4K LILLE | Surviving winter in the north of France; daily life and dealing with expat loneliness

Last year, I uploaded a vlog with my first 100 days in Lille, which I've since made private because 1) I feel like it wasn't very good as one of my first vlogs and 2) I had way too many personal thoughts floating around in those subtitles. But here we go again - more meanderingly melancholy musings on living in the cold north of France, this time my last 100 days in the city.
What I loved about Lille:
- visiting Vieux Lille on a Saturday, and Marché de Wazemmes on a Sunday
- the galleries (not in this video), particularly La Piscine de Roubaix
- the red brick Flemish architecture being so unique in France
What I didn’t like:
- food culture, the welsh wasn't for me
- it's hard to make friends - being one hour from amsterdam, london, paris etc. makes for a pretty transient population
- the weather is similar to melbourne, i was always wishing for the sun
Time stamps:
0:00 Home in Lille
0:22 On the metro
2:01 Place du Général-de-Gaulle
3:05 Vieux Lille
3:48 Daily life at home
4:42 Shopping at Avril and Starbucks
5:22 Apero at the Citadel
5:51 Parc Barbieux
6:13 Street fête in Wazemmes
7:17 Coffee at Nottinghill by the Opera
7:34 SNCF to Paris
8:35 Walks around Vauban and Cormontaigne
10:18 Marché de Wazemmes
11:48 Fête de la musique
12:47 Vielle Bourse book market
13:47 Chambre de Commerce
Thanks for watching x
#NorthOfFrance #DigitalNomad #RemoteWorkFrance #MoveToFrance #FrenchLife

[@brendam5356]

Bonjour hello from New Zealand I’m absolutely loving your videos I understand your feeling of loneliness and the sharp edged world I immerse myself in the things that bring me joy quiet space markets are a hive of activity wonder and friends I’m sure you’ll settle in France your partner is supportive adorable couple have a fabulous weekend I plan to catchup with your videos enchante💖💖👌👌🌟

[@tahney]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. It's always lovely to hear an overlap with feelings, as strange as they might be. I also love markets for the same reasons, they bring so much solace and stimulation. Happy new year and thanks for spending time with my video xx

[@atharvamenghal6818]

Loved this! You should visit Jersey, Channel Islands! I am working here at the moment and the winters somehow feel amazing!

[@tahney]

Oooh, I’ve always wanted to visit some of the isles between the UK and France. They look super wholesome, right? One day!