Today marks two years in London and two years of living abroad. I should be in Sintra right now exploring gorgeous castles but long weekends of places like Portugal will have to wait, as will many other travels. Last year to celebrate one year in England by boyfriend and I went on a romantic weekend away to the Cotswolds, staying in a gorgeous estate and biking through the countryside. Now we will celebrate in our new London flat and maybe take our daily walk down to the Thames River – certainly not Portugal but better than nothing.
(photo on the Thames from last Spring)
I vividly remember two years ago today landing at Heathrow with five suitcases in tow and nervously awaiting my next chapter. I started working in the London office of my company three days later while living in temporary housing and I’ll be honest, this new city took a while to get used to. Part of it was living alone, part was cultural adjustments (the Brits redefine #nonewfriends), and part was a very busy job but now, I’m so happy I decided to make the jump and move across the pond.
In case you knew around these parts I have written a number of these posts on my Expat Life – everything from my announcement post and to a pre-move Q&A session which were before I set off for the UK and posts like 10 Surprising Things After One Month in London and 13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving Abroad. Take a read through those if you are interested in learning more about the past two years.
One of the questions I get asked most often is how long I am going to stay. I do not think London will be my forever home and it would actually be difficult for it to be as my visa is for five years. However, two years down means I have three left and there are still so many things I want to see, do, and eat in this city, this country, and this continent.
I am not really sure where I’m going with this post but as I mentioned to my boyfriend two years in London feels momentous and it feels like it should be documented in real time. (Plus it’s a request from a few loyal readers is to share more “real life” posts).
What questions do you have about living abroad?
Romania’s Royal Peleș Castle
Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh
The Naked Statutes in Olso’s Vigelandsparken
Visiting Germany’s Hohenzollern Castle
Lauren says
It’s truly amazing the life you have built there and all you have accomplished and seen! I did my study abroad in London and it was one of the happiest times of my life. I miss it so much. I wish I could move back. Maybe someday.
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TAMMY says
Congrats on your 2 year anniversary of living in London. I can tell you had a fun ride there the last 2 years and you met someone you love. You did very well. I can’t wait to see more of your fashion and travel adventures.
Emma says
What do you have left that you want to do in London?
Also, I liked the dress you are wearing so much in the first photo that I bought it and I get a lot of compliments on it and always think of you when I wear it.
Cindy says
Your boyfriend is right, it is a momentous occasion and look how far you have come and you met someone special.
I think that is definitively worth celebrating. Good job.
Hilary says
Too bad about Sintra. I went there a few years ago on a quick trip to Lisbon and had no idea the charms of that place.
It has been on my list to go again and spend at least two nights and especially go to the castle-large house that as the spiral staircase down to some secret place right out of a Robert Ludlum book.
Hope you get to reschedule it for sometime soon.
Marylou says
I read your blog every day and can’t believe that it has been two years.
Time certainly has flown by for me reading about all of your adventures and travel spots and terrific fashions.
What a milestone.
Congratulations!