2015 will be our eighth year living in London, and I have to say that after an adjustment period, I could not be happier about living there. But it hasn’t always been that way.
Last summer I was ready to throw in the towel with London. Many of you girls may have felt the same along the way. I missed my family, my long-time girlfriends, and being from Southern California, I missed the sunshine and the beach. I couldn’t take the rain anymore and I just wanted out. But then, just as I was ready to call the moving vans, I spent a little time in Los Angeles and realized, there is no place in the world like London.
Where else can you take in the best theatre, museums, shopping and even restaurants in the world? Where else can you hop on a plane and be in Rome (or any where in Europe for that matter) in a couple short hours? There is a buzz in this City like no place else in the world, and I’ve majorly re-caught the London love bug.
What really made 2014 for me is realizing the value of the friendships that I have built in London. It has become my home because of my friends. And you know what, they aren’t all American. If I can encourage you to do one thing while you are living here- is get out of your AG bubble!!!! Sure I have a couple of close AGs that I literally could not live without, but I also have friends from London, Hong Kong and Australia that I can’t imagine not having by my side.
Look, being an expat can be hard, but if you’re feeling that way I have to encourage you to give it some time. For me it’s taken almost eight years to feel like London is home. And I chalk that up to finding an incredible network of girlfriends. So cheers to you girls.You know who you are. And cheers to London. I can’t wait to come home.
SHOP IT
Top: Equipment, available at Harrods. Jeans: Rag and Bone, available at Liberty. Hat: Rag and Bone. Shoes: Chanel, similar from Pretty Ballerinas here. Bag: Celine. Long necklace: Monica Vinader, Riva pendant. Sunglasses: Barton Perreira.
And we love you v v v much too xxxxxx
I love this post! As our third year in London is well under way I too have at times wanted to throw in the towel. And yet I know how ridiculous that sounds as we are so lucky to be living in this absolutely spectacular city. Thank you for the positive words and Happy 2015.
Love this post! The one thing that gets me is the lack of sun – even Toronto has more! But the pros outweigh the cons 😉
I absolutely agree, being an expat can be hard but I wouldn’t trade it for anything 🙂
Happy New Year!