Ooo this is refreshing to hear. I just moved to Denmark without a job or friends and I am doing the meet ups faze. Glad to hear it worked out for you! It sounds like you made the right choice
Hello, we bought a Maison Secondaire in the Creuse in France in 2004 and actually lived there from 2010 to 2015 when we came back to th UK.
I think it is fascinating living in another country with all the different things to learn. Not least the language. It's also fascinating looking at your country from the outside and from a foreigners perspective.
I lived in Germany as a student a long time ago. I loved the people, the architecture, the relaxed culture of Europe, the beauty, the quality of food and drink. I didn’t love not being able to shop between noon on Saturday and Monday morning. I found that to be super inconvenient. Maybe that’s changed in the years since then. There was also a hint of homogeneity in the culture, and repercussions for not following the rules that I found to be constraining. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what that’s like where you live.
I also love the relaxed European culture! It took me time to ease into it, but I’ve slowed down over the last 2 years or so. I can’t say much about the food here in the NL. It’s nothing special, but there are a lot of cuisines from other countries too, like Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Surinam. So that’s great! Retail stores do close earlier here (compared to NYC), but I think it’s more fair for the employees. Markets are open 7 days a week, but close earlier on Sunday. There’s never a whole day when I can’t go to the shops. That would be tough and I can understand seeing it as a downside. Regarding homogeneity, there is a bit of that here. I mainly have expat friends. Getting into an entirely Dutch group of friends is tough, but I think it’s partially a language barrier. Although, I can’t say for sure. My father has mentioned that as one of the reasons why he left the NL — the social groups and expectations felt restraining.
All my Dutch friends have lived abroad, are in a multicultural relationship, or have a parent from another country, making them more open.
Perhaps I am a bit ignorant, but all this doesn’t bother me because I’ve found my (international) people here. My partner is from Turkey and my friends are from Italy, Spain, Turkey, HK, England, Greece, Egypt, the Netherlands, Serbia, Germany, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some place. So it’s very fun and interesting to learn about all the different cultures and perspective. Of course, they all ask me what I think about Trump, and I usually please the 5th. 🤐
It’s so rare to come by cute furnished places in Germany, you’re lucky in the Netherlands!. I really miss that from the UK, where it’s common too. In Germany there’s typically not even light bulbs in the ceiling and no kitchen. 😂
Hahaha. Actually, that can happen in the NL too. But I think because my friends girlfriend had already set everything up there and was going to stay with him, she didn’t need to take all that stuff with her. I’ve heard about having to bring a new floor here (into a rental!). That’s crazy. Haha.
After 20 years living in London, we decided to move to Granada in Spain in 2014. London is a fantastic city but it was time for a change and Granada is still a city, but much smaller with a population of 250,000. We still love living here after 10 years but every now and again when I feel a bit nostalgic, there are still a few things that I miss:
- Sunday mornings in Greenwich where we lived. Going to the local bakery for scones, getting coffee, having a walk in the park, reading the Sunday papers and then a pub lunch somewhere
- friends and family
- having the choice to go to gigs by bands from all over the world and every type of music every night of the week as most bands play London
- multiculturalism exemplified by food from all over the world which is magnificent
- walking everywhere and feeling centuries of history all around you
My life now is different but then I'm not the person I was 20 years ago. We change as we get older and Granada fits who I am now.
- As for what i don't miss about London, it's the usual city stuff such as commuting to work on the crazy busy underground. I work from home now.
- That sense of rushing everywhere mixed in with that city-like aggression.
- Reliably grey skies. It's still wonderful waking up to sunshine and blue skies for 90% of the year here.
I can't see us leaving Granada now. We have so much here for a small city. But maybe that's for a post that I'm going to write. Thanks for the opportunity to reflect and inspiring my next post.
When you first published this, I immediately added it to my "Save For Later" list for several reasons:
1. As a native Californian, I am fascinated by the East Coast/West Coast debate. Naturally biased towards the "left coast," I am always interested in opposing opinions on the virtues of The Big Apple.
2. I love reading your work in general.
2. It usually takes a death or a wedding to get me east of Vegas, but I will actually be in NYC and upstate later this year for Sterlingfest (don't ask, I'll write about it later). I wanted to see if there were any New York-specific tips or insights I need to know about.
Comparing NYC to Amsterdam is tough because they couldn't be more different. New York has the energy, but I could live in the Rijksmuseum. My guess is that the appeal of each city has more to do with your state of mind and stage of life than anything else.
Regarding comparing AMS to NYC, they are very different. But I do find some similarities. People are direct. It has energy — people cycle VERY fast here and on a sunny day the canal-side streets are overflowing with people drinking beer and hanging out. I guess it's just a different type of energy. Less of a grind and more of a zest for life. I loved NYC in my 20s (and still think it's an amazing city). But as I inch toward 40, Amsterdam is where I belong.
About the East Coast/West Coast debate... where to start? Haha.
Nice that you'll be on the best coast later this year. What types of New York-specific tips are you looking for? Food/restaurants? Places to hangout? Places to avoid? Let me know and I can reply with a list! Also, let me know which month you're going. :)
What I miss the most is the people. No where i have been people are so friendly and nice like NYC. People actually celebrate your success. Everytime I leave NYC, it feels like I just broke up with a bf. The NYC culture is something hard to give up.
I'm happy to hear this! I think New Yorkers get a bad rap for being rude, but really, we're all just on a mission and usually hoping to avoid rush hour subway traffic. No one wants a stinky armpit in their face.
However, at this phase in my life, I could do without the "hustle" culture of NYC. There's no work/life balance and don't even get me started on how few vacation days I used to have when I had a full time, corporate job. That was no way to live.
P.S. I see we're both leaning into the cat cover images — cute! 😻
As someone who also moved far away to a different country, I had to laugh at your list of things you miss. My list is pretty similar and mostly includes food as well 😁 ofcourse I miss family and friends too, but things like WhatsApp, video calling and social media has made it easy to stay in touch. The food culture from Belgium (similar to the one in the Netherlands) on the other hand can't be tasted through WhatsApp 😭
Yes! That is true and it's on my list. Believe it or not, I haven't been to Belgium yet. First it was the pandemic that prevented me, but now I have no excuses. I do want to go try the yummy chocolate and beer (and waffles?)!
Your photograpy is so pretty!! And also, yes, NYC is smelly and I cannot STAND how rude the airport folks are....or just any public service people are in general in NYC..
Yeah, it’s not great. But I guess that’s just what comes with the hustle of living in NYC (even if you’re not in the service industry). I don’t miss that life.
I love hearing about your story. I’m in France for a month (not the same) but one day we’d love to buy a place here if we could make it work. I think my list of things I wouldn’t miss about London would be similar to your NYC list!
Thanks, Hannah! Oh, a month in France sounds lovely! I looked up La Belle (saw your post) — looks beautiful! Enjoy it.
Would you want to by a house in that town or another one? I don't know you situation, but if you make a plan and set your mind to you, I believe you can do it! ;)
Haha, tacos. From my highly scientific polling, approximately 100% of US expats who don’t move to Latin America miss the tacos and/or burritos.
Also +1 on the tipping. Obviously I do tip when in the US, but how refreshing to live in a place where waiters aren’t trying to live off $3.85 an hour plus tips with no social safety net.
I’m 2 years in Ireland as of this month. Here are the 5 things I miss from my US life:
1. Target
2. [Good] Mexican food
3. [Good] Korean and Japanese food
4. Half and half for my coffee
5. My friends and family
And 5 things I do NOT miss:
1. Toxic culture wars
2. Pervasive gun violence
3. Overpriced healthcare
4. Intractable homelessness
5. The feeing like everyone is hustling at level 10 all the darn time. Like…it’s ok just to have a hobby you suck at. You don’t need to try to monetize it and grow a brand.
I also don't miss 3 and 5 from your "do NOT miss" list. Actually, everything from that list resonates!
I'm definitely more of a work to live versus live to work person now that I've lived in the Netherlands for five years. It took a while for me to shift my mindset though — like three of the five years!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Vallerie! Where in the US are you from?
Nice! I've never been there! I lived between NYC and Seattle for a brief period and the homelessness there was shocking/sad. I imagine it's similar (maybe worse) in SF. Sending you virtual [good] tacos! 🌮
Thank you! Sometimes I look back and think I was crazy, but I’m just the type of person to keep moving forward and figure it out along the way. The divorce part was a blessing in disguise. 😉
Oh, I love your photo diary! I spent a magical few months in a canalside apartment just like that! It was just me and my friend's cat while she was away travelling. Loved it! I also ended up with a good group of Dutch friends but it was different because I met them travelling. I've found it really hard to meet any people here in Australia, comparatively. Well, my people, at least!
Anyway, it's been 11 years now since I left the UK and I honestly don't miss much apart from my family and friends, landscapes, and nature. The flowers in spring, the park life in summer... oh, maybe bonfire night! I used to love bonfire night. And all the streets I used to know.
I feel the same about Cambodia, though, and Guatemala, and the Netherlands. That's probably it of all the places I've been they're the ones I "lived in", I guess. Everywhere else I was passing through; a couple of weeks or months here or there. I'll probably feel the same when I leave Perth. It's been a good halfway place, but it was never meant to be permanent. The cat makes it a little trickier these days, though!
Can you see Amsterdam being a forever home? It is a great city! 💜
I think it’s hard to know what my forever home will be, especially after such a big move. Never know what life has planned for you. But it’s where I want to be for the foreseeable future—that’s all I know! 😻
I love living abroad; there are so many experiences and things to learn. Yes, sunshine was what I missed the most during winter when I lived in Cologne for three years, but the summers were just bliss.
Ooo this is refreshing to hear. I just moved to Denmark without a job or friends and I am doing the meet ups faze. Glad to hear it worked out for you! It sounds like you made the right choice
I don’t regret it at all! It has been a great change! You will find your way! 😉
Hello, we bought a Maison Secondaire in the Creuse in France in 2004 and actually lived there from 2010 to 2015 when we came back to th UK.
I think it is fascinating living in another country with all the different things to learn. Not least the language. It's also fascinating looking at your country from the outside and from a foreigners perspective.
I also think it’s fascinating and I miss the beginning when everything was new and a learning experience!
I lived in Germany as a student a long time ago. I loved the people, the architecture, the relaxed culture of Europe, the beauty, the quality of food and drink. I didn’t love not being able to shop between noon on Saturday and Monday morning. I found that to be super inconvenient. Maybe that’s changed in the years since then. There was also a hint of homogeneity in the culture, and repercussions for not following the rules that I found to be constraining. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what that’s like where you live.
I also love the relaxed European culture! It took me time to ease into it, but I’ve slowed down over the last 2 years or so. I can’t say much about the food here in the NL. It’s nothing special, but there are a lot of cuisines from other countries too, like Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Surinam. So that’s great! Retail stores do close earlier here (compared to NYC), but I think it’s more fair for the employees. Markets are open 7 days a week, but close earlier on Sunday. There’s never a whole day when I can’t go to the shops. That would be tough and I can understand seeing it as a downside. Regarding homogeneity, there is a bit of that here. I mainly have expat friends. Getting into an entirely Dutch group of friends is tough, but I think it’s partially a language barrier. Although, I can’t say for sure. My father has mentioned that as one of the reasons why he left the NL — the social groups and expectations felt restraining.
All my Dutch friends have lived abroad, are in a multicultural relationship, or have a parent from another country, making them more open.
Perhaps I am a bit ignorant, but all this doesn’t bother me because I’ve found my (international) people here. My partner is from Turkey and my friends are from Italy, Spain, Turkey, HK, England, Greece, Egypt, the Netherlands, Serbia, Germany, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some place. So it’s very fun and interesting to learn about all the different cultures and perspective. Of course, they all ask me what I think about Trump, and I usually please the 5th. 🤐
What a cute place! The light, the wallpaper, the little details.. 🥰 stunning! Did you rent it furnished?
Yep! It was furnished. All I had was 2 suitcases and I moved right in. It was great! And I felt so light!
It’s so rare to come by cute furnished places in Germany, you’re lucky in the Netherlands!. I really miss that from the UK, where it’s common too. In Germany there’s typically not even light bulbs in the ceiling and no kitchen. 😂
Long story short, I was super lucky!
Hahaha. Actually, that can happen in the NL too. But I think because my friends girlfriend had already set everything up there and was going to stay with him, she didn’t need to take all that stuff with her. I’ve heard about having to bring a new floor here (into a rental!). That’s crazy. Haha.
🤣 yeah new floor sounds familiar to Germans too 🤦♀️
After 20 years living in London, we decided to move to Granada in Spain in 2014. London is a fantastic city but it was time for a change and Granada is still a city, but much smaller with a population of 250,000. We still love living here after 10 years but every now and again when I feel a bit nostalgic, there are still a few things that I miss:
- Sunday mornings in Greenwich where we lived. Going to the local bakery for scones, getting coffee, having a walk in the park, reading the Sunday papers and then a pub lunch somewhere
- friends and family
- having the choice to go to gigs by bands from all over the world and every type of music every night of the week as most bands play London
- multiculturalism exemplified by food from all over the world which is magnificent
- walking everywhere and feeling centuries of history all around you
My life now is different but then I'm not the person I was 20 years ago. We change as we get older and Granada fits who I am now.
- As for what i don't miss about London, it's the usual city stuff such as commuting to work on the crazy busy underground. I work from home now.
- That sense of rushing everywhere mixed in with that city-like aggression.
- Reliably grey skies. It's still wonderful waking up to sunshine and blue skies for 90% of the year here.
I can't see us leaving Granada now. We have so much here for a small city. But maybe that's for a post that I'm going to write. Thanks for the opportunity to reflect and inspiring my next post.
When you first published this, I immediately added it to my "Save For Later" list for several reasons:
1. As a native Californian, I am fascinated by the East Coast/West Coast debate. Naturally biased towards the "left coast," I am always interested in opposing opinions on the virtues of The Big Apple.
2. I love reading your work in general.
2. It usually takes a death or a wedding to get me east of Vegas, but I will actually be in NYC and upstate later this year for Sterlingfest (don't ask, I'll write about it later). I wanted to see if there were any New York-specific tips or insights I need to know about.
Comparing NYC to Amsterdam is tough because they couldn't be more different. New York has the energy, but I could live in the Rijksmuseum. My guess is that the appeal of each city has more to do with your state of mind and stage of life than anything else.
For me, I think I'm leaning Dutch.
Hi Brian!
Regarding comparing AMS to NYC, they are very different. But I do find some similarities. People are direct. It has energy — people cycle VERY fast here and on a sunny day the canal-side streets are overflowing with people drinking beer and hanging out. I guess it's just a different type of energy. Less of a grind and more of a zest for life. I loved NYC in my 20s (and still think it's an amazing city). But as I inch toward 40, Amsterdam is where I belong.
About the East Coast/West Coast debate... where to start? Haha.
Nice that you'll be on the best coast later this year. What types of New York-specific tips are you looking for? Food/restaurants? Places to hangout? Places to avoid? Let me know and I can reply with a list! Also, let me know which month you're going. :)
As always, thanks for your kind words!
What I miss the most is the people. No where i have been people are so friendly and nice like NYC. People actually celebrate your success. Everytime I leave NYC, it feels like I just broke up with a bf. The NYC culture is something hard to give up.
I'm happy to hear this! I think New Yorkers get a bad rap for being rude, but really, we're all just on a mission and usually hoping to avoid rush hour subway traffic. No one wants a stinky armpit in their face.
However, at this phase in my life, I could do without the "hustle" culture of NYC. There's no work/life balance and don't even get me started on how few vacation days I used to have when I had a full time, corporate job. That was no way to live.
P.S. I see we're both leaning into the cat cover images — cute! 😻
As someone who also moved far away to a different country, I had to laugh at your list of things you miss. My list is pretty similar and mostly includes food as well 😁 ofcourse I miss family and friends too, but things like WhatsApp, video calling and social media has made it easy to stay in touch. The food culture from Belgium (similar to the one in the Netherlands) on the other hand can't be tasted through WhatsApp 😭
I'm glad this made you laugh! So are you from Belgium? I can't say the food is something I would miss most if I left Amsterdam... 😹
I'm from Belgium originally yes 😊 You'll have to go and cross the border and taste some of our chocolate and beers then 😉
Yes! That is true and it's on my list. Believe it or not, I haven't been to Belgium yet. First it was the pandemic that prevented me, but now I have no excuses. I do want to go try the yummy chocolate and beer (and waffles?)!
Agree on the "Things I miss" top 5 but number 4 would be Target and 5 Chinese Takeout.
I forgot about the Chinese takeout! That's a good one. :)
Your photograpy is so pretty!! And also, yes, NYC is smelly and I cannot STAND how rude the airport folks are....or just any public service people are in general in NYC..
Yeah, it’s not great. But I guess that’s just what comes with the hustle of living in NYC (even if you’re not in the service industry). I don’t miss that life.
I love hearing about your story. I’m in France for a month (not the same) but one day we’d love to buy a place here if we could make it work. I think my list of things I wouldn’t miss about London would be similar to your NYC list!
Thanks, Hannah! Oh, a month in France sounds lovely! I looked up La Belle (saw your post) — looks beautiful! Enjoy it.
Would you want to by a house in that town or another one? I don't know you situation, but if you make a plan and set your mind to you, I believe you can do it! ;)
Haha, tacos. From my highly scientific polling, approximately 100% of US expats who don’t move to Latin America miss the tacos and/or burritos.
Also +1 on the tipping. Obviously I do tip when in the US, but how refreshing to live in a place where waiters aren’t trying to live off $3.85 an hour plus tips with no social safety net.
I’m 2 years in Ireland as of this month. Here are the 5 things I miss from my US life:
1. Target
2. [Good] Mexican food
3. [Good] Korean and Japanese food
4. Half and half for my coffee
5. My friends and family
And 5 things I do NOT miss:
1. Toxic culture wars
2. Pervasive gun violence
3. Overpriced healthcare
4. Intractable homelessness
5. The feeing like everyone is hustling at level 10 all the darn time. Like…it’s ok just to have a hobby you suck at. You don’t need to try to monetize it and grow a brand.
I think you're probably right about the tacos!
I forgot about Target! That's a good one.
I also don't miss 3 and 5 from your "do NOT miss" list. Actually, everything from that list resonates!
I'm definitely more of a work to live versus live to work person now that I've lived in the Netherlands for five years. It took a while for me to shift my mindset though — like three of the five years!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Vallerie! Where in the US are you from?
San Francisco!
Nice! I've never been there! I lived between NYC and Seattle for a brief period and the homelessness there was shocking/sad. I imagine it's similar (maybe worse) in SF. Sending you virtual [good] tacos! 🌮
It must take a whole load of confidence to do this, especially after a divorce. Props to you, Alexis!
Thank you! Sometimes I look back and think I was crazy, but I’m just the type of person to keep moving forward and figure it out along the way. The divorce part was a blessing in disguise. 😉
Oh, I love your photo diary! I spent a magical few months in a canalside apartment just like that! It was just me and my friend's cat while she was away travelling. Loved it! I also ended up with a good group of Dutch friends but it was different because I met them travelling. I've found it really hard to meet any people here in Australia, comparatively. Well, my people, at least!
Anyway, it's been 11 years now since I left the UK and I honestly don't miss much apart from my family and friends, landscapes, and nature. The flowers in spring, the park life in summer... oh, maybe bonfire night! I used to love bonfire night. And all the streets I used to know.
I feel the same about Cambodia, though, and Guatemala, and the Netherlands. That's probably it of all the places I've been they're the ones I "lived in", I guess. Everywhere else I was passing through; a couple of weeks or months here or there. I'll probably feel the same when I leave Perth. It's been a good halfway place, but it was never meant to be permanent. The cat makes it a little trickier these days, though!
Can you see Amsterdam being a forever home? It is a great city! 💜
I think it’s hard to know what my forever home will be, especially after such a big move. Never know what life has planned for you. But it’s where I want to be for the foreseeable future—that’s all I know! 😻
I love living abroad; there are so many experiences and things to learn. Yes, sunshine was what I missed the most during winter when I lived in Cologne for three years, but the summers were just bliss.
AMS summers are also great! (When it’s not raining… hehe).
ALEJANDRE DE ALEXIS DAMEN