North of Europe
Posted by Uncle_Richard98@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I’ve been living in north of Europe for 6 years now and I have decided that this is not the place I want to stay long term no matter the “benefits”. I came originally from a southern European country.
I want to move to a place that I can get a lot of money and can be warm or at least have very defined weather seasons, so I’m inclined into towards California in the US or Switzerland (any canton would serve but I’m inclined towards Zurich).
But I can’t move right now, I still have some plans / things to do and I will stay in north of Europe for at least 2/3 years. But how can you survive the grey cold windy weather most of the year and the shitty food for so long? I’m becoming more and more depressed in this place the more years pass.
Chemical-Cricket9225@reddit
USA is the best place in terms of climate, but that climate and ease of living comes with price in terms of non-existent social benefits and safety(maternity, vacations, healthcare), plus violence culture. Even though people are generally nicer and friendlier than europeans, they also have a lot of lunatics roaming around and you never know where the next shooting will occur. Which is really sad.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
I could name a large number of places with a better climate than the US.
Chemical-Cricket9225@reddit
Which country as a whole has as diverse climate as US? Russia?
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
Is a diverse climate specifically what OP wants?
SeanBourne@reddit
I’ve had to deal with cold, dark places earlier in life.
I’d recommend:
- Vitamin D supplementation
- Didn’t sauna back then (more of a recent discovery), but I may have to move somewhere cold and dreary again, and know that if I do, will incorporate this
- Taking up a winter sport (I ski and snowboard and used to play hockey, which worked in my prior cold location… not so much in the one I’m contemplating, but I’ll try to find something)
- Bonfires or an actual fire in your fireplace (e.g. not those faux gas fireplaces)
- Take at least one warm, sunny weather vacation
- If you don’t have as many friends as you’d like, meet other expats (generally looking to make friends, understand that people come and go, and will be warmer than the locals)
- Provided you can bring with you when you move (but only if so), get a dog or cat
- Heat/light lamps if you can manage it
- NGL, booze. (Please drink responsibly/know your limits, etc.)
Other than Sauna, the pet (knew I wouldn’t be able to take one with me), and the lamps, I used all of the others.
DutchieinUS@reddit
Do you have an immigration path to move to the US?
Uncle_Richard98@reddit (OP)
Yes
Puzzleheaded-Sun7418@reddit
Is it only the weather or also the lifestyle/society? I say this because in my case it was everything and I ended up coming back home with a remote job. Best of both worlds. Can you do something like that?
North_Artichoke_6721@reddit
I was in a northern country for 5 years and the darkness really bothered me. The best things are to have a strong social network, good lights in your home, and if you’re financially able to take your holidays in warm, sunny places, do so.
Gods_ShadowMTG@reddit
California doesn't have very defined seasons lol.
Uncle_Richard98@reddit (OP)
I said I want either a warm place (which California is) or a place with defined seasons (which Switzerland is).