuts! I’ve been so busy since I arrived here sorting out things like my Green Card, Social Security Number, bank accounts, and gaining a North Carolina driving licence, which actually involved taking a theory and a physical test all over again! Luckily it’s much easier over here and I nailed it first time. We’re currently renting an apartment a few minutes south of Duke Campus which is ideal for Loren getting to and from work, and the complex has two swimming pools, a gym, a pool table and a social area with a grill!

Also, all of my things finally arrived a couple of weeks ago after being shipped over from England, which took five long months! I’ve finally got my PC set up as well so hopefully I’ll be back streaming games again, and once I find the correct power cables for my amplifiers then I can starting playing guitar again, which I’ve definitely missed. The time difference takes some getting used to as well with us being five hours behind the UK which leaves me with a smaller window to catch up with everyone back in England, but I’m making it work.

My accent is throwing people off as well which I still find funny, but everyone seems to love it which is great. As soon as they ask where I’m originally from and I say: “Durham, England”, it’s something people struggle to wrap their heads around, but once the penny drops they find it hilarious.

One question I’m often asked from people is: “Was it hard moving country and leaving your family and friends behind?”. Of course it was, but it was also a lengthy, two-year process in obtaining a Green Card that allows me to live and work over here, and that gave me plenty of time to say goodbye to everyone as well as leaving my job, and selling my house and car. Like I’ve said before: “Life is too short”, and it’s not everyday you have the opportunity to experience life in a new country with a different culture. I had an incredible life back in England and I look forward to going back there to visit and catch up with everyone. It may not be this year as we’ve got some exciting news coming up towards the end of the year (more on that soon), but hopefully I’ll be back in 2024!

In the meantime, I’ve been given the incredible opportunity of working at the prestigious Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National next week and I look forward to letting you know how it goes…