When Americans dream of moving abroad, places like Paris, Sydney or Barcelona usually spring to mind.
But for one Chicago native, the destination was much closer to home – at least for south east Londoners.
After moving from the Windy City to Bexley, one question that follows 35-year-old Michael Sparrow is: Why?
That curiosity has become the foundation of his growing TikTok success, with thousands of people tuning in to watch an American's take on life in the borough.
READ MORE: Where to eat in Bexley with new restaurants and best independent spots for 2026
Posting as @mesparrow_, Michael has racked up more than 61,000 likes, while one of his videos has been viewed almost 250,000 times.
Michael told the News Shopper: "I just moved here permanently, but I’ve been going back and forth from Chicago to Bexleyheath for four years.
"I decided to make the permanent move earlier this year and settling into Bexleyheath indefinitely."
The move wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision - part of it was down to his partner, who is from Bexleyheath.
The couple met through work after Michael's employer, which had operations in both the US and the UK, flew him over to visit colleagues.
He added: "They flew me out here to see the UK operations and we met at that point - she can’t get rid of me.
"It’s a change of pace in life – the United States moves very quick.
"It's a little bit of a different quality of life that I enjoy here – it also helps that the food isn't trying to kill me."
Away from social media, Michael's background couldn't be more different.
Before working in financial services and legislation, he spent his twenties touring as a musician before deciding to pursue a more conventional career.
When his visa application meant he couldn't work in the UK for a period, he suddenly found himself with something he wasn't used to - free time.
Michael said: "I was thinking ‘what can I do with my downtime’.
"So, I hopped onto social media and bothering my ‘bexleynites’."
What started almost by accident has snowballed over the past few months.
His videos bounce between local food spots, high street openings, life in Bexley and playful comparisons between Britain and America.
He's also discovered that what works on TikTok isn't always what works on Facebook.
Michael said videos about places like Wingstop or new restaurants usually fly on TikTok, while his more political or satirical content tends to perform better on Facebook.
His videos also regularly reignite one debate.
He explained: "I do a lot of covering local business and go around talking about what's going on in Bexley, and living in London/Kent verses living in Chicago.
"I say that because there’s a bit of a ‘fond fight’ if Bexley is in fact in London. My research leads it to, it is."
After spending four years getting to know the borough, Michael has also developed some firm favourites.
Michael added: "I think we have the best Greggs sausage roll in all of London. I can’t help myself but continue to go, they’re addictive."
He's equally enthusiastic about Bexleyheath's Wingstop and admitted he's eagerly waiting for Smoke & Pepper to open its doors.
When it comes to pubs, though, history wins every time.
Michael said: "I can usually be found hanging out at The Kings Head - it’s been around almost three times as long as my country has been around.
"The ceiling beams are older than our constitution so that’s always interesting to grab a pint there."
Despite growing up thousands of miles away, Michael says people in Bexley aren't all that different from people in Chicago.
He said: "I think the reason Bexley is so nice is because it truly is the quintessential London suburb. It’s where the commuters are.
"They still work in London so close enough to the madness but they’re far enough to maintain their sanity from a concrete jungle."
What surprised him most, however, was the community spirit.
He said pubs across Bexleyheath and Old Bexley are packed with people chatting about everything from work to the weather and even Thames Water – something he says simply doesn't happen in the same way back in Chicago.
Michael said: "They’ve been very kind to me – they’ve also been very confused as to why I moved here.
"I keep saying it’s because you guys have great sausage rolls and I’m on the lookout for good fizzy drinks."
But beneath the jokes is a bigger reason why he's stayed.
Michael said: "It’s the simple things – I’ve worked in finance for such a long time and you start to see what matters.
"My mum and my dad are no longer here, they passed away a while ago, but when those things happen you can really tell what matters.
"It’s not chasing the next thing or next destination – it’s about the company you keep along the way.
"Community is really important and I think Bexley has a good understanding of that.
"Sometimes, I think they underestimate how good they are because they’ve lived here for such a long time."