Different from x Different to x Different than [duplicate]

Solution 1:

Fowler's Modern English Usage endorses "different from," "different than," and "different to," pointing to examples of each cited in the OED dating back to 1590, 1644, and 1526 respectively.  I think, however, that "different to" is apt to sound strange to most native speakers of American English.  Preceding a clause, I'd use "different than."  In your example, the most natural sounding option (to me) is: "... the classrooms and backyard looked completely different than when I was a little boy," or perhaps "... the classrooms and backyard looked completely different than I remember them from my childhood."

Solution 2:

I'm an American and I hear from and than equally often. To my ear, different to is a solely British usage, I don't think I've ever heard an American use it.