Why I Left London!

#ad Go to betterhelp.com/mustard and get 10% off your first month.
Buy my book OKAY DAYS:
Blackwells (FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING): blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
Amazon: amzn.to/3BOtXeh
Waterstones: tidd.ly/3dSnVS7
Bookshop.org: uk.bookshop.org/shop/jennymus...
Shop My Wardrobe: www.moonsift.com/collection/j...
Shop My Jewellery: www.moonsift.com/collection/j...
I first moved to London way back in 2010. And I utterly loved it, I actually still today think that’s when my life truly started, that first night when David and I arrived at our tiny Soho flat and went out to get an air mattress to sleep on in our grand 14 square metre room above all the strip clubs and sex shops. Can you imagine. Fast forward 4 years and we’re now in a slightly less tiny Shoreditch flat and I have completely gone off living in London. So David and I up and leave, and go back to Sweden for a couple of years to figure out what’s next. So what happened between that beautiful March evening in 2010, and that bleak March day in 2014 when we got on the airport shuttle with all our possessions and left London, jaded, exhausted, and dirt poor? There was not one reason for us leaving London. There were many.
I talk about:
- how we paid for our first flat in london
- how expensive is london
- the smallest flat in london
- living in soho
- living in shoreditch
- shady landlords
- culture clashes
- visa problems
- living in a swedish forest
___
tiktok:
/ jennymustard_
find us on instagram !
@jennymustard - / jennymustard
@davidmustard_ - / davidmustard_
___
subscribe to our podcast on
apple podcasts : apple.co/2DR2lpF
spotify : spoti.fi/2BAGuUJ
___
subscribe to my channel :
bit.ly/2iBaKo9
___
fair use of copyrighted material:
disclaimer: i do not own some of the material in this video. please note that some images, videos, and copyrights belong to their original owners. no copyright infringement intended.
___
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links which I earn a commission on.

[@Soph-rv9tb]

I have no idea how I ended up here (thanks clever algorithm!) but this was such a precious thing to watch. Originally from Sweden, I've spent the majority of my adult life abroad. I lived in London for almost 10 years, but moved to Stockholm during the pandemic for a job, and everything I wanted in terms of quality of life I have here. I'm very lucky to own a flat in a beautiful area in central Stockholm, yet close to enormous green areas. Also no commute, ideal rent vs income situation etc. BUT! I miss London, so much, literally every single day. It was pure grief in the beginning, literally. I always felt so grateful for spending the pandemic in Sweden, as London was incredibly challenging with the lockdowns etc., but the thing I miss so terribly is the people. The kindness, the humour, the small talk and jokes with "strangers", the celebration of diversity, every single day. Due to the pandemic I couldn't visit London for 2 years, and I thought I had gotten used to Stockholm by then. First time back to London, it was like the energy just shifted in such an intense, positive direction. I was literally crying at the airport because of how much I had missed it, it just overwhelmed me. Didn't know you could love a city that much, but it's part of me on a cellular level - and trust me, I did NOT live a luxurious life in London and I've shared flat with mice (involuntarily) more than once so I know exactly what you're talking about! The hopelessness re making ends meet even with a good salary, it's taxing. The white paint on mouldy patches, dysfunctional boilers and fitted carpets with God knows what on them - been there done that, paying handsomely for it as well 😉Completely different story in Sweden for most people, and I love that we have fantastic social systems. That said, I don't know if I will stay, because to me, the London kindness and celebration of diversity is so unique (apparently, didn't realise until after I left), and knowing that exists, I don't know if I can live without it. Major therapy session here 😂 Thank you for "listening" if anyone made it all the way here! 🥰 Thank you for your lovely video!

[@janalavtizar4426]

I live Ljubljana, Slovenia, surrounded with nature (walking distance). I was madly, sentimentally in love with England for a decade or two. Then with Amsterdam. Now I'm planning to move to the countryside. We Slovenians are lucky to have so many great places quite close around us: magnificent cities in Northern Italy, Croatia with unparalelled Dalmatian coast, Vienna...

[@oscarwildrocks]

Slovenia is such a beautiful country and Slovenian people are very friendly and hospitable! 💜 I've been there twice and hopefully will visit it again 🥰🍀

[@rebeccaalves4796]

I could not agree more. Let’s keep it in between us so as the Lake Bohinj ♥️ could not get enough of the country when I lived In Budapest

[@zolawilliams1]

I have wanted to visit Slovenia for so long!!! I really hope to someday. It looks so beautiful and I hear wonderful things about the people.

[@mahbubeshhhh19]

How was the amsterdam?

[@janalavtizar4426]

@@mahbubeshhhh19 lovely. Still is.

[@RaluGabri]

I just moved to Stockholm 2 weeks ago. It's been my dream for the past 6 years and just like you i've saved up to afford about 6 months of rent while I look for a job...i'm really determined to stick around, Sweden is such a lovely, calm, unpolluted amazing place to live in. ❤

[@sweetygirl165]

I did the same! From London. Wishing you the best of luck ❤

[@annasoer7558]

It is required by UK law that all bedrooms have an "escapable window", so the window must be fully openable. If there is a billboard in front of the window, it is no longer an escapable window and thereby doesn't comply with the law. Recourses are slow and potentially expensive - not mentioning the risk of losing your housing. So... the new tenants can definitely enquire about their rights!

[@ocelot9643]

How come most university dorms get to have windows that don't open fully then?

[@xLightningbolt]

And hotel rooms?!

[@drrMonManon]

O wow i am very shocked. I watch your videos for years now and i never knew tou had any struggles. You always seemed to live luxurious or at least comfortable :)

[@spirituallysafe]

Every human being has struggles. You think You Tubers put all their "stuff" on camera?!

[@anjalianthony1656]

The moral of the story is London is amazing if you’re wealthy or a nepo-baby. Otherwise life is tough - cost of living is exorbitant, there is rubbish everywhere, lack of clean air, constant dreary weather…London has its time but I don’t think its a forever city, and especially not suitable for families with young children or elderly or disabled people.

[@alguedemer]

I agree. I'm selling up my London flat after 26 years in London. I don't want to be old here. Want to go back to France, on my native seaside. I will miss some things from London, like the way people are, the politeness and delicate ways, but the exhorbitant price is not worth it anymore as the cost of life is too high and it's harder to make a living. The opportunities are less I find. To my surprise, I've had a lot of opportunities from France recently. So that's a good sign for me who wants to settle back there.

[@isabelamartins6909]

This video made me miss the old podcasts, when you and David used to talk about your lives. I used to listen to it while commuting to university. I remember all the decision process of you going back to London, almost like if I was there as a witness 😅 so much nostalgia for those days!

[@laroussik]

Living in London. Bought our flat around the same time as you guys bought yours. Feel the same about London as you do. Love London to bits but the wealth gap is very worrying to say the least.

[@ingwerkeks98]

I live in my favourite place in the world: Berlin. I fell in love with it the first time I came here and I am still in love 15 years later 😊

[@foggycraw6758]

What do you like about Berlin?

[@LittleKikuyu]

More power to you but in my experience Berlin 15 years ago was VASTLY different from how it is now. I think it’s totally overrated and the quality of life is pretty awful these days (way too crowded, for example). 😖

[@mariacorretge6615]

I'm in Edinburgh, I love it so, so much, I can't ever leave, which is annoying because taxes in Scotland are extortionate and the NHS where I work is going down the drain. But the city is beyond gorgeous. It's simply arrestingly beautiful. Every single day it awes me.

[@RikkeGade]

Would love to visit Edinburg! :)

[@nervousheadache]

We don’t have the NHS.

[@peachyhanna1]

Elaborate? Scotland has the NHS? @@nervousheadache

[@olga26100]

Edinburgh is literally like a fairy tale sooooo magic. Hope one day will go again ❤❤❤

[@spirituallysafe]

Please could you recommend a lovely hotel or guesthouse? Thank you!

[@Naoko1875]

Greetings from Yokohama, Japan. Yokohama is very calm and clean and not super expensive, although it’s next door to Tokyo. I’ve been living here for 15 years now, and don’t want to go back to Germany, where I’m originally from.

[@mahbubeshhhh19]

Can you speak japanees?

[@Naoko1875]

@@mahbubeshhhh19 はい、日本語が話せます。

[@Granorla]

I used to love London, I lived there for 3 years for uni and kinda fell out of love with it. But now I’m back in my home town and I miss London, might move back for masters or work, but the stress of surviving is something else

[@chicfifty5067]

I'm on the south coast of England. Every morning I walk 10 minutes down to the shore with my beautiful canine companion Charlie before I commute 15 minutes to work. I nip up to 'town' (London) to visit friends and exhibitions. I'm very aware I'm lucky.

[@alguedemer]

Ohh, where are you? I'm curious. I'm in South-East London getting ready to move back to my native seaside in France, in or near Boulogne s/mer, I don't know if you know it.

[@carlacabiddu1808]

I live in Shrewsbury, Shropshire (UK), after 8 years in Brighton. Like London it was too much of a transient place, difficult to maintain friendships, very little nature, the beach was nice to have though. Feeling more at home now, I am originally from Italy

[@pollyhg2826]

I lived in London for 10 years, then moved further North as accommodation was so expensive (my landlord doubled my rent when I moved out!), and working in London was burn out central! I worked back in London for a further 3 years, and I now live in the countryside with dogs and chickens, and can still get back to London for gigs and theatre when I want to. Balance.

[@valeriec3484]

I have lived all over the US, I grew up in California and I spent some amazing years in NY, but I settled on the Pacific Northwest. I really do love it here, I have a beautiful home, with a deck that overlooks a creek with trees and it is so nice. Sometimes I miss the shopping and restaurants and the fast pace of the city but it never felt like home to me.

[@isabellarno]

I live in Mexico City. Being from the north of France, OMG the weather is just so perfect, never too cold, never too hot, no heating nor A/C need, good for the environment 😊 We have many parks and trees in our area but it is still an huge city so I can really miss the quietness of France countryside. And the noises just fed me up sometimes, all day long we have street vendors shouting, selling fruits and prepared corn and tamales 😂

[@foggycraw6758]

How would you compare Paris to Mexico City?

[@adrianamercer6623]

West Hampstead, London. Lots of trees here ❤

[@visitingstatue171]

if you can afford it haha

[@zolawilliams1]

Is that where the zoo is? so lovely.

[@alguedemer]

Yes, in Beckenham too, SE London.

[@Kringeladida]

For me it‘s not only the trees, I also need some type of a water surface nearby to feel really at home. I grew up next to a small river. We moved next to the Danube and I love it.

[@franceshanna3724]

The inner west of Sydney. Leafy but close to the city, lots of cafes and restaurants, quite lovely really. Yes, I'm here to stay!

[@joannak1956]

I can't wait to hear the rest of the story :) I live in Kaszuby in northern Poland. Such beautiful nature! I lived 3 years in the Netherlands as well. The climate was great but I missed the wilderness of polish forests, mountains, rivers and lakes.

[@foxtanii9056]

I remember your 1st videos both fro London and the Sweedish summer houses. I remember loving it

[@doomsdaypepper4269]

I started watching during the Mustard’s summer house days. Such beautiful videos with creative fashion and recipes. Jenny’s no eyebrow health goth days! Loved all of it and so happy to see your dreams coming true.

[@zolawilliams1]

Me too. Used to love all that fun, asymmetrical, baggy athletic wear!

[@meissoun]

I moved to Zurich from a small Swiss town when I was 20. It's my favourite place in the world and I never want to leave. So wish me luck for finding an affordable new apartment next year - the one thing that is really bad here is how hard it is to find a place to live when you're not rich.

[@jasminealixandranorth]

And the Swiss ;)

[@alguedemer]

I wish you luck, I'm sure you will find!!!!

[@susanfindell6154]

I live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado USA. It’s a small town with a big ski resort. I’ve been here almost 26 years, I love it 😊

[@Aplaceformermaids]

Having lived in london for 3 years I definitely don't think it's a long term place.. It's like living in a Circus. I think I've had some of the best times of my life here but even with a lot of money the wheels just keep on turning and I find it's a hard place to feel at peace and content in. It's like constantly being mid breath haha omg...

[@brontec9769]

How cool! What a lovely path you've taken :)

[@ek7275]

Jenny thank you so much for showing honestly, that you had to build your job and that you and David didn't always have the money to buy to buy everything you wanted. It means a lot to hear that other people struggled too, but eventually time passed and so did the poverty

[@darlenemahaney1258]

I was looking back to find old Sweden blogs and didn't see any, but was so surprised to see a vlog with you and Justine LeConte! I guess you were one of the first vloggers I ever followed. Thank you for sharing

[@TheZeyre]

Just stumbled onto your channel and glad of it! I am Canadian but spent almost 3 years just outside of London in Surrey with almost every weekend and lots of evenings there. It is a great city with a huge electric vibe where anything can happen and it is also all the other things you describe…. Stuck in the tube four levels underground in hot, humid, smelly summer and in queues for groceries that seem impossible. I recently applied for a job back in London so I totally have a similar drive to rehome there. I loved it when I am in the right mind state. Happy for you!!! Congratulations on getting your home there! That is fantastic! Look forward to your next episode! Xo J

[@gracesimplified3860]

Im living in the Monterey Bay Area of California. I love the mild micro climate of my neighborhood and the home I own. However, limited access to specialized healthcare, traffic, and cost of living have me wondering if I would enjoy a change to living somewhere that would be less of a tourist destination and would have more amenities for a senior citizen. However I would miss the Redwoods.

[@Shenxinrui]

It’s my dream to live in Sweden. I hope it will come true.

[@annikaheller3489]

I‘m currently in the process of leaving Hamburg to live in a smaller town. I love the city but after 8 years of public transport, stress and always being in the middle of something, I can‘t wait to leave. Happy to hear you came back to London and seem to really enjoy it now!

[@littlemisslaybee3528]

EXCELLENT video well explained thank you

[@winterburden]

Thanks Jenny Mustard!

[@waronwaronwar]

I was in London in 2010, too! I was in Stoke Newington and it had its moments but we left because we couldn't afford it and went to Prague for many years. Then Germany for several years. Now we have resettled in Worcester and it's pretty nice. Certainly a different experience than London/ Prague /Munich but the countrysidearound us is beauty and countryside in England is the reason to live in England.

[@London100]

I so love this video. I can absolutely relate to the struggle. Been there done that too. You have been such an influential and empowering woman to me. I only wished I had found your videos many years ago. Wishing more blessing for you and David!❤

[@Heidey9860]

Live in Texas but am originally from Germany. Miss Europe and its lifestyle so much!

[@divinealchemy3078]

Is it more expensive than Germany in terms of housing, other living expenses, healthcare etc.? Can you name few benefits of living in America? I ask cuz I live in Germany, too, but I'm considering moving ...Thank you in advance for your answers!

[@Heidey9860]

@@divinealchemy3078In my opinion it is true that "Amerika ist das" Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten" but it comes at a cost. Work/life balance is something that is almost none existent. Your job and making money seems to be dominating most people's life. I think opportunities are plentiful if you want to dedicate your life to work you can definitely make it here. I would say the "Lebensstandard" is higher in the US. I have medical insurance thru my employer, and pay about $80/month. Medical expenses are high though and your out of pocket costs, depending on procedure can be very high. Despite that I have a very comfortable life here, much better than I would have in Germany but miss the more simple life, or maybe I am just romantizising. Usually go back to Europe once a year. 🙂

[@joannalukaszuk2260]

Lovely stories💞

[@jsullo22]

Very good points and well said

[@judidetta]

I would love to hear more about how you two fell back in love with London after such experience!

[@IdiomofSad]

please more story time videos. absolutely loved this so much. i remember your channel when you were hopping from place to place. i can't recall how long ago that was exactly, but i've been following you for that long, and have always been so grateful to have found you. i hope you continue the story and share it all with us. beautiful video jenny. xo

[@lindagray1809]

I remember white blonde hair and no eyebrows😊

[@IdiomofSad]

@@lindagray1809 i adored this look on Jenny. I honestly miss it at times. But then again, I think she always looks incredible.

[@nataliadeja9600]

I live in Bydgoszcz, Poland , and plan to move to Sweden ,Skane :). I started to check the rentals there, and without Swedish language I am little lost for now ;),but - together with my partner we love the idea to live in Sweden for a while .

[@Etherealisme]

I live in NYC, this is a bit of a love-hate relationship, but somehow after living in other countries and cities like South of France, Normandy, then Berlin Germany, NYC is a bit like London for you, a special kind of love. It's hard to go back anywhere after experiencing every good, bad and ugly in the city. Maybe one day I'll be in nature, I don't know...

[@TheDavidMustard]

My bags are packed!

[@ruthsdyspraxiacontent4018]

Ooh you've lost me, wondering what this means aha

[@Sandra-in9cz]

LOVED reading OKAY DAYS, which I finished this past weekend! I wondered how much of it matched your irl experiences with London, and I can now say that it's your love letter to the city. I can't wait for your next one 👀

[@NinaJoustra]

Lived in London together with my partner for a little under 2 years - I loved it soo much but we had to deal with the reality of visas and horrible housing every day (oh the landlord horror stories...). Moved to Berlin last summer and never looked back. It is just crazy how much your life changes when you are able to have (semi) affordable housing and you're no longer tied to visas. Next to that it was definitely the wealth gap that irked me the most - although that is becoming more and more prevalent in all larger cities unfortunately..

[@janette6]

As someone living in Berlin for too long, am looking forward to part 2 "Why I left Berlin"

[@RikkeGade]

Great video Jenny! I live in Aarhus in Denmark and I'm so fed up with it. For so many years I wanted to move to Amsterdam with my dutch boyfriend but we broke up and that dream of mine changed.. I just turned 30 and I'm sure not where I even want to live anymore. Everyone in my close family except my step sis, lives here. I'm kind of tired of Denmark. For now im stuck in Aarhus due to health issues but I'm feeling better every day so the doors of opportunities will be open at some point!

[@anasam2258]

I've been to Aarhus twice. I love it so much, but it is quite small. Have you been to Cologne Germany? That is also a fun lively city.

[@RikkeGade]

@@anasam2258 Glad you liked it and yes indeed, it is quite small haha. No I haven't but I do have an old friend that I'm been wanting to visit for a few years and she loves living there. Are you from Cologne yourself?

[@_voyageuse]

Good luck girl, I hope you will reach your goal of living in Amsterdam. It seems like a really pretty city which I'd love to visit one day. However, my wish is to move to Vienna and I won't stop working for it until it becomes reality.

[@kylefarrell8166]

I loved this video Jenny! I just visited friends in San Francisco, and watching families take their babies and dogs to coffee shops high up in the hills above the city made me yearn to move there (or to somewhere else with hills and flora and coastline). I think it's time to say yes to a new home for a while!

[@claraayroza3]

I spent my entire life moving from Salvador (Bahia, Brazil) to São Paulo (São Paulo, Brazil) and vice-versa. It took me a while to figure out where I'm happier living in the long run. Turns out I love Salvador, I was born here, but it's a very difficult city to live in, in my opinion. São Paulo is easier to live in, but harder to love... Thankfully, I love and admire that city nowadays and I plan to go back soon. I also love love love London and Buenos Aires... Funny how both of them are somehow similar to São Paulo.

[@alittlebitlaura]

Sounds like NYC. I wanted so badly to live there in my 20s but it was just not feasible. And now that I can afford it, I want more for my money. So I guess it was not meant to be, though I love to visit. :)

[@carinella3054]

Nice video! And btw - I just read your book and loved it 🙂

[@JennyMustard]

Thank you! 😃

[@Helenemonblogdefille]

That is very interesting, thank you so much Jenny ! I've been living in Paris my whole life (I'm french), and it always surprises people when I tell them I don't like it here. Of course the architecture is beautiful, but i miss nature so much... And it's busy, noisy, exhausting...

[@alguedemer]

Ohh, mais je pensais que tu aimais Paris, je suis ta chaîne depuis des années. Tu as l'air d'adorer. Comme quoi...Je t'ai vue une fois à Thônes, c'est beaucoup plus 'nature' indeeed. Et je sais que tu adores l'Islande et la campagne anglaise. Anyway, moi je vais quitter Londres pour aller à la mer en France. Bises Hélène!

[@Karincl7]

I live in a little town in Belgium surrounded by family and my past, going on holidays great but always returning to my safe space.

[@ruthsdyspraxiacontent4018]

I agree, that's what I love about living in a small place near family - getting the excitement and difference in holidays, then returning to my safe space

[@nathaliedrinkstea]

The cockroach story send shivers down my whole body and then I left my body and died for a few seconds and then my soul returned to my body and I had some more goosebumps haha

[@zolawilliams1]

You will... not survive in New York lmaooo 😩

[@florawinter4721]

I live in Vienna and moved away last year and returned. I also fell in love again with the city. Also the things that people might despise about Vienna I grew to love. It adds to the charm in away. Especially in spring time you can see people getting more friendly and happier. Vienna is very green but when I do sometimes miss nature I just go back to my childhood home in the alps and freshen up. But I don´t think I would leave this place for the long run... Might have to visit london again thogh ;)

[@Kringeladida]

I take a walk in Prater at least once a week. That helps a lot. 😂

[@florawinter4721]

Prater is super Leiwand but my favourite is Türkenschanzpark@@Kringeladida

[@skincaremakeup40]

Exactly!to me London was more an experience to live than a real place where i really wanted to live and call it home so,after 6 months i left.I left my small vibrant flat in Soho and my interesting job at Harrods' and back to Italy where i had my last very difficult 3 exams in 2 months and final paper at the Uni and started my adult life.Today i'm a teacher😔 i still wonder if i did the right thing in 2000

[@user-iw5co2fm9l]

i was born and bred in London. It has become an absolute dump and is unrecognisable from the place it was in my childhood. I escaped in 2004 and would never ever go back.

[@melblack]

I lived in London for 3 months and loved it. But after having lived in Yorkshire for over two years, I wouldn't leave North England again. It's more affordable and people are friendlier (plus great nature).

[@zolawilliams1]

People really actually say, Good Morning! Good Day! Good Afternoon and Good Evening! in the countryside. It's lovely.

[@alguedemer]

I love Yorkshire. I visited 2 or 3 times in the 90s for linguistic exchanges, it was amazing. People were so welcoming. An amazing memory. It's because of this and other things that I moved to London in 97. I'm still here, even though, it's time to leave now and go back to France.

[@mirelap]

🌳Islington, London, love it! there are lots of trees lining the streets, some even taller than the buildings themselves

[@user-hr3cz2ym4y]

We live (1 year) in Colorado Springs, Colorado which on the map seems nice but the infrastructure is difficult to adjust to from living in Stuttgart Germany (7 year). There is no public train, bus and vast bike paths to all the foods, parks, bakery. It’s very isolating in a house with no platz to go and mingle with public people that is clean without homeless and slower, smaller cars. Of course it’s easy to understand everyone talking in the states but it’s terribly aggressive: billboards, ads, signs, opinions I didn’t ask for. We have a dog now which is great for so much loneliness and not as much nature either as we had in Europe. You have to drive longer and earlier to do outdoor activities which are sparse and it’s not as lush/tree-d as Europe. A lot of the states were cleared of trees long ago for farming and housing too but not replanted. This has led to terrible Midwest states climate without the old deep grasses and trees…turning the places dry and into sand where there was soil. We visited London about six times and found it quite intriguing. But enjoy the walking trails, biking trails, public places to mingle and shop in Europe very pleasant.

[@user-hr3cz2ym4y]

Have to add…the fashion is so sad in the states, it’s clean understated, sophisticated in Europe but in the Midwest fashion is utility, sporty, casual.

[@giuseppeo77]

@@user-hr3cz2ym4y I was born and raised in a small city in Mexico and still live here. I sometimes dream of moving to the U.S. and Colorado is one of the states I've heard great things about because of its nature. I am a bit surprised by your comment I have to say. When I started reading I thought I was going to read great things about Colorado...🤔I love California but its way too expensive so I am considering visiting places like in Colorado and Austin, Texas.

[@latristessdurera8763]

Renting in the UK is horrific and buying has become an impossible dream for many normal British citizens especially the working class. We’re short of space and the gap between the rich and poor widens everyday. I’m glad you had a lovely time here.

[@stephaniewaskoenig1387]

I have always had Wanderlust. But we ended up in a town in Germany that I love beyond words! We ended up buying and there is no chance I will ever leave. Even if we live part time Somewhere else I will always comeback here for “home”

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

As a student I spent a couple of summers working in Germany. My cycle route to work was through the pine forests from the back of the garden of my Grandmother nearly into the factory. Decades later when I drove non-stop from Hook to Celle and first got out of the car the smell of the rain drenched pine made me feel back at home, Heimat.

[@BridgeOfLifeStudio]

I live in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Have lived here all my life. I would love to move to the country side in the future but for now I am quite enjoying city live and having everything so close (including family and parks to walk in)

[@Guest-1000]

Can’t wait to hear about how you fell in love with London again! I’m from abroad but moved to London to study, after studying we moved to the country side to raise the family where it’s more affordable. I work in finance and earn six figures now but most of the jobs are back in London so I’m considering moving back there with the young family but not sure. Maybe my problem is the grass always feels greener on the other side!

[@alguedemer]

Interesting. Look at Beckenham, it's in SE London, that's where I am. Lots of parks and schools etc.

[@TheLisalisa03]

I lived in South Texas most of my younger life and your cockroach story just took me back! ooof! I currently live in Colorado and love the mountains and nature, tons of trees, animals and lots of outdoor living. I do miss the humidity though, very very dry skin! I always imagine myself living in a place where the mountains meet the ocean. (not sure where that will be just yet) Glad to hear you and David have found a place that you can call HOME. xoxo

[@pageslieahead]

I do love story time with Jenny 🩷

[@Sjudit84]

Love your view on the wealth gap and that transcience! And then how you described feeling in the quiet after the city... But then again hearing about the dark winter swedish cottage life, rent free or not, makes me feel very anxious HAHA but I was never someone who enjoyed darkness and winter myself.

[@olga26100]

I live in cyprus just by the sea and I love every bit of my life ❤

[@MihaelaClaudiaPuscas]

I lived in London for 2 years and left due to housing costs, way too high!! Yes, you touched on that as well!

[@thebonniewong]

I was born and raised in Hong Kong, and have been living in LA for close to 15 years now. While we have the most moderate and comfortable weather, I am starting to feel like I need to challenge myself and be in a different scene. We have great diversity in culture, food, music scene, but maybe I am wanting to be in nature more. I am also wanting to drive less and be able to take public transportation. How do you know when it's time to move??

[@alguedemer]

You know when you just can't stand it anymore, when you feel your time is 'done' there. You feel called by somewhere else. It happened to me last year, I felt I had to leave London after 26 years. I'm now selling the flat and waiting for the sale to be done to go back to France. A new experience. I don't feel the connection anymore with London. Driving is nearly impossible and restricted, that was the last straw with ULEZ and 15-minute cities.

[@essentiallyann2650]

I lived in London for 2 years in the 90's, I came on a Commonwealth working holiday visa as a newly qualified doctor and while I didn't have financial worries, I recognise a lot of what you say. One thing I adored about your book is that the transient London expat life you describe in the first chapters are "exactly like the late 90's, only with better internet" LOLOL. I meant to be transient though, so after the absolute time of my life, during which I also travelled to many other parts of the world, I went back to Cape Town (the actual best city in the whole wide world) to specialise. Since 2002 I've been living in the Netherlands; I came for a year and stayed for love LOL. I despise the weather and will probably never get used to the unspontaneous nature of the people, but this is my home now; my family is here, our life is good, and the travelling still happens.

[@blue...]

Really interesting video about your London struggles. I do miss your old videos ( that are not longer on your site) when you were in Sweden and Berlin when you had short bleached hair. Like the one you were in living in a cottage and you are David were having lunch from thermos bottle lovely served near the lake 💕

[@zenithsolution]

great video, remember your first videos, then the ones from Berlin.. hi from Istanbul..👋🏻

[@meissoun]

Istanbul is one of my favorite places to visit! I don't dream of living there but I come once or twice a year.

[@nnekandibe]

You know I have always love to you. I Had A Very Good Experience with my Swedish before I left him because She didn't want to children But we are still Good Friends. This Is why I can relate With You

[@Micahangelina_]

Loving life in Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭…sometimes miss my former home in N. Italy 🇮🇹 and would never go back, except for vacation, to where I grew up, TX

[@martadzedyshko261]

Thank you for telling your stories! But here is a question: what candle do you use on a daily basic?

[@sagash9411]

I love in Tromsø, in Northern Norway 300 km north above the arctic circle. The nature here is amazing and seeing the mountains when I bike to uni every morning is so beautiful. Fjords, and mountains, can it be better?

[@christineinhonolulu]

Visited London this past summer from my home in Honolulu. Like London, Honolulu has a massive turnover population, with people constantly moving here and leaving here. Maybe this, too, is because of the cost of living. My spouse is from here, which is probably one of the only reasons we’re still here, but many of the reasons you listed here for leaving London are reasons I’ve heard from people who leave Honolulu. Fascinating that there are similarities, given the differences in geography and culture! 😮

[@thelmalg9439]

I’m in my hometown Mexico City. Such a cool vibrant city but after being here 2 years after living in the suburbs of Chicago for 17 years, I am going back on August. I can’t do city life much longer than 2 years. 😅

[@essentiallyann2650]

Point two: How I get you about nature. The Netherlands is utterly devoid of nature, no mountains, no hills whatsoever, overcrowded in the west. I come from South Africa, the land of unparalleled and varied nature, climatic zones, wide open spaces, fauna and flora. I will never get used to it. But in terms of low crime, clear rules and a well organised society, the Netherlands wins. I have to look for light and nature during my travels, and fortunately I get the time to do this. The life of an immigrant is seldom uncomplicated LOL.

[@wendybeattie6935]

My husband and I LOVE London! Everytime we fly from Canada to Ireland to see family we always stop in London for 3-4 days on the way back

[@user-iw5co2fm9l]

3-4 days as a tourist is a very different story from living in there. 99% of London is hell on Earth. Post card London is a cartoon. The generations of family who lived there who made London 'London' are al but gone, my own included. Of all of us, only 4 remain. trapped by circumstance. Our family history there goes back as far as we can find (my DNA markers were traced back to the area for almost 11,000 years). i escaped to rural England and would never, ever, ever, ever go back except to visit the tourist trap areas.

[@alguedemer]

Ohh, where are you? I'm still in London but escaping soon to the French seaside@@user-iw5co2fm9l

[@marguiWaterland]

Yes please!

[@oliviabrisvallrydqvist4061]

I live in Malmö, Sweden, and really enjoy it😊 The cultural mix, big city vibes in a small format and close to Copenhagen/Europe. I’ll be very happy if I stay, but as a freelance musician I’m also open for that my job might move me somewhere else one day🤷‍♀️😊

[@basakozen3113]

Hi! My husband and I have been living in Amsterdam for a year. It's lovely and quite safe here, but I just can't warm up to it. I don't feel alive here. My husband, on the other hand, absolutely loves it here. So, I'm a bit confused.

[@Juststudiothings]

They say it takes up to 2 years to really feel at home in a place- personally I have had a lot of different experiences. It takes me a few months to fully acclimate to a new city but I'll know if I like it or not within a day or two. In your shoes- I would give it time because of the feelings of my significant other - but people have different "homes" sometimes. I think you have to decide what's most important to you in life and if you can fulfill that where you are. I wish you luck!

[@MindOfMine.]

If you don't like it in a year, just try Utrecht! It's a bit the same but also a lot smaller and much more cosy. Maybe it can be a compromise. I live here for almost 18 years now and I love it. Would never want to live in Amsterdam.. Too many awful tourists and stuck up Amsterdam people, who think they are on top of the world. That's just my two cents..

[@lzlzlz347]

Feeling at home somewhere is very dependant on finding likeminded friends. I've lived in Amsterdam for my whole life and I love it. But I have most of my friends an family here as well.

[@lzlzlz347]

As a stuck up person from Amsterdam who thinks Amsterdam really is the best city in the world, I'd say Utrecht is lovely too ;) Very cosy and small. Also, surrounded by nice forests and parks. Great place to live. Oude Hortus is my favorite spot@@MindOfMine.

[@MindOfMine.]

@@lzlzlz347 Hey thanks for responding! Nice to hear a positive sound from Amsterdam. The authentic Amsterdam people I met, are most of the time not stuck up. But I maybe accidentally encountered a lot of people who originally come from a small place and now live in Amsterdam and look down on everything else. But hey I just overgeneralized myself as well :)

[@geraldmcmullon2465]

Beautiful photography capturing some of the best of London's set pieces. I moved to London from Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire (where I spent two years at college) for university off the King's Road Chelsea. I stayed another 3 years teaching and then as a computer programmer. Our flat was cheap, not great with it very close to the District Line rattling the walls as the trains got up speed from the station. I cycled the 12 miles to work along the North Circular road and developed joint pains due to the levels of pollution. When I left, moving to Cambridgeshire I recovered. I still miss some of the delights of London but not the traffic that taking hours to drive just a few miles. My later contracts took me back to London often running to catch the last train home and endless delays just to get into work.

[@alguedemer]

I feel you, I'm in London. Plus the price of trains...

[@schavjk]

As a child, me and my mom lived in our Swedish cottage for almost 7 years due to my mom wanting to live in the countryside while not affording a proper house. Your story brings me back as we also didn't have running water, but a creek for water and an outdoor loo (which was very very cold in the winters). Today, I feel like I'm not very picky on my living situation thanks to that experience. It was also the most precious time, to have mom and that place all to myself

[@EMSpdx]

In Portland , OR. I love it here- surrounded by mountains and forests, excellent food and plenty of cultural things to take part in . But it can also be a hard place to live if you don't have a well paying job, housing has become increasingly expensive, and like most of the West Coast we have a severe drug addiction problem. I am seriously considering moving back to the home city of my birth, NYC- equally hard to live, but with better paying jobs.

[@snjez2762]

I live in Vancouver, Canada, and although it is not a large city by any means, it does have some of the same problems you described--namely the horrible wealth gap and the high housing prices. Most young people here have no hope of having a well paying job or ever owning anything. Rents are ridiculously high. We do have a lot of trees here and the mountains, ocean, etc, but if you can't afford a place to live and have to stay at the age of 30 in your parent's basement--well, what can I say. On top of that, we have a huge drug problem with a catastrophic number of fentanyl deaths among young men in particular. Don't believe any of the propaganda that you hear about Canada being the best country in the world--it's not true! Thanks for your interesting perspective.

[@AM-bm2xw]

Sending love from the Maritimes, I hear ya, these are certainly hard times for Canada🍁

[@zolawilliams1]

Telling it like it is. Canada has very good PR. I never thought I would be priced out of my hometown of Ottawa but here we are. Substance use and homelessness has risen a lot there too. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to afford a house in Canada... in a city I want to live in.... even the suburbs are getting wildly expensive.

[@alguedemer]

I follow a lot of Canadians since 2020 and have heard a lot of shocking things (from the Quebec people). Some of us are aware. Thanks for telling us the info you shared.

[@anahavana931]

Definitely agree, I love London but worried about pollution and health!

[@lolly9080]

I was looking out my son’s flat in West Hampstead and saw a woodpecker in the tree.

[@littlevoice_11]

Please share links to the decor in your background 🙏

[@JaJaHerSelF]

I live in Vienna and I absolutely love it here ...but I was also born here and although I've seen many places (in Europe mostly) I think it's about time I leave for a while and experience actually living somewhere else

[@DR-it9fm]

I’ve been in San Jose, CA for almost 30 years, yes, I’m old, lol. I love that this massive city has everything I need, I love the accessibility to again, everything, but I cannot (on my own) afford to buy a home here (even a small condo is out of my budget) and therefore I’m not sure this is my forever home. We’ll see. 🙃

[@niamhmckernan908]

You did live very central. You could try a quieter more settled part of town. It could change your view?

[@rosalindmason9242]

What a great story! I often look around my own city and reflect on all the completely different lifestyles and qualities of life that people can have wherever they live. For instance I might be walking past a house or apartment and wonder about the lives of the people there. Even people who live in the same street as you can be experiencing something completely different to you depending on the amount of family they have around, their financial circumstances, their job, their interests, the quality of their relationships and friendships. It's fascinating but not fun if people suffer hardship or intense loneliness or ill health wherever they are.

[@ruthsdyspraxiacontent4018]

Amazing point thanks for sharing, good reminder of course!

[@RachelTeeKae]

Do you have anywhere that you posted your old videos that were mostly recipes? I’m dying to make some of those again.

[@kostanabanjac4896]

Absolutely resonates with me… especially as I’m thinking of to stay or go. I am very fortunate to have my quite large flat in Marylebone, with my own garden, close to Regent’s Park and the canal, short walk to Selfridges, etc. However, I’m finding quite exhausting living with other almost 10 million people! It’s love and hate relationship I have with London, and right now, I’m feeling less love towards it.

[@Cheree_Wright]

Love ❤️ your channel. I’m curious about your wardrobe system. I’m not a minimalist, so I’m wondering how you manage to create fashionable styling content without letting your wardrobe get out of control. I love a wardrobe full of options, but I need to downsize