Little did I know that my one year ‘travel break’ would result in me becoming a Canadian expat in London.
Leaving my job of 10 years, and renting out my apartment in Vancouver to travel for an entire year definitely raised eyebrows at home; and although most people seemed to be supportive I had the feeling that some thought I was making a mistake in throwing away my future security.
It was not an easy decision and I mulled it over for two years before making my final decision. But when an idea sticks with you and doesn’t leave your mind, I believe you have to go for it and make it happen otherwise you always have the “what if?” question hanging over you.
My Year Of Travel Changed My Life
Greenwich Views
It was the best thing I could’ve done and I don’t regret making such a drastic change in my life.
People seem to make a big issue about what you can and can’t do based on your age and what stage of life you’re in; and expect everyone else to live within these confines.
After travelling for a year to 14 countries and living and working in Spain and Malta during that time (due to having European citizenship); I met the most amazing and interesting people from the ages of 18 to 70; people who all had different stories about how they ended up traveling and working in different places. I saw that I was not the only one who had the desire to change and explore…and that there was nothing wrong with that, no matter what your age.
As a child of immigrants I have always had the travel bug, having been to Europe and South America to visit family several times from a young age. Once I got older and started travelling on my own or with friends, work became a means to get me to my next vacation. Travel has always been my top priority.
My year away from home was quite planned out as I had specific destinations and activities that I knew I wanted to see and do before my one year break was up. More importantly, one year was all that my budget could handle!
London Calling: An Expat Life Begins
Once the year and the money were gone I spent a month with friends in the UK contemplating my next move. My gut was telling me that I wasn’t ready to head home yet so I decided I’d give it a month to find a temporary job so that I could make a little money to buy my plane ticket home and enjoy London for the next six months.
By the time my six months was coming to an end I still didn’t feel like going back. I had made good friends and was able to take some great and affordable travel breaks from London which just isn’t possible from Vancouver.
Linda Sightseeing In London
Living in a new city or country isn’t all smooth sailing, but for me it wasn’t as difficult as I had imagined. I went from the rainiest and one of the most expensive cities in Canada to the rainiest and most expensive city in Europe so it wasn’t that hard of an adjustment. Both cities are very multicultural and have a lot of excellent international food options.
Life in London Begins: The Good & The Bad
Tower Bridge Days
I joined some meetup groups, participated in creative activities and met a few people who then introduced me to other people and I have managed to make a group of good long term friends in London, some of which are from Canada as well.
Although I had many friends in my hometown, most of them were married with their own families and I really struggled to meet new and genuine people to spend time with. Perhaps I found it easier to meet people here because London simply has a much larger population and there are more people who are in the same situation as you are to relate to.
Carnaby St, London
The biggest adjustment for me has been flat sharing since I had lived on my own for so many years and I really appreciate having a home space to myself. I didn’t really like my first permanent job but I managed to find something new that I enjoy now and I have wonderful colleagues.
The opportunities are there, it just takes time, patience and effort to find them. I really feel that I can build up my CV and work experience here to help me with future job prospects. Socially and culturally, London has by far exceeded my expectations. There is always something to see or do if you want to get out.
Of course, like every expat, I miss friends and family from home and it’s sad when people you meet have to move on but it’s so easy to keep in touch nowadays that people don’t seem so far away and there are always chances to visit and meet again.
Linda With Friends In Dublin
I am now fast approaching my second year in London and who knows what the future holds? But for the next few years for sure I will take advantage of my time here and continue to explore the UK and Europe.
Check out Linda’s travel blog Merry Traveller, which provides tips and ideas on travel destinations to inspire and help you plan your next adventure.
You can also connect with her on Twitter and Facebook!
Enjoy this story? Check out Francesca’s experience of living in Milan, Italy from Glasgow Scotland here.
Welcome to London! It’s a great place, huh? I’ve been here over five years now and I’m still not bored of it, and is multiculturalism is definitely one of its strengths 🙂
Thanks Joe! Yes, Linda and myself included love London. It’s good to hear there are many of us who see the charm that London offers!
I am more of a North America kinda girl though haha. But I enjoyed it.
London is an amazing city! Can easily see how it can suck you in, especially with the amount of travel opportunities you have in The UK!
Thanks Nicole! This is true. Europe literally is right there for the taking from London.
I love London. The city has a nice upbeat vibe to it. The same happened to me when I went to Indonesia for a ‘trial’ job for two months and ended up spending an year there. Quite a shocker back home..but wow what an experience.
Hey Jo! Thanks for the comment. London is definitely a city with a vibe. I myself stayed longer than the year I thought. It does change you, but in such a good way!
I somehow admire people, who decide to live permanently in a place so far away from home. I did it before, but I missed my family too much, even though I made many great friends. So now I try to travel as often as I can, while also living close to my family and having a base in my home town. That’s the best solution for me, but every person has a different story. It was very interesting to read Linda’s. It’s obvious, that she has made the right choices for herself and that’s a great thing 🙂
I so understand your view as I am the same. Very family oriented and whilst I love being away, I am not sure how long I will stay in Canada. I would love to be living 6 months in Australia and 6 months elsewhere. Whatever makes people happy is the best decision they can make.
Loved this article 🙂 Nice to see someone enjoying living in our rainy old country!
Thanks Liz! I lived in London too, it didn’t rain as much as I thought it would haha. But great stories in this series for sure!
What a lovely story! Kudos from a fellow Canadian (and expat living in Korea!) ^^
Thanks Samantha! It really is a great story! ?
I’m glad Linda followed her gut, it is something traveling has taught me how to do over the last year or so (among so many other things). The story turned out well for her, and that she is able to make friends abroad. That is probably one of the most unnerving things about moving anywhere, much less across the world!
Totally agree! When everything pans out it is so good to know you made the right decision.
Following your dreams is the best thing you could ever do. Even if it means moving across the globe to achieve it. Awesome post, you go girl!
Thanks Anne! Linda will appreciate reading this!
Hi Toni, I love this! I did something similar (quit my 14 year career in wine industry) and I’m in my mid 30’s. My goal wasn’t to be a forever nomad with a backpack, it was simply to get more travel in while I could ( like Canada, from the U.S it’s almost impossible to travel internationally much with the limited vacation time, cost of tickets, and distance from Europe, etc) and to find a better job/or start my own company that could support me. It seemed crazy. And I might possibly be in a sticky situation in 6 months or so but I do have the feeling it will all work out.
Like you, I have European citizenship (though I’m born and raised in California) and i work my ass off constantly researching new ways to travel and stay for longer on less money while gathering experiences and new connections.
I also come from one of most expensive areas in USA where you have to make a lot of $ to have a decent quality of life as a single person.
Thanks for sharing and perhaps we’ll meet in London sometime! I’m considering a job opportunity not far from there…in the near future..
I’m glad you liked it! London is a great city which is why so many move over there. Hopefully you get there again! It truly is the city of opportunity. This is my friend Linda’s post about her expat experience, but anytime I am in that neck of the woods I am always looking to meet up with people! Good luck with it all!
Great series. I’m originally from the UK so it’s really nice to hear positive things from expats that have made it their home. I can feel like I left knowing that awesome people would take my place!
How nice! I lived in London too and I really did enjoy it. It’s nice when people appreciate the place you call home? Even if you aren’t always there. Thanks for reading!
I love this series so much! Being an expat, it’s so awesome to hear about other people doing it, in other countries! London in my hometown so it is also really interesting to hear how people from other countries see it. 🙂
I love it too! I am so proud of it and love sharing other people’s stories. They are all incredible! Thanks for reading!