By the time I turned 18, I had already lived in four different countries: England, Kuwait, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Driven by a desire to settle down in one place and the appeal of affordable university fees, I moved to the Netherlands, a country connected to my roots but where I had never lived.
For nearly a decade, I resided there, brushing aside a nagging sense of restlessness that hinted I wasn’t truly happy. Eventually, I knew it was time for a change and began contemplating a move.
At the end of 2023, I gave up my apartment, stored my belongings in my mom’s basement, and set out to travel the world in search of a new home.
I started my journey in Spain
My first stop was Xàbia, Spain, a coastal town where I spent five weeks petsitting a red lab in a beautiful house overlooking the ocean. It was a glimpse of what life could be like with weekends spent at the beach or hiking. While I loved the endless sunshine, I ultimately didn’t feel it was my forever home, prompting me to continue my journey.
Next, I spent two weeks in Belfast
Having never visited Northern Ireland before, I quickly fell in love with the vibrant energy of Belfast. The comedy clubs, cozy pubs, and rich history captivated me. However, I sensed something was lacking, especially in the culinary scene, which didn’t quite satisfy my cravings, pushing me to seek more.
I headed to Kythira, an island in Greece
Each year, my friends and I choose a different Greek island for our two-week vacation. During my visit to Kythira, I dreamed of spending a year lounging on sandy beaches under the sun. But conversations with locals revealed that the island was nearly deserted outside of the summer months, reminding me that I would always be chasing that holiday feeling.
After struggling to find a place that felt like home, I decided to return to my birthplace
Realizing my search wasn’t yielding the desired results, I decided to try England again, the place I was born but had left when I was just three. I spent three weeks dogsitting in a quaint Bedfordshire village, where the idyllic countryside beckoned me. Long forest walks, Sunday roasts at the local pub, and evenings spent reading in the garden were tempting, but I recognized that it wasn’t yet time for such a tranquil lifestyle.
Eager to explore, I spent two weeks in Cambridge, a city I’d always heard so much about. While I enjoyed working in various cafés and visiting museums, I ultimately felt that Cambridge’s student-driven atmosphere wasn’t the right match for me at that moment.
I finally ended up settling in the perfect city
My journey culminated in a month spent in London, where I cared for my sister’s pomsky. Initially, I believed that the bustling, often chaotic city was not for me. But this time, I uncovered a different side of London—gorgeous parks that made me forget I was in a metropolis, an impressive theater scene, and inviting cafés where I could comfortably work without feeling isolated.
Connecting with fellow journalists I had met online opened a door to a potential community, something I had been missing. London’s sheer population offered the chance to find my tribe.
After a few months in London, I found myself increasingly happier. I have been slowly building my community, reconnecting with old friends who also moved to the city. My regular haunt is a cozy café where I enjoy working with my laptop and a delicious chai, often strolling through parks on weekends to recharge.
Navigating life in such a bustling urban environment has not been without its challenges, but I’m steadily carving out my niche in this vibrant city and look forward to continuing this journey.