'I traded California for a life in Stoke-on-Trent'

Opal Raine, 29, fell in love with Stoke-on-Trent while they were stuck in the city during the pandemic

A graduate has traded California for Stoke-on-Trent full time after falling in love with the city while stuck there during the Covid pandemic.

Opal Raine flew out to visit a friend in 2020 for what was originally supposed to be a three-week holiday.

But the pandemic hit the UK just three days into the stay and the country went into lockdown, meaning the 29-year-old had to wait things out on the opposite side of the Atlantic.

Despite the initial stress of not being able to go home, Stoke-on-Trent’s community spirit won out, with the city going on to become home.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Opal said: “I love Stoke-on-Trent. The community here is very tight-knit - everybody wants to improve the reputation of Stoke-on-Trent."

They added of the lockdown period: “Seeing the community's strength through adversity was really inspiring."

After graduating with a degree in graphic design from Staffordshire University where they were part of the disabled students network, a volunteer with LGBTQ+ charities, and assisted other international students, the plan was to now get a job in the local area to “help with the revitalisation" of the city.

'Didn't want to leave'

The planned three-week stay turned into nine months and during that time, Opal and their friend became partners.

Opal said it was during a phone call with the embassy about their visa that the realisation hit they “actually didn't want to leave”.

As for choosing Stoke-on-Trent over the Golden State, which Opal admitted could perplex people, they said they had always wanted to live somewhere “where it rains a lot”, adding they were pleased to be around such “interesting people”.

“There are so many people who are willing to help others. That is something that I have felt so deeply - everyone is willing to lend a helping hand,” they said.