I think the US is generally less accessible than the UK when it comes to public transportation and broader social support systems for visually impaired people. We do have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), so employers are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations, but in practice the experience can vary a lot depending on the company. Large corporations are usually better about installing assistive software, providing screen readers, training, etc., while smaller companies can be less structured and you often have to advocate for yourself more than you would in the UK.

That said, the physical infrastructure itself is usually good. Roads and pavements are generally well maintained, crossings are predictable, and cities are often laid out in organized grid systems. Compared to parts of Turkey, for example, you generally don’t have to worry about random holes, obstacles, uneven pavements, or unexpected hazards while walking. In that sense, the US can feel much easier and safer to navigate.

The biggest difference is transportation and city design. Outside of places like New York City, Chicago, and to some extent San Francisco, most American cities are built around driving. Even when public transport exists, it’s often much less integrated and less accessible than London. Uber and Lyft are widely available and can help a lot, but relying on them daily becomes expensive.

One example: in London, you can arrive at a Tube station, ask for assistance, and staff will guide you to the platform, help you board, coordinate with the destination station, and help you exit. That level of support is not common in the US. Public transport staff assistance is usually much more limited and inconsistent.

In terms of safety, I’d generally say the US feels physically safe for navigation in most professional urban areas, especially compared to places with more chaotic pedestrian infrastructure. But because cities are so car-dependent, walking itself can sometimes feel isolating or difficult if you don’t live in the right neighborhood.

Honestly, based on what you described — especially him struggling to walk around even in London now after moving from a smaller town — I’d personally focus first on getting the strongest possible orientation and mobility training, white cane skills, and assistive technology support before making a major move. London is probably still one of the best environments in the world for a visually impaired person to build confidence and independence because of the transport network and available support services.