Ben West

London

Writer and Producer at Freelance

Journalist (including New York Times, Times, Guardian) and author Subscribe free to my Substack newsletter: Travel - the inside track

Articles

9 lesser-known Greek islands for finding peace & nature

3 weeks ago | weather2travel.com | Ben West

The majority of holidaymakers to the Greek islands focus on the most popular ones such as Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Corfu*. Yet Greece has 227 inhabited islands, and a further approximately 1,300 to 5,800 uninhabited ones, depending on what you class as an island. The best-known ones can be expensive and get very crowded, especially in peak season, and it is common for cruise ships to queue up to moor during the summer months.
Britain's 50 best care homes: From elegant buildings rich in history to ultra-modern homes boasting beauty salons and hot tubs... our expert reveals their definitive guide on price, design and quality of care | Daily Mail Online

2 months ago | dailymail.co.uk | Ben West

With more than 17,000 options now available in the UK, it's no wonder choosing a care or nursing home for your loved one can feel overwhelming.
Seven of the UK’s best Arts and Crafts buildings - and you can stay in all of them

2 months ago | countrylife.co.uk | Ben West

Arts and Crafts buildings remain eternally popular, as they offer a unique combination of functionality and beauty, and often feature attractive, distinct and original details you likely won’t find elsewhere. The movement began to take shape in the 1860s, inspired by a group of architects, artists and designers, including textile designer, poet, artist, writer, and socialist activist William Morris; architect and interior designer Augustus Pugin; and art critic John Ruskin.
OPINION: Election process concerns should be taken seriously

Oct 30, 2024 | sandypost.com | Ben West

Editor's note: The following is a letter sent Oct. 30 from Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West to six mayors — Lisa Batey of Milwaukie, Rory Bialostosky of West Linn, Joe Buck of Lake Oswego, Julie Fitzgerald of Wilsonville, Denyse McGriff of Oregon City and Michael Milch of Gladstone — in response to their op-ed published earlier this week. The letter is published here with West's permission. Dear Mayors,kAmx 2> HC:E:?8 E9:D =6EE6C :? C6DA@?D6 E@ 2?
OPINION: Election process concerns should be taken seriously

Oct 30, 2024 | molallapioneer.com | Ben West

Editor's note: The following is a letter sent Oct. 30 from Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West to six mayors — Lisa Batey of Milwaukie, Rory Bialostosky of West Linn, Joe Buck of Lake Oswego, Julie Fitzgerald of Wilsonville, Denyse McGriff of Oregon City and Michael Milch of Gladstone — in response to their op-ed published earlier this week. The letter is published here with West's permission.
The 17 best villages to relocate to in Spain: Live minutes from the beach for just £46,000 with our expert guide - and find out how much life in the sun really costs | Daily Mail Online

Sep 12, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Ben West

Where to move to in Spain? We've spoken to property experts and estate agents to reveal the best towns, villages and cities for Brits, based on house prices, transport, amenities and more.
Antifa Must Obey the Law

Sep 9, 2024 | tabletmag.com | Ben West

I am an elected county commissioner, a cardiology nurse, and an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve who was born and raised in the heart of Portland, Oregon. In 2014 my husband and I successfully sued the state of Oregon in federal court for the right to marry, and overturned Oregon’s ban on same-sex marriage. Just a few weeks before making history for marriage equality, my husband and I adopted our son Jay from the Oregon foster system and moved to Clackamas County, which is adjacent to Portland.
In London, a houseboat used to be the affordable option. Not anymore.

Jun 19, 2024 | seattletimes.com | Ben West

LONDON — When you walk along the towpaths lining London’s 100-mile network of canals, a life on the water can appear idyllic. The boats dotting the winding banks look impossibly charming, romantic, colorful. Even better, they’re cheap to acquire compared with buying a conventional land-based house or apartment in the city. “It’s so peaceful here,” said David Ros, a freelance sound designer who has been living on the London waterways for 15 years.
The jaw-dropping homes you can get for 150k across the country

Jun 5, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Ben West

With sky-high mortgage rates and average UK house prices reaching £282,000, home ownership may seems out of reach for many. But it is still possible to nab a lovely property in the United Kingdom for a bargain. Here’s a selection of attractive homes across the country that are currently for sale with an asking price of £150,000 or under - including one for just £25,000.
Ups and downs in Dubai & meet journo turned author Alex Morrison

May 16, 2024 | writerejectrepeat.substack.com | Nicola Adam |Ben West

My dear wordsmiths, Let me get any typo apologies out of the way first in anticipation as your girl is tired. I’ve just got back from an amazing but eventful trip to Dubai with some fellow journalists from London - I flew from Manchester. The trip had actually been postponed due to the flooding a few weeks ago meaning a change of itinerary and serious scale up of the temperatures. It’s boiling out there.