Neighbors Turn on Ellen DeGeneres—UK Backlash and Flooded £30M Farm Push Her Back to the U.S.

Ellen DeGeneres is reportedly preparing to abandon her countryside life in the UK and return to the United States much sooner than expected, just over a year after relocating.

Sources claim the former talk-show host’s dream of a peaceful rural escape has soured, with personal tensions, neighbor disputes, and career frustrations driving a dramatic change of heart.​

A Political Protest Becomes a Full Relocation​

DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi initially moved to the Cotswolds in late 2024 after Donald Trump’s re-election, presenting the move as both a political statement and a fresh start.

Ellen has said they arrived in the UK the day before the vote and decided to stay after waking to messages confirming Trump’s win, framing their relocation as an escape from American politics.​

Settling in the Cotswolds Countryside​

The couple chose rural Oxfordshire, purchasing Kitesbridge Farm before later upgrading to a larger hilltop estate with lakes and equestrian facilities.

They reportedly envisioned a quieter, nature-filled life far from Hollywood pressures. Locals initially noted their attempts to blend in, with Ellen and Portia visiting village pubs and exploring the surrounding countryside while embracing a slower daily rhythm.​

Reported Tensions With Local Neighbours​

Behind the picturesque setting, relations with some neighbours allegedly deteriorated. Complaints emerged over building works and land changes at their property, including a “technical breach” relating to a single-story extension that raised concerns about flood risk and nearby Roman-era remains.

Although authorities ultimately closed the issue, insiders say the controversy helped sour local attitudes toward the star couple.​

Feeling Unwelcome in Their New Village​

Sources claim the ongoing disputes have left DeGeneres feeling judged and unwelcome in the community. One insider alleged Ellen privately admits that “people here never warmed to us,” suggesting she believes many residents would prefer they moved on.

Another source reportedly said the constant complaints have worn her down, making it “impossible to feel settled when everyone is annoyed at you.”​

Boredom and Isolation Set In​

What began as a self-imposed exile has reportedly turned into monotony for the couple. Insiders say the vast estate, once appealing for its privacy, now feels isolating and dull, with the pair described as “bored out of their minds” in the rainy English countryside.

Friends suggest the quiet that once seemed therapeutic has instead amplified feelings of restlessness and disconnection from their old lives.​

Struggles With the British Climate​​

The famously chilly and damp British weather is also said to be a major factor in their rethink. Reports indicate Ellen and Portia are “fed up” with the cold winters and are already dreading another long, grey season in the Cotswolds.

Commentators note that for two longtime Californians accustomed to sunshine, the reality of year-round drizzle may have been harder to tolerate than expected.​​

Missing Friends and the Los Angeles Lifestyle​

Beyond the weather, Ellen is said to deeply miss her social circle in Los Angeles. Insiders claim she underestimated how much she relied on her close network of Hollywood friends and industry contacts.

With few of them able or willing to make frequent trips to a remote English village, the couple’s social life has reportedly shrunk dramatically, adding to feelings of isolation and regret.​

A Career on Pause in the Countryside​

DeGeneres’ professional ambitions reportedly clash with their remote setup. Sources say she has been trying to plot a showbiz comeback from England, relying heavily on late-night video calls with Los Angeles.

However, the eight-hour time difference and lack of face-to-face meetings have made reviving her career difficult, with one insider saying Zoom “can only do so much” for Hollywood deals.​

The Fallout From Past Controversies​

Ellen’s move followed years of reputational damage from toxic workplace allegations surrounding her former daytime show. The British retreat was framed as a reset after the scandal and the end of her long-running program.

Yet sources suggest distance alone has not repaired her image or delivered the creative opportunities she hoped for, leaving her increasingly eager to re-engage directly with the industry.​

Portia de Rossi’s Reported Difficulty Adapting​

Portia de Rossi is also said to be struggling with life in the UK. Reports claim she has not adapted well to the rural environment or gloomy weather, and that her days often feel limited to walks or staying indoors while Ellen works.

Some insiders say the move has exacerbated tensions in their 17-year marriage, with Portia allegedly reconsidering her semi-retirement from acting.​

Marriage and Career at a Crossroads​

According to sources, the decision to return to America is partly driven by a desire to “salvage” both Ellen’s career and the couple’s relationship. Insiders say Portia is contemplating reviving her screen career, which would be far easier from Los Angeles.

The pair reportedly believe returning to a familiar environment will help them reconnect professionally and personally, despite fears of repeating old patterns.​

Business Pressures and Real-Estate Interests​

Business considerations appear to be another strong pull back to the U.S. Reports note that Ellen’s extensive real-estate ventures are harder to manage from overseas.

One source said the couple feels it is “time to return and manage the business matters that have piled up,” particularly her property interests, suggesting financial and logistical realities now outweigh the symbolic appeal of their British base.​

Planning a Return to California

Multiple outlets report that Ellen and Portia now plan to spend significantly more time in California, possibly re-establishing it as their primary home while keeping a UK property as a part-time retreat.

Friends say they hope to be back in Los Angeles soon, where they can reconnect with their social circle, explore new work opportunities, and enjoy the warmer climate they have increasingly missed.​

An Abrupt U-Turn on a Bold Promise​

The rapid reversal marks an embarrassing U-turn on Ellen’s earlier vow to stay in the UK throughout Trump’s presidency. Commentators note that the experiment in starting over abroad has exposed the gap between idealized escape and everyday reality.

For DeGeneres and de Rossi, the draw of home—friends, work, and familiar sunshine—appears to have outweighed the promise of a permanent British sanctuary.