Why I Left Sweden!

[@voltafy]

"Moved to London for the lovely weather" That's something I never thought I would hear in my lifetime !

[@adrianstere]

Compared to Sweden, London is heaven believe me 😂😂

[@voltafy]

@@adrianstere I lived in London and now I live in Uppsala, Sweden.. I think the weather here in Sweden is ten times better..

[@Србомбоница86]

Non,NOOOO​@@voltafy

[@adrianaslund8605]

​@@voltafyTrue. But Scotland is more beautiful in general! The people seem miserable though. Which they shouldn't be! Because they could just go outside and gently walk up a mountain. I can't do that! Because most mountains in southern Sweden are just an elevated part of a dense forest. You can't even enjoy the view.

[@paolazuffinetti]

​@@adrianstere you are right: in London it is never too cold it is never too hot: IDEAL!!!

[@delilahsix2597]

I live pretty far up north in Sweden and I love the dark months. There is a different kind of silence and calmness when its cold and dark that I havent found anywhere else 😊

[@plussa666]

Same, but Finland

[@Hadassachi]

I’ll like to experience it one day

[@mirabella69]

Good for you! I had a severe depression when I spent my winter in Finland😅

[@mariekebootsma4346]

I love the dark months too. It s quiet, calm, love to look up to the stars.

[@drmodestoesq]

So you fit right in? @@mirabella69

[@carolravie]

In exactly two weeks I will celebrate my first year living in Spain. Emigrated from Brazil. Struggling mentally and socially a bit, but I don't regret taking the plunge. It was the scariest thing I ever did, and it makes me happy to know I can go through anything now.

[@TheLaisrosa]

so nice to hear from another Brazilian on this channel 💫💫I'm from sao paulo, but strongly thinking about moving out to Berlin.

[@carolravie]

Oh, that's lovely! I've never lived in Berlin, only visited (absolutely love it), but I've got some friends and acquaintances who live there and in other parts of Germany. If you don't speak German yet, I highly recommend that you learn a little beforehand. I'm an English and German teacher, so I can help in that department. 😊 If you feel that moving is the right thing to do, plan it well and go for it!

[@alisasnag7097]

Mucha suerte en España!

[@carolravie]

@@alisasnag7097 muchas gracias!

[@mcbatetens]

Outra brasileira dando o golpe. Não gostou? Volte pra sua favela ❤

[@beabiii]

"I love Sweden, but I belong here" teared me up a little! It's the same fe eling I have being an Italian immigrant living in London :)

[@konraddobson]

I'm English and I feel the same way about London. It's not an English city anymore.

[@emycharaa]

True...​@@konraddobson

[@MrMarcy76]

I’m born and bred in London, but I think it’s always been a cosmopolitan city, and hasn’t been fully English since the 1960s. That’s just an observation, not a criticism. The problem with London now is, it caters more to people with money, and has less to offer people who are poor, or just getting by.

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

@@MrMarcy76or it caters people people who come here on boats and get to live for free

[@Bbbbbbbbbbhhhhhhh]

@@emycharaait’s not a good thing.

[@AM-bm2xw]

I have wanted to THANK YOU for awhile for the essay you published in 'Simple Matters', the one about moving back to your home town and then finally moving back to London. We lived in a place we loved but had some missteps and ended up 'stuck' back in our hometown. It was an absolutely dreadful time, but your essay gave me hope and helped me get through it. And now we are back in our "London". From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!

[@JennyMustard]

ah this just made me so so happy to read 🥹💛 enjoy your london and thanks for telling me that 🥲💖

[@AM-bm2xw]

@@JennyMustard ❤️

[@HRW1989]

Where can I find this essay? I’m about to move back to my hometown, just north of london, after 10 years in Asia and I’m so unsure if it’s the right decision but feels like the next step…

[@AM-bm2xw]

@@HRW1989 Jenny published it in her book titles 'Simple Matters' -- I borrowed it from the library a few years ago.

[@TheMissPalina]

As Italian, I ve worked as architect in gothenburg for one year. It was very difficult to make friends

[@banzaaiiiii]

😂😂

[@banzaaiiiii]

U should have tried making friends with the muslims there

[@matrixist]

And where is that easy. I have never met someone who said anywhere was easy to make friends. LOL

[@Maxvansteel]

It is very easy to make friends in the USA.@@matrixist

[@ws768]

In a survey where ex-pats were to give their opinion on how easy it is to make friends/make local acquaintances, Stockholm is att the bottom of the list of all European Capitals. Second place from the bottom: Oslo.

[@thanatos_ka]

I moved to Germany for 1,5 year because of war in my home country. Now I am in Kyiv, at home, and this is the sweetest feeling for me. However, the situation is not stable and additionally I am a researcher who are looking for the postdoc. That's why I sure I'll move somewhere again.

[@MPdude237]

What led you to return to Kyiv?

[@thanatos_ka]

@@MPdude237 that's my home. it is enough

[@MissyMuzo]

I could make the flip side of your video; why I left London and love living in Sweden. 😂 Quite frankly, I'm quite a few years older than you, so I don't buy into all the trend stuff, you can choose to ignore it. I feel so much safer as a woman going out alone in Stockholm than I ever did in the UK. It's not perfect here, but my quality of life is SO much better than it was in London.

[@Funkydesu]

I agree. I was born in London and had enough of it a long time ago and moved away. It may be an 'Introvert' thing, but I've always longed for the lifestyle of owning a cabin in the North of Sweden on the edge of a forest, but being able to drive to a nearby town. Kalle Flodin on KZbin makes videos of having moved from Stockholm to the North.

[@ws768]

Feeling safer is not necessarily the same thing as being safer. Stockholm has one of the highest rates of deadly violence in Europe. Total of surveillance cameras in Stockholm is many times lower than in London. I read somewhere that the total of surveillance cameras in the Swedish capital is around 300, whereas in London around one million (!). I wonder if that really can be true, though 🤔

[@alfredoalejandro87]

Everybody is different, everybody has their own opinions. My wife is Norwegian, she hated Norway and now we live in England with our children (not London though, too expensive). What you think might be a great thing for you might not be so great or a big deal to someone else.

[@UnknownHumanOnline]

​@@ws768Yes London has most CCTV/camera's in the world. And Sweden has one of the highest levels of reported rapes in proportion to population in Europe and on some statistics second in World I think. ? It's called rape capital of the world .🤔

[@ankurgupta2204]

I am from India and want to succeed here only. Live & die only in India. Safest, as i know the place. Family & support here. I am in tourism, plan tours & travels and i believe people wander for some reason. Worldly or not worldly. Our purpose is to assist them. That is our place and it doesn't need for us to change the locations instead a steady & established space for years.

[@agustina0110]

I come from Argentina, a country in South America. Sweden has always appeared to me as a place where everything seems to work exceptionally well, almost like a utopian dream. While I haven't personally had the opportunity to live in Sweden, I am fortunate to have friends who are Swedish as well as friends of Swedish origin living in various parts of the world. In all honesty, I've come to understand that the concept of 'home' is predominantly shaped by the people we choose to surround ourselves with, rather than our country of origin. It's a personal journey to seek growth, opportunities, or adventure, and I'm truly grateful for the diverse experiences it brings.

[@MrVongurt]

I had a friend who left Sweden for Argentina...

[@PersonalJesus-ot7vz]

@@MrVongurt We are just switching places.

[@yuuumi07011024]

Hiya! Japanese living in the UK here. I'm glad you decided to make London a home. You wouldn't have felt the same way if you decided to live in Tokyo. Tokyo is fun for visiting but living there as a foreigner without speaking the language would've given you a very tough time. Japanese people are not as accepting and welcoming as you think! 😊 9:14

[@sirrobinofloxley7156]

Lots of Japanese moving to Northern England these days, they all love here so much.

[@babalutan3726]

😂lots of ikeya implosion!😂

[@DeaDiabola]

Speaking the language definitely helps!

[@dilevinvaldez1608]

I was born and raised in Stockholm but haven’t lived there in 17 years. I agree with you when it comes to fashion and style, especially in Stockholm - everyone kind of looks the same and it feels uptight and calculated. I feel like Stockholm lacks the raw authenticity that you can find in London, New York or Berlin. There are so many different people and styles in those bigger cities which I love.

[@Alisha-hs8xj]

We say “the clone army”😆 I wear lots of color to make up for everyone else 😅😅

[@mcbatetens]

Futile 😂

[@adrianstere]

The Observers country 😂😂😂

[@fartexplosion4480]

@dilevinvaldez1608 London is now an immigrant shithole where rapes are reported every hour. So much for the "rawness" and "authenticity" it once had.

[@mamamaddiemoose]

I moved to Sweden 10 years ago and there is barely a day I don't miss the UK. Eventually we will get off our butts and I will drag the Swedish husband and our son over there for a holiday at least! I was born and raised in Germany and never felt at home there either... Funny how that goes. But the parts of the UK I yearn for are rural and quiet... With a seaview and a hill to hike... :D

[@dkbrook9178]

What makes you yearn for the UK??

[@DOT_Z]

@@dkbrook9178 read the comment

[@ericgwalsh]

I hope you're cashed up! Those locations you desire are expensive...

[@DOT_Z]

@@ericgwalsh It's worth it, very worth it.

[@stevenjohnson7086]

It doesn’t matter if it is worth it if you simply cannot afford it even with a good salary.

[@JJ-ep8vc]

I find the point about being an author very funny because a stereotype here in Germany is that there are a lot of crime writers in sweden. My mom has a whole bookshelf with this "genre".

[@rosa61217]

Henning Mankell😅

[@maianackovska1614]

I just moved to Sweden a month ago to pursue my slow life in the countryside dream, so I guess I'm in the right place

[@mossablahmaza]

Z e l e n s k y brought prosperity to ukaraian .

[@kr50401]

Great if you love never having friends! Enjoy!

[@maianackovska1614]

@@kr50401 I am sorry that has been your experience:(

[@steveg4334]

I'm from London, left 30 years ago, as I could see the writing on the wall. It's no longer a free country, and it's going down hill, fast. Just sold my property, I'll never go back, not even for a visit.

[@TheFoxJiu]

Originally from the south of France and although it is one of my favourite place in the whole world, I’m forever delighted, in awe and grateful to be living in Amsterdam for 2+ years now ❤️ as you mentioned every day feels like an adventure, so exciting!

[@kdms.3377]

Trop bien ! Tu as pu partir grâce à un travail, si c'est pas indiscret ?

[@gatagatika3899]

Here in Greece, despite the warm weather that most people think about first, the last decades it's becoming more and more depressing. Unfortunately, most young people want to leave the country experiencing everything falling apart, including their dreams. The thing is salaries are grindingly low so it is almost imposible to save money. Personally, as an artist, I really struggle but I want to travel the world and all of you guys, talking for and from so many different places on earth gave me a sense of brotherhood and hope. Thank you all and thank you Jenny! My warmest Greek wishes to all of you! Enjoy life wherever you are and in whichever way you want or can. Peace and love ♥

[@moodieforhoodie]

I think that Athens in particular is getting very overpopulated and frustrating. I reckon smaller areas are slightly better, I feel fairly okay on Greek Islands but it can be quite isolating

[@hermionetsentidou5172]

It's so beautiful hearing your side of the story regarding life in Sweden! I am actually preparing to go there and your reasons for leaving are the things that make me excited to go there. The stability and squareness of it all seem ( at least at the moment) like the greener grass on the other side! Thank you for this, always a pleasure watching your videos ❤️

[@jazziechandra8231]

Hurray, Jenny! I am so thrilled for your happiness. I adore London, and I would be living there, as I am a proud Brit. I just can’t stand the climate. I am a summer person forever, so I am moving back to my beloved Hawaii very soon! I am indeed highly sensitive to my surroundings, so climate is the number one priority I consider when setting up a long-term home for myself. The grass is very often truly greener on the other side.

[@lolah3838]

As an American who lived in England for a bit, tall poppy syndrome was an interesting and very obvious social phenomenon to observe. It's a way to keep people in line and from getting too big headed. By contrast, in the US capitalism, aggressive ambition and keeping up with the Jones' is the norm. The stress and superficiality of so much of American culture has never resonated with me. So some of the Scandinavian mottos, like having just enough and not too much sound wonderful and prioritizing of things that really matter.

[@garydelpiano9052]

I'm Australian & once spent a winter working in Northern Italy. When it wasn't snowing it was overcast or foggy. I found it quite depressing not seeing the sun for sometimes two weeks at a time. Also, most of the year back home we wear light clothing most of the year. Wearing layers of clothing for six months of the year was a drag for me. In Italy, I worked outdoors part of every day. Long sunny days are the life for me!

[@siaeva]

Jag flyttade till sverige från australien för 15 år sedan. Tack och lov jag har inte hittills märkt att folk är inte bra med att ge komplimanger, eller bryr sig mycket om trends. MEN det finns flera saker som jag gillar inte alls om Australien. Vilken tur att vi har hittat ett nytt hem som passar oss mycket bättre! 😅🤍

[@Erdf3542]

Moved away from Switzerland 8 years ago to England but I don’t feel at home in either place. Hopefully someday I will find where that is

[@KK-md6yd]

This were exactly my arguments until I had children . Once London nurseries and schools become your reality you will find yourself in a very British society where families are not values and equality of education really is not a thing compared to Sweden and other Nordic countries.

[@AnnaKaunitz]

My thoughts too.

[@tamerebel]

She doesn't want children so that won't concern her

[@jobacurini9744]

I thought sweeden was a country with no religion?

[@randomroads5389]

Great solution to have depressed kids in good schools and hospitals

[@SpringSpark]

I moved to Barcelona from Moscow 1,5 years ago, and I'm starting to seriously miss winter. I went to Amsterdam and was delighted by the rain. I'm starting to think about moving to a northern country.

[@tabithan2978]

🇺🇦💪🏻🇺🇦

[@janetmorgan9728]

I live in a very rural area of the U.S. it is mountainous and very beautiful and one of the things i love about it is that the 4 seasons are all of equal length! We get to enjoy all the kind of weather without time to get extremely bored. I also love that the mountains look different every single day when you are so far up you can see the weather moving in at a distance and the sunrises and sunsets and the mists of early morning or after rain. I'm beyond grateful that I get to live surrounded by beauty, since I'm at a stage of my life when traveling much isnt a possibility. When i think of Sweden i think of the northern lights and my heritage on my mom's side! One day I would like to experience the long nights and days of the far north and to see the auroras. One thing that is very different culturally is that (at least in my part of the U.S.) individual dreams and ideas and plans like quirky endeavors are definitely not discouraged. There is definitely a follow your dreams attitude here, as well as 'if at first you dont succeed, try try again'. I do like that, and I think it helps to keep my chin up in the current hard financial times.

[@katiestegman8083]

I'd love to know what state you're in. I'm from northern Illinois, and it feels like winter lasts for seven months. I'd give anything to be in a place where the seasons actually follow the calendar!

[@annjames1837]

​@@katiestegman8083north Carolina is a beautiful state

[@beevie4081]

I haven't spent as much time in Sweden as I would like, but I absolutely adored the time I spent in Norway, with occasional Swedish visits. Like you described, I get bored easily, but I find I get a better outlet for my restlessness in more remote areas. Small-town Canada is the place for me: varied seasons and tons of space to explore via bike, skis, ATVs, canoes, etc. I tend to feel a little trapped in the city with all the traffic. My dog agrees.

[@girlwiththeblackcat]

Wow, I'm Canadian and moved o Sweden like 7 years ago (Swedish sambo y'now), and can really relate to all these reasons you talked about why you left! Unfortunately, I've never fallen in love with Sweden the way other immigrants have, the summer weather is truly depressing at times, the conformity, and yes jantelag drives me a little bit nuts (can't you just say my outfit looks good?), so I get it. We're looking to move, maybe back to Canada, but it's so validating to hear an actual Swede list reasons why they don't feel quite at home in Sweden. Thanks for the video!

[@Raya7766]

Interesting. How do you compare Sweden to Canada?

[@DasAlena]

very interesting! I moved to gothenburg as an exchange student 4 months ago and was thinking I’d very likely will want to stay for my masters too. so far I am not that certain anymore for loads of the reasons she mentioned but also others too and just yesterday thought about canada for my masters (and potential forever home) and it felt like it clicked! we’ll see where I’m gonna end up in but your comment was particlaurly interesting because of that!

[@ellenolsson3703]

As a Swede I don't quite recognize this, and I would definitely tell you that your outfit looks good. :) Maybe it is a Stockholm thing?

[@jodibraun6383]

Canada sucks these days, unfortunately. I'm looking to leave here, myself.

[@Raya7766]

@@jodibraun6383 ah, why? that's so sad. and where to?

[@onclouds3069]

I emigrated to Sweden one year ago and I love it! 😃 The people are so kind and respectful to one another, life is so relaxed here, and the nature is so beautiful 😍 But, yes... the cold and darkness is a thing... 😅 Still, life is great here. 😊 It was really interesting to hear your point of view on it.

[@JennyMustard]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@BlackNight603]

where are you from originally?

[@2121gul]

👋🏻

[@borisnegrarosa9113]

Enjoy COOP

[@akifujimoto]

From Tokyo. I am so happy to hear that you actually concerned about moving to Tokyo! I've lived here for 10 years and it's great. Compared to very local side of Japan where I was born, Tokyo is more diverse. But may not be more progressive than London. I am thinking about moving somewhere but still haven't decided where... I love hiking, surfing, but I also like to live the place where people are more open minded. Thank you for your video, gave me a inspiration and courage :)

[@szfrj]

in the UK for 12 years now, finally got my citizenship this year 🎉 Started with London, then Birmingham then finally tucked away in the rural Scottish Highlands.... I do miss the weather and my family from my home country but life feels much more free here. People just let you be with less judgement and government interference 😊

[@iesroo]

Terrifying

[@souziematsou2291]

May I ask which is the country you come from?

[@DeaDiabola]

​@iesroo How???

[@xXNekou]

I am Polish but I've lived in UK (Liverpool) for 5 years, and it's definitely not perfect here, but I do like living here, and one of the main reasons is the currency. English pound has been a really strong currency internationally, while Polish currency has been very weak in comparison. This means that when I earn money in pounds I can much more easily afford buying things from abroad and also travelling abroad. One of my biggest dreams ever was to visit Japan and I did it this year, and plan to do it again next year, while I think that if I stayed in Poland I would simply could not afford a trip to Japan.

[@iesroo]

You would be absolutely flabbergasted if you came to Bradford or Luton

[@davidyoung9561]

​@iesrooyes they are dumps.

[@Isasinbela]

wow im from panama and went to stockholm on march and i absolutely love it! the transportation was perfect on time, people were nice, the weather! delicious! the view, everything

[@Mimpetel]

I love my home city but it’s expanding and changing to just a lack of community. I’ve packed up and left england and moved to wales. It’s quieter and I don’t feel the constant rush while here. I think it’s worth jumping out of your comfort zone - sometimes it’s best to be away from where you grew up

[@MaevaBM]

I was born in a medium-sized city in France, and remember this longing I had for all of my adolescence for a larger city. Right after high school I finally left to study in Paris, which I loved, but again, after 6 years there I was starting to see the limits of my world and was pushed by my then-boyfriend to move to Edinburgh Scotland, where I finally had to get my English level to a correct base and met people from different parts of the world making me realise some of my "close french mindset". As Brexit was voted I initially wanted to move to London, but without any prospect for work it felt like a big financial risk and I ended up moving to Warsaw, Poland with my Polish boyfriend. Some very tough years ensued, the language, the lack of social circle, etc, but after 5 years here I finally feel great, but for sure will be moving again, but after having to struggle through being in a new country where you don't get the language I will stick to English-speaking places from now on, i cannot loose again 5 years of my life to integrate into a culture, so hopefully New-York, maybe London, just money decisions :)

[@cassielee1114]

I’m going to answer your Q before I watch. Uk person, never been to Sweden, but my uneducated impression of it is lots of healthy and mature people who do things very sensibly and are quite straightforward who got seem to have got childcare right as a nation. And Winter!

[@MeghanCreative]

I totally relate to your appetite for novelty, big cities, and pushing yourself to experience something like emigrating. That's why we're moving to abroad next year.

[@MaciejCzekajDSR]

Hi Jenny, I understand and relate. I miss my hometown in Poland, but I feel simply Europen and living in Cologne, very close to few other countries (sailing in Holland on the weekend - why not), makes me feel great! Not mentioning first few years of struggles in a new country. It changed me as a person. I am happy everyday that I have now so many new opportunities (happy and tired). Keep going and enjoying!

[@MegaMayday16]

Liebe Grüße bin auch aus Köln

[@Kela89]

well, for many Slavic ppl, "Sweden" means a lot of money, wealth, beautiful nature. I can't even afford for 2 weeks in hostel in Sweden. I can see in comments that there are not many Slavic ppl on this channel, I think we live in very different worlds with different problems :)

[@avroraaspasia7214]

I am Russian (Slavic? :)) I was born and I live all my life in Estonia. The older I get, the more the climate oppresses me. But I am old enough .... so it,s too late to move to other country, to change country of living.... When I was a little girl.,Sweden seemed like a wonderful beautiful country (probably inspired by Astrid Lindgren,s book about Carlson :) ).... I visited Sweden many times, and I understand: it is not country for me. I like how everyday life is organized there, I like the sound of the Swedish language... but the climate just kills me! Same as we have in Estonia. I would like to live in Southrern Europe, maybe in Italy, Spain, France.. But the only language I can speak is not proper English lol

[@Smackemback66]

As an Englishman who moved to Stockholm in Sweden 20 years ago, I can honestly say that I totally understand your points about Sweden, it is definitely a beautiful place, it is definitely dark for far too long in the winter months & although most Swedes are polite......ish they aren't exactly the make you feel at home types....I have remained in Sweden purely for my children as coming from London I feel this is the sort of place I wish that I had, had the opportunity to grow up in but even after all these years of living in Sweden, England & London in particular will always be my true home.

[@GrebirfSnej]

About #3 Much of Swedish society is oriented around large corporations, rather than small businesses.

[@ramsesemerson]

I'm in the US, where you have to have quite a lot of money to even travel, much less move to another country (unless you live near a border). People make fun of Americans for never having been anywhere and acting amazed about other parts of the world, but if you see those in an American, it's because leaving is hard if you're not rich (at minimum upper middle class).

[@annamironova9990]

Hej Jenny, I have moved to a job Stockholm 23 years ago. My country in the Baltics became way too small for me in a variety of ways. All the points you've made in the video are true, to a large extent anyway. What I appreciate about Sweden is: that balance between work and non-work life is possible to strike, access to nature, Stockholm as a small big city, efficient governement sector, i.e. it's very easy to deal with institutions, general civility and politeness, cleanliness. Things I struggle with: deteriorating school and healthcare systems, price level (especially for services), lack of community (it is very hard to make friends as an adult, and heck, as a child too sometimes), and of course, the weather. I joke sometimes that brits complain about their weather because they haven't lived in Scandinavia! Thanks for the video, Jenny! P.S. I looove London! ❤

[@annamironova9990]

Oh, I forgot to mention the well-functioning public transport system as a definitive plus!

[@AnimaLibera]

I was in Stockholm during the summer of 2021. The weather was spectacular. Three weeks of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C. I remember saying "who needs Spain when you can sizzle in the sun in Sweden". 😄 I had a lot of trouble sleeping though because it never got dark. I'd love to experience the Swedish winter one day. The Swedes are very friendly and helpful but they tend to keep to themselves. It would be great to visit again but I don't think I'd want to live there.

[@tracybownes7612]

I agree London is amazing, i live about 40 miles from london and every time i visit i fall in love with it just that little bit more !

[@celecha]

So glad I found your channel. Love your perspective on things and way you live your life~ Such a breath of fresh air

[@idam5644]

As a Greek raised in Athens and most of my adult life in Greek islands.. I really regret moving in London .London is full of life and you have job opportunities but on the other hand is dangerous, and being multicultural makes it hard to get real friends that they share same interests as you.And I don’t even want to mention the whether fact .. witch is the mostttttt important for everyone who moved here from the Mediterranean countries.. the restaurants and the coffee shops here are filthy no matter haw expensive or fancy they are ,,, there is no way they can compare to the ones back home …the food in Mediterranean countries is amazing. Health system if you don’t have private insurance is crap .Dental care?? What dental care hahah . So yea I fell I will go back , I miss the sea the sun the great views and the amazing food .Also the prices here are extremely unreasonable so even if you make more money… I spend them just to go home as many times as possible, so there is no point for me staying here .Education also is not that great…

[@SculptExpress-gv8jp]

I am from Croatia and understand everything you yearn for; I am the same. But, everywhere I lived - and I did on several continents - I also left a bit of my heart. So heartbroken, I’ll always miss something from somewhere that I don’t have anymore. Life 🍷

[@shetaz905]

I am from the US but much prefer the Mediterranean countries to London. Worst food I've eaten was in London. And yes, the food on the Mediterranean in amazing!

[@Momma_AL]

I’m Armenian and have lived in the US my entire life (60 years). I can’t imagine living on a Greek island and then leaving that. 😮

[@wstks-fmworldwide5390]

Ahhhh. This rings a bell. For many of the same reasons, I love visiting Norway, but could not consider living there after two lengthy stays in the 1990s. That said I loved the dark and winter weather, But we have that in Northern Michigan, USA too. : -)

[@SaraBiancaBentley]

This was so interesting, Jenny! Your first point honestly was surprising to me, as i always had the impression that Swedes were sort of above trends... like they do their own stylish thing no matter what's going on in the style world. I personally love that well-known, minimalist swedish aesthetic! Really great video, love how fair you were about everything. To answer your question, i live in Athens, Greece and really am very happy with it, there are so many facets to it, things to see etc. And the sunshine is incredible, gotta admit!

[@yuryhalim3733]

Why did you stop your vlogs???

[@beitheleaf8221]

I’ve wondered whether I’ll stay in my home country forever, or if my spouse and I will move, but we are still trying to make enough just to get by. I know our hard working to will pay off once I finish school, but I do badly want to go see the world with my honey by my side. ❤ one day, and Jenny-you give me hope that that day will one day come. Ty darling ❤❤

[@dilly9537]

I found this video and your life experiences of living in different cities very interesting. I'm from London and lived there my whole life, (excluding 4 years in NYC). I left London in 2020, to live in Lund in Skåne region. The weather is actually very similar to the weather in southern England, so that's the least of my worries. I am also close to Denmark, so there is a major city in another country, only 45mins away on the train. (I absolutely love Denmark). I'm finding life very hard socially in Lund, I'm used to big city life. 10million people live in London and 140k live in Lund. My kids are in the school system (which is great) but for me, I get bored here. Until recently, I'd not made a single friend in the 3 years I've lived here. I find Swedes to be incredibly insular and they suffer from passive aggressive behaviour, (which is a key hate of mine). I coach at my sons local football club, which keeps busy socially. I desperately want that big city life again, but I have to tough it out because I don't want to disrupt my childrens social life and education, (they have lots of friends here). You are 100% correct, when you describe London as one of the few world cities. I would add New York to that also. That's why I lived there happily for 4 years. Anyway, good luck on your new life in London. I miss my home, and you are incredibly lucky to have a comfortable life there. Thanks for the video.

[@SophieKopf]

Hej! I lived in Lund for a year to study and I absolutely loved it! We are actually thinking about relocating to the Skåne region soon, to start our business and be closer to friends. It's so interesting how all of our experiences are so different! I live in a small town now near Salzburg, Austria and I find Austrians to be hard to socialise with and a bit socially awkward if I'm honest. Healthcare is great and so are social services, nature is EPIC but the people just don't feel like home. For people like us, who move around, finding a home and finding what home feels to us once we are far from our roots can be a challenge. I wish you all the best for your Lund life, I think keeping social is crucial and the soccer team will do the trick for you! I wish you find your way home, wherever that might be! All the best from someone who is sometimes homesick for Lund, from Austria

[@LuxLisbon32]

Why did you move there in the first place? Work or a Swedish partner? Nosy question from a British woman living in Italy due to husbands job. Similar experiences (I have also lived in Sweden as a teen au pair) here in Italy however I loved Sweden!

[@dilly9537]

@@SophieKopf Thanks! Dont get me wrong, Lund is a beautiful quaint little town, which is very safe and great for families. It punches above it weight, in terms of things to do and cultural awareness. But I guess I'm just a big city guy at heart. We moved here because my Swedish partner had enough of the UK after Brexit. She wanted the familiarity of Lund because she grew up here. I followed her and the kids, because that's what you do when you're a family. I think regular trips back to London for long weekends, will probably ease the pain a bit. Have a great weekend

[@Beauloqs]

Having lived in Sweden with a Swedish girlfriend in the late 90s in the Malmo area it was a lovely part of the world. You couldnt get me back there at gunpoint.

[@AmeliaranneStiggins]

I don't live anywhere near London but as a Brit I LOVE that you feel so at home here!❤

[@eenyminamina]

Jantelagen was honestly killing me. Growing up in Sweden, I had a very “large” and loud personality compared to what is “allowed/tolerated” for a girl. I didn’t have that Swedish jantelag-filter where I would judge other people and myself based off of it. And I was completely shunned by my peers starting from a young age. I now live in a similarly humble country but that actually allows people to pursue and feel proud about their accomplishments and talents without downplaying them constantly.

[@Tanax13]

For a girl? Jantelagen applies equally to both boys and girls. No one likes a show off, regardless of sex. You are allowed to feel proud about your accomplishment and talk about them, but bragging about it or shoving it down peoples' throats is where Swedes draw the line.

[@eenyminamina]

@@Tanax13 yes of course it does, but despite being one of the most forward countries when it comes to gender equality, there is still a hint of traditional gender roles left in society. For example, me and my older brother had very similar personalities growing up. In fact, he was worse than me in some regards because he has narcissistic tendencies. But we were treated very differently by people around us. He was “a leader”. I was “being bossy”. And when it comes to bragging, compared to other countries and cultures I’ve come across, the bar for what is considered bragging feels a lot lower in Sweden. Of course, these are my personal views and experiences, and yours might be different. Neither right or wrong, we are both allowed to have our own thoughts and feeling and views on the matter based off of our experiences. Good day.

[@alisasnag7097]

In what country do you live now?

[@Cactina]

I know what you mean. I think this is common to many countries in Europe. I am Indian, but lived for a long time in the USA. I have the same big personality you are referring to! Now I live in the DACH region, and people are shocked, embarrassed, disgusted, scared, disappointed, etc etc etc whenever I display behavior outside of the accepted feminine construct. It constantly feels like a heavy stone on top of my heart. After 12 years of trying, I think I'm ready to leave in 2024.

[@haniaboufadel309]

Jantelagen is just a paradox all together of humbleness that judge people

[@marinakardos3802]

I live in Croatia , Dalmatia,30 km inland ,sea is very close,,in small town and I can't imagine myself living anywhere else,of course I love to visit other countryes and cityes,but I'am born here and I will die here

[@zainulabdin1720]

I love Dubrovnik ❤

[@chrishedlund3196]

It’s cold and dark for months. Lived up there for a year. Noway, the daylight change will make u crazy,

[@roxpace]

I still live in Sweden after many years with international jobs. I appreciate the Jante law, that is what makes the Swedes also great, of course I do understand your take on this as well and sometimes I would love to brag about myself or say more positive things about others. It has even ended up as a normal thing in the job culture in Sweden to say positive things about colleagues at work, just to not make people too depressed and perform better.

[@borisnegrarosa9113]

I bet your Swedish employer has some plan for employees complimenting each other. The Swedes need plans for everything.

[@IfraahAhmed-o3m]

I believe swedish culture somehow inriched my live and oppen up my eyes for the coloures live has to invite as foreigner grew up in swedish invoroment made me to recognize what i want and what i dont.Thank you sweden and swedish people

[@bruceesterhuizen3283]

You are still jättesvensk in your approach to this video (and all your videos) which is something that I really love about your content! So balanced and contextualized.👌 It is so interesting to hear that perspective, for me, as a person that moved from a megacity to cozy little Göteborg. I have found the people to be so nice, so real and so warm. Swedes have a reputation for being distant, but i have found that it is a very thin shell and once you apply even a little pressure it cracks and out comes the nicest, most genuinely caring person who is ready to be your friend for life. Apart from the cold dark rainy winter nights, I couldnt be happier with taking the chance and moving to Sweden. I hope London brings you as much joy and Gothenburg has brought me!

[@Seevawonderloaf]

I'm an immigrant to Sweden and I love this place so much!! I literally love Sweden for all the reasons you left haha

[@raynessdunkley9136]

Wow..Im British and worked in Sweden for 10 yrs. I enjoyed everything about Stockholm and the surrounding neighborhood towns that I lived in. I wasn't pleased that in 10 years I moved 7 times, the last one to my having my own government flat ( own name on door aa we immigrants described it 😊) Arrangements for carrying on at the workplace was super! I loved the seriousness of how Swedes took their holiday times for fun/ travel/ family reunions etc. Public transport compared to London was a joyful ride with minimum delays for me compared to trying to get around in London. Transport fares were cheaper and there was less complications paying for community based bills...they were already deducted as part of your income tax. Yes 30% of your earnings. I think it was a great way to do it! It was hard to accept at first but it was what it was and nothing could be done otherwise. Now having returned to the UK I am lost in transmission and often wonder what made life seem better in Sweden than here in London. Having listened to your analysis I'm realising that, yes, those were the reasons that I enjoyed my stay there. Im so blessed for being able to be a citizen of both places 😊 Thanks for the reminders of the good Swedish life

[@highendlowspend]

Agree on every point. I love Sweden, but sadly never felt a sense of belonging. London is where I found a home and where I feel utterly alive. ♥

[@anniebootboot]

Trend sensitivity is so real Edit: As someone living in the American south, moving to London "for the weather" is crazy!

[@paolazuffinetti]

Very informative. Thanks. I'll keep following

[@annaamericanaccent9184]

Keeping up with trends and the weather/sunlight situation are the main reasons I don’t want to move back even though Sweden has so much more of a social network as a society. I am more of free spirit and don’t want to have my style evaluated and looked down on. I have sunshine and bright days almost every day and that makes me feel good.

[@MissieK]

My home country is completely different from Sweden. I am from Greece and whenever I moved I heard the same question '' but why would you live a beautiful sunny country''. Because the sunny is nice and fun for vacations. When you live in 36-40C for months and you have to work and keep going with your normal life it's unbearable. Beaches near a city are always too crowded and after a tiring day you don't have the strength (even your underwear is wet from the sweat at this point even if you are in places with AC). On top of that you add the sweet humidity and the lack of rain and it feels like you are in a pot of boiling water. I won't even mention the terrible economy, extremely hard to get a job and how people here are backwards and conservative in many ways. I don't think there is a perfect country though and if you remove your rose coloured glasses you can see the bad and the good of a country and pick were you might fit in better and hopefully you will be able to move there and enjoy the life! I do think that London fits you much better than Tokyo btw 😂

[@blackbeardsdaughter2613]

YASAS - I love Greece (went there regarding business, not as beach vacations) but as a Californian, I know what you mean about a sunny, sometimes hot, country. I myself get crazy excited with rain. I agree Tokyo is not the best. As a long term resident of Kyoto, I say "GO WEST." The western part of Japan has more for my heart that Tokyo could ever pull off. Best wishes to you!! :)

[@no.6377]

Our countries sound very similar. Thanks to living here, I hate the sun and want to live in a more liberal country. The worst thjng about the sun is that our uniforms are heavily influenced by our colonial past. So whether it's school or (office) work, the clothes is not suited for the climate. I wear a three piece suite in that sweet humidity😭😭

[@MsMayhem82]

Also from Greece and couldn't agree more! Well said :)

[@MsMayhem82]

@MsMayhem82 πριν από 1 δευτερόλεπτο Not to mention how cozy and warm it is indoors in the winter in Sweden, us coming from Southern Europe don't take this for granted, it's a huge luxury.

[@OliviPri]

Just recently moved to London and feel exactly like you about it! I know this city is forever for me. After living in a few different places I'm ready to settle down here, it is the perfect amount of excitement, adventure and something new, while also having quiet beautiful places for rest and relaxation available like the many beautiful parks and the amazing British countryside. Maybe I'm romanticising it a bit, I'm sure there will also be things that will bother me over time, but I have a long history with London and have always felt like I fit right in whenever I visited so I can't imagine that I will ever change my mind about wanting to be here even if not everything will be perfect (nothing is anyway).

[@victorhakim1250]

I love the honesty and specificity of the reasons you've given. I'm also moving to another country come January, and I'm very excited, even just for the change.

[@JolieLaide72]

Even if the sun never shone again in Sweden I bet I would be happy there - Swedes are all the sunshine anyone needs. 🥰🥰🥰

[@arfriedman4577]

I'm American. At first I was scared to move to another state. Then I loved where I was. As a kid, I was always amazed by people that moved ro a different country, especially when they had barely nothing. I'm still amazed today.

[@ineshohne4614]

Very interesting your points, didn't know about that topic.

[@LinnieCat]

All of these things are the reasons I chose to moved BACK to Sweden 🙈 the only thing I thought would be hard to live with again is the cold and darkness, but honestly I figured out it’s the only time I feel like I can breathe properly

[@Nina-md1vo]

I use to give so much compliments to others, directly from my heart, without any other explanations, and I am Swedish 🤗💖

[@joshblackwood9]

I’m active duty in the US… retire in 5 years, I want to find a way to move my family to Sweden. All of what you explained sounds beautiful. Especially the humble culture.

[@soonfamous]

Really good video, but I couldnt help myself from giggling when you mentioned "We moved to London for the weather." Any other city in Greece, Spain, Italy would have been a home run for sure.

[@EskoHakola]

I lived in Sweden 40 years ago, after a year I left. I still have snow on my shoulders .

[@qstrian]

You’re always welcome in Chicago. 😊

[@janerock2718]

The first thing I think of when someone mentions Sweden is always Jenny Mustard

[@JennyMustard]

omgggg this made me smile so big 🥰💖

[@angieandersen0705]

I live in Oslo but my background is from Sofia and Budapest. It’s a beautiful town and country but yes, I feel that is time to go another place ❤.

[@zainulabdin1720]

That's good ? where did you decide to go ! Norway is a beautiful country ❤

[@ellyvvaller]

I’m from london and I live in Stockholm. I do miss it. A lot. ❤

[@joannak1956]

Funny thing. In Poland we tell each other compliments but it's kinda rude to admit they're true. We usually say: 'no, but, oh c'mon' as a response.

[@annaonar37]

i moved from my hometown to istanbul, turkey kind of on a whim but thinking about it now - weather and cultural life are two major factors that made me settle down here. if i ever have to move again, i’ll be considering those first.

[@cupid2963]

Why would you move to turkey though😭 fianical crisis + they're really misogynstic and also anti lgbt

[@zecordeiro99]

I’m Portuguese and lived in Sweden last year for 8 months, I was working in fashion, while summer was great, winter came and I couldn’t do it. The darkness, and the way Swedish culture (or lack of) works just isn’t for me, everyone ends up dressing, thinking and acting the same and I also felt it was one of the least multicultural places I’ve been. Like you said, for a summer house yes, to live forever no. Now I live in Berlin and while also it has its bad things I feel much more at home. Don’t get me started on systembolaget… drugs even like weed are a major crime Lolol, I didn’t feel free at all.

[@anna8282]

Your minus points are my plus points lol.

[@matrixist]

Berlin is a hell hole compared to every other city in Europe imo.

[@princywamal]

I'm french and cameroonian, I was born in Cameroon. I left my birth country when I was a teenager to live in France and now, I feel the need to realise my childhood dream to move to London. I'm now preparing my immigration. British people I met usually don't understand my decision to leave France since they have a different image of the country. I think it's important to escape from our usual environment and get some fresh air elsewhere.

[@zainulabdin1720]

Most of Cameroonian use to migrate France coz of their colonial master, Cameron is bilingual country can speak good french, but after living long in french society with out integration! Thay want to move somewhere else ,,, Let me tell you maturity is when you realise same language (french to french) is not benifited but a good country (UK ) 😊

[@MrMarcy76]

It’s nice to see so many people like living in london, based on the comments I’ve read here. I have a love hate relationship with my home city London. The commuting to work is something I really don’t enjoy, working in the city district, where everything is so busy. I long for the day I can live outside of London in another part of the country or move to Europe.

[@obotaira]

Interesting…. I moved to Sweden 8 years ago for love and I can’t agree more. Now I am trying to convince my husband to move 😃.What was your experience living in Berlin? Please make a video about it if it makes sense.

[@bethany9477]

I come from a small Northern town in the UK but have moved to work in London. The job opportunities are so good, but it's funny how people have such different personalities. I can't wait to escape the noise & bustle of London, to a quieter country life in the North again 😅 Different strokes for different folks!

[@12345diary]

I have been living in Oslo, Norway for the past 10 years and I feel like almost everything you talked about applies on Norway as well. I come from the Czech republic and me, my husband and our two girls are actually planning to move back to Czech rep. in the upcoming year. But I must say, that I actually really enjoy the stability and even the "boredom" of living in Oslo and I know that back home it will be much bigger hustle and even though I am quite excited about that, I am also fairly scared. So, it´s really interesting to me listening someone not liking the same things I actually enjoy greatly. Funny :D. Thanks for this video! :)

[@Robert_Kawalec]

LOL - so stay in Oslo ! :D

[@michelleg7]

They say that Southern Norway has a different culture, would you agree with that?

[@zainulabdin1720]

​@@michelleg7not only south of Norway but south of France, south of Sweden, south of Italy, south of UK & south of Belgium is way different culturally, climate, even some times language etc😊

[@winterburden]

Thanks Jenny Mustard!

[@JennyMustard]

Thanks for watching!

[@dantopster]

I am a Brazilian living in Chicago for 10 years. I've also lived in the UK. There's no way I will live in Brazil again. I realized not long ago the toxic culture traumatized me. I was subjected to early sexualization and no child should go through this. When I was 12 I remember a minor was on the cover of Playboy. Fuck that.

[@Usurua0]

I’m so sorry 😅😢

[@borisnegrarosa9113]

Wise words. I left Sweden too. Not going back.

[@xXNekou]

My first association with Sweden is cold weather. And weird sweets with packaging that looks like it didn't change from 1990s xD

[@blackbeardsdaughter2613]

Dear Jenny, in my opinion, this is your best presentation yet. (I subscribed quite a while ago.) I am from Northern California and lived many years in Kyoto, Japan and earned residency after 10 years working at a sake brewery. I have a dear friend in Stockholm who is Swedish yet different from the general Swedish mould with his own business. He loves the sun as I love the rain because our climates are so different. Like me, he is very independent and has a strong will to make progress. If you consider going to Japan, please consider the western part. It's not as flashy as Tokyo but the food, culture, people are incredible. It is my second home. By the way, my little sister just had a first amazing trip to London. I'm so happy! I worked in London for a summer whilst in university. Congratulations on your book! Warmest Californian wishes to you! :)

[@anna8282]

I think Tokyo might be better for Jenny since she says she's easily bored and seems to like a lot of variety and happenings. Hubby and I are absolutely "Tokyo people" since we are "Capital people" from our own country and appreciate a 24/7 lifestyle with a lot of services and things to see and do. We went on a trip to Kyoto for a few days and couldn't wait to get back home to Tokyo. In Kyoto the stores/konbinis closed earlier, the selection was more limited, and there just wasn't as much to do and see (there's the cliché touristy stuff but that doesn't interest us and it's quickly experienced). The best things in Kyoto were Kyoto station with its shops and the Aeon mall close by. But otherwise too much of a "boring small town"....

[@ubermut1379]

In Germany, we don’t have Jantellagen per se, it’s perfectly fine to give other people compliments, but to outsiders, they might seem understated even though we certainly don’t mean it that way. One of the most common expressions of approval is: „not bad“. And people very much shy away from expressing that they are good at something themselves. There is this prevalent false humbleness that people expect. „Oh I’m not THAT beautiful“ „Oh I don’t know if I really did well, there were some mistakes after all“. Don’t even dare to have the confidence to state that you are good at something. ESPECIALLY as a woman. A lot of Germans very much feel competitive with other people („oh she got the job because she is prettier“ „he always sucks up to people but he is so fake“ „she can only do this because her parents are middle class and not poor like mine“), but don’t dare to be open about your privileges yourself. One of our most famous politicians, Friedrich Merz, claimed to be upper middle class while flying around in private jets and working for BlackRock with a million € salary. I think it actually helps to be open without pretense about the privileges you have and don’t pretend you are „ugly“ and „stupid“ when you are not.

[@asafros12]

Really love you design content aesthetic, really unique! And happy for you for choosing your own life storyline ❤

[@rgcederberg]

I can certainly understand what you're talking about! My wife and I have moved a dozen times in 40 years; over 17,000 miles. I am Swedish by heritage (all 4 grandparents were immigrants) so one of our moves was from Portland Oregon to Stockholm and I loved it there. I have to agree with you on your reasons to leave, although the darkness didn't bother me as much as it did others. We spent 6 months in the UK doing house sitting and I have to say that I LOVE it there. I will be in Corsham for a month for a house sit in April and I can't wait! Bless you and keep up the good work!! KRAM

[@PontaNegra-g6j]

I was born in Sweden as a second generation immigrant. This video really hit home for me. I'm not ungrateful for my upbringing there, but I would never ever consider returning to live there ever again. With much love from a fellow 'citizen of the world' in Paris. xs

[@LiobaBrueckner]

Thank you for this wonderful video and for sharing these interesting insights with us! My dream city to live in is Amsterdam! I wish we could afford an apartment there! 🙈

[@JennyMustard]

hope you will one day! 🥰

[@cheesy_ground_beef]

I have never felt more at home than when I visited London. My sole life goal is to live there one day. So thank you for fueling my fire!

[@livnielsen99]

I moved away from Denmark for many of these reasons. Especially the specific style/trends (so nice to hear someone say it!!), the small amount of people and the dark/grey winters where you can go weeks without seeing a glimmer blue sky. I moved to Berlin and spent 3,5 years there. I loved the freedom to be able to just be me, instead having to fit into a specific box. It's as if in Denmark (and probably all of Scandinavia) there's only one way to be alternative or different, and you have to do it this specific way, almost so that you're easier to sell a specific product to. I just recently moved back to Denmark, in Copenhagen and I wish I could say that things are different than my expectations, but it is very much the same as expected. Although I will say I love the clean streets and people seem to be more economically stable and therefore in a better mental state.