Moving to Sweden - did I make a mistake?

[@savage9536]

Moving is not a solution to being unfulfilled in your life. I think you hit the head of the problem when you said "the grass is greener where you water it." That's exactly it. If you think about it, you haven't actually changed much about your life beyond just where you live. Besides buying a country home, you are still living quite similarly to how you were in London in regards to work and the daily routine that follows. I think moving to Switzerland is going to bring you the same thing. After the honeymoon phase wears off, you are going to be right back where you started. Focusing on the big picture and what you actually want in life at your current stage will bring you much more fulfillment.

[@_Wolfsbane_]

This. It sounds like the *place* of living isn't problem, the *way* of living is the problem.

[@AceFreehley]

At least the chocolate is better in Switzerland.

[@pungvarlarsson6451]

Moving can be a solution, specially when you live in socialist zombieland like Sweden.

[@yeshuamaitreya6954]

Wherever you go, there you are.

[@leehumby8733]

Ethan, it feels like you're trying to escape from yourself. Perhaps stop thinking about where you should be and start to think about what you have achieved so far in your life and the friendships you've developed and be happy for that. People are the key.

[@peterkasinathan5780]

Thank you for sharing your journey, Ethan. I’ve been following your journey and your authenticity is reassuring.

[@pereinarolsson3928]

As a Swede I think Stockholm is beatiful but would never consider living there. Ask yourself what you really want and take action from there. All big cities are very stressed today. Why do you live in a city if you want nature???

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Loneliness is the ultimate poverty. Get out there, meet someone and enjoy life together.

[@SuperAnatolli]

Easier said than done in Sweden... Especially on the countryside. Could work fine in stockholm or gothemburg. I guess sweden is one of the places there it is most difficult to "get in". It is difficult also for swedes who moves inside the country.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@@SuperAnatolli The internet opened the world...he is no longer restricted to Sweden.

[@BestCarSound]

Hej! Living in Stockholm for 2 years now. At the beginning rented apartments near city and also wasn't super happy. Recently moved to Saltsjö-boo, got a tiny cottage, got a job 8 min drive away and loving life. Current job is also much better than previous one and meeting friends more often seems to help mentally. Keeping positive mindset, be grateful for small things we might take for granted. Though I cannot ignore cost of living here, so I don't see myself saying here for many years. Would like to save up some money and return to my home country, be closer to my family. Hope things work out for you, Ethan!

[@tallgest]

I moved from the UK to Bulgaria for 4 years. I was still miserable and unhappy and decided to go back to the UK. Austria is better than Switzerland.

[@blanco76]

I'm tired of Stockholm and thinking about moving to Gotland instead. I feel more free when I'm there for work.

[@ingelaengstrom3074]

There is a big difference in the atmosphere in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Much friendlier and nicer in Gothenburg. Your gut feeling is absolutely right.

[@henriabsinthe3181]

Switzerland is centrally located. Short drives to major European cities, skiing and beaches. Not just to have fun but to experience art and culture. No country is perfect. No life is perfect. But I would choose Switzerland. If funds available keep the country house in Sweden. 😊

[@EthanFromLondon]

Totally agree 👍

[@naturligabandet703]

I moved away from Stockholm. 2 hours by car, close to the sea and close to nature. Welcome! Here you can find a lot of jobs too ❤

[@borderlord]

Did you sell your London pad? If not you have a backup plan if Sweden turns out not to suit you. Can you speak Swedish? If not I would think that would be a hindrance to a full social life. I am 51 in London and I would say it is harder to make new connections,friends ,true deep relations as we get older..its not like when we were 21 or 31 out and about. Zurich is lovely ..but to visit ,to live I dont know...could you find it dull after a while too? Home is where the Heart is ...if family and friends are in London.. it is waiting. I went for a great walk this Sunday morning down through Mayfair,Westminster,over Lambeth bridge,then all along the river to Tate Modern...lots of people out and about... But being on my own you can feel that lonely feeling. Meeting someone special can turn things around wherever we are I guess! 🍻

[@randykreifels6171]

I will say I am glad you showed back up! As they say if you don't like your circumstances then create new ones. Seems like alot of hassle for a job.

[@petter5721]

A lot of people that move to Scandinavia get depressed of the darkness in the winters. Work less and enjoy life!

[@michaelgenias8491]

Good to see you posting again. Maybe you need to give it more time? I think it takes a while to fit into a new country.

[@andersstreifeldt2990]

Spain. Palma de Mallorca is my dreamliving. It has it all.......

[@itspart]

Ethen your a good man. Have you ever though about North Yorkshire? Beautiful and convenient for work.

[@stefanogoldoni5059]

Ethan, we are waiting for you in Italy! In 2020 the city where I live (Pescara) was selected by Forbes USA as one one the best places to live abroad. I left Rome 40 years ago for the same reasons you left London and I never regretted it one bit. Best decision in my life. If I were you I would choose Italy, Spain or maybe Greece.

[@atifakhtar3942]

"The day requires sunglasses" - Ethan

[@truno7]

Listen to the song by Tiesto “Just Be” in that Volvo and really hear the lyrics and see if it can help you.

[@SuperAnatolli]

Big cities are big problems. I live on the countryside. Work in a tiny town nearby. Not so far to Oslo if I for some reason want to go there (wich I do not really want, but somethimes there is a consert or something I want to attend). Now, Oslo is a small town compared to Sthlm, more in the size of Gothenburg. Lots of scocial problems there so I would not recomend it. Maybe living a bit outside, there are some really nice places not far away. Zürich is nice, as is Geneva. The best is to live in a smaller city nearby a big one. Much more relaxed atmoshpere.

[@somedudeguytv]

I have been in living in Sweden for 5 years up in the far noth in Luleå. I moved here from Canada. I also do not even recognize my country anymore and the leadership in my country is next to non existent with all it's priorities in the wrong place. I do enjoy my 7-16 job and I am very happy with my apartment. Socializeing and dating is very hard here. But lonelyness is not limited to Sweden. It's a world issue no one wants to address. I do feel things for me is much better for me here in Sweden than if I was to go back home. Maybe you need to find work in some town closer to your summer home and find a job with less working hours.

[@annicaesplund6613]

A common mistake, to move to another country in search of... what exactly? Rent and try it out, travel around and see the country, then you haven't burned your ship and It's easier to go back home.

[@sultanoftippoo3857]

I sincerely hope you find happiness in life Ethan wherever you go. As a young child I remember watching the Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s words at the end struck a chord that has stayed with me 50 years later; “if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with”. I guess those words are open to interpretation but for me I’ve found happiness is being close to loved ones and having good health. Everything else (a career/purpose, financial independence etc) is a bonus.

[@newworldlove7031]

Leaving London is a great thing todo as London is so unfriendly and people are just very aggressive. I cant wait to leave.

[@rafasuchodolski7955]

As in Lana Del Rey's song: So I moved to California‚ but it's just a state of mind It  turns out everywhere you go‚ you take yourself‚ that's not a lie

[@andrewflanders262]

Maybe you should do a stint somewhere with better year around weather. Just spending a week in a tropical climate can improve my overall mood for several months upon returning.

[@EthanFromLondon]

I hate hot countries

[@liubovaristova8737]

“An unfamiliar paradise seems like a burden” 😊 this is a familiar feeling after many years of city life and we become very addicted to it hormonally and everything that in reality is not natural for our soul and body - it seems to us that this is already normal. therefore, when there is a sharp change, our body also experiences some kind of hormonal changes, and if there is on top stress in life - and this is cortisol and nonadrenaline, in this mix we perceive reality not very clearly. This happened to me 2 years ago. 2 years ago, after a divorce, I planned to return to my homeland, but 3 days before the plane, the war began. I had already rented out my apartment, sold my car, took a whole carload of things to Mexico for children in need, and stood with my child ready to go to the airport. and when this happened, I called my friends and we agreed that we would temporarily rent a guest house on their territory until it became clear what would next. but their houses are on a farm, and I lived in a big city. I had withdrawal symptoms for the first half of the year; I couldn’t accept the new reality (unconsciously) over time, I began to participate in planting fruit trees, greenery and berries, began to walk barefoot more and do a lot of Sun baths without clothes (when I was completely alone on the territory), consciously began to work on balancing hormones, we give all uneaten food to the chickens, I learned a lot during this time. I have now completed a course on trading so that I have the opportunity to stay at home more and work from home at my own pace and mode. A very large revaluation of values ​​occurred during this period, new meanings and priorities emerged, new self awareness and our involvement in the earth. I came up with the idea in the future to build an entire eco-village with a private holistic school for children and parents. there is a new motivation to earn money with meaning for creation ❤ and last year my daughter and I traveled to different countries in search of a “new place”, 9 countries passed. In the end, I confirmed to myself that I now want to live only on my own land and mostly eat from the garden. so the search ended and the task changed, choose a place where I can practically and realistically apply my ideas and intentions. Wherever we go, we take ourselves with us everywhere. Usually such periods come for us to recapitulate ourselves and our lives and make adjustments in accordance with our Soul and return to our true self, how we were intended by the creator 🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@nonefvnfvnjnjnjevjenjvonej3384]

you can also try bern in switzerland. amazing architecture and a great city.

[@benwu7980]

Maybe a bit of an overreach, but I get the impression about Sweden that it's not great for dating.

[@EthanFromLondon]

I am not interested in dating

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

SUNSHINE NATURES ANTI DEPRESSANT..STOCKHOLM WILL MAKE YOU MORE DEPRESSED

[@EthanFromLondon]

It’s very very sunny

[@Trekatterochjag]

Today we have 24 degrees in Stockholm. But do you need to be in a big city? There are other smäller cities as well.. some of them surrounded by more nature and countryside.

[@SonicFlare]

Funny, went through a very similar experience over the past 2+ years; moved from LA (insane politics voted for by insane people) where I've lived for 30 years to Budapest - job related - (I grew up in Vienna) - couldn't connect and we are now back in Maine - countryside. I still feel like we haven't reached our destination.

[@johnwilliam1761]

If you still have the proepty in London, keep it and rent it out. Move to the next destination (Switzerland?) purely rent for 1 year minimum to see how you find the 'actual living' vs visting, if you enjoy it past 1 year then you can start to commit.

[@philscarriage73]

Hi Ethan. Good to hear from you. You know the UK has lots of lovely locations outside of London. I moved from Birmingham out to Lincolnshire and its a different world and alot cheaper here. What about Scotland or North Wales? Your house is lovely there but i dont think its you. Regards Phil

[@nancymacavoy3427]

Sorry to hear you want to move. You have a perfect home and life is beautiful in my opinion ❤

[@nonefvnfvnjnjnjevjenjvonej3384]

what about some charming english countryside town?

[@speicherkanal4894]

I would avoid Zurich for the cold weather. Geneva has the much broader lake and it is not that far from the Mediterranean Sea. Lugano is a bit geographically contained but nice (even though still too cold in winter and the sun is dimm). It is not overly expensive outside the town. My other ideas: Gibraltar (tax & business advantage), Cyprus (tax&business advantage), Monaco(expensive), Southern France (tax problems), Portugal, buy a caravan or sailing boat, move overseas, perpetual traveling.

[@SuperAnatolli]

Zürich is warm and nice compared to Sweden...

[@caponeZR]

Välkommen!

[@sinalko]

You should try Spain, or Portugal maybe

[@EthanFromLondon]

Can’t live in a hot country

[@petertyckare3432]

You did it in London and You do it in Stockholm and will do it in Zurich or Geneva! It's your work routine you don't enjoy 6:30 to 18:30, I know those who have felt the same and moved to smaller cities (less commuting) with slightly less pay and much cheaper living and enjoy it. Personally, I wish I could live 6 months in Sweden and 6 months in Spain and never have to experience winter cold (I love the winter heat in southern Spain).

[@trut52]

Have you thought of working remotely or hybrid? Maybe 1-2 day in the office would be enough for you. I personally don't think Switzerland is meaningfully different to Sweden, I have friend who works in Zürich and he's miserable all the time and needs to escape every 1-2 month to get away. Zürich architecture is the same, brutalist soviet "bunker" style for the most part. Switzerland is even more xenophobic than Sweden for the most part. People are super reserved in either country and never really let you in on their friend circle. I would think Switzerland as a sideways move from Sweden. Just to throw something in the mix: UK but a smaller city/countryside? Wales is gorgeous. Doesn't have the London problems.

[@ArsenAl-zorK]

Calling architecture and buildings in Stockholm "Soviet" is an interesting way of saying you have never actually been to a soviet state lol. I agree some suburb areas have depressing apartment blocks, but find that a bit ridiculous to give Sweden or Stockholm shit for that. Ive travelled a whole lot and lived in other continents and countries, to me Sweden and Scandinavia, although not perfect, are the best place and countries in the world. Sad for you that Sweden didnt work out the way you wanted it to and hopefully you will find that fulfillment somewhere else then.

[@Pinerocks]

Well at least you have the ABBA museum there!

[@evertsmits4952]

So you have a country side home, but seem to be hating living in cities. However you did choose to work in Stockholm and have an apartment there. Like you said that is just replacing London for Stockholm. Have you considered remote work yet? I am sure you have. It might be the answer. Although I would then try to explore some hobby's that involve other people in order to keep social. Also like you mentioned, for any place the following is true: Vacation in country X does not equal living in country X Work = Work (no matter where you are) Try not to jump to conclusions yet and abruptly move to a complete other country. You just need to alter your gameplan a bit. You have been wanting to go the Sweden, what makes you have to go to work in Stockholm? Is it money? Is it the concept of working in Stockholm? What is it? In the end, I think that every city around the world will give you this same feeling. Sometimes the change required lies within yourself. But yeah I am not trying to push the wrong buttons on you here. Just trying to help.

[@Juan_Carlos_V]

Take care Ethan, I see you much thinner, greetings

[@pkey7370]

Have you ever been to Australia? Def should check it out.. been here 5 years and its hard to compare to anything in the world. If you have some money you can buy something nice and be surrounded by great city and great countryside. The poison bug stories you hear is nosnese, 5 years explored all of the east coast, never yet seen a snake or poisonous spider. Only seen a kangaroo once surprisingly as well.. Sydney is a good city

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

Try Santa Fe NM dry and sunny or Denver CO

[@pats9924]

An unfulfilling job in Shangri-La is still an unfulfilling job. Find a job that is interesting and challenging and you’ll be happy no matter where you live.

[@FightingMango]

Sorry but not sure where in Stockholm city you are hanging out but most of vasastan, kungsholmen, Östermalm etc are not soviet architecture. 😂 I’ve moved here having lived in Melbourne, London, Dublin and Helsinki. I do of course love Zurich but Stockholm is wonderful. It does at least sound like either you, or your job demands too much time working. I do a more senior job (management consultant) than what I had in previous cities and the life balance is great. I pick up my daughter most day at 16:00. Work from home 3 days a week. Love it. I do hope for your sake that you find your balance Ethan ❤

[@EthanFromLondon]

I was a management consultant and had senior roles but this company requires a lot of time and hence I don’t have a work life balance so I feel exhausted

[@TheNukite]

Welcome to Sweden. Lycka till!

[@lefuedebout]

Regret to hear you haven't found your mojo in Stockholm. Exchanging one capital city for another only transplants that which you were escaping. Have you tried Uppsala? A smaller place without the pressures of a capital. Switzer sounds good but Zurich is no longer the city you remember. The usual suspects have even managed to inveigle themselves there too. Capital cities may not be the answer you're looking for. But should you get to Zurich, say hello to Barbara my old G/F of many years ago! 🙂

[@theophile1887]

Poor you. Move to Vancouver if you can afford it.

[@MisterAzizo]

Home is wherever the heart is

[@atom999]

I'd be moving to Italy if I was you!

[@zoom5024]

Sounds like you have a problem you have to take care of, you are still ethan from London no matter where you reside. Changing your work sounds like a more sound plan then moving, in terms of happiness.

[@joesigel8243]

Southern California.

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

I lived in Manhattan 30 years..every day exciting..for me preferably the UWS or Village or off 5th Ave n of 56. . If you practice Medicine or related then good dollars.

[@louisdewit4429]

I recognize what he says at 2.20. ‘It’s not my country so I won’t get wound up about it so much’. I’m Dutch, live in communist/islamic Amsterdam, get pissed off every day and for the same reason want to move to at least a sunnier place. Stockholm’s central area is indeed of amazing architectural beauty but indeed, anything build after 1950 is concrete multicultural disaster. And although a pleasant city, there’s not that much to do. Amsterdam is much smaller but a lot livelier. Only the difference in Gay life. 😊

[@paulsagbakken2996]

Stockholm used to be great, it’s the political movement that sucks. Klaus Schwab has his tentacles all over the world.

[@josephrobi6806]

I understand you. I moved in Philippines and it is too humid and hot. So I am moving back home canada but Canada is like England uk not good. So I need to find a third country. But where to go? 😅

[@jeffreyroberts7438]

If you are happier in your country home isn’t it possible to get a job( don’t know what you do) that enables you to work from home? As everyone did during COVID. You still need people interaction, but you seem to have friends in Sweden to cover that. Good luck. living in London as it is now must be soul destroying anyway!

[@djzrobzombie2813]

How are the woman in Sweden?

[@EthanFromLondon]

Very beautiful

[@paultruesdale7680]

Italy or Germany, should have been your destination Ethan. You had a Ferrari in London and then you moved to one of the slowest countries in Europe. Nice pace of life, but you can’t get your bloody foot down. Get yourself something quick and your hair blow back. Not a Ferrari though, no more videos on that subject again.

[@gabrielp8785]

Maybe you should read the book " Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work " it changed my life wherever I am.

[@ps-dn7ce]

You should study Reality Transurfing.

[@londonman8688]

can you work from home in the country ?

[@Michael-s5i5j]

You have to give it at least 6m.

[@nevisscot7697]

Being alone is not good for anyone and in cold sweden ....you obviously dont have financial problems .if you choose swizerland and live on the border with Italy you can drive to so many places in europe .

[@EthanFromLondon]

I enjoy being alone actually

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

Perhaps Berlin or a warm climate …Spain?

[@EthanFromLondon]

Hate hot countries

[@andreassjoberg3484]

Become a farmer, try it.

[@DogMan145]

If i had the freedom, id move to thailand but you are proly not the type of guy that would enjoy it

[@EthanFromLondon]

You are right I would hate the heat

[@acoolbear]

Hi Gods love you.

[@erikgillisostrom6109]

Its not the city...it’s you

[@EthanFromLondon]

Great insight 😂

[@erikgillisostrom6109]

Ofcourse everything is great meeting friends during free time but it doesn't seem you really change the things you were running from....

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

Volunteer your lifesaving skills for Ukraine…

[@WalterThorne-h5k]

You’re a Manhattan man…I lived in Stockholm …I much prefer NYC.

[@wreagfe]

... He already said he doesn't want to live in a Soviet city...

[@nancymacavoy3427]

New York City is going to the dogs. All the homeless people. Are you crazy 🤪???

[@pereinarolsson3928]

Remember that Brittish people are very good att smalltalk. We are not. YOU have to start talkning then people are nice. We are 10 million in a vast country - you are 70? on a small island in GB. It will be different. If you want the sea do not go to Switzerland....

[@EthanFromLondon]

I met quite a few friendly people today while walking my dog. They started talking to me without me even trying

[@shehtazruslan]

ethanfromsweden

[@karlsfishtube5305]

The sound of it, you need to work on your perception of life within your self. Most I hear is just miserable talking...

[@EthanFromLondon]

Sorry to hear someone is forcing you to watch my channel 😂

[@londonman8688]

is sweden more racist that uk ?

[@NastyNathanial69]

I recently got back from a trip overseas. I went back to Manila. It was the first time I'd been back since 2019. A lot has changed in 5 years and not all for the best. I've always loved the Philippines and Manila has become somewhat of a second home to me. I've been there numerous times and have stayed there for months at a time. But something has happened to change my viewpoints on the place. Quite frankly I was miserable. So much so that I decided I didn't want to be there anymore. So I packed up my things one day and headed for.... Can you guess where? If you guessed London, then you guessed right. But watching this video made me relate somewhat to how you are feeling right now. Of course my situation is somewhat different than your's. But I still feel I can relate somewhat. But whatever decision you make on whether you remain in Sweedon, or go someplace else, I hope you find the happiness you long for and deserve. Ethan From London you are a great man. I love watching your videos.

[@dkib2006]

How did you get this job? On LinkedIn? Do you meet interesting people at work?

[@EthanFromLondon]

Yes and yes