The most asked question I've received while being in the UK has been "so, why did you move here?" - and it's a pretty fair question. There are actually a number of reasons as to why I decided to make the move. For those people wondering, here they are:
1. Personal growth and getting out of my comfort zone
Funnily enough, the theme of this blog and the main reason I moved to the other side of the world was for self development. I grew up in a very safe city, with lots of wonderful friends and my small, but close, family. I've encountered many challenges in my life while growing up and found that overcoming each obstacle actually lead me to become a wiser person. I had the move planned in my head for a while. After graduating from university, I knew that it was the perfect time and that it was now or never. I was ready for my next challenge: selling everything I owned, packing my belongings into one single suitcase, and flying to London solo without a place to live or a job to go to. The ultimate challenge here was working it all out - and that I did.
2. Opportunity
London is truly a global city. You don't have to be business-minded to know that it is home to some of the largest and most dynamic companies in the world. The amount of creative energy that takes place within this city leads to so many unique innovations every single year. Many businesses based in London are also well connected on an international level and are present in other locations around the globe. Therefore, a career you start in London has the ability to take you to many other places. The city itself pulls in a huge amount of economic weight on a global scale, and therefore, attracts a large amount of talent. No matter what your background, the opportunities are endless - there's something for everyone!
3. Europe is on your door step
You can spend hours on a plane in Australia and you'll still end up in the same country because of how big it is. Here in the UK, you can catch an hour-long flight and be somewhere completely different. Travelling is something I am very passionate about and I've been fortunate enough to visit a number of different cities/countries around Europe during my first year of living in London. The amount of money I used to pay for a music festival ticket in Australia (and believe me, there were a lot of those), is the same amount of money I can get a return flight to a European city for - enough said. I always make an effort to save money from my monthly pay cheque to put towards another overseas trip or city break. I am someone who much prefers to spend their money on experiences rather than possessions - but everyone is different! To me, the ability to travel and experience different cultures is priceless.
4. You are never bored - there's always something to do in London
If you've visited London before or have ever Googled "things to do in London", you'd know that the list is endless. From weekly markets, to museum visits, to wandering the historic streets and seeing the sights, you know that you'll be kept busy. Coming from Queensland, I was always used to warm temperatures and sunshine all year-round. London's weather doesn't quite replicate that. The social scene tends to be quieter during the Winter months (but still busy depending on where you go), then London comes to life in the Summer. This is when you'll find crowds of people eating and drinking at your local Common, dancing in rooftop bars, and enjoying bottomless brunches at London's finest restaurants.
Overall, my first year in London has been a dream. I've visited many places and eaten amazing food. With the current pandemic, London life has been put on hold and is now an eerie ghost town. Here's hoping that if everyone abides by the rules their government has put in place, we can overcome this virus and still enjoy the Summer months!
Until next time;
peace and love,
Tina
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